Sports - Randolph Record

15 Jun

ZooKeepers need results to go with home comforts

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, summer college baseball

Chase Waddell takes a swing for the Asheboro ZooKeepers during their game Sunday night against the Savannah Bananas at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers are starting to feel right at home in their partially renovated ballpark. To be sure, they’re glad to settle in at McCrary Park. “Oh my Gosh, it looks awesome,” said pitcher Danny Heintz said. “The whole thing.” Heintz has a particular perspective because the pitcher from the University of Pennsylvania also played in 2021 for Asheboro’s team in the Coastal Plain League. Because of delays in construction on the first…

15 Jun

Championships, individual excellence highlight spring prep season in county

Bob SuttonSportsbaseball, prep sports, Randleman, soccer, track and field, Wheatmore

Asheboro’s Arianna Lovingood-Smith’s makes an attempt in the high jump during the Class 3-A state championships last month at North Carolina A&T. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) There was plenty to digest for spring prep sports involving Randolph County teams in addition to Wheatmore’s girls’ soccer team and Randleman’s baseball team winning Class 2-A state championships. Those accomplishments were certainly among the highlights, but other developments deserve certain attention as well. Blue Comets jump ahead Asheboro’s girls’ track and field team won the program’s first conference championship by capturing the Mid-Piedmont Conference title. “We’ve had some good talent come through, but…

15 Jun

Providence Grove alum receives top honor

Randolph RecordSportsAnna Thomas, Emory & Henry College, Providence Grove, softball

Former Providence Grove athlete Anna Thomas was named the top female senior athlete at Emory & Henry College. Thomas, a softball player, is the 2021-22 recipient of the Hall Memorial Award, which honors an athlete based on skill, leadership and character. Thomas is considered one of the top outfielders in the Emory & Henry program history. She was part of 87 victories, two NCAA Tournaments on the Division III level and a No. 9 national ranking. During this past spring, she filled in as a pitcher as well. Thomas was the 2019 Rookie of the Year in the Old Dominion…

15 Jun

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Randolph RecordSportsall-conference, piedmont athletic conference, prep sports

Randleman's Kylie Vaughan throws the shot put during the Class 2-A state championships last month. (PJ Ward-Brown/ Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Co-Players of the Year: Brooks Brannon (Randleman), Braylen Hayes (Randleman Pitcher of the Year: Ryan White (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Jake Smith (Randleman) All-conference Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Brooks Brannon, Braylen Hayes, Drake Purvis, Bryson Sweatt, Trey Way, Ryan White Trinity: Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mosley, Landon Mowery, Siler Parrish Southwestern Randolph: Adam Cole, Tyler Parks Wheatmore: Rylan Smith. Providence Grove: Zander…

08 Jun

Post 81 takes satisfaction by topping county rival Post 45

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Craven Stadium, Post 45, Post 81, randolph county

Shortstop Nate Gardner played a key role for Post 81 in its victory against Randolph County Post 45. (PJ Ward-Brown/North State Journal file photo) RAMSEUR – It felt like an important game for Eastern Randolph Post 81 in the American Legion rematch with in-county rival Randolph County Post 45. The outcome seemed huge as well. “It’s big for Post 81 and Eastern Randolph district,” said center fielder Brody Gardner. “We don’t do it very often.” That’s because Post 81 pulled off a 15-6 victory Tuesday night at Craven Stadium. This was no sure-thing result. A nine-run outburst in the bottom…

08 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Summer Bowman

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, girls soccer, prep sports, Summer Bowman, Wheatmore

Wheatmore | girls’ soccer Bowman scored two goals to boost the Warriors in the Class 2-A state championship game. That resulted in a 4-1 victory against Clinton on Friday night in Cary. She was named Most Valuable Player of the title game. Bowman, a junior forward, was an instrumental part of Wheatmore’s 25-0-0 season that was capped by the school’s first state team championship. In the West Region final earlier in the week, Bowman had the team’s only two assists in the 4-3 overtime triumph at Wilkes Central. Bowman finished the season third on the team in goals (36)…

08 Jun

Bass repeats as city golf champ

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro City Amateur, Asheboro Country Club, JD Bass

ASHEBORO — JD Bass shot a 10-under-par 203 for three rounds for an overwhelming victory to repeat as champion in the Asheboro City Amateur. Bass completed play in the 60th version of the event with a 3-under 69 on Sunday at Pinewood Country Club’s Spruce Course. That gave him a 10-shot gap on runner-up Sam Davidson. Bass began with Friday’s 6-under 65 at Asheboro Country Club. Then came a 1-under 69 – aided by an eagle on the par-4 10th hole — on Saturday at Asheboro Municipal Golf Course. He set the tone with six birdies on the back side…

07 Jun

Apple pulls off Caraway surprise

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Late Models division, Stock car racing

Donnie Apple claimed the checkered flag by winning a feature Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Caraway Speedway) SOPHIA – Donnie Apple turned back the clock and won a Late Models feature Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. Apple, 60, tied in qualifying with points leader Coy Beard. Apple won a coin toss for the coveted top starting spot and went on to win the 35-lap race. Beard placed second. Ross Dalton, who was third in the first race, captured the second feature while holding off Tony Black. Beard was third in that race. There was a familiar tone…

04 Jun

Tigers cherish title repeat in state finals

Bob SuttonNews, SportsBrooks Brannon, Burlington Athletic Stadium, Class 2-A, nchsaa, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Ryan White

Randleman baseball players celebrate after the final out of the Class 2-A state finals. (PJ Ward-Brown/North State Journal) Randleman finishes remarkable postseason run BURLINGTON – It was even better this time for Randleman baseball players. They should know. With the core of the team intact, the Tigers repeated as Class 2-A state champions with another emphatic result. “Senior year, a good way to go out,” center fielder Braylen Hayes said. Randleman capped a sterling season with Saturday afternoon’s 12-5 victory against Whiteville in Game 2 of the championship series at Burlington Athletic Stadium. “My last game is winning another state…

04 Jun

Tears of joy for Warriors: Wheatmore girls capture state title

Randolph RecordNews, SportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, nchsaa, state record, Wheatmore athletics, Wheatmore soccer

Members of the Wheatmore girls' soccer team celebrate the school's first state championship Friday night in Cary. (PJ Ward-Brown/North State Journal) CARY – The Wheatmore girls’ soccer team fit right in at the state finals. The Warriors, who were the first Randolph County team to play in a state championship game in soccer, completed an unblemished season with Friday night’s 4-1 victory against Clinton to secure the Class 2-A title. “We definitely deserved it,” Wheatmore forward Summer Bowman said. The Warriors ended up with a 25-0-0 record. “You go 25-0, you set the bar so high for anybody,” coach Ricky…