Asheboro goalkeeper David Agudelo makes a stop against Southwestern Randolph’s Fernando Hernandez during last week’s game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record).
Here’s how some area teams fared at the beginning of the new school year:
Volleyball
Reigning Class 2-A state champion Southwestern Randolph began the season with a sweep of host Asheboro in a non-conference match last Wednesday. The Cougars won 25-14, 25-15, 25-8.
Southwestern Randolph received 14 kills from Madelyn Smith, while Gracie Hodgin added nine kills and six aces. Raegan LeRoy provided 21 assists and four digs.
The Cougars capped the week by playing in a two-day tournament at East Chapel Hill.
Southwestern Randolph began with a five-set victory against Western Guilford. The Cougars followed that by losing to Carrboro in four sets and then churning out four-set victories against East Chapel Hill and Southern Alamance.
Boys’ soccer
Southwestern Randolph won in its opener under coach Jimmy Walker, who returned to that role after a hiatus of several seasons.
The start of the season for the Cougars was delayed one day because of a postponement before they defeated host Central Davidson 3-2.
Asheboro turned in a 3-0 week by winning games on three consecutive nights. The Blue Comets defeated Trinity 6-0, Southwestern Randolph 8-1 and Jordan-Matthews 2-1.
In those games, Cristian Cruz recorded three goals and four assists, while Cristian Ortiz racked up four goals and one assist. Diego Bustamonte had two goals in the opener and an assist in the third game. Daniel Gutierrez notched two goals.
Girls’ golf
Asheboro had a couple of notable events, including an under-par score for one of its golfers in the season opener.
Salem Lee posted a 1-under-par 35 in a match against Union Pines and Oak Grove at Country Club of Whispering Pines’ River Course.
On the next day, the Blue Comets were the host team for a seven-team invitational at Pinewood Country Club. This 18-hole competition was dubbed by Asheboro coach Heather Norris as one of the top girls’ golf events in the state based on the field.
Lee shot 4-over 76 to finish in eighth place. Asheboro placed sixth in the team competition.
Cross country
At Thomasville, Wheatmore’s boys finished last among five teams in East Davidson’s Bobby Schilly Invitational despite a strong performance from junior Zach Hazelwood.
Hazelwood posted a personal-best time of 17 minutes, 33 seconds across the 3.1-mile course to place third. The winner was Ethan Byerly of South Davidson in 17:31.
On the girls’ side, Wheatmore was last among four scoring teams. Olivia Hildreth placed 14th in 24:20. Asheboro Hybrid Academy entrants McKenna Voncannon (23:08, 7th) and Arabella Shortridge (24:03, 12th) were in the top 12.
