Braxton Walker - Randolph Record

29 May

Post 45 looking to fit parts together as season launches

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Austin Lemons, Braxton Walker, Carter Brown, Connor Adams, Drew Harmon, Grat Dalton, Jake Riddle, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Tanner Marsh

Manager Ronnie Pugh says that pitching could be strong for Randolph County Post 45. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) Young team to play for Randolph County ASHEBORO – It’s going to take time for Randolph County Post 45 to put it all together with a more youthful roster than in the past. But the group still intends to be one of the top American Legion baseball teams in the state. A week into the season, Post 45 split its first two outings. “We’re getting some things done,” manager Ronnie Pugh said. “All of the things we’re going to put in,…

29 Apr

UCA wrestler Alston proves strong in nationals

Randolph RecordSportsBraxton Walker, Brayden Hall, Dominic Hittepole, Gavin Hardister, Jose Flores, Joseph Trahan, Lawson Coltrane, Lorenzo Alston, prep wrestling, Spencer May

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Lorenzo Alston, here holding down Avery County’s Mason Bentley in the state tournament in February, reached the semifinals in a national tournament. (Randolph Record file photo) Mixed results come for Randolph County entrants VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Sophomore Lorenzo Alston of Uwharrie Charter Academy turned in one of the best finishes of any wrestler from North Carolina in the National High School Coaches Association’s national tournament in April. Alston placed fourth in the sophomore division at 145 points at Virginia Beach Sports Center. Alston reached the semifinals before losing 11-3 to Kross Cassidy of Fairfax, Va. He…

18 Apr

Randleman Tigers conjure more magic for PAC baseball supremacy

Bob SuttonSportsBraxton Walker, Jake Smith, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, Randleman Tigers, Seth Way, Trinity Bulldogs

Randleman’s Braxton Walker had a big impact at the plate and on the mound earlier this week. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Randleman had just enjoyed another one of those defining moments that seem to come so often for the school’s baseball team. There were various assessments of what that meant after Tuesday night’s 6-5, eight-inning victory against visiting Trinity. “We got to get better,” shortstop Jake Riddle said. “We got to.” While it wasn’t the smoothest outing for the Tigers, they again found a way. The result secured another outright Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season championship and kept…

17 Feb

Trinity’s Hardister knocks off champ on way to title

Randolph RecordSportsAlex Raymundo, Braxton Walker, Class 2-A, Dominic Hittepole, Gavin Hardister, Greensboro Coliseum, Jaden Allred, Jose Flores, Levi Dennis, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Spencer May, state tournament, Trey Swaney, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity’s Gavin Hardister reacts after defeating Matthew Cranfill of Bandys to win the 215-pound state title in Class 2-A . (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Gavin Hardister had to defeat a defending state champion along the way, but the Trinity wrestler largely dominated the rest of the Class 2-A field at 215 pounds on the way to a state championship. The Bulldogs senior finished it with a 13-5 decision against Bandys senior Matthew Cranfill in Saturday’s final at the Greensboro Coliseum. His toughest match: Against another wrestler from the Piedmont Athletic Conference. Trinity had seven wrestlers with top-six finishes in…

15 Feb

Trinity, UCA lead charge into wrestling states after strong regionals

Randolph RecordSportsAlek Millikan, Alex Raymundo, Bear Schaefer, Braxton Walker, Carson Robinson, Dominic Hittepole, Ethan Hines, Gavin Hardister, Greensboro Coliseum, Jack McArthur, Jaden Allred, Jaden Maness, Joseph Trahan, Kolby Garner, Lawson Coltrane, Levi Dennis, Lorenzo Alston, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Spencer May, state tournament, Trey Swaney

Trinity’s Bear Schaefer works on top against Seaforth’s William Bass during a key match in the Class 2-A dual team final. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Trinity and Uwharrie Charter Academy will be well-represented in the wrestling state tournament after both schools produced four regional champions. Add in Randleman’s Braxton Walker among wrestlers from Randolph County winning regionals and holding high seeds for the states. Numerous other wrestlers from the county qualified as well and could be contenders for place finishes. Wrestlers in the top four in regionals advance to states. Trinity and UCA claimed team regional titles. Both teams were state…