Chris Waddell - Randolph Record

12 Jan

UCA wrestlers buff up with more success

Bob SuttonSportsCaden Bond, Chris Waddell, Dominic Hittepole, Lorenzo Alston, piedmont athletic conference, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Caden Bond TRINITY — Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team is on target for a league championship and another bid for a dual team state title. Per usual, the Eagles have been doing so by rolling past most opponents. “We’re trying to dominate,” senior Aiden Foster said. “We’re trying to be better every day.” UCA has a new coach in Hayden Waddell, who moved into the position that his father, Chris Waddell, previously held. The elder Waddell remains involved and on the bench with the Eagles. “We’re trying to stay consistent with what we do,” said Hayden Waddell, who was the…

10 Jan

Schools in Randolph County react to NCHSAA league proposals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Chris Chapman, Chris Waddell, Cody Moran, Corey Phillips, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, realignment, Robert Mitchell, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wes Berrier, Wheatmore Warriors

ASHEBORO – The proposed conference make-ups for the next North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment look good to officials from most Randolph County schools. That’s not to say adjustments won’t be sought from some schools, including Southwestern Randolph. “We’re researching some things,” athletics director Chris Chapman said. The new league lineups come as the NCHSAA expands from four to eight classifications beginning in the summer to begin a four-year cycle. The initial draft of conferences was unveiled in December. Schools have until Jan. 21 to appeal for changes. “I think the state did a real good job of thinking…

05 Sep

UCA moves soccer games to new sportsplex

Bob SuttonSportsChris Waddell, piedmont athletic conference, prep soccer, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Zoo City Sportsplex

ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s new home for soccer games is the recently opened Zoo City Sportsplex. “We’ve worked with the City of Asheboro on this,” UCA athletics director Chris Waddell said. “It shows volumes the partnerships we’ve been able to create with the city and in Randolph County. Putting this together was a group effort.” The Eagles’ first game at their new home venue comes with Friday night’s boys’ soccer meeting with Woods Charter. Regular home game times will be 6 p.m. The site is less than a 10-minute drive from UCA’s main campus. The UCA girls’ soccer team,…

01 Sep

Wrestling coach Chris Waddell adds AD duties at UCA

Bob SuttonSportsChris Waddell, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Wrestling coach Chris Waddell is the new athletics director at Uwharrie Charter Academy. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Chris Waddell’s roles have changed at Uwharrie Charter Academy but he’ll still coach the powerhouse wrestling team. His job titles now include duties as dean of students and athletics director. “I’ve been doing a lot of preparation during the summer,” Waddell said. Boys’ basketball coach Brad Monroe previously had the position of athletics director. Waddell had been an assistant athletics director while also the wrestling coach. “It’s an adjustment,” Waddell said. “I like a challenge. I always have.” He has…

13 Aug

Roberts walks away after historic UCA career on mats

Bob SuttonSportsChris Waddell, class 1-A, Grayson Roberts, prep wrestling, State wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Grayson Roberts reacts after winning a Class 1-A individual state title at 160 pounds in February 2022 to cap his junior season. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Grayson Roberts tends to downplay some of his accomplishments from high school wrestling. But the recent Uwharrie Charter Academy graduate doesn’t dismiss the impact the sport had on his life. “I love the sport. It definitely changed my life,” Roberts said. “Speaking on my younger self, I was a little bit of a wild child.” Roberts is the only four-time state place finisher in UCA history. He placed…

04 Feb

UCA wrestlers pin down state duals title

Bob SuttonSportsAldo Hernandez, Chris Waddell, class 1-A, Grayson Roberts, Jaden Maness, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Here’s the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team after winning the Class 1-A dual team state championship by defeating Avery County on Saturday in Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – All the pieces came together for Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team in another tight battle with Avery County. So this time, the Eagles won the Class 1-A dual team state championship. “Anytime you do something like this, it’s pretty special,” UCA coach Chris Waddell said. “It takes plenty – so moving parts to make it happen. It takes a collective effort.” Both teams won seven matches, but UCA racked up crucial…