nchsaa - Randolph Record

25 Jul

Southwestern Randolph’s Popp cherishes tennis success, NCHSAA award

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Prep tennis, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Allie Popp (Courtesy of NCHSAA) ASHEBORO – Allie Popp’s senior year at Southwestern Randolph was her best on the tennis courts and beyond. Even with her playing days done, she was reaping awards. Popp was presented with the Pat Gainey Award, which is a student scholarship in memory of Pat Gainey of Dunn. The criteria includes at least a cumulative GPA of 3.2, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate athletic success during the high school career and demonstrate respect for coaches and teammates. Popp was an ideal fit for that honor. “She is a natural leader who leads by example,…

20 Jul

High School Notes: UCA cracks top 10 for Wells Fargo Cup

Bob SuttonSportsCaleb Stickle, Lillian Payne, nchsaa, prep athletics, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Uwharrie Charter Academy placed eighth in Class 1A for the Wells Fargo Cup for the 2023-24 school year. The award recognizes schools that achieved the best overall athletic performance within each North Carolina High School Athletic Association classification. The winner in Class 1A was Mount Airy, followed by Swain County, Bishop McGuinness, Christ the King, Mountain Island Charter, Corvian Community and Elkin. UCA moved into the top 10 based on results in spring sports. The Eagles won the Class 1A state championship in baseball for the second year in a row and the school’s softball team had a strong season.…

29 Jun

Randolph County School System superintendent Stephen Gainey set for new NCHSAA role

Bob SuttonSportsEducation, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Randolph County School System, Southwestern Randolph, Stephen Gainey

Stephen Gainey, right, presents an award to Southwestern Randolph pitcher Macie Crutchfield after the Class 2A softball state finals earlier this month in Greensboro. (Jamie Kent / Special to Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey has been connected to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for a long time. Now, there’s something more for the superintendent of the Randolph County School System. He’s the next president of the NCHSAA, which is the governing organization for sports in public schools in the state. He takes that position July 1. “I love the North Carolina High School Athletic Association,” Gainey said.…

24 Jun

Wheatmore distance standout Hazelwood ready to run at different pace

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, prep track and field, Wheatmore athletics, Zach Hazelwood

Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore relaxes after his final high school race last month in the Class 2A state meet. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Zach Hazelwood is looking forward to more relaxing runs after a stellar high school career as the area’s top distance runner. Hazelwood finished his senior year for Wheatmore and figured it’s time to back off from the running pace. “I’m just about ready to be done,” he said following his final high school competition last month at North Carolina A&T’s track in Greensboro. Hazelwood placed 10th in the 3,200 meters in the Class 2A…

20 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Hayleigh Thompson

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Class 2-A, Hayleigh Thompson, nchsaa, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state champion, state playoffs

Southwestern Randolph, softball Thompson played a key role as the Cougars captured the Class 2A state championship this spring. The senior had several crucial plate appearances during Southwestern Randolph’s postseason run. She also was the team’s first baseman, helping the infield for a team that rode its pitching and defense for much of the regular season and the state playoffs. Thompson’s single in the final inning of Game 2 of the state championship series against Midway sparked the title-clinching rally. She also had a single and drove in a run during the first game of the title series. Southwestern Randolph…

03 Jun

Eagles soar to state baseball crown with stellar pitching

Randolph RecordSportsBrett Smith, Carter Brown, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, state playoffs, Ting Stadium, Trey Kennedy, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

The UCA baseball team collected another state championship banner. (NCHSAA photo) HOLLY SPRINGS – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team won in different fashions in two games in the Class 1A state finals at Ting Stadium. But stellar pitching was one of the staples as the Eagles repeated as state champions. UCA pitcher Brett Smith kept Northside-Pinetown in check and the Eagles were boosted by Trey Kennedy’s go-ahead home run in a 6-1 victory Saturday afternoon against Northside-Pinetown, sweeping the best-of-3 series. While UCA (28-6) needed an extra inning in the series opener Friday night, the Eagles had a less adventurous…

31 May

Southwestern Randolph in softball, UCA in baseball close in on state titles

Randolph RecordSportsCarter Brown, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team and Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team are both one victory away from state championships after winning Friday night in drastically different manners. Southwestern Randolph opened the Class 2-A state finals with a 13-0 blasting of Midway at UNC Greensboro. The game was reduced to five innings because of the mercy rule. The Cougars (22-7) go for their first title in 14 years with Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, Game 3 will be held at 5 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the status of the Class 4-A finals also taking place on the…

29 May

Wheatmore denied in quest to return to state soccer final

Randolph RecordSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, Natalie Bowman, nchsaa, prep soccer, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

MOORESVILLE – Wheatmore’s bid to make it to the state final in girls’ soccer for the third year in a row was dashed Tuesday night. Pine Lake Prep defeated the visiting Warriors 3-2 in the Class 2A West Region final in a rematch from last season. Ellie Garrison scored both goals for the sixth-seeded Warriors (17-5). Natalie Bowman provided an assist. Lucy Lockwood recorded 12 saves, though her four-game shutout streak ended. Avery Garrett, Maddyson Kerley and Morgan Reisig scored goals for top-seeded Pine Lake Prep. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime. Pine Lake Prep (20-1-1) will face East…

27 May

Southwestern Randolph to play state softball finals at UNCG; In baseball, UCA goes back to same site as last year

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, Class 2-A, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team will have to go just one county away to play in the Class 2A state finals this week. The Cougars will take on Midway in the best-of-3 series at UNC Greensboro. The Class 4A series between Garner and Weddington also will be at UNCG. In Class 2A, Game 1 will be at 8 p.m. Friday followed by Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is necessary, it’s tentatively set for 8 pm.. Saturday, though it will move to the 5 p.m. slot if a third game isn’t needed in Class 4A. The other…

26 May

UCA Eagles put down hammer in baseball regional final

Randolph RecordSportsBrett Smith, class 1-A, Logun Wilkins, nchsaa, Rob Shore, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

UCA infielder Caleb Stickle makes a throw during a game earlier this spring. (Randolph Record file photo) Strong pitching carries team back to Class 1A state finals MOUNT AIRY – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team made a definitive statement in the winner-take-all game of the Class 1A West Region finals. The Eagles blasted Mount Airy 12-0 in Saturday night’s Game 3 of the best-of-3 finals to keep alive their hopes of repeating as state champions. Logun Wilkins pitched a shutout to continue the team’s dominating work from the mound. The Eagles allowed one run across the three games. “Our pitching…