prep soccer - Randolph Record

31 Dec

2024 sports in review: Title times come for area teams

Bob SuttonSports2024, Asheboro Zookeepers, Cam Letterlough, College baseball, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Ellie Garrison, Prep baseball, prep football, prep soccer, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Tim Kelly, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

There was lots to celebrate for the Southwestern Randolph softball team at the 2024 state finals. (Randolph Record file photo) There were no shortage of special moments and achievements for area athletes in 2024 Championship appearances on the state level for several schools were among Randolph County sports highlights in 2024. The year was sprinkled with significant success stories. Four different schools captured team championships, while teams from two schools were left with the heartbreak of state runner-up finishes to accompany a sense of accomplishment. Here’s a review of some notable 2024 area sports achievements: Title moments In some cases,…

22 Dec

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference for fall sports

Randolph RecordSportsBurton Cates, Camden Scott, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Fernando Hernandez, Freddie Mercado, Laurel Bernhardt, Lucas Smith, Megan Oakley, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Prep golf, prep soccer, Prep tennis, Prep volleyball, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Lucas Smith of Eastern Randolph runs against Randleman this fall. Smith was named the PAC’s Offensive Player of the Year. (Thadd Sanders/Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for fall sports: Boys’ cross country Runner of the Year: Freddie Mercado (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Dennis Lewis (Providence Grove) All-conference Providence Grove: Meshack Butler, Colin Duval, Aiden Shelton, Caleb Ward Randleman: Jedidiah Dake, Freddy Mercado Uwharrie Charter Academy: Austin Luck, Chris White Wheatmore: Tyler McCormick Trinity: Tommy Smithers Southwestern Randolph: Andrew Ormond Girls’ cross country Runner of the Year: Laurel Bernhardt (Providence Grove) Coach of the Year: Will Benner (Wheatmore) All-conference Wheatmore:…

21 Dec

Mid-Piedmont Conference all-conference for fall sports

Randolph RecordSportsBlair Thomas, Cam Letterlough, Mid-Piedmont Conference, prep cross country, prep football, Prep golf, prep soccer, Prep tennis, Prep volleyball

Asheboro’s Cam Letterlough was the top offensive player for boys’ soccer in the Mid-Piedmont Conference. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s all-conference selections for fall sports: Boys’ cross country Runner of the Year: Luke Vannoy (Oak Grove) Coach of the Year: Shawn Loggins (Oak Grove) Asheboro: None Girls’ cross country Runner of the Year: Jillian Parks (Central Davidson) Coach of the Year: Shawn Loggins (Oak Grove) Asheboro: None Football Offensive Player of the Year: Karson Williams (Oak Grove) Defensive Player of the Year: Bradley Byrd (Oak Grove) Lineman of the Year: Daniel Hunneycutt (Oak Grove) Coach of…

24 Nov

Asheboro boys fall in OT of soccer state final

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Cam Letterlough, Class 3-A, nchsaa, prep soccer, State championships

MATTHEWS – Asheboro’s boys’ soccer team had done so much work throughout the season and during the last game of the year that the biggest reward seemed so close. But Blue Comets couldn’t complete the assignment in the Class 3A state championship game, falling to Western Alamance 4-3 in overtime Saturday night at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. Asheboro held a 3-0 halftime lead, courtesy of goals from Cam Letterlough, Ozmar Martinez and Diego Bustamante in a 20-minute span. Juan Macias provided two assists. “We went into halftime with a three-goal lead,” Asheboro coach Nick Arroyo said. “We came out of halftime…

23 Nov

Southwestern Randolph falls in Class 2A soccer final

Randolph RecordSportsClass 2-A, Fernando Hernandez, nchsaa, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, State championships

MATTHEWS – Southwestern Randolph’s bid for a first state championship in boys’ soccer came up short. The Cougars fell 3-1 in the Class 2A final to Clinton on Friday night at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex. “I thought we represented our school well,” Southwestern Randolph coach Jimmy Walker said. “We just came up short (in the final).” Clinton took the lead in the 17th minute as Holden Spell scored the opening goal off an assist from Chris Zeleya. Just 27 seconds later, the Cougars leveled the score on a goal from Fernando Hernandez. Jonathan Lopez-Degollado supplied the assist. In the 37th minute, Clinton’s…

21 Nov

Asheboro, Southwestern Randolph teams win soccer regionals, head to state finals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, nchsaa, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, State championships

Southwestern Randolph boys’ soccer players celebrate their victory against Lincolnton in the Class 2A West Region final. (Thadd Sanders / For Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The boys’ soccer teams from Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph will play for state championships Southwestern Randolph (27-2) will take on Clinton (27-2) for the Class 2A title at 7 p.m. Friday. Both teams were top seeded in their respective regions. Asheboro (27-2) will be in the Class 3A final against Western Alamance (24-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday. It’s a rematch from the regular season. The title games will be held at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex…

20 Nov

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Fernando Hernandez

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Class 2-A, Fernando Hernandez, nchsaa, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph, boys’ soccer Hernandez has been the leading scorer for the Cougars, who'll play in the Class 2A state final. Southwestern Randolph meets Clinton for the state championship Friday night at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews. Hernandez, a junior forward, had racked up 48 goals through the early rounds of the state playoffs. He also rated second among Southwestern Randolph players with 24 assists. He’s on a similar pace as last season, when he had 49 goals. In 2023, he was named the Offensive Player of the year in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. Photo: Fernando Hernandez of Southwestern Randolph…

19 Nov

Prep soccer: Blue Comets, Cougars make deep runs in state playoffs

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, nchsaa, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs, Trinity Bulldogs

Asheboro’s Cristian Raygadas, right, makes a move in front of Pisgah’s Fernando Gamez during the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Boys’ soccer teams from Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph made it to the final week of the season. They hope to make all the way to state championships. Asheboro is in Class 3A and Southwestern Randolph is in Class 2A. Both teams hold No. 1 seeds in the West Region, meaning they would be assigned home games all the way through regional play. The teams play in West Region finals Tuesday…

13 Nov

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Diego Bustamante

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, athlete of the week, Class 3-A, Diego Bustamante, prep soccer, state playoffs

Asheboro, boys’ soccer Bustamante regularly contributes to the Blue Comets’ big offensive numbers. He’s a senior for the top-seeded team in the West Region for the Class 3A state playoffs. At the beginning of this week, Bustamante ranked second on the Asheboro team in goals with 29 and in assists with 28. He had two in each of those categories when the state playoffs began Saturday and the Blue Comets trounced visiting West Charlotte 9-0. In 2023, he was the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. ***** Photo: Diego Bustamante has been a stellar player for Asheboro’s boys’ soccer…

10 Nov

Prep soccer: Top area seeds show power as states begin

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, nchsaa, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs

Win Smith of Asheboro makes a move around a West Charlotte player during Saturday’s Class 3A game in the boys’ soccer state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph hold No. 1 seeds for the West Region in the boys’ soccer state playoffs, which began during the weekend. Both teams will play every game at home through the regional final if they advance. It was a strong first-round showing for teams from Randolph County, though one team tumbled in an upset loss. Second-round games were set for Tuesday, with winners playing in the third round Thursday night…