prep sports

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Clay Sugg

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Clay Sugg

Southwestern Randolph, football/wrestling  Sugg was an all-Piedmont Athletic Conference lineman for the Cougars, who had their best football season in school history last fall. He was a senior. Sugg was also an all-conference performer in wrestling. He racked up a 32-8 record, concluding by winning his final five matches on the way to a third-place finish in Class 2-A in the state tournament at 195 pounds. Those five victories came with two pins followed by three decisions, including two outcomes that avenged losses from the Midwest Regional a week earlier. Sugg has entered the military, joining the Army. This concludes…
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New Asheboro AD sees grand potential, calls Blue Comets ‘a sleeping giant’

New Asheboro AD sees grand potential, calls Blue Comets ‘a sleeping giant’

Wes Berrier, the new athletics director for Asheboro High School, checks out the first day of football practice last week. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Wes Berrier’s view of athletics at Asheboro High School is one of great potential. He’d like to see the Blue Comets’ programs return to prominence. “A sleeping giant,” the new athletics director said. “I feel I’m coming in at a great time. I’m expecting big things as far as our athletics.” Berrier officially became the athletics director this summer, though he filled that role for the final couple of months of the 2021-22 school year…
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Defending champ Cougars eager to see impact of changes for volleyball season

Defending champ Cougars eager to see impact of changes for volleyball season

Coley Shiflet is bound to be a key player again for Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team. (File photo) Southwestern Randolph gears up for volleyball season after 2021 state title ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team has a few different components this season. There will be a new offensive make-up and a key transfer with the Cougars. But one thing they don’t want to change is the rate of success. “There’s a lot of excitement in our gym,” coach Darby Kennedy said. “They want to hold onto the title and defend that title.” Southwestern Randolph is the reigning Class 2-A state champion.…
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Troutman transfers out of UCA

Troutman transfers out of UCA

Basketball standout heads to private school for senior season BURLINGTON — One of the most highly recruited boys’ basketball players in Randolph County in the upcoming senior class will no longer will be playing for a school in the county. Ashton Troutman is transferring from Uwharrie Charter Academy to The Burlington School. He said he’s looking for more exposure and a higher level of competition. “Just being in a basketball environment and for a good team,” Troutman said. “I would have never flirted with the idea of leaving if it wasn’t for basketball.” Troutman, a 6-foot-7½, 205-pound post player, was…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logan Sawyer

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logan Sawyer

Uwharrie Charter Academy  |  baseball Sawyer, a senior infielder, wrapped up his final baseball season with Uwharrie Charter Academy in the spring. He landed a spot on the All-Piedmont Athletic Conference team. The Eagles finished the season with a 10-15 record after winning three games in the Class 1-A state playoffs. Their postseason run came to an end with a loss to eventual state runner-up Cherryville. During his senior year, Sawyer committed to play baseball at Division III Brevard College. He played this summer for the High Point Hushpuppies in the Old North State League, which is a summer circuit…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Thomas Vickers

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Thomas Vickers

Trinity  |  boys’ track and field Vickers was productive in his senior season for the Bulldogs, who he helped to the Piedmont Athletic Conference title. In the PAC championships, he was part of three point-producing events for Trinity. He placed second in the 400 meters in 58.63 seconds and took third in the triple jump at 35 feet, 1½ inches. While he didn’t place in the long jump, he posted a mark of 16-5 for 10th place. Vickers was part of the winning 1,600 relay, which had a time of 4:00.97. He was joined by teammates Ayden Harlow, Mason Lewis,…
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David Makupson gears up for next challenges

David Makupson gears up for next challenges

David Makupson of Trinity reacts to winning the Class 2-A state title at 138 pounds during the past season in a match vs. Will Nix of Bandys. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Trinity’s state champion built powerful prep career TRINITY — In order for Trinity’s David Makupson to become a high school state champion in wrestling, he took a path of nonstop pursuit of that goal. He thought he worked hard to attain that. Now, he’s aiming even higher. “I just know I have to work that much harder if I want to be on the D-I level,” Makupson said. “I got…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Caudle

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Caudle

Providence Grove  |  boys’ basketball/golf Caudle excelled as a guard on the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s regular-season champion boys’ basketball team. That helped lead to a decision to play collegiately at Division III Brevard College. He averaged 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 steals for the Patriots. Caudle was the PAC Player of the Year. Caudle placed fifth in the PAC Tournament for golf. That landed him an all-conference spot in that sport as well.
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Loud, proud prep career for Brannon

Loud, proud prep career for Brannon

Brooks Brannon had a record-setting high school season with some incredible power-hitting numbers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman catcher awaits draft after season filled with thrills RANDLEMAN — For all the noise Brooks Brannon can bring to a ballpark, it might be a level of calmness that helped him – and his teammates – most. Yet there could be more commotion connected to his baseball career this weekend when baseball’s amateur draft begins, and the Randleman catcher is bound to be among those selected. Whether he goes from high school to the pros – or chooses a route playing college baseball…
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