prep wrestling

Prep wrestling: Busy Trinity team claims tourney title; Others win in Jet Invitational

Prep wrestling: Busy Trinity team claims tourney title; Others win in Jet Invitational

Five Trinity wrestlers grabbed individual titles and the Bulldogs were team champions in the Sarah Wilkes Invitational on Saturday in Eden. It was the first of two tournaments in three days that at least some of the Bulldogs participated in. Aiden Burkholder (106 pounds), Stephen Cross (113), Edgar Vasquez (126), Simeon Hammett (132) and Lawson Coltrane (165) were the champs for Trinity, which also had three runners-up. Among 12 teams, Trinity was the champion with 198½ points, with host Eden Morehead the runner-up at 179. Burkholder defeated Southeast Guilford’s Jacob Bone with a 56-second pin in the final. Cross edged…
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It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

Asheboro wrestling coach Cliff Thompson, left, shares a laugh with assistant coach Scott Bainville at a recent meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Cliff Thompson has coached an assortment of area wrestlers in and around Randolph County. So in his role as first-year Asheboro coach, he’s familiar with just about anyone he comes across on the mats. He has been questioned by his wrestlers: “Why everybody talk to you?” It’s because Thompson is well-known in wrestling circles. He said he’s glad he has landed with the Blue Comets. Thompson, a 1998 Randleman graduate, won a state championship as…
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UCA wrestlers buff up with more success

UCA wrestlers buff up with more success

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…
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Prep wrestling: Wheatmore’s Hittepole pins way to title; Trinity grapplers excel; UCA racks up duals wins

Prep wrestling: Wheatmore’s Hittepole pins way to title; Trinity grapplers excel; UCA racks up duals wins

Wheatmore’s Dominic Hittepole, top, works against an opponent during last year’s state tournament. (Randolph Record file photo) GREENSBORO – Dominic Hittepole of Wheatmore added another individual championship in the wrestling season by capturing first place in the Crosby Invitational on Saturday at Greensboro Dudley. Hittepole pinned Eden Morehead’s Brock Blizzard in 3:45 of the 175-pound title bout. It was his fourth pin of the day after topping Central Davidson’s Ethan Mumford in 31 seconds, Greensboro Page’s Ian Harris in 3:14 and Greensboro Grimsley’s Hayden Rogers in 32 seconds. A week earlier, Hittepole won 6-3 against Blizzard in a consolation-round match…
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2024 sports in review: Title times come for area teams

2024 sports in review: Title times come for area teams

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,…
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Prep Roundup: UCA wrestlers take down Trinity; Basketball teams start PAC play

Prep Roundup: UCA wrestlers take down Trinity; Basketball teams start PAC play

Eastern Randolph’s Cora Sparrow shoots over Lexington’s Angela Bobo and Jordyn Dearmon, left, during last week’s non-conference girls’ basketball game. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team might be back on top in Piedmont Athletic Conference wrestling. The Eagles defeated visiting Trinity 45-18 in last week’s dual meet in a clash between dual team state champions from last season. UCA won all the bouts in weight classes lower than 150 pounds. Last December, Trinity defeated UCA 36-30. In other PAC openers for dual meets, Southwestern Randolph topped Randleman 49-30 and Wheatmore defeated Eastern Randolph 49-23.…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jaden Allred

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jaden Allred

Trinity, wrestling Allred won the 150-pound championship in the weekend’s Eye of the Tiger Invitational at Mt. Pleasant. He was one of the Bulldogs’ eight top-four finishers in the event, but the lone champion. Allred defeated Avery County’s Mason Bentley 10-1 in the championship bout. Earlier in the tournament, Allred had a technical fall against Rhett White of West Cabarrus, pinned East Rowan’s Jaiden Archie and North Gaston’s William Long in the first period and registered a pin of Cox Mills’ Stephen Buie in 2:21. Trinity placed second behind Hickory Ridge in the 22-team event. Allred also won three matches…
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Area wrestlers compete in Super 32 Challenge

Area wrestlers compete in Super 32 Challenge

GREENSBORO – Two-time state wrestling champion Lorenzo Alston of Uwharrie Charter Academy posted a 2-2 record in the Super 32 Challenge last weekend at the coliseum complex in Greensboro. Alston, who has rolled to a pair of Class 1A state titles, is a junior. Several Randolph County wrestlers entered the Super 32 Challenge, which is one of the premier events for wrestlers of high school age and attracted participants from around the country, including those with international age-group championships. Alston lost by a 12-10 decision to Noah Bull of Layton, Utah, in the round of 32 in the 150-pound division.…
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College destinations set for area athletes

College destinations set for area athletes

Alby Pulaski of Wheatmore won’t be going far to play volleyball at the next level. (Randolph Record) Players have selected from a variety of colleges to continue in sports Here are some signees and commitments from the Class of 2024 from around Randolph County: (This list in addition to those previously reported.) Baseball Wheatmore’s Ayden Byrd signed to play for Division II Montreat. ** Jacob Proctor of Trinity is going to Division III Pfeiffer. ** Eastern Randolph’s Samuel Asbill, a pitcher who also plays for Randolph County Post 45’s American Legion team, selected Guilford Tech. ** Outfielders Carter Brown and…
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Trinity state champ Hardister discovers right combinations

Trinity state champ Hardister discovers right combinations

Gavin Hardister reacts at the end of the state final. (Photo provided) TRINITY – Gavin Hardister had a solid wrestling background as he came up through high school. Then the Trinity wrestler made his final season his best when he became a Class 2A state champion last winter. “I feel like I was always good enough,” he said. “There was always a moment that got in my head. (As a senior), I didn’t let the moment be too big.” He’ll take the next step soon as he heads to Iowa Western Community College, which is a National Junior College Athletic…
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