Southwestern Randolph Cougars - Randolph Record

02 Jul

Southwestern Randolph grad Coleman transfers to North Carolina for softball

Bob SuttonSportsAlex Coleman, College softball, North Carolina Tar Heels, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph graduate Alex Coleman has joined North Carolina’s softball team. (Courtesy photo) Former Southwestern Randolph player follows college coach Alex Coleman said she relished her time as a college softball player at Marshall. She said she’s hoping for something even more as she follows her coach to North Carolina. The former Southwestern Randolph standout has become a Tar Heel. “I kind of made a decision to enter the (transfer) portal and it was a really hard decision,” Coleman said. Megan Smith Lyon left her position as Marshall’s coach to take the position at North Carolina, her alma mater. The…

25 Jun

No speed traps: Cougars’ Cole burns at rapid clip

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, prep football, prep track and field, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs behind teammate Eli Gravely during a 2022 football game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph product seeks more fast times in football ASHEBORO – Adam Cole figured out pretty early that the best way to make an impression was to do it fast. He sprinted to a special high school career for Southwestern Randolph. It mostly came about through football and baseball, allowing his foot speed to set him apart. By his senior year, he became the face of the football program. “It’s kind of a role I have to take,” he said. “It’s not like…

13 Jun

Whitson leaves as Cougars’ softball coach

Randolph RecordSportsChad Whitson, Macie Crutchfield, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Toby Strider

Chad Whitson coached Southwestern Randolph’s softball team to strong seasons. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph softball coach Chad Whitson has resigned after five seasons, the school announced Monday. The Cougars held a 65-22 record under Whitson’s direction. Toby Strider, who had been an assistant coach, has been promoted to head coach. Strider also previously coached at the middle school. The Cougars positioned a 22-2 record this year, going undefeated in Piedmont Athletic Conference play and ranking among the top teams in the state in Class 2-A. Standout pitcher Macie Crutchfield completed her sophomore season. Infielder Carleigh Whitson,…

16 May

Here’s Randolph County slate for third round in baseball, softball state playoffs

Randolph RecordSportsclass 1-A, Class 2-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Uwharrie Charter Academy softball players greet Molly Bulla as she approaches the plate after hitting a home run during a Class 1-A game last week against Highland Tech. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) Several area teams are in action Tuesday in the third round of the state playoffs in baseball and softball. Here’s a rundown: Baseball Class 2-A East Davidson (20-4) at Randleman (22-4) Class 1-A North Stokes (23-5) at Uwharrie Charter Academy (16-10) Eastern Randolph (6-17) at Highland Tech (13-12) Softball Class 2-A Mount Pleasant (16-10) at Southwestern Randolph (21-1) Class 1-A East Wilkes (22-5) at Eastern Randolph (17-5) North…

15 May

Prep softball: Cougars bounce Patriots; Eastern Randolph, UCA advance

Randolph RecordSportsEastern Randolph athletics, Emma Mazzarone, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Southwestern Randolph pitcher Macie Crutchfield delivers to the plate against Providence Grove. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph had a challenge from in-county rival Providence Grove in the second round of the Class 2-A state playoffs. The Cougars had the right combination, riding Macie Crutchfield’s no-hitter to Friday night’s 5-0 victory. Southwestern Randolph (21-1) has a third-round home game against No. 10 seed Mount Pleasant on Tuesday night. Ky Perdue went 3-for-3 and scored three runs, while Madison Varner drove in two runs. Providence Grove pitcher Emma Mazzarone’s prep career ended despite 13 strikeouts without a walk. The Patriots…

08 May

Area teams hold No. 2 seeds for state playoffs in baseball, softball

Randolph RecordSportsnchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Caleb Stickle and the Uwharrie Charter Academy baseball team are diving into the state playoffs this week. (P.J. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Baseball teams from Randleman and Uwharrie Charter Academy and the Southwestern Randolph softball team all landed No. 2 seeds in the West Region for the state playoffs. Brackets were unveiled Monday. Play begins Tuesday. Teams that advance will be slated to play second-round games Friday. Here’s a look where Randolph County teams were seeded: Baseball Randleman (20-4) welcomes No. 31 seed Reidsville (11-14) for the first round in Class 2-A. A victory would mean that No. 15 Forbush (20-7) or…

05 May

Cruising Cougars collect PAC Tournament title in softball

Randolph RecordSportsCaressa King, Carleigh Whitson, Class 2-A, Emma Mazzarone, Macie Crutchfield, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Providence Grove athletics, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph team members celebrate after the PAC Tournament championship game against visiting Providence Grove. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Macie Crutchfield threw a three-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts as Southwestern Randolph completed its domination of the Piedmont Athletic Conference with Thursday night’s 7-0 victory against visiting Providence Grove in the league tournament championship game. Carleigh Whitson had two hits and two runs batted in to help the Cougars to their first conference tournament title in eight years. Caressa King, who had a triple, drove in one run and scored a run, while Madelyn Smith and Madison Varner both knocked…

01 May

Prep Roundup: Cougars complete perfect PAC softball regular season

Randolph RecordSportsPrep baseball, prep soccer, Prep softball, Prep tennis, Randleman athletics, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Providence Grove’s Devon Kelly dives across the plate in front of Randleman’s Sarah Norton during last week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference softball game at Climax. Providence Grove won 4-0. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph won its only softball game of the week but that meant a perfect regular season in Piedmont Athletic Conference play. Maddie Strider hit a two-run homer as the Cougars topped host Uwharrie Carter Academy 13-1. Southwestern Randolph (17-1 overall, 12-0 PAC) is the top seed for this week’s conference tournament. ** Eastern Randolph won 6-1 against visiting Providence Grove with winning Addie Flinchum homering. From the circle,…

26 Apr

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ky Perdue

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Ky Perdue, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Southwestern Randolph, softball Perdue had hits in all three of the Cougars’ games last week. Southwestern Randolph is rated as one of the top Class 2-A teams in the state. Already having secured the Piedmont Athletic Conference title, the Cougars will be aiming for postseason success beginning next week. Perdue, a senior, has provided boosts throughout the season. She scored a run in each of the team’s victories in PAC games last week. For the season, she entered this week among the Southwestern Randolph leaders in batting average (.358), on-base percentage (.433), runs (17), stolen bases (12) and doubles (3)…

15 Apr

Prep Softball: Cougars stay on target with more romps

Randolph RecordSportsEmma Mazzarone, Macie Crutchfield, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Macie Crutchfield has been stellar as Southwestern Randolph’s ace pitcher. (Randolph Record file photo) Southwestern Randolph continued its dominance in softball with three more victories. The biggest came against defending Piedmont Athletic Conference champion Providence Grove, which fell by 7-1 to the Cougars. By week’s end, the Cougars held a 14-0 overall record and a 9-0 PAC mark, nearly wrapping up the regular-season title. Macie Crutchfield struck out 14 Providence Grove batters with a four-hitter. She walked three. Maddie Strider scored two runs. Southwestern Randolph then socked host Central Davidson 19-3 behind Madison Varner’s five runs batted in. The Cougars…