Southwestern Randolph

Prep volleyball: Defending champ SWR starts strong in states; Randleman, UCA also roll

Prep volleyball: Defending champ SWR starts strong in states; Randleman, UCA also roll

Randleman’s Gabi Carter, left, and Mollie Hall defend at the net in the Class 2-A first-round matchup against visiting Bandys on Saturday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph had a strong showing to begin defense of its Class 2-A state championship in volleyball. The Cougars, who are the No. 2 seed in the West Region, opened the playoffs by defeating visiting Surry Central 25-9, 25-13, 25-11 on Saturday. Madelyn Smith provided 13 kills and nine digs, Riley Key had 10 kills, Raegan LeRoy provided 30 assists and Carleigh Whitston made 10 digs to go with four aces for Southwestern Randolph (24-3).…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Madelyn Smith

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Madelyn Smith

 Southwestern Randolph  |  volleyball   Smith helped Southwestern Randolph to two more Piedmont Athletic Conference victories last week, including in a showdown with Uwharrie Charter Academy. She supplied 20 kills, 14 digs, and three blocks in the four-set victory at UCA in a rematch of last year’s conference tournament final. Others to turn in big numbers for the Cougars in that match were Gracie Hodgin, Riley Key, Raegan LeRoy, Coley Shiflet, and Carleigh Whitson. Smith, a junior outside hitter, had ten kills and seven digs in a three-set sweep of Providence Grove later in the week. The Cougars, who are…
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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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Walker returns to coach Southwestern Randolph in soccer

Walker returns to coach Southwestern Randolph in soccer

Founder of Cougars program is coach again ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph has a new soccer coach for its boys’ and girls’ teams. No introduction is necessary. Jimmy Walker is back in charge of the Cougars. The man who started the soccer programs at the school is returning for what’s a third go-around with the boys’ team and a second stint with the girls’ team. “I’m familiar with everyone over there,” Walker said. “I’ve always been connected. And this is a chance to coach my daughter now.” Walker, 53, takes over for boys’ coach Brian Bagley, who stepped aside because of…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lane Dalke

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lane Dalke

Southwestern Randolph  |  baseball, football Dalke, a senior, wrapped up his high school career by leading the Cougars with 20 runs batted in. He homered twice to lead the team in that category while playing in all 25 games. In the field, Dalke was a third baseman and catcher. He played primarily behind the plate when an injury on the team necessitated that versatility. Dalke was a linebacker for the school’s eight-win football team. He received All-Piedmont Athletic Conference honors for his role as one of the key contributors to the defense. 
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Area grads head to various colleges for sports

Area grads head to various colleges for sports

Khyland Hadley-Lindsay of Asheboro intends to play basketball in college. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Here’s where some members of the Class of 2022 intend on playing on college: From Asheboro: Khyland Hadley-Lindsay and Tramir Martin are set to play basketball for Pfeiffer. Hadley-Lindsay was Asheboro’s starting quarterback for the football team. Charles Perry IV decided to play football for Averett. Alexander Spruill is heading to Methodist to play football. Boys’ soccer players Alex Cruz and Irving Velazquez-Luna will go to Carolina University in Winston-Salem. From Eastern Randolph: Softball player Charlise Phillips selected Guilford College. From Providence Grove: Edi Austin, a standout…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Macie Crutchfield

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Macie Crutchfield

Macie Crutchfield  |  Southwestern Randolph, softball Crutchfield began her career by pitching a shutout and she added to that list of early accomplishments later in the week. Crutchfield, a freshman, threw a one-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk when the Cougars blanked host Oak Grove 3-0 in their first game of the season. Later in the week, she struck out 15 batters in a 7-0 defeat of visiting Central Davidson. Crutchfield gave up five hits and three walks in her second outing in the circle. On offense in that game, Maddie Varner and Madeline Smith both drove in two…
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Area wrestlers stick with it for solid finishes

Area wrestlers stick with it for solid finishes

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Doug Bowles lifts Mount Airy’s Connor Medvar in the air during the 170-pound bout in the Class 1-A finals Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL GREENSBORO – It was an encouraging start to the state tournament for Randolph County wrestlers Thursday. And not a bad finish either by Saturday. Aside from state champions David Makupson (138 pounds, Class 2-A) of Trinity and Aldo Hernandez (132, Class 1-A) and Grayson Roberts (160 pounds, Class 2-A), there were solid performances that lasted all the way to their final matches. Randolph County wrestlers excelled in the first…
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Tears flow at Senior Night ceremony

Emotions flowed in a special manner on Senior Night at Providence Grove. Thursday night’s ceremony between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games against Wheatmore included recognition of senior basketball players and cheerleaders. Cheerleading and boys’ basketball seniors were honored before the girls’ basketball seniors. The final of those recognitions drew a tearful standing ovation. That’s when the parents of the late Lily Butler came onto the court. Butler, who had been a member of the girls’ program, died in July at age 17. She also had been on the cross country team. Her parents, Chip and Carol Butler, received numerous…
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UCA rolls in Class 1-A wrestling with seven regional champs

UCA rolls in Class 1-A wrestling with seven regional champs

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team gathers for a photo after finishing as the runner-up in the Class 1-A dual team state playoffs, falling to Avery County on Feb. 5. A week later, the Eagles were overwhelming champions in a Class 1-A regional. Seven wrestlers from Uwharrie Charter Academy won individual championships in the Class 1-A regional, which was held Friday and Saturday at Rosewood. The Eagles soared to the regional championship and built all sorts of momentum heading to the state tournament. Thirteen of the team’s wrestlers will head to states. UCA’s champions were freshman Brandon Jordan at 113 pounds,…
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