state tournament - Randolph Record

21 Jun

Trinity state champ Hardister discovers right combinations

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Coggins, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, state tournament, Trinity Bulldogs

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…

17 Feb

Trinity’s Hardister knocks off champ on way to title

Randolph RecordSportsAlex Raymundo, Braxton Walker, Class 2-A, Dominic Hittepole, Gavin Hardister, Greensboro Coliseum, Jaden Allred, Jose Flores, Levi Dennis, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Spencer May, state tournament, Trey Swaney, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity’s Gavin Hardister reacts after defeating Matthew Cranfill of Bandys to win the 215-pound state title in Class 2-A . (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Gavin Hardister had to defeat a defending state champion along the way, but the Trinity wrestler largely dominated the rest of the Class 2-A field at 215 pounds on the way to a state championship. The Bulldogs senior finished it with a 13-5 decision against Bandys senior Matthew Cranfill in Saturday’s final at the Greensboro Coliseum. His toughest match: Against another wrestler from the Piedmont Athletic Conference. Trinity had seven wrestlers with top-six finishes in…

17 Feb

Three UCA wrestlers claim state titles

Randolph RecordSportsAlek Millikan, Carson Robinson, class 1-A, Class 3-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, Greensboro Coliseum, Jack McArthur, Jaden Maness, Lorenzo Alston, nchsaa, prep wrestling, state tournament, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Jaden Maness lifts Tyler Stevens of Pamlico County during the Class 1-A final at 215 pounds. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestlers were busy in Saturday’s finals of the Class 1-A state tournament, coming away with three championships and two runners-up spots at the Greensboro Coliseum. UCA’s Lorenzo Alston won his second state title by cruising at 150 pounds, while teammates Carson Robinson at 157 and Jaden Maness at 215 also nabbed championships. Eagles seniors Ethan Hines (106 pounds) and Alek Millikan (165) were runners-up, while junior Caden Bond (175) was third. Robbinsville won…

15 Feb

Trinity, UCA lead charge into wrestling states after strong regionals

Randolph RecordSportsAlek Millikan, Alex Raymundo, Bear Schaefer, Braxton Walker, Carson Robinson, Dominic Hittepole, Ethan Hines, Gavin Hardister, Greensboro Coliseum, Jack McArthur, Jaden Allred, Jaden Maness, Joseph Trahan, Kolby Garner, Lawson Coltrane, Levi Dennis, Lorenzo Alston, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Spencer May, state tournament, Trey Swaney

Trinity’s Bear Schaefer works on top against Seaforth’s William Bass during a key match in the Class 2-A dual team final. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Trinity and Uwharrie Charter Academy will be well-represented in the wrestling state tournament after both schools produced four regional champions. Add in Randleman’s Braxton Walker among wrestlers from Randolph County winning regionals and holding high seeds for the states. Numerous other wrestlers from the county qualified as well and could be contenders for place finishes. Wrestlers in the top four in regionals advance to states. Trinity and UCA claimed team regional titles. Both teams were state…

14 Feb

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Levi Dennis

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Class 2-A, Levi Dennis, nchsaa, prep wrestling, state tournament, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity, wrestling Dennis is wrapping up another stellar season for the Bulldogs. He won four matches last week to win the Class 2-A Midwest Regional at 132 pounds. He recorded two pins and a technical fall before defeating East Surry’s Michael Fischer 6-2 in the final. Dennis, a senior, holds a 49-1 record this season. Last February, he placed fifth in the state at 126. He received All-Piedmont Athletic Conference recognition the past two years.

29 Jul

Post 45 fades away in state tournament

Randolph RecordSportsAmateur baseball, American Legion baseball, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Robert Garner, state tournament, Tanner Marsh, Trey Way, Tyler Parks

Third baseman Tyler Parks of Randolph County Post 45 makes a catch on a popup during the first day of the American Legion state tournament. Shortstop Tanner Marsh, right, and left fielder Adam Cole, back, also pursue the play. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County’s season will continue in Southeast Regional on home field BUIES CREEK – It started swell and ended with a thud for Randolph County Post 45 in the American Legion baseball state tournament this week. Post 45 was the lone undefeated team in the eight-team tournament through the first two days. By the time the first semifinal…

28 Jul

David Makupson gears up for next challenges

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Makupson, high school wrestling, nchsaa, prep sports, Queens University of Charlotte, state tournament, Trinity athletics, wrestling

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…

23 Jul

Post 45 falls in Area 3 final, but lessons could turn fruitful

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Newman Park, Randolph County Post 45, Rowan County, state tournament, Trey Way

SALISBURY – Something good might have come out of the Area 3 championship game for Randolph County Post 45, the losing part aside. “It’s just a reality check that we can lose,” left fielder Adam Cole said. Post 45 hadn’t been in a competitive game in more than three weeks, then didn’t execute well in numerous tight spots in Friday night’s game at Newman Park. Rowan County never trailed in a 6-4 decision. The outcome halted a 12-game winning streak, but there’s plenty still ahead for Randolph County. “It’s good for us to get the opportunity to see some of…

03 Feb

UCA advances to state wrestling championship

Randolph RecordSportsstate tournament, UCA, wrestling

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Jair Ulloa works the arm bar against East Davidson’s Bryson Young in the 145-pound match in November. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO —Randolph County will be represented in the Class 1-A dual team wrestling state championship meet as Uwharrie Charter Academy is the last remaining of the five county teams that qualified for the postseason. UCA (35-0) will face Avery County for the state championship at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Fieldhouse on the Greensboro Coliseum grounds. UCA defeated Pamlico County 45-40 in the regional semifinal before toppling host Rosewood 44-34 in the East Region final Wednesday.…