Wrestling coach Chris Waddell is the new athletics director at Uwharrie Charter Academy. (Randolph Record file photo)
ASHEBORO – Chris Waddell’s roles have changed at Uwharrie Charter Academy but he’ll still coach the powerhouse wrestling team.
His job titles now include duties as dean of students and athletics director.
“I’ve been doing a lot of preparation during the summer,” Waddell said.
Boys’ basketball coach Brad Monroe previously had the position of athletics director.
Waddell had been an assistant athletics director while also the wrestling coach.
“It’s an adjustment,” Waddell said. “I like a challenge. I always have.”
He has UCA’s wrestling program positioned as a Class 1-A state power. The Eagles won the 2019 and 2023 dual team championships and were runners-up in 2020 and 2022 (there wasn’t a duals tournament in 2021 because of the pandemic).
Waddell spent 16 years as Southwestern Randolph’s wrestling coach during some strong seasons for the Cougars. Add in time with UCA and he has 700 coaching victories.
UCA has newcomers in some of its varsity coaching positions.
Israel Jaramillo has taken charge of the boys’ soccer team after a previous role as middle school coach. Jaramillo is a Randleman graduate.
The new girls’ tennis coach is Jennifer Walker, a history teacher at the school.
The softball coach will be Haven Marine, a former Southwestern Randolph baseball and football player and 2005 graduate of the school. Marine had been in a coaching capacity with the UCA middle school.
