Providence Grove Gracey Menscer sets the ball against Jordan-Matthews in non conference match up in Climax,NC on August 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
GRACEY MENSCER
Providence Grove High School | Junior | Volleyball
Gracey Menscer turned in almost identical outings as the Providence Grove Patriots won twice last week in four sets.
Menscer was charted with 48 assists in a victory against Eastern Randolph. Two nights later, Menscer ended up with 48 assists and 12 digs as the Patriots topped Wheatmore.
Those outcomes gave Providence Grove a four-match winning streak and a 12-9 overall record heading into this week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament.
ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association released its 2021 all-state teams and the list is heavy on players from Class 2-A state champion Randleman.
Randleman’s Hunter Atkins, Brooks Brannon, Andrew Cox, Braylen Hayes, Trey Way and Ryan White made the Class 2-A list. They were joined by Southwestern Randolph’s Bryson Hogan on the Class 3-A list and Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Hunter Hill and Colt Wilkins on the Class 1-A list.
Randleman has had at least one selection in 10 consecutive seasons when an all-state team was named (skipping 2020 because of the pandemic-shortened season). The Tigers have had multiple selections in eight (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021) of those 10 seasons.
ASHEBORO — Two girls from Randolph County schools have won individual conference championships in golf.
Asheboro’s Salem Lee shot 77 on Monday for the Mid-Piedmont Conference title at Winding Creek Golf Club. The Blue Comets finished second in the team standings.
• In last week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament, Providence Grove was the team winner, led by Caroline Wright’s 41 at Colonial Country Club.
Providence Grove posted 143, for a 15-shot edge on Southwestern Randolph. Randleman (173) was third and Trinity (190) was fourth. The event was shortened from 18 to nine holes because of weather concerns.
Morgan Heilig of Providence Grove was the runner-up with 47, followed by Southwestern Randolph’s Lindsey Auman (48) and Randleman’s Paulina Palmer (50).
Randleman racks up baseball honors
Randleman’s Hunter Atkins takes a swing during the 2021 state playoffs (PJ Ward-Brown/NORTH STATE JOURNAL)
The North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association released its 2021 all-state teams and it’s heavy on players from Class 2-A state champion Randleman.
Randleman’s Hunter Atkins, Brooks Brannon, Andrew Cox, Braylen Hayes, Trey Way and Ryan White made the list. They were joined by Southwestern Randolph’s Bryson Hogan on the Class 3-A list and Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Hunter Hill and Colt Wilkins on the Class 1-A list.
Randleman has had at least one selection in 10 consecutive seasons when an all-state team was named (skipping 2020 because of the pandemic-shortened season). The Tigers have had multiple selections in eight (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021) of those 10 seasons.
Wheatmore’s Hales chooses college
Wheatmore senior Robert Hales has signed to play baseball for St. Andrews University in Laurinburg. (Photo submitted)
Senior outfielder / pitcher Robert Hales of the Wheatmore baseball team has decided to play for St. Andrews University in Laurinburg.
Hales has been a three-year starter for Wheatmore. St. Andrews competes in the NAIA and posted a 28-19 record in 2021.
ASHEBORO – Keaton Reed threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Southwestern Randolph got back on track by defeating visiting Wheatmore 55-12 in Monday night’s make-up game in Piedmont Athletic Conference football.
Adam Cole scored three touchdowns – one on a run and two on receptions – for the Cougars (5-1, 1-1 PAC), who were coming off their lone loss in a setback to unbeaten Eastern Randolph.
Easton Clapp ran for a touchdown and returned an interception for a touchdown. Lane Dalke scored on a touchdown run.
Reed rushed for 117 yards and threw for 150 yards. Cole was charted for 85 receiving yards and 53 rushing yards.
For Wheatmore (3-3, 0-2), which trailed 48-6 at halftime, Cade Hamilton and Perry Welch scored touchdowns.
Providence Grove 49, Randleman 21: Friday at Randleman, Luke Thomas threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score and Caleb Rogers scored on three runs as the visiting Patriots rolled in the PAC game.
Zander Cheek returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and also caught a TD pass. Joe Coltrane also caught a touchdown pass.
Rogers’ scoring runs came from 4, 3 and 4 yards out.
Providence Grove (5-1, 1-0) pulled away after leading 28-21 in the third quarter.
Randleman (3-4, 1-1) had a three-game winning streak snapped despite Ervodd Cassady’s 144 rushing yards on 29 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown. Micah Thurston, on a 6-yard run, and Lucas Gneiting, on a 7-yard pass from Christian Long, also scored touchdowns.
Trinity’s Dylan Hodges returns a kickoff against visiting Eastern Randolph during a Piedmont Athletic Conference game Oct. 7 in Trinity. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Eastern Randolph 43, Trinity 7: Thursday night at Trinity, the visiting Wildcats (6-0, 2-0) rolled in another PAC game.
Eastern Randolph was sparked by linebacker John Maness’ interception on the first series of the game, setting up the first score.
Trinity fell to 3-2, 0-1.
Central Davidson 68, Asheboro 13: Thursday night at Asheboro, the host Blue Comets dropped their sixth game in a row as Central Davidson’s Cory Casilac scored six touchdowns as part of his 272 rushing yards on 18 carries.
The Spartans improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Piedmont Conference.
Khyland Hadley-Lindsay scored on a 6-yard run and Ameer Khan recovered a fumble for touchdowns for Asheboro (1-6, 0-2).
ASHEBORO — Early voting for this fall’s municipal elections in Randolph County begins this week and runs for more than two weeks.
Early voting will take place at the Randolph County Board of Elections office at 1457 North Fayetteville St., Asheboro.
Times and dates for early voting are from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28; from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18, 20, 22, 25, 27 and 29; and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 30.
Election Day is Nov. 2. Voters must vote at their polling places on Election Day.
Asheboro City School Board candidates respond to candidate survey
ASHEBORO – Municipal elections in Randolph County begin this week with early voting with election day on Nov. 2. The contest for Asheboro City School Board has seven candidates vying for four seats. Voters are allowed to select their top four candidates on the ballot.
North State Journal circulated a survey to all of the candidates with the same questions. Each candidate was given the same amount of space to respond to each question. Their responses are below.
Adam Hurley
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City School Board
Are you an incumbent? No
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) High School Diploma
What is your occupation? Heating and Air
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? Equity & Inclusion
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? I am vehemently opposed to the adoption or move toward critical race theory
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
I have held various leadership roles and am ready to stand up for parents.
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? I’m opposed to any government body requiring the Covid vaccine.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? We need to focus on improving learning for our students.
Why are you running for office? Because we need bold leaders who will stand for what’s right.
Kathryn Thill
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City Schools Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? No
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) BA Psychology, Lenoir Rhyne University
What is your occupation? Licensed Real Estate Agent
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? Educator Retention & Recruitment, & its long-term impact on student success.
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? CRT is not meant for K-12 classrooms, ACS has no plan to adopt this.
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
I’m committed to transparency, honesty & advocacy for students & families.
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? Vaccines should be a conversation between families and their pediatrician, not the school board.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? My goal is to think creatively to engage our great community in supporting our district! Asheboro has so many wonderful businesses and individuals, I’d like to see how we can work together to support (& recruit) educators, and provide dynamic learning opportunities for our students. These opportunities will be more important than ever, as our teachers work diligently to cover lost ground due to Covid. Students across the country are further behind than ever before, and our teachers will need as much support as we can give them as they work tirelessly to engage and enhance the learning of our children.
Why are you running for office? I want to be a voice for our families, students, and educators.
Baxter Hammer
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City Schools Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) BS Business and Accounting Elon University
What is your occupation? Plant Controller with The Timken Company
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? No answer.
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? No answer.
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
No answer.
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? No answer.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? No answer.
Why are you running for office? No answer.
Hailey Trollinger Lee
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City School Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? No
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) Asheboro High School.
Kneaded Energy School of Massage (LBMT)
What is your occupation? I am a stay-at-home mom and work as a substitute teacher.
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? Staff dev./retention. Teachers are the key asset to our students’ education.
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? I do not support the teaching of Critical Race Theory in K-12.
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
My passion and concern for our teachers, students and the next generation.
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? I do not support any government mandate that takes away parent choice.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? I am not seeking office with a focus to necessarily change. My focus will be to work alongside the other board members to make sure ACS continues to focus on our teachers, students and families. Working together to ensure the highest quality of education for our students.
Why are you running for office? To serve our community. To advocate for all teachers, parents and students.
Beth Knott
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) “North Carolina State University- BS- Zoology
University of North Carolina -Greensboro- MA, Audiology
University of Florida-Doctor of Audiology
Randolph Community College- Integrative Health Coaching Certification
What is your occupation? Integrative Health Coach
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? School calendar flexibility. Calendar needs be set by the local district.
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? I support our statement released by Asheboro City Schools. See website.
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
Asheboro native, current ACS parent, incumbent experience
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? My decisions are based data presented. This data is not available yet.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? My role as a school board member is to be an advocate for students, educators and staff. Every decision I make I must first ask “Is this what’s best for our students? ” That is a value I will never wavier from regardless of the decision at hand.
Why are you running for office? To continue the work we set forth to accomplish in Asheboro City Schools.
Todd Dulaney
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City Schools Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? No
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) Sinclair Community College, Associate Degree
Wright State University, Bachelor’s Degree
What is your occupation? Executive editor, Our State magazine
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? Education. The success of our community depends on our schools.
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? I want a seat at the table when the board of education discusses it.
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
My day job is to celebrate NC; I will do the same for our great schools.
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? I follow laws, even the ones I disagree with, and so do my children.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? Increased transparency, communication, and community involvement.
Why are you running for office? To ensure my child, and all ACS students, have the best education possible.
Bob Williams
What office are you seeking? Asheboro City Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? No
Please list your educational background (including degree and institution) AHS, High Point University, UNC-CH LAW School
What is your occupation? Retired lawyer
What area of public policy are you most passionate about and why? Educating children for our future
What is your position on Critical Race Theory (CRT)? All history should be taught without any shame placed any child’s ancestors
What makes you uniquely qualified for the office you seek?
My education, experience, and connections with Asheboro as a native here.
What is your position on K-12 students being required by the government to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it is approved by the FDA? For their health they should receive shots required by schools.
What is the primary change that you will seek if you are elected to public office? Higher level of funding and more resources for teachers.
Why are you running for office? To help teachers educate children to succeed in life and work.
More Americans have died from COVID-19 during the Biden administration than during the Trump administration. That is not the good news for President Joe Biden.
Former President Donald Trump initiated Operation Warp Speed. We had Democrats casting aspersions on the efficacy of a would-be and supposedly rushed vaccine. We finally got the vaccine at the end of the Trump administration. The moment Biden became president, Trump voters cast aspersions on the vaccine and the Democrats bullied anyone skeptical of it.
People still died. The delta variant has upended lives and taken loved ones; it has sent progressives cowering in fear of a microbe and upped their loathing of their fellow man. “Love your neighbor,” which has no caveats, carve-outs or exceptions in Scripture, now comes with an “except for the unvaccinated” disclaimer for the Left.
Americans are still stranded in Afghanistan. That too is not the good news for Biden. Officials of San Juan Unified School District in California announced the district has 41 students still trapped in Afghanistan. Josh Youssef of Help The Persecuted, a Christian nonprofit in Atlanta, reported he has 600 Christian refugees trying to flee Kabul. His organization had chartered planes and drafted a letter to the Taliban asserting his organization’s ability to evacuate, but the Biden administration continues to be an impediment.
Fifteen thousand Haitian refugees have made it into the United States at Del Rio, Texas. Most of them have been allowed to stay, pending court dates. Many of them have COVID-19 and are unvaccinated. The government has already lost track of many of them. Now, more than 30,000 more refugees are walking through Mexico headed north. Panama’s foreign minister arrived in the United States to raise awareness of the coming humanitarian crisis. Her warnings fell on deaf ears. That is not the good news for Biden.
The just-released Quinnipiac poll is disastrous for Biden.
All of this comes as Democrats are squabbling over the price tag for a reconciliation package in Congress. The individual items allegedly show public support, but the public collectively is not smart and does not really understand the things Congress offers. The public is worried about costs, inflation, fuel prices and grocery store bills.
Gas prices continue to rise. The Biden administration took over in January and set about hurting oil producers. They refused pipelines, rolled back access to federal lands and made it otherwise more complicated to drill. All of this was by design to drive up fuel costs, thereby forcing Americans to use less or move to alternatives in the name of climate change. As it had the perfectly foreseeable consequences of driving up gas prices and thereby driving up the prices of everything else, the Biden administration begged OPEC to save the president from his policies. OPEC has refused.
None of these things are the good news for Biden. The cumulative effect of these things is to drag down Biden’s polling. The just-released Quinnipiac poll is disastrous for Biden. Quinnipiac historically has a slight bias in favor of the Democrats. Even with that bias, the president’s approval is at 38%. Only 23% of the public supports his handling of the border issue. Thirty-four percent approve of his handling of foreign policy. Thirty-seven percent approve of his handling of taxes. Thirty-nine percent approve of his handling of the economy.
More damning, 55% say that “the Biden administration is not competent in running the government,” while 56% say Biden does not have “good leadership skills.” Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac’s polling analyst, noted, “President Biden is being hammered on all sides as his approval rating continues its downward slide to a number not seen since the tough scrutiny of the Trump administration.”
So, what is the good news for the Biden administration? The good news is that it is October of 2021 and not October of 2022. Things can turn around. Unfortunately, even as the bad headlines have receded, Biden’s polling has not turned around. Likewise, the Virginia gubernatorial race, which should be a Democratic blowout, is coming down to a nail-biter. It all suggests a voter backlash has begun in earnest.
Left to Right: Freshman Attendant Camryn Everhart, Sophomore Attendant Ellie Lanier, Homecoming Queen Kaitlyn Gainey, Junior Attendant Keziah Reed, and Senior Attendant Jylian Taylor. SWR defeated Wheatmore 55-12 in the Homecoming football game at Ivey B. Luck Stadium on Monday, October 11, 2021.
ASHEBORO — After rain postponed the football game Friday night between Southwestern Randolph and Wheatmore, SWR students celebrated the homecoming dance before the game itself. With a big halftime lead over the visiting Warriors, the Cougars celebrated the 2021 homecoming court and their new homecoming queen. The student body voted on the winners.
2021 SWR Homecoming Queen Kaitlyn Gainey (PJ Ward-Brown | The North State Journal)
Kaitlyn Gainey, a senior, was named the homecoming queen. Gainey is the daughter of Stephen and Kelly Gainey. She serves as the Student Body President and president of the Beta and Unify clubs. She is a member of the varsity tennis and basketball teams and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a percussionist on the SWR concert band. She was escorted on the field by her father, school superintendent Stephen Gainey.
The senior attendant was Jylian Taylor. Taylor is the daughter of Michael and Beth Taylor. She is a member of the Beta Club and chorus.
The junior attendant was Keziah Reed. Reed is the daughter of Bob and Jeanette Reed. She is a member of Journey Church Youth, FCA and Unify as well as manager for the football team.
The sophomore attendant was Ellie Lanier. She is the daughter of Phillip and Angela Lanier. She is a member of Greater Vision Baptist Church and helps coach youth cheerleading camps in the summer.
The freshman attendant was Camryn Everhart. She is the daughter of Daniel and Joni Everhart. She attends Brower’s Wesleyan Church and plans to play basketball and soccer for the Cougars.
Gainey was crowned by 2020 SWR Homecoming Queen Natalie King, King is a student at UNC Chapel Hill.
Other members of the Homecoming court were:
Freshmen
Malia Cannon, daughter of Charles and Lori Cannon
Isabel Drumwrght, daughter of Gordon and Christie Drumwright
Caiden Garner, daughter of Spencer and Leslie Garner
Sophomores
Darbee Scott, daughter of Chris and Bobbi Scott
Macy Walker, daughter of Jimmy and Kristi Walker
Micah Wilson, daughter of Lloyd and Faith Wilson
Juniors
Delaney Clark, daughter of Derek and Bobbie Clark
Sadie Mabe, daughter of Bradley and Jennifer Mabe
Reese Martin, daughter of Chad and Sherri Martin
Josie Perdue, daughter of Andy and Julie Perdue
Seniors
Kassi Auman, daughter of Kati Auman
Kayley Cole, daughter of Kevin and LeAnn Cole
Brianna Mabe, daughter of Bradley and Jennifer Mabe
Kaitlyn Gainey serves in this undated photo. (SWR Athletics)
KAITLYN GAINEY
Southwestern Randolph High School | Senior | Tennis
Southwestern Randolph’s Kaitlyn Gainey, a senior, completed Piedmont Athletic Conference play with a 10-0 singles record when the Cougars wrapped up the regular season by defeating Uwharrie Charter Academy 7-2. She was also part of a victory in a doubles match.
Gainey plays No. 2 singles for the Cougars, who finished the regular season with an 11-4 overall record and 7-3 PAC mark. Gainey takes an overall singles record of 14-1 into postseason competition.
In doubles, Gainey has combined with junior Andee Bullard at the No. 1 position and they’ve posted a 12-2 record in the regular season. Gainey is one of two seniors in the Southwestern Randolph lineup.
Gainey began this week by being crowned the Southwestern Randolph’s homecoming queen as part of the rescheduled homecoming football game Monday night, when the Cougars football team won 55-12 against Wheatmore.
ASHEBORO — Asheboro High School’s homecoming football game scheduled for Friday night against Central Davidson has been moved up to tonight at 7 pm.
“Due to the potential for inclement weather on Friday night, the Asheboro High School Blue Comets will host the Homecoming football game on Thursday, October 7 at 7 p.m. in Lee J. Stone Stadium,” said the school through a release.
Adam Hurley
Kathryn Thill
Baxter Hammer
Hailey Trollinger Lee
Beth Knott
Todd Dulaney
Bob Williams
