Hall takes over Uwharrie Charter wrestling program

ASHEBORO — One of the most successful athletic programs in Randolph County history is getting a new coach for the upcoming season and he said he’s going to do everything in his power to keep what has become an almost unbelievable streak intact.

Chris Hall will be taking over the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling program, a program that has won four straight dual team state championships. He replaces Hayden Waddell, who led the Eagles to a 36-0 dual meet season last year, but was released after the season.

“It’s a great program with an established history of winning and I am looking forward to keeping that winning mentality going,” said Hall, who has had ties with the Asheboro High School and Trinity High School wrestling programs in the past. “Anytime you step into a new program, everyone is a bit uneasy. 

“They don’t know much about me, but I have been around winning wrestling programs. Gaining the confidence of the athletes and the parents, letting them know they will be treated well.”

The four consecutive team titles won by UCA is believed to be only the third time that feat has been accomplished in NCAA history and UCA is on a seven-year run in which the team has placed either first or second in the state championship.

The Eagles have won an overall five state dual meet wrestling championships in all, four when UCA competed in 1-A when the NCHSAA was divided into four classifications and this past season in 4-A, when NCHSAA schools split into eight classifications. The five state titles are tied for fifth place with Orange and Fred T. Foard high schools for the most state championships in North Carolina.

Hall spent 18 years in the military before venturing into the coaching profession, working at the high school, middle school and youth coaching levels. He most recently was an assistant wrestling coach at AHS.

“We are very excited to have Coach Hall on board with us and are ready to see what he can do with the program,” UCA Athletic Director Andrew Davis said in a statement.

The Eagles graduated a number of wrestlers, including four-time state champion and three-time All-American Lorenzo Alston, who is now at NC State.

“We lose not only a wrestler who we have big shoes to fill, but someone with a lot of leadership abilities and I’m looking forward to finding some athletes and building leadership,” Hall said.

Hall said he will participate in a Meet the Coach Night sometime in the next few weeks and is anxious to show his team and their parents what he is about.

“The early message is to be ready to work,” Hall said. “Work hard and get after it and do it with the utmost discipline. Dietary, working out, doing it right across the board. I am looking forward to getting in front of them and letting them know they will be treated right and we’re going to help make them a better man, woman and athlete.”