Wilder Named WLTX News19 Player of the Year
Congratulations to Ford Wilder on being named the WLTX News19 Player of the Year, one of the Midlands’ most prestigious honors for high school student-athletes. Selected from among the year’s News19 “Player of the Week” recipients from across the Midlands region, Ford was recognized not only for his outstanding athletic achievement, but also for his excellence in academics, leadership, character, and service to his school and community. The annual WLTX Player of the Year program celebrates the “complete” student-athlete, honoring individuals who make a lasting impact on their teams, schools, and communities, making this recognition an especially meaningful accomplishment.
Spring Athletic Recognition
Mary Ellen Thorne '26: SCISA Bill Simpson Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Ford Wilder '26: WLTX TV19 Player of the Year
Baseball
Owen Barkley ‘27: All-Region Team
Benson Elmore ‘26: All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Soccer
Abel Ayres ‘27: All-Region Team
Paul Wabnitz Moch ‘27: All-Region Team
Aiden Webb ‘28: All-Region Team
Softball
Mary Paisley Geddings: All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Addie Griffin ‘26: All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Caroline Moorman ‘27: All-Region Team
Marsha Kate Skey: All-Star Team, All-Region Team, The Sumter Item Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week
Mrs. Teresa O’Hare Alexander ‘98: All-Star Team Coach
Tennis
Andy Cseh ‘26: All-Region Team
Ryan Griffin ‘27: All-Region Team
Cameron Salzer ‘29: All-Region Team
Boys Track
Shep Vincent ‘28: Region Athlete of the Year
Girls Track
Bailey Flemming ‘28: Region Athlete of the Year
Karsen Jones ‘29: The Sumter Item Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week
Soccer State Runner-up
Powering through the postseason with teamwork and determination, the soccer team finished as state runner-up. Making its first championship appearance since the early 1970s, the team earned dominant wins in the quarterfinals, 7–1, and semifinals, 3–0, before falling in a hard-fought 2–0 title match. Led by head coach Mr. Jason Bartlett, the team’s unity and effort defined an outstanding season.
Brown and Hewetts Named to All-State Swim Team
Demonstrating outstanding dedication and achievement in the pool, Ryan Brown, Anna Hewett, and Jacob Hewett were named to the USA Swimming South Carolina All-State Team. To earn this honor, swimmers must achieve at least two AAA time standards during the short course season, a recognition that reflects exceptional performance, consistency, and commitment in competitive swimming. Their accomplishment places them among the top age-group swimmers in South Carolina.
Boys & Girls Track Teams Finish Second with Multiple Gold Medal Performances
Racing to an incredible finish, both the boys & girls track teams placed second at the state meet, highlighted by multiple gold medal performances. Gold medalists included Shep Vincent (110 hurdles), Ford Wilder (long jump), and the boys 4x4 relay team of Jack Gratz, Joseph Hiott, Trip Hunt & Caulder Williamson, along with the 4x8 relay team of Abel Ayres, Jack, Joseph & Ben Rabon. For the girls, Karsen Jones claimed gold in both the 100 & 400 hurdles, and McKinley Bath won the javelin. In total, 31 athletes contributed points with top-eight finishes. Mr. Rip Ripley is the head coach.
Speed & Strength Team Wins State Championship
Winning the S.C. Independent School Association State Championship, the Speed & Strength Team turned in an outstanding performance across six events including the 40-yard run, shuttle run, broad jump, vertical leap, bench press, and power clean. Andrew Howle placed first in his division and swept all six events, while Reese Wilson also won his division, finishing first in four events. Shep Vincent earned second place in his division, and Ford Wilder, who won the 40-yard run and broad jump, along with Caulder Williamson, each placed third in their divisions. The team is led by Mr. Sam Watford, who directs the year-round fitness program and teaches Brain, Body and Balance, helping promote Wilson Hall’s belief that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds and stronger students. Assisting with the program are Mr. Rip Ripley and Mr. Kurt Wilson. Congratulations to the entire team on an outstanding state championship.
Sporting Clays Team Earns State Runner-Up Honors
The varsity squad of Grace McArthur, Lucy Mims, and Anna Lynn Skinner finished as state runner-up in both the S.C Independent School Association (SCISA) State Sporting Clays and State Trap Shooting Championships. The squad also placed second in the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Varsity Ladies State Trap Championship School Division. In individual competition, Lucy placed second and earned a $2,500 scholarship and Anna Lynn placed third and received a $1,500 scholarship.
The middle school team of Cat Bowman, Winnie Caughman, and Harper Rivers won first place in the SCISA Sporting Clays Championship, with Cat earning Highest Overall honors. The same squad won the SCDNR Middle School Ladies Trap State Championship School Division, with Cat Bowman also earning Middle School HOA. The shooting sports team is advised by Mr. Brent Hiott.
Winter Athletic Recognition
Boys Basketball
Ford Wilder ‘26: All-Star Team, Region Player of the Year, All-Region Team, All-Region Tournament Team
Caulder Williamson ‘26: All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Girls Basketball
Grace McArthur ‘28: All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Caroline Moorman ‘27: All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Lilly Grace Przybyla ‘28: All-Star Team, All-Region Team, All-Region Tournament Team
Ella Sill ‘26: All-Region Tournament Team
Emmie Williamson ‘29: All-Star Team, All-Region Tournament Team
Girls Bowling
Addie Geddings '31: All-State Team
Hannah Hagood '28: All-State Team
Geddings, Girls Bowling Team Win State
Dominating the team competition from start to finish, the girls bowling team captured the state championship in commanding fashion, finishing an impressive 75 points ahead of second place. Under the leadership of Coach Curtis Helms, the team title highlighted a remarkable season of consistency and focus. In separate individual competition, Addie Geddings claimed first place and Hannah-Grace Hagood earned third. Rounding out the championship team were Natalie Hawkey, Marymae Lampron, and Claudia Rhodus. The boys team also turned in a strong performance, finishing third in the team standings.
Fall Athletic Recognition
Mary Ellen Thorne ‘26: WACH Fox 57 Scholar-Athlete of the Week (cross-country & swimming)
Boys Cross-Country
Abel Ayres ‘27: All-State Team, All-Region Team
Gavin Getz ‘28: All-State Team
Trip Hunt ‘28: All-State Team, All-Region Team, Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week
Caulder Williamson ‘27: All-State Team, Region Runner of the Year, All-Region Team
Girls Cross-Country
Jane Foley: All-State Team
Mary Foley: All-Region Team
Mary Ellen Thorne ‘26: All-Region Team
Emmie Williamson ‘29: All-State Team, Region Runner of the Year, All-Region Team
Football
Matthew Behmer ‘26 - Sumter Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Week
Milling Galloway ‘26 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Touchdown Club Special Teams Player of the Week, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team
Peyton Gilley ‘27 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Week, Sumter Touchdown Club Lineman of the Week, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, Sumter Item All-Independent Team
Andrew Howle ‘26 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Item All-Independent Team
Ben McLaurin ‘26 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, Sumter Item All-Independent Team
Harris Naylor ‘26 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Item All-Independent Team
Banks Smith '26 - Sumter Touchdown Club Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Sumter Touchdown Club Merit Scholar
Shep Vincent ‘28 - Sumter Touchdown Club Special Teams Player of the Week
Ford Wilder ‘26 - Region Offensive Player of the Year, All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Item All-Independent Team, Sumter Touchdown Club Merit Scholar
Reese Wilson ‘27 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, Sumter Item All-Independent Team
Walker Wilson ‘26 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team
Golf
Anna Kate Arons on ‘29 - All-Region Team
Mary Katherine Dutcher ‘27 - All-Region Team
Aviana Hicks ‘29 - All-Region Team
Tennis
Harper Burke ‘28 - All-Region Team
Edna Lee Harris ‘26 - All-Region Team
Claudia Rhodus ‘27 - All-Region Team
Volleyball
McKinley Bath ‘20 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Mary Todd Champion ‘27 - All-Star Team
Natalie Hawkey ‘27 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Savannah Wells ‘27 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Baron Football Finishes a Standout Season
Charging through the fall with grit and heart, the Barons capped an exciting football season with an impressive 11-2 record and a state runner-up trophy. Each game on Spencer Field fueled school spirit, drawing fans of all ages together to cheer on a team that embodied determination & pride. Led by Mr. Adam Jarecki, their success strengthened the indomitable Baron spirit and united the entire WH community behind a common cause. It was a fun season for fans and a memorable one for the school.
Hunt, Boys Cross-Country State Champs!
Back-to-back! Boys XC is the 4A State Champions, smashing the SCISA state meet and all-time meet records (1:20:14.48) and winning by 31 points. Trip Hunt is the individual state champ (school-record 15:26.20). Named to the All-State Team: Hunt, Caulder Williamson (3rd), Abel Ayres (4th) & Gavin Getz (10th). Ben Rabon (13th), Cordin Finley (14th) & Aiden Bradford (18th) all finished strong, and every runner came in under 17 minutes. Led by Mr. Reid Schwartz, the team earned a record of 179–6. The girls team finished 3rd in the state meet, earning a season record of 129-24. Named to All-State were Emmie Williamson (7th) & Jane Foley (9th).
Swim Team Strikes Gold, Finishes Third at State
Clutch finishes and three school records propelled the boys swim team to third at the S.C. Independent School Assoc. 4A State Championships and three gold medals. Jacob Hewett won the 200 individual medley in a school-record 1:56.52 and added the 100 breaststroke title with a school-record 59.92, then teamed with Cliff Bath, Ryan Brown, and Banks Smith to win the 200 freestyle relay in a school-record 1:34.01. Adding crucial points: Bath 2nd in the 50 free and 2nd in the 100 free; Brown 5th in the 200 free and 9th in the 100 back; Gentry Flowers 9th in the 200 free; Smith 8th in the 50 free and 9th in the 100 breast; Ethan Wilson 7th in the 100 fly and 7th in the 500 free. On the girls side, Lilly Schortman placed 8th in the 200 individual medley. The team finished the season with a 52-5 record and was led by Mrs. Jeanna Mahr, head coach, who was assisted by Ms. Tara Breslin-Schumacher, Mrs. Amy Brown, and Mrs. Renee Norton.
Baron Media Day Brings Spirit to the Lower School
Excitement filled the halls as the 35 senior fall athletes, dressed in their team jerseys, celebrated the tradition of Baron Media Day by visiting grades 1–5 during lunch to hand out autographed photos. The event gave our eldest students the chance to connect with some of our youngest, sparking conversations and encouragement that strengthened school spirit. It was an exciting day for the lower school community! The event was organized by Mr. Rip Ripley, Assistant Athletic Director.
Spring Athletic Highlights
V. Soccer
8-5-1
State Runner-up
Boys Track
70-1
2nd in State
Region Champions
Girls Track
61-2
2nd in State
Region Champions
Boys Tennis
9-3
State Semi-finalist
Equestrian
3rd in State
V. Baseball
11-8
State Quarter-finalists
V. Softball
19-7
State Quarter-finalists
JV Soccer
7-4
JV Softball
8-1-1
WINTER ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
Girls Bowling
State Champions
Speed & Strength
State Champions
Girls Shooting Sports
2nd in State - Sporting Clays
2nd in State - Trap
Boys Bowling
3rd in State
V. Girls Basketball
16-10
State Quarterfinalist
JV Girls Basketball
15-4
Region Champions
8th Boys Basketball
8-6
B-Team Girls Basketball
9-4
6th Boys Basketball
7-0
6th Girls Basketball
7-0
Fall Athletic Highlights
Boys Cross-Country
179-6
State Champions
Region Champions
Varsity Football
11-2
State Runner-Up
Girls Cross-Country
129-24
3rd in State
Region Champions
Boys Swimming
52-5
3rd in State
V. Girls Tennis
9-4
State Quarterfinalists
V. Volleyball
28-11
State Quarterfinalists
Girls Golf
48-24
5th in State
JV Girls Tennis
11-1
JV Volleyball
13-5
B-Team Football
4-3
8th Volleyball
12-7
6th Volleyball
8-7