Athletic News

Reynolds Athlete of the Week

Ben Reynolds, a member of the baseball team, was voted the Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on March 30.

Matthews Athlete of the Week

Shawn Michael Matthews, a member of the basketball team, was voted the Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on February 22.

Winter Athletic Recognition

Boys Basketball
All-Star Team: Daniel Burton, Hugh Humphries & Shawn Michael Matthews
Region Player of the Year: Daniel Burton
All-Region Team: Daniel Burton, Hugh Humphries & Shawn Michael Matthews
Region Tournament Most Valuable Player: Shawn Michael Matthews
All-Region Tournament Team: Daniel Burton, Hugh Humphries & Shawn Michael Matthews
Region Coach of the Year: Mr. Rip Ripley
The Sumter Item Athlete of the Week: Daniel Burton

Girls Basketball
All-Star Team: Logan Mims
All-Region Team: Sullivan Jarecki, Logan Mims & Aubrey Payne
All-Region Tournament Team: Marybeth VanPatten

Girls Bowling
McKenzie Helms: 3rd in State Individual Competition

Equestrian
Josie Jackson: Interscholastic Equestrian Assoc. Region 4-Zone 4 High Point Award for the season in the Varsity on the Flat Division.

Scholastic Shooting Sports
The Sumter Item Athlete of the Week: Ann Weathers Blankenship

Blankenship Athlete of the Week

Ann Weathers Blankenship, a member of the shooting sports team, was voted the Athlete of the Week on February 15 by the readers of The Sumter Item.

Shooting Sports Wins Two State Championships

The team of Ann Weathers Blankenship ‘24, Jack Bowman ‘25 and Eddie Donnald ‘24, members of the shooting sports team, won both the State Skeet Championship and State Trap Championship at the S.C. Independent School Association (SCISA) Scholastic Shooting Sports Tournament held at the Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield. 

The team also represented the school in the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) State Skeet and Trap Championships, winning the varsity school division in both competitions. Winning several individual awards in the trap tournament, Ann Weathers was the Ladies Varsity School Division High Over-All (HOA), Ladies Trap HOA, and Senior Lady HOA, for which she received a $2,000 scholarship. Eddie was the Senior Male HOA and also received a $2,000 scholarship.  

Ann Weathers swept the categories in the skeet tournament, winning Ladies Varsity School School Division HOA, Ladies Skeet HOA, and Senior Lady HOA for which she received another $2,000 scholarship. Eddie placed second for Senior Males, earning a $1,500 scholarship. 

The team of Cat Bowman ‘30, Harper Rivers ‘30 and Kate Skinner ‘28 won the SCDNR Skeet and Trap State Championships in the Ladies Middle School Division, and Harper was the Ladies Middle School Division HOA in trap. 

The team of Lucy Hayes Mims ‘26 and Anna Lynn Skinner ‘26 placed third in the JV Ladies School Division in the skeet tournament. The teams are coached by Mr. Brent Hiott.  
 

National Volleyball Best & Brightest Awards

Seniors Rylee Bath, Sullivan Jarecki, Aubrey Payne & Maggie Norris (pictured L-R) were selected by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for the Best & Brightest Award which was established to recognize students who excel on the court and in the classroom. Students must play in at least 50% of their varsity matches while maintaining a 4.0 or higher GPA. Only 1100 students were recognized nationwide for this award. Jarecki was named to the 1st Team, Bath to the 2nd Team, and Norris & Payne to the 3rd Team. The team is coached by Mr. Rip Ripley. 

Girls Bowling 2nd in State

The girls bowling team, coached by Mr. Curtis Helms, placed second in the South Carolina Independent School Association State Tournament held at Royal Z Lanes in Columbia. The members of the team are Anna DuBose ‘27, Hannah-Grace Hagood ‘28, McKenzie Helms ‘24, Victoria Singleton ‘24 and Camryn Wilmes ‘25.

McKenzie Helms placed third in the state individual bowling tournament. 

Donnald Signs with Emmanuel

Eddie Donnald committed to participate on the shooting sports team at Emmanuel University in Georgia. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Eddie is a member of the shooting sports team coached by Mr. Brent Hiott.

Kinney Signs with Washington & Lee

Clark Kinney committed to participate on the baseball team at Washington & Lee University in Virginia. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Clark is a member of the baseball team coached by Mr. Jay Jones.

Burton Player of the Week

Daniel Burton is the Hines Furniture Player of the Week (December 7) as voted by the readers of The Sumter Item. He is a member of the varsity basketball team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley. 

Football State Runner-up

The varsity football team advanced to the state championship game and finished the season with a record of 10-3. In the state quarterfinal, the Barons beat Northwood Academy 49-28 before defeating Florence Christian School 21-7 in the semifinal. In the state championship game held at Charleston Southern University, the Barons faced Hilton Head Christian School, a team it defeated in the opening game of the season. 

A high point of the season occurred during the second week with the defeat of Laurence Manning Academy at Spencer Field. In their 10 victories, the Barons outscored their opponents 403-157; the team scored a total of 430 points throughout the season.
 
The team roster had the following 15 members of the Class of ‘24, many of whom have played for Wilson Hall since the sixth grade: Grayson Alexander, Dillon Bartlett, Andrew Brown, Tucker Burnette, Slade Custer, Landon Gilley, Dylan Jones, Clark Kinney, Davis Lee, Luke Pedersen, Ben Reynolds, Sam Tristan, Blake VanPatten, Miles VanPatten and Britton Wells.

The head coach for the team was Mr. Adam Jarecki, and assisting him were the following: Mr. Travis Grass,  Mr. Chuck McCord, Mr. Horace Lee Scott ‘13, Mr. Sam Watford ‘16 and Mr. Kurt Wilson. Mrs. Mary Peyton Zilch Clepper ‘14 of Prisma Health was the athletic trainer and the student trainers were Carson Geddings ‘26, Emily Mason ‘25, Kadence Newman ‘25 and Kyrston Newman ‘26. Mr. Steve Hudson was the team’s statistician, and the team managers were Wyatt Moore ‘32 and Murrell Smith ‘32. 

Fall Athletic Recognition

Boys Cross Country
Abel Ayres ‘27 - All-State Team, All-Region Team
Cordin Nattrass ‘28 - All-Region Team
Ben Rabon ‘26 - All-Region Team
Caulder Williamson ‘27 - All-State Team, Region Runner of the Year, All-Region Team, Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week
Girls Cross Country
Bailey Flemming ‘28 - All-Region Team
Mary Foley ‘28 - All-Region Team
Mary Ellen Thorne ‘26 - All-Region Team
Emmie Williamson ‘29 - All-State Team, All-Region Team
Football
Grayson Alexander ‘24 - All-State 1st Team, All-Star Team, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, The Sumter Item All-Area Team
Jackson Bonser ‘25 - All-State 1st Team, Sumter Touchdown Club Special Teams Player of the Week, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, The Sumter Item All-Area Team
Landon Gilley ‘24 - All-State 1st Team, All-Star Team, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, The Sumter Item All-Area Team
Dylan Jones ‘24 - All-State 1st Team, All-Star Team, Sumter Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, The Sumter Item All-Area Team
Clark Kinney ‘24 - All-State 1st Team, All-Star Team, WLTX News 19 Player of the Week
Cooper Scott ‘25 - All-State 1st Team, The Sumter Item All-Area Team
Blake VanPatten ‘24 - All-State 1st Team, All-Star Team, Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team, The Sumter Item All-Area Team
Miles VanPatten ‘24 - All-State 2nd Team
Carson Wilsey ‘25 - All-State 2nd Team
Golf
Mary Katherine Dutcher ‘27 - Region Player of the Year, All-Region Team
Bella Grudzinski ‘24 - All-Region Team
Swimming
Cliff Bath '26 - All-State Team
Logan Schumacher '25 - All-State Team
Stirling Tindal '26 - All-State Team
Tennis
Caroline McElveen ‘24 - All-Region Team
Claudia Rhodus ‘27 - All-Region Team
Volleyball
Rylee Bath ‘24 - Region Player of the Year, All-Star Team, All-Region Team 
Olivia Cogswell ‘25 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team
Sullivan Jarecki ‘24 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team 
McKenzie Gray Mills ‘25 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team 
Maggie Norris ‘24 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team 
Aubrey Payne ‘24 - All-Star Team, All-Region Team 
Mr. Rip Ripley - Region Coach of the Year

Bath Signs with Erskine

Rylee Bath committed to participate on the volleyball team at Erskine College. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Rylee is a member of the volleyball team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley.

Norris Signs with Erskine

Maggie Norris committed to participate on the volleyball team at Erskine College. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Maggie is a member of the volleyball team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley.

Williamson Athlete of the Week

Caulder Williamson was voted The Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on November 2. He is a member of the cross-country team coached by Mr. Reid Schwartz. 

Volleyball All-Stars

The following varsity volleyball team members played in the S.C. Independent School Assoc. All-Star Game hosted by Wilson Hall: Rylee Bath, Olivia Cogswell, Sullivan Jarecki, McKenzie Gray Mills & Maggie Norris. Aubrey Payne was selected for the All-Star Game but was unable to play due to a college visit. The team’s head coach, Mr. Rip Ripley, along with his assistant coaches, Aaron Bautista, Mr. Joe Perez and Ms. Sierra Meiers, coached at the All-Star Game. The Barons won the Region Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the SCISA 4A state tournament, finishing the season with a record of 36-8. 

Three Named to Cross-Country All-State Team

Abel Ayres, Caulder Williamson & Emmie Williamson were named to the Cross-Country All-State Team for finishing in the top 10 at the S.C. Independent School Assoc. 4A State Meet. Caulder finished 6th, Abel 9th, and Emmie 10th in their respective races. As teams, the boys finished 4th and the girls finished 6th. 

Caulder was also the Region Runner of the Year, and joining him on the All-Region Team were Abel, Jennings Frerichs, Cordin Nattrass & Ben Rabon. Named to the All-Region Team for the girls were Emmie, Cecilia Ayres, Bailey Flemming, Mary Foley & Mary Ellen Thorne. Both teams, for which Mr. Reid Schwartz serves as the head coach, were the Region Champions.

Boys Swim Third in State

The boys swim team finished third, missing second place by only two points, at the S.C. Independent School Assoc. State Swim Meet in Charleston. Cliff Bath ‘26 earned a 3rd place medal in the 100 butterfly and he earned a ribbon for placing 6th in the 200 individual medley. Mrs. Jeanne Mahr is the head coach of the team which earned a season record of 56-8. 

The following swimmers received ribbons for finishing in the top six:
Logan Schumacher ‘24 - 4th-200 freestyle & 4th-500 freestyle
Banks Smith ‘25 - 5th-50 freestyle & 6th-100 breaststroke 
Stirling Tindal ‘25 - 4th-100 freestyle & 5th-100 backstroke

The following relay teams won ribbons: 
400 freestyle - 4th (Cliff Bath ‘25, Logan Schumacher ‘24, Banks Smith ‘25 & Stirling Tindal ‘25)
200 medley - 5th (Cliff Bath ‘25, Logan Schumacher ‘24, Banks Smith ‘25 & Stirling Tindal ‘25)
200 freestyle - 5th (Ryan Brown ‘29, Levi Jiang ‘24, Patrick Norton ‘24 & JT Reimer ‘28). 

Ripley Earns 300th Career Victory

Mr. Rip Ripley, head varsity volleyball coach, was recognized during the last home volleyball match of the season for his 300th career volleyball victory. While coaching at Wilson Hall for nine years, Mr. Ripley has accumulated eight, 20-win seasons and has won over 30 games in each of the last two years. 

Kinney Player of the Week

Senior Clark Kinney, a member of the varsity football team, was named the WLTX News 19 Player of the Week for October 6. For this program News 19 honors exceptional high school seniors who participate in varsity sports, maintain a high GPA, and are outstanding citizens in their community. Clark was nominated by his coach, Mr. Adam Jarecki. News 19 Sports presents each winner with a letter jacket and a plaque, and the student is then featured in a 30-second promotional announcement that airs for one week. 

 

Volleyball All-American List

Seniors Rylee Bath, Maggie Norris and Aubrey Payne were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason All-American Watch List. They are members of the varsity volleyball team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley. 

Payne State Volleyball Player of the Week

Senior Aubrey Payne was selected as the MaxPreps/American Volleyball Coaches Association High School Volleyball Player of the Week for South Carolina on September 12.  She is a member of the varsity volleyball team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley. 

Baron Media Day

To promote school spirit and provide positive interaction between the older and younger students on campus, senior fall athletes participated in Baron Media Day. The seniors visited students in first through fifth grades during lunch, posing for photos with them and distributing autographed photographs. Mr. Rip Ripley, Assistant Athletic Director, coordinated the event.  

Basketball Top 10 Lists

Prep Hoops High School Basketball named senior Daniel Burton and juniors Hugh Humphries  & Shawn Michael Matthews to the Preseason Top 10 in S.C. Independent School Assoc. lists for their respective grades. They are members of the varsity basketball team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley. 

Payne Player of the Week

Volleyball Team Earns National Recognition

The 2022 varsity volleyball team was selected as an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Academic All-American Team for the eighth consecutive year. The Barons were one of just five South Carolina programs to earn the recognition and the only program from the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA). The AVCA, in partnership with the United States Marine Corps, recognizes volleyball programs across the country in high school and college that excel in academics as well as on the court.  

As a team, Wilson Hall compiled a 4.5 GPA while team members were enrolled in 28 Advanced Placement courses and 18 honors courses. On the court the Barons earned a 33-7 record, advanced to the state semifinals, and won the region. The team had five players selected for the SCISA All-Star Team, six players for the All-Region Team, players selected as an AVCA Player of the Week and SCISA Athlete of the Week, and the Region Player of the Year and Region Coach of the Year.

The following were team members: Campbell Bauman, Emma Bradley, Maddie Crawshaw, Sophie Greene, Amberly Way and Sarah Sonntag (Class of ‘23); Rylee Bath, Sullivan Jarecki, Maggie Norris and Aubrey Payne (Class of ‘24); and Olivia Cogswell and McKenzie Gray Mills (Class of ‘25). Mr. Rip Ripley is the head coach who was assisted by Mrs. Mary Peyton Zilch Clepper ‘24, Ms. Sierra Meiers and Mrs. Erin Trueblood. 

The Bobbys

Wilson Hall won six awards at the inaugural Bobby Awards held at a red-carpet gala at the Sumter Opera House on June 15. The program, inspired by ESPN's The Espy Awards, celebrates the best in Sumter-area sports. The Bobby is named for Sumter sports legend Bobby Richardson, the former World Series MVP for the New York Yankees.

Wilson Hall had 13 nominations, the most of any of the 12 schools in Clarendon, Lee and Sumter counties. The recipients were voted for by the readers of The Sumter Item. Sarah Sonntag ‘23 won the award for Best Female Athlete, and winning awards for their individual sports were Bailey McInerney ‘23 (girls cross-country), Connor Smith ‘23 (boys cross-country), and Amberly Way ‘23 (softball). The state-champion softball team won the award for Best Team, and Mrs. Teresa Alexander, the softball team head coach, won the award for Best Coach. 

The following were among the nominees: Sumter Cooper ‘23 (boys track & field), Lori Flemming ‘23 (girls track & field), Clark Kinney ‘24 (baseball), Aubrey Payne ‘24 (volleyball), Mr. Rip Ripley (coach), Connor Smith ‘23 (male athlete), and volleyball (team).  

Smith & Way Athletes of the Year

Connor Smith ‘23 and Amberly Way ‘23 are the Wilson Hall Athletes of the Year and were recognized at the Spring Sports Pep Rally. Connor was a member of the bowling, cross-country, and track and field teams, and Amberly was a member of the basketball, softball, volleyball, and track and field teams.
 

Spring Athletic Recognition

Baseball
Region Player of the Year: Jes Schwedler
All-Star Team: Grayson Alexander, Jones DesChamps, Dylan Jones, Ben Reynolds & Jes Schwedler
All-Region Team: Grayson Alexander, Jones DesChamps, Dylan Jones, Clark Kinney, Ben Reynolds & Jes Schwedler
Soccer
Region Player of the Year: Brogdon Galloway
All-Star Team: Jackson Bonser & Brogdon Galloway
All-Region Team: Jackson Bonser, Brogdon Galloway, Milling Galloway, Jeremiah Jones, Shawn Michael Matthews & Michael Warrick
Region Coach of the Year: Mr. Jason Bartlett
Softball
Region Player of the Year: Amberly Way
All-Star Team: Ashlyn Elmore, Sullivan Jarecki, Ellie Stone, Marybeth VanPatten & Amberly Way
All-Region Team: Kaylan Boudreau, Ashlyn Elmore, Sullivan Jarecki, Ellie Stone, Marybeth VanPatten & Amberly Way
Region Coach of the Year: Mrs. Teresa Alexander
Boys Track
Region Athlete of the Year: Boykin Wilder
Girls Track
Region Athlete of the Year: Lori Flemming

Softball Wins Third Consecutive State Championship

For the third year in a row the varsity softball captured the S.C. Independent School Association state championship, this time in the newly formed 4A division. Coached again by Mrs. Teresa O’Hare Alexander ‘98, the Region Championship team ended the season with a record of 27-6. 

A number one seed in the state tournament, the team defeated Hammond School 14-2 in the quarterfinals and Augusta Christian School 6-0 in the semifinal to advance to the championship series. Facing Laurence Manning Academy, the Barons won the first game 5-2 in dramatic fashion in the last inning at the team’s home field at Patriot Park. After losing the second game, forcing a third game in the best of three series, the championship game was played at Sumter High School as a neutral site. In front of an enormous crowd, the Barons claimed a 2-1 victory in the last inning to capture the trophy. 

The team was led by Ashlyn Elmore, Sophie Greene, Dani Hanley, Ellie Stone and Amberly Way, Class of ‘23. Completing the team were Kaylan Boudreau ‘25, Abby Bradley ‘24, Addie Griffin ‘26, Talan Griffin ‘24, Sullivan Jarecki ‘24, Logan Mims ‘25, Aubrey Payne ‘24 and Marybeth VanPatten ‘24. Assisting Mrs. Alexander in coaching were Mrs. Emma Catoe Ayres ‘13 and Mr. Jerry Allred. 

Sonntag Named State Scholar/Athlete

Sarah Sonntag ‘23 was awarded the Bill Simpson Award that recognizes the most outstanding male and female scholar-athlete in the S.C. Independent School Association. Each of the over 120 schools that are members of SCISA may nominate a scholar-athlete for this award, which is the highest award SCISA bestows upon a student. A resume with Sarah’s academic and athletic accomplishments, along with a recommendation from Mr. Fred Moulton, Head of School, was forwarded to the selection committee at SCISA that made the final decision. The criteria for the award include SAT score, class rank, involvement in extracurricular activities, academic and athletic achievement, coaches’ recommendations, and community service record. Sarah is the 13th Wilson Hall student to receive this award; Wilson Hall has had more students receive this award than any school in SCISA. 

Four State Champions, Boys Team Runner-up at State Track Meet

Four state champion athletes won a total of five gold medals for winning their events in the SCISA 4A State Track Meet: Emma Bradley ‘23 - 400 hurdles, Sumter Cooper ‘23 - 400 hurdles, Hugh Humphries ‘25 - high jump, and Connor Smith ‘23 - 1600 and 3200. Connor also earned silver medals for placing second in the 800 and as a member of the 4x400 relay team, and Sumter received a silver medal as a member of the 4x400 relay team and a bronze medal for finishing third in the 110 hurdles. The following athletes earned silver medals: Daniel Burton ‘24 - high jump, Aubrey Payne ‘24 - discus, Lori Flemming ‘23 - 200, Amberly Way ‘23 - shot put. Also winning a silver medal were the members of the boys 4x400 relay team (Sumter Cooper ‘23, Wilson Frerichs ‘23, Lee Mims ‘23 & Connor Smith ‘23) and the girls 4x800 relay team (Abby Bradley ‘25, Alli Reagan Fidler ‘24, Helen Fitzpatrick ‘24 & Molly Jones ‘25). Earning bronze medals were Lori Flemming ‘23 - triple jump, and the boys 4x100 relay team of Tucker Burnette ‘24, Caleb Howle ‘23, Blake VanPatten ‘24 and Boykin Wilder ‘23. The boys team finished as the state runner-up and the girls team placed fourth. Mr. Rip Ripley is the head coach of both teams. 

Coker & Jackson State Equestrian Champions

Coker Cutler ‘23 and Josie Jackson ‘25 won blue ribbons and the equestrian team won a total of nine ribbons at the S.C. Independent School Association Hunt Seat Equestrian State Championship held at Tally Ho in Timmonsville. Coker won the varsity open equitation on the flat and she placed second in varsity open equitation over fences, and Josie won intermediate equitation on the flat and placed second in intermediate equitation over fences. The following also received ribbons: Karsen Jones ‘29 - 2nd in beginner equitation on the flat (walk/trot); Elizabeth Busch ‘24 - 4th in intermediate equitation over fences; Emmi Leard ‘24 - 4th in intermediate equitation on the flat and 5th in intermediate equitation over fences; and Addy Burleson ‘30 - 5th in beginner equitation on the flat (walk/trot). Ms. Cali Bowman is the team’s coach and she is assisted by Mrs. Mindy Busch.