Athletic News

Norris State Volleyball Player of the Week

Maggie Norris ‘24, a member of the varsity volleyball team, was selected as the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week for all high schools in South Carolina on October 25.

Poag State Champion, Swim Team 2nd in State

Jack Poag ‘23 won the state championship in the 100 breaststroke and the boys swim team (50-3) placed second in the S.C. Independent School Association AAA State Swim Meet held in North Charleston.The boys and girls swim teams were coached by Mrs. Jeanna Mahr, Mrs. Amanda Scholz and Mr. Hobe Scholz. Nineteen swimmers qualified for state, and the following swimmers earned points at the meet: 

• Cliff Bath ‘26: 2nd-200 medley relay, 5th-400 freestyle relay & 9th-100 butterfly
• Thomas Kang ‘22: 5th-400 freestyle relay & 9th-100 breaststroke
• Tyler Mahr ‘22: 3rd-200 freestyle relay & 7th-100 butterfly
• Jack Poag ‘23: 1st-100 breaststroke, 2nd-200 medley relay, 3rd-200 individual medley & 3rd-200 freestyle relay
• Syd Richardson ‘23: 2nd-200 freestyle, 2nd-200 medley relay, 4th-50 freestyle & 5th-400 freestyle relay
• Steve Scholz ‘23: 2nd-200 medley relay, 3rd-100 backstroke, 3rd-200 freestyle relay & 6th-100 freestyle
• Logan Schumacher ‘25: 7th-500 freestyle & 8th-200 freestyle
• Banks Smith ‘26: 3rd-200 freestyle relay, 5th-400 freestyle relay, 9th-200 freestyle & 9th-500 freestyle
• Chanson Bullard ‘22: 8th-400 freestyle relay & 9th-200 medley relay 
• Abby Clanton ‘22: 8th-200 freestyle relay & 9th-200 medley relay
• Mary Claire Graves ‘22: 8th-400 freestyle relay & 8th-200 freestyle relay
• Madi Smith ‘22: 8th-400 freestyle relay & 9th-200 medley relay
• Abigail Sullivan ‘26: 8th-200 freestyle relay, 9th-200 individual medley & 9th-200 medley relay
• Mary Ellen Thorne ‘26: 8th-400 freestyle relay & 8th-200 freestyle relay

Lauzon WACH Fox Student-Athlete of the Week

Senior Annie Lauzon, a member of the volleyball team, was recognized as the WACHFox Sonic Friday Night Rivals Scholar-Athlete of the Week on September 24. The program recognizes exceptional student-athletes from each participating school in the Midlands with a plaque presentation prior to the football game; the presentation is televised and is posted on the station’s website.

Richardson SCISA Athlete of the Week

Junior Syd Richardson, a member of the swim team, who was named a S.C. Independent School Assoc. Athlete of the Week.

Jersey Mike's Athletes of the Week

Jersey Mike's Subs Above & Beyond Athletes of the Week
October 21
Jack Poag-Swimming
Blake VanPatten-Football
October 13
Jake Hutchison-Football
Sarah Sonntag-Volleyball
October 5
Alex McLeod-Football
September 28
Rylee Bath-Volleyball
Molly Jones-Cross Country
September 21
Carlie Fort-Tennis
Jack Poag-Swimming
September 14
Max Keziah-Football
Syd Richardson-Swimming
September 8
Halle Stone-Tennis
August 31
Lucy Matthews-Volleyball
Tate Sistare-Football
August 24
Connor Smith-Cross Country

Matthews SCISA Athlete of the Week

Senior Lucy Matthews, a member of the varsity volleyball team, was named a S.C. Independent School Association Athlete of the Week on September 3.

Matthews & Sonntag Earn National Volleyball Recognition

Senior Lucy Matthews and junior Sarah Sonntag of the varsity volleyball team earned recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association as they were added to major watch lists. Lucy was selected for the 2021 All-America Watch List, which recognizes the top senior volleyball players in the country. She was one of just eight players from all of South Carolina on the list and one of just three South Carolina Independent School Association athletes to be chosen. Sarah was named to the 2021 AVCA Phenom Watch List, which is a recognition of volleyball excellence of some of the top underclassmen in the country. 

Sistare Player of the Week

Senior Tate Sistare, a quarterback for the varsity football team, was named the Sumter Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week on August 31. 

Volleyball Team Earns National Recognition

The Wilson Hall Volleyball team has been selected as an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Academic All-American Team for the sixth year in a row.  For the fourth time in six years, the team was also recognized as an "Honor Roll" team, setting it apart as one of the top 100 programs in the country. 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 4.397 GPA while team members were enrolled in 15 Advanced Placement courses and 20 honors courses. On the court the Barons earned a 26-6 record, finishing second in the region and in a tie for fifth in the state tournament. They had three players selected to All-Region Teams, along with the Co-Region Coach of the Year, and had two players recognized on a state level. Two players, Abbie Beatson and Lucy Matthews were named to the AVCA Preseason Watch Lists.  

The following students were members of the 2020 team: (seniors) Abbie Beatson, Camryn Bateman, Gracyn Coker, Hayley Champion, Madison DesChamps, Mary Claire Lee and Andi Grae Wingate; (juniors) Mary Jones, Annie Lauzon, Lucy Matthews and Mary Ellis Waynick; (sophomores) Sarah Sonntag, Emma Bradle, and Campbell Bauman; and freshman Rylee Bath. Mr. Rip Ripley was the head coach and he was assisted by Mr. Enrique Medina, Ms. Sierra Meiers, Mr. Joseph Perez, Enrique Medina, and Mrs. Lucion Hall Scott.

Athletes of the Year

Male Athlete of the Year - Graham VanPatten (football, basketball and track & field)
Female Athlete of the Year - Andi Grae Wingate (basketball, shotgun team, softball, track & field and volleyball)

Spring Athletic Recognition

Baseball
All-Star Team: Britton Beasley, Tyler Jones & Jes Schwedler
All-Region Team: Britton Beasley, Tyler Jones & Jes Schwedler
Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Britton Beasley & Tyler Jones
Golf
All-Region Team: Miller Jones
Soccer
All-Star Team: Evan Bell, Nick Craine & Wade Payne
All-Region Team: Evan Bell, Nick Craine & Wade Payne
Co-Region Coach of the Year: Mr. Jason Bartlett
Softball
All-Star Team: Ansleigh Epps, Dani Hanley, Ellie Stone, Amberly Way & Andi Grae Wingate
Co-Region Player of the Year: Andi Grae Wingate
All-Region Team: Ansleigh Epps, Dani Hanley, Ellie Stone, Amberly Way & Andi Grae Wingate
WLTX News 19 Player of the Week: Andi Grae Wingate
Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Dani Hanley, Ellie Stone & Andi Grae Wingate
Boys Track
Region Athlete of the Year: Sumter Cooper
Girls Track
Region Athlete of the Year: Molly Jones
Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Molly Jones

Wingate Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week

Senior Andi Grae Wingate was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item. 

Wingate News-19 Player of the Week

Senior Andi Grae Wingate, a member of the state champion softball team, was named the WLTX News 19 Player of the Week. 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. Andi Grae was nominated by her coach, Mrs. Teresa Alexander. 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. A five-sport athlete, Andi Grae was a member of the state champion ladies shotgun team as well as the basketball, track & field, and volleyball teams

Softball State Champions

The varsity softball team won the 2021 SCISA AAA State Championship, the fourth title in eight years. The Region Champion Barons, who finished the season with a record of 20-7, won the championship by defeating Cardinal Newman two of the three games in the state tournament. Mrs. Teresa Alexander is the head coach for the Barons. 

Cutler Wins First at State Equestrian

Sophomore Coker Cutler won first place and a blue ribbon at the S.C. Independent School Assoc. State Equestrian Championship in the varsity intermediate over fences category. She also received a second place ribbon in the varsity intermediate on the flat competition.

Jones Athlete of the Week

Eighth-grader Molly Jones, a member of the varsity track & field team, was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on April 22.

Scholastic Shooting Sports State Champions

The ladies shooting sports team swept the three S.C. Independent School Assoc. State Tournaments, winning the championship in skeet, sporting clays and trap. The team of Ann Weathers Blankenship, Samantha Richards and Andi Grae Wingate won for skeet and trap, and the team of Ann Weathers, Madisen Galiano and Andi Grae won for sporting clays.

At the sporting clays tournament Wilson Hall had the top shooters in four divisions, winning the Highest Overall (HOA): Ann Weathers - ladies junior varsity, James Hiott - mens junior varsity, Sam Louis Tisdale ‘21 - mens varsity, and Andi Grae - ladies varsity. Madisen tied for second place in ladies junior varsity. 

The team of James, Dominic Marro and Sam Louis was the runner up at the state trap tournament, and at the state sporting clays tournament was runner-up in the mens senior varsity division and placed third overall. The shooting sports team is coached by Mr. Brent Hiott.

Bateman Signs with Columbia International Volleyball

Senior Camryn Bateman signed to participate on the Columbia International University Volleyball Team. She had a signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, attended by classmates, faculty and family.

Bozio Signs with St. Andrews Equestrian

Senior Jerica Bozio signed to participate on the equestrian team of St. Andrews University in North Carolina. She had a signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, attended by classmates, faculty and family.

Jones Athlete of the Week

Junior Tyler Jones, a member of the varsity baseball team, was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on April 8.

Stone Athlete of the Week

Sophomore Ellie Stone, a member of the varsity softball team, was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on April 1. 

Hanley Athlete of the Week

Sophomore Dani Hanley, a member of the varsity softball team, was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on March 18. 

Beasley Athlete of the Week

Senior Britton Beasley, a member of the varsity baseball team, was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week on March 6 by the readers of The Sumter Item. 

Lee, Tisdale & Wingate Sign with Clemson Shotgun Team

Seniors Mary Claire Lee, Sam Louis Tisdale, and Andi Grae Wingate signed to participate on the Clemson University Shotgun Team. The students had a joint signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, attended by classmates, faculty, and family.

Co-Ed Bowling State Runners-Up

The co-ed bowling team won the runners-up trophy in the S.C. Independent School Assoc. State Bowling Tournament held at Gamecock Lanes in Sumter. Coached by Mr. Curtis Helms, the members of the co-ed team are Mackenzie Helms, Warren Jolicoeur, Storm Owens, Ga-In Shin and Victoria Singleton.

Winter Athletic Recognition

Boys Basketball
SCISA All-Star Team: Tate Sistare & Graham VanPatten
All-Region Team: Tate Sistare & Graham VanPatten

Girls Basketball
SCISA All-Star Team: Vivian Bryant, Becca Cromer & Andi Grae Wingate
All-Region Team: Vivian Bryant & Andi Grae Wingate

Ripley Recognized for 200th Victory

Mr. Rip Ripley, head coach of the varsity volleyball team, was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for his 200th career victory on September 22. He has been coaching volleyball for 10 years, the last six years at Wilson Hall. Mr. Ripley is the assistant athletic director, boys and girls track and field head coach, JV volleyball head coach, and varsity boys basketball assistant coach, and he teaches digital media.

Talley Earns 600th Victory

Mr. Eddie Talley, head varsity boys basketball coach, earned his 600th career victory on December 4. Mr. Talley has been coaching for 34 years, the last 27 at Wilson Hall. In addition to serving as a coach, Mr. Talley is the Assistant Headmaster, Lower School Head, and economics teacher.