Athletic News

Softball Wins State Championship

The varsity softball team won the South Carolina Independent School Association AAA State Championship for the second consecutive year. The team, which also won the Region Championship and earned a record of 22-5, defeated Laurence Manning Academy in the state championship series with scores of 8-3 and 8-6. Cruising through the first rounds of the tournament, the Barons beat Cardinal Newman School 15-0 in the quarterfinal and Hammond School 14-1 in the semifinal. Mrs. Teresa Alexander served as the head coach and she was assisted by Mr. Jerry Allred and Mrs. Emma Catoe Ayres.

Anderson Commits to Wingate

Zuri Anderson committed to participate on the track and field team at Wingate University in North Carolina. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Zuri was a member of the track and field team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley.

Burton & Smith State Track & Field Champions

Daniel Burton won the high jump and Connor Smith won the 3200 meter race at the S.C. Independent School Association AAA State Track & Field Championship. Barons stood on the podium 20 different times to receive medals for finishing in the top three positions in their respective events; 45 athletes qualified for the state meet. As teams, the Region Champion  girls (51-2) finished 3rd and the Region Champion boys (43-5) finished 4th. 

Hanley Voted Athlete of the Week

Dani Hanley was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item. She is a member of the varsity softball team coached by Mrs. Teresa Alexander.

Epps Commits to Play Softball at Wofford

Ansleigh Epps committed to play softball at Wofford College. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Ansleigh was a member of the softball team coached by Mrs. Teresa Alexander.

Wilder Athlete of the Week

Boykin Wilder was voted the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item on April 7. He is a member of the track & field team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley. 

​​Equestrian Wins State Title

The equestrian team won the South Carolina Independent School Hunt Seat Equestrian State Championship. Four members of the team won a total of five first place ribbons, and each team member competing received at least one ribbon for placing in the competition for a total of 15 ribbons. The team is coached by Ms. Cali Bowman who is assisted by Mrs. Mindy Busch.

The following is a list of ribbons earned by members of the team:
Joslynn Barrick - 7th in beginner walk trot
Elizabeth Busch - 5th in novice over fences, 5th in novice on the flat
Lottie Bynum -  4th in beginner walk trot canter
Campbell Cromer - 1st in beginner walk trot canter
Coker Cutler - 1st in varsity open on the flat, 4th in varsity open over fences
Sofia Dall’Erta - 4th in beginner walk trot canter
Avery Goode - 5th in beginner walk trot canter
Josie Jackson - 1st in varsity intermediate over fences, 2nd in varsity intermediate on the flat
Karsen Jones - 5th in beginner walk trot
Emmi Leard - 1st in novice over fences, 1st in novice on the flat
Sanders Warrick - 4th in beginner walk trot.

Boudreau Athlete of the Week

Kaylan Boudreau was selected as the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week by the readers of The Sumter Item. She is a member of the varsity softball team coached by Mrs. Teresa Alexander.

Bryant Signs with Erskine College

Vivian Bryant committed to run cross-country and track & field at Erskine College. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Vivian was a member of the cross-country team coached by Mr. Josh Jennings, and she is a member of the track & field team coached by Mr. Rip Ripley.

Keziah Signs with The Citadel

Max Keziah signed to play football for The Citadel. A signing ceremony, held in the Nash Student Center, was attended by fellow students, faculty, coaches, and family. Max was a member of the football team coached by Mr. Adam Jarecki.

Winter Athletic Recognition

Boys Basketball
All-Star Team: Matthew Miller
All-Region Team: Matthew Miller
All-Region Tournament Team: Tate Sistare
Girls Basketball
All-Star Team: Vivian Bryant
All-Region Team: Vivian Bryant & Sullivan Jarecki
Girls Bowling
All-State Team: Rachel Bostic & Mackenzie Helms

State Skeet & Trap Champions

Members of the shotgun team won several awards at the S.C. Independent School Association/S.C. Department of Natural Resources State Trap Tournament held at the Palmetto Shooting Complex in Edgefield. The ladies middle school team of Campbell Cromer ‘26, Grace McArthur ‘28 and Lucy Hayes Mims ‘26 won the championship with Lucy Hayes earning the high overall award. Ann Weathers Blankenship ‘24 won the overall ladies championship and the ladies senior varsity school championship, and she placed third overall in the tournament for both ladies and men.

In the SCISA/SCDNR State Skeet Tournament, the middle school team again won the championship, and Lucy Hayes also earned the high overall award. The team of Ann Weathers, James Hiott ‘23 and Bennett Wilson ‘24 placed second in the senior varsity division and third overall. Ann Weathers won the ladies’ high overall award and James won the mens’ high overall award.  

Fall Athletic Recognition

Boys Cross-Country
All-State Team: Connor Smith
Region Runner of the Year: Connor Smith
All-Region Team: Connor Smith
Girls Cross-Country
Region Runner of the Year: Molly Jones
All-Region Team: Abby Bradley, Molly Jones, Jordan McCart, Bailey McInerney & Jordan Thornton
Football
All-Star Team: Max Keziah, Tate Sistare & Doc Walker
All-Region 1st Team: Will Singleton & Tate Sistare
All-Region 2nd Team: Max Keziah
Sumter Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week: Tate Sistare
Sumter Touchdown Club All-Area Team: Jake Hutchison, Max Keziah, Will Singleton, Blake VanPatten & Doc Walker
Sumter Touchdown Club Merit Scholarships: Tate Sistare & Doc Walker
Sumter Touchdown Club Scholar-Athlete: Evan Bell
The Sumter Item All-Independent Team: Jake Hutchison, Max Keziah, Will Singleton, Blake VanPatten & Doc Walker
Tennis
All-Region Team: Carlie Fort & Halle Stone
Swimming
S.C. Independent School Association Athlete of the Week: Syd Richardson
Volleyball
American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Watch List: Lucy Matthews
American Volleyball Coaches Association Phenom Watch List: Sarah Sonntag
American Volleyball Coaches Association Best & Brightest First Team: Mary Jones & Lucy Matthews
American Volleyball Coaches Association South Carolina Player of the Week: Maggie Norris
WACH Fox Student-Athlete of the Week: Annie Lauzon
S.C. Independent School Association Athlete of the Week: Lucy Matthews
All-Star Team: Rylee Bath, Lucy Matthews & Sarah Sonntag
All-Region Team: Rylee Bath, Lucy Matthews & Sarah Sonntag

Jones & Matthews Earn Volleyball Recognition

Mary Jones & Lucy Matthews, members of the varsity volleyball team, were selected for the National Best and Brightest First Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. This award is given to students who excel both on the court and in the classroom. Only 450 students in the nation were selected for this recognition.

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.

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.