By Garrett Mitchell
Contributing Writer
Vareva Evans Harris was inducted into the Woodruff High School Athletic Hall of Fame following an illustrious three sport career for the Wolverines.
Now Harris, a 1998 alumna of Benedict College, will be afforded the same highest honor from her alma mater during an October ceremony.
Harris, a 1994 graduate of Woodruff High School, starred on the Wolverines’ track and field and volleyball teams as well as playing one year on the basketball and cheerleading squads.
She received an athletic scholarship to Benedict College where she remained a three-sport athlete, competing in track and field, cross country, and volleyball, making a tremendous impact on all three programs. Her induction into the Benedict College Ahletic Hall of Fame is indicative of those contributions in all three sports.
“This is very special,” said Harris. “It’s a high honor that the Hall of Fame committee would select me to be a part of the Benedict College Hall of Fame. It feels good to be among so many other great athletes.”
Harris indeed accumulated many awards during her time at Benedict, being named an Academic All-American, female athlete of the year for the EIAC Conference, was the most valuable performer for the field event in track and field, a national qualifier two years running in track and field, and was a member of the 1996 EIAC Conference championship volleyball team.
Even more special for Harris is the fact that her daughter currently stars on the volleyball team at Benedict College and, she says, it is even more meaningful to share this honor with her.
“For my daughter to be a member of the same volleyball program I played in is very special,” Harris said. “She was named to the All-Conference team in volleyball and was also voted team captain and most valuable player. It’s an honor to share this experience with her.”
Harris’ induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Columbia.
Harris said she hopes her successes can serve as inspiration to other athletes competing at smaller high schools like Woodruff, and she is thankful for the coaches and teammates she’s had throughout the years.
“I think it’s an opportunity to give glory and honor to God for giving me a platform to compete,” she said. “My hope is to inspire other athletes from small town schools to go to college and make an impact.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
