By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
COVID-19 pandemic following a statewide shutdown, Woodruff High School spring sports athletes and coaches are preparing to start a new season with renewed optimism. With many of Woodruff’s squads returning the core of their rosters from last year’s abbreviated seasons, it promises to be an exciting spring for the Wolverines. Below are capsules, provided by the coaches that give an inside look on what to expect from your 2021 Woodruff High spring sports teams.
Baseball:
Head Coach- Ryan Perkins (1st season as head coach)
Last season’s record- 1-0 Region III-3A
Returning starters: Kavion Pulley (OF/LHP), Bryson Mock (INF), Cole Taylor (SP/DH), Zach Aylor (C/P/1B), Caleb Taylor (SS/P), Hayden Gosnell (INF)
Key newcomers: Stetson Schubach, Colin Watson, Andrew Parks
Season outlook from Coach Perkins:
“We have a fairly young but talented team. We will lean on our seniors Bryson Mock, Cole Taylor, and Kavion Pulley. This year is going to be a good opportunity to show how hard the guys have worked since the shutdown last year. We expect our returners to lead us this year, but we are excited to see what some other guys can do.”
Softball:
Head Coach- Will Lanford (18th season, 6th as softball head coach)
Last season’s record- 2-0
Returning starters- 7
Key returning players: Reagan Kay (C), Brooke Bailey (SS), Madi Montjoy (2B), Natalie Montjoy (CF), MaKenzie Caldwell (P/INF), Brie Mock (OF), Kylie Hitchcock (1B/P), Julie Sinclair (3B)
Key newcomers: Katie Jackson, Autumn Williams
Season outlook from Coach Lanford:
“We have a very strong lineup with two of the best hitters in the state returning in Kay and Bailey, 3 slappers, led by senior Madi Montjoy, should be able to set the table for the middle of our order. The defense should also be very strong. Our pitching staff is talented, but very young and inexperienced. Caldwell, Jackson, and Hitchcock should all give us innings this season.
Girls Soccer:
Head Coach- Paige Roper (3rd season)
Last season’s record- 2-0
Returning starters- 8
Key returning players: Lillie Rhodes, Carmen Pineda, Haley West, Emily Brown, Sydney Arellano, Jenna Peace, Lauryn Beeler, Samantha Garrett
Key newcomers: None listed
Season outlook from Coach Roper:
“This season the girls have a whole new attitude. They did not get to finish out their season last year because of COVID, so they are refreshed and excited to get started. We will be playing around with positions and finding out where everyone will fit best this season. I expect us to continue to work well in our region, and hopefully get far in the playoffs. I’m excited to see some younger players step up, and my senior players to be great examples and leaders.”
Boys Soccer:
Head Coach- Joseph Federspiel (4th season)
Last season’s record- 2-2
Returning starters- 7
Key returning players: Chuy Tranquilino, Corey Reed, Adrian Williams, Anthony Gonzalez, Noah Gaspar
Key newcomers: Logan Gaspar, Brandon Hernandez
Season outlook from Coach Federspiel:
“Our team is in a tough position this season. Most of our starting line-up is filled with guys that have been on this team and working together for 3-4 years. We have a few in the starting line-up and our entire bench are filled with first year varsity players. The older and more experienced players hold each other to a high standard and expect the best from one another. The younger players need to learn quickly and adjust to a high level of play. We do have a few first-year varsity players like Logan Gaspar and Brandon Hernandez that we are expecting great things from. Both are very capable, and both have shown tremendous improvements already.”
Boys Tennis:
Head Coach- Lea Ann Skinner (28th year and 4th coaching boys’ tennis)
Last season’s record- 2-0
Returning starters- 4
Key returning players: Joey Garrett, Jackson West, Jace Fortenberry, Jake Waddell
Key newcomers: Jack Epton, Ben Burden
Season outlook from Coach Skinner:
“I look for tremendous improvement from this group of young men. They are extremely coachable and want to be as successful as possible. We will face a tough tennis region with two returning state level teams to contend with in Clinton and Chapman. You can expect heart and determination from our Wolverines as we work to improve tennis skills and court strategies this year.”
Golf:
Head Coach- Bill Brasington (3rd season)
Last season’s record- 3-0
Returning starters- 5
Key returning golfers: Daniel Brasington, Trey Howard, Chase Turner, Gage Howard, Ben McKinney
Key newcomers: None
Season outlook from Coach Brasington:
“The team will work hard daily and each player will improve as the weeks go by. We believe in the Michael Jordan quote, ‘If you put in the work the results will come’. We have built an outstanding schedule that will push the team early and throughout the season. Our plan is to be playing our best golf at the beginning of May when region, upper-state and state arrive. As a team we appreciate the generosity and support of Three Pine Country Club which is allowing us to host the AAA State Championship May 17 and 18.”
Track and Field:
Head Coach- Duane Thompson
Last season’s record- Limited competition before statewide COVID-19 shutdown
Season outlook:
Coach Thompson is still waiting for the conclusion of winter sports before completing his rosters but expects to have two young teams that are hungry to work hard and compete. Returning senior state champion Maggie Rhodes will be an anchor for the ladies’ team as a distance runner.
Author: Tracy Sanders
