By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
Prior to Woodruff High School’s home football game against Fountain Inn on August 25, six members were inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. Derek Jones, a standout athlete who is already a member of the Football Hall of Fame, was inducted a second time for track and field. Joining him in the hall for track was Arnold Casey. Former baseball standouts Josh Hyman and Ryan Perkins, who both also served stints as the head baseball coach for the Wolverines, were inducted for their accomplishments on the diamond. There were also two inductees who became the first in school history to be enshrined for their sport. Jennifer Jones became the first softball player to be honored, while Casey Black, the all-time goals leader in school history, was inducted for her accomplishments in soccer.
Here is a look at all six inductees’ accomplishments and what being a member of the Woodruff High School Athletic Hall of Fame means to them:
Derek Jones (Class of 1992)- Track and Field
Derek was a four-time track letterman during his career at WHS. He was a four-time all-region selection and a two-time all-state selection. He was a two-time state champion in the 200 meters and won the state championship in the 100-meter race his senior year. Derek played football and ran track at Ole Miss University, where he was named as an All-SEC track performer. He was inducted into the hall of fame by Coach Mike Stokes, former head track coach at WHS.
“Being inducted into the WHS track Hall of Fame is especially significant to me because I now join my uncle David “Spider” Browning and my older brother, Darius Jones,” says Derek. “I grew up attending their meets and wanted to follow in their footsteps. Woodruff is home for me, and any time my community recognizes me, it’s special because I’ve always taken pride in representing my hometown.”
Arnold Casey (Class of 1984)- Track and Field
Arnold was a four-time track letterman, and he was the track team MVP in 1984 as well as at the Spartanburg County meet that year. He won the state championship in the 100-meter-high hurdles and placed second in the 300-meter hurdles. Arnold also was a member of the 4×100-meter relay team that finished second in the state and the 4×400-meter relay team that finished third. Arnold was also a key member of the 1983 state championship track team. He was inducted by Coach David Pratt, former head track coach at WHS.
Jennifer Jones (Class of 2010)- Softball
She is the first person ever to be inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame. She was a six-time letterman and was a four-time all-region selection. Jennifer was also a three-time all-state player. Jennifer is the all-time leader in career hits, batting average, extra-base hits, doubles, and stolen bases. During her senior year, Jennifer hit .638, had seven home runs, 34 RBIs, 20 extra-base hits, and stole 32 bases. She went on to play college softball at Spartanburg Methodist College. Jennifer was inducted into the hall of fame by Coach Will Lanford, current softball coach at WHS.
“I feel honored to be inducted into the hall of fame as the first softball player,” says Jennifer. “To know we came from picking up rocks on a kickball field to having the school recognize us in the hall of fame means a lot. To be part of the foundation for Woodruff softball will be something I carry with me for the rest of my life. To know all of our hard work and dedication led to having a top-notch softball program that is taken seriously by the state of South Carolina. My heart and soul will forever beat for Woodruff softball.”
Josh Hyman (Class of 2010)- Baseball
Josh was a four-time letterman in baseball and a three-time all-region player. He was also a -two-time all-area selection by the Spartanburg-Herald Journal. Josh is seventh in career hits, fifth in career triples, fourth in runs scored, and tied for third in career stolen bases. He also had a .390 career batting average. After playing for the Wolverines, Josh went on to play college baseball at Wofford College. He was a three-year starter for the Terriers and led them in stolen bases for three years, home runs for two years, and batting average during his senior year. Josh also served as the head baseball coach for Woodruff High School during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Josh was inducted into the hall of fame by Coach Will Lanford, former head baseball coach at WHS.
“Being inducted is a great honor, and I can’t thank my former coaches and teammates enough for their support during my time at Woodruff,” says Josh. “Anytime you see your name on the wall in the gym is pretty cool, but seeing it listed with other members of the hall of fame is humbling, to say the least.”
Ryan Perkins (Class of 2012)- Baseball
Ryan was a five-time letterman in baseball and a four-time all-region selection. He was also an all-state selection during his senior year. He is second in all-time hits, third in career doubles, and the all-time leader in career at-bats. Ryan also had a .372 batting average during his five years of playing for the Wolverines. He is also the career leader in runs scored and defensive assists. Ryan played college baseball at USC-Sumter and then at Lenior-Rhyne University. He was an all-conference player at Lenior-Rhyne and was an honorable mention All-American during his senior year. He served as the head baseball coach for the Wolverines during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Ryan was inducted by Will Lanford.
“Growing up in what I believe to be the best town in the world and looking up to so many people, it’s humbling to me that those same people thought enough of me to give me this honor,” says Ryan. “The impact that Woodruff has had on me will last a lifetime, and it is a true testament to the level of care that each teacher, coach, and administrator has on each person that has the privilege of walking the halls in District Four.”
Casey Black (Class of 2011)- Soccer
Casey is the first person ever to be inducted into the WHS Soccer Hall of Fame. Casey was a four-year letterman in soccer and a four-time all-region selection in soccer. She was named the regional soccer player of the year for all four of her soccer seasons. She was also a three-time all-state player and was a two-time Spartanburg-Herald Journal player of the year. She scored 140 career goals and had 83 assists. She is the all-time leading scorer in the history of girls’ soccer at Woodruff. After playing for the Wolverines, Casey played college soccer at Lander University. She was inducted by Fernando Gomez, former head girls’ soccer coach at WHS.
“Being inducted into the hall of fame at Woodruff High School is an honor,” says Casey. “When I see my name, the first soccer player in the hall of fame, I think of my dad. I think of him spending his free time running with me at the leisure center and digging into soccer training videos to help me get better. I see him bringing me and my best friend Subway sandwiches before big games at 4 p.m. even though he had to work at 11 p.m. For me, this honor isn’t just an award but a reminder of where I come from, who I am, and the parent and person I want to be. I appreciate Woodruff and (Coach) Fernando Gomez for giving me the opportunity to represent Woodruff for years to come. Go, Wolverines!”
Author: Tracy Sanders
