By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
Seven Woodruff High School athletes from across three different sports seasons signed college scholarships during a ceremony at the school on Friday, May 2. From football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and softball, the Wolverines will be well represented in the college ranks during the coming years as a testament to the continued success of Woodruff’s entire athletic program. Here is a look at each athlete who signed and why they chose the school they will compete for.
Cohen Lyda- Football
Cohen Lyda was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Wolverines’ football team and helped pave the way to a 9-2 record for Woodruff as a senior in 2024. Lyda will take his talents to nearby Erskine, where he hopes to help the Flying Fleet to further success on the gridiron.
Cohen says, “I had a great visit with the coaches at Erskine. It was an overall great visit, and they gave me a great financial package that I couldn’t say no to. It is a great culture and a great group of guys there. It is only an hour away, too, so I will be close to home and family.”
Sadie Burnette- Girls Basketball
Sadie finished her career as the third leading scorer in the history of the Lady Wolverines’ basketball program with 1,361 points and holds the career record for made three pointers with 255, a mark that may never be broken. She is also in the top 10 in career assists and steals. Burnette signed with Columbia International University to continue her basketball career.
Sadie says: “I definitely wanted to go somewhere that was very faith-based and (Columbia International) definitely meets those standards for me. I have to work to get better because college basketball will not be as easy as high school was.”
Braden Mulak- Wrestling
Braden Mulak finished his career as one of the Wolverines’ most successful wrestlers of the past decade, finishing in the top 15 in career wins in program history, and was a state tournament qualifier. Mulak will attend Lander University in Greenwood, where he wants to grow as a wrestler and make an impact on the Bearcats’ program.
Braden says: “At the end of my junior year, I tore my ACL, and (Lander) still actively recruited me, and when I visited and watched practice, it felt like a culture I wanted to be around. I want to get a little bigger for college. I lost some muscle from surgery. I think 149 or 157 (weight classes) would be a good fit.”
Ashton Mock- Baseball
Ashton Mock has been a mainstay in the Wolverine baseball team’s rotation for the past two seasons and has emerged as Woodruff’s ace in 2025. Mock is also a capable hitter and has led the Wolverines to a 19-7 record in the regular season. Mock will stay close to home as he continues his baseball career, signing with USC Union. First, he hopes to help Woodruff make a deep run in the Class 3A playoffs.
Ashton says, “USC Union is a great opportunity. The school is nice and it’s close. Same kind of feel Woodruff has always had. A hometown type, family-oriented kind of place. I am looking forward to being a part of the USC Union family.”
Kara West- Softball
Kara West, a three-sport star for Woodruff, has been the starting centerfielder for the Lady Wolverines’ softball team for the past three seasons. Kara bats third in the line-up and is a career .300 hitter who is also adept at getting on base and playing elite outfield defense. West will attend Erskine to play softball.
Kara says: “The team (at Erskin) is very close-knit and the coach cares about you, not only as a player but as a person. I always said I wanted to go to college far away, but once I went to Erskine, it felt like home, and I was ok with staying close.”
Chelsea Booker- Softball
Chelsea has been a member of the varsity softball program for the past three seasons, pitching and playing on the infield for the Lady Wolverines. Chelsea has filled various roles for the team, and her versatility has earned her the chance to play softball at Allen University in Columbia, an opportunity she is thankful for.
Chelsea says: “I wanted to go somewhere special that would give me the opportunity to gain a lot of experience. The coach at Allen, she teaches me a lot of drills and things that make me a better player.”
Taylor Lambert- Softball
Taylor starts at third base for the Lady Wolverines and bats in the middle of the lineup. A sure-handed defender who has notched many clutch hits this season, Lambert will head to the lower part of the state and play for USC Salkehatchie next year.
Taylor says: “When I toured (USC) Salkehatchie, I fell in love with how small the community was and how tight everyone was. I met the team and met the coach, and she was very straight up and told me, it is a small school, but she has great opportunities for me here to go and have fun and still play softball at the next level.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
