By: Garrett Mitchell
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
With winter sports in the books, and with the days getting longer and the air outside warmer, athletes at Woodruff High School are turning their attention to spring sports. Always the busiest season of high school athletics, with the largest number of players and teams competing, the excitement in the air is always intense. This spring season for Wolverine athletes promises to be no different. Take an inside look at each Woodruff High School spring sports team as their 2026 seasons get underway.
Baseball
Head Coach – Wesley Brown (4th season)
Last season’s record – 21-9 (9-3 region) – 2nd place
Returning starters – 4
Key returning players
Kayden Barnaby (Shortstop), Luke Cooper (Utility), Carter Schubach (2nd base), Jackson Richards
Top newcomers
Lane Prince – Fr (Catcher), Tate Rogers (OF), Kayden Henderson (OF)
Coach Brown says:
“This is a very young team with very little varsity experience. We will be led by the four listed at the top. We have a total of three innings returning on the mound. So, the pitching staff is the most inexperienced we have. All the kids are coachable and giving it their all now. If they learn to play the game at a varsity speed, we could have some success and sneak up on a few teams.”
Softball
Head Coach – Will Lanford (23rd season)
Last season’s record – 15-9 (Region runner-up)
Returning starters – 6
Key returning players
Ruthie Sheffield – Sr (2B), Mary Ellis Mitchell – Sr (1B), Danicka Simmons – Jr (P/SS), Alexis Mock – Soph ©, Jaylen Means – Jr (SS/P), Harrison Rhodes – Jr (CF)
Top newcomers
Elin Cooper – Fr (OF), Tensley Williams – Fr (OF), Kensley Bailey – 7th (P/1B)
Coach Lanford says:
“We have a good mix of experienced players with some very young, but talented players. We have 2 returning pitchers, Danicka Simmons and Jaylen Means, and a 7th grader, Bailey, who will split the innings this season. Defense should remain a strength for this team, and there is a lot of speed in the lineup. We hope to improve throughout the season and play deep into May.”
Girls Soccer
Head Coach – Jorge Santos (4th season)
Last season’s record – 8-12 (4-4 region) – 3rd place
Returning starters – 7
Key returning players
10th Grader – Kaelyn Glass: Forward (2025 All-Region Player)
10th Grader – Dakota Luby: Defender
10th Grader – Abbee Lynn: Midfielder/Defender
10th Grader – Reagan Putnam: Midfielder
10th Grader – Kennedy Scruggs: Defender (2025 All-Region Player)
11th Grader – Anna Siskey: Defender
10th Grader – Mariah Waddell: Midfielder/Defender
Top newcomers
9th Grader – Ella Flack: Midfielder
9th Grader – Ella Mossbrook: Keeper
9th Grader – Eviya Pankovets: Forward
9th Grader – Kaelyn Young: Defender
Coach Santos says:
“We are looking forward to a competitive season with this group. We have been working hard during the offseason in the weight room and during open season training. We always set high expectations for ourselves, and we look forward to improving each day.”
Boys Soccer
Head Coach – Aaron Chappell (4th season)
Last season’s record – 15-4 (8-2 region) – 2nd place
Returning starters – 6
Key returning players
Ian Silverior – Sr, Eric Perez – Sr, Carlos Garcia – Soph, Jordan Quijano – Jr, Mason Satterfield – Jr, Max Perez, Joan Cortes-Caballero, Santiago Ramirez, and Juan Pineda – Jr
Top newcomers
Frank Temich – Soph, Jayden Day – Soph, Luiz Garcia – Soph, Jonathan Knight – Fr, and Camlin Durelle – Fr
Coach Chappell says:
“This year’s team is younger than last season. I believe these young Wolverines are hungry to continue protecting the Woodruff Soccer standard and are poised to prove themselves this season. They have all worked hard in the weight room this offseason. Our expectations are to focus on being better every day and focus on process rather than outcomes. When the dust settles, I believe this group has potential to make some noise in 3A soccer.”
Boys Tennis
Head Coach – Robert Vanadore (1st season)
Last season’s record –
Returning starters – 4
Key returning players
Owen Edmondson (#3 singles), Jayden Lanford (#5 singles), Ben Martin, Micah Vanadore
Top newcomers
Anthony Juarez, Ben Ard, Maddux Young, William Harrison (7th grade)
Coach Vanadore says:
“The expectations for this year are simple. We are bereft of senior leadership, which means many of our younger guys will need to step up and provide positive leadership to their peers. Coach Cairns and I want to build for the future while having high expectations for this season. We are playing a schedule full of heavy hitters in hopes that we improve with each outing. I believe having a tough schedule will make them better prepared to compete in our region.”
Girls Track and Field
Head Coach – Duane Thompson (8th season)
Last season’s record – 13-7
Key returning athletes
Runners: Sydney Cothran – Soph, Reese Abrams – Fr, Alexis Easterling – Soph, Jordan Robinson – Sr, Bellashea Schulz – 8th
Throwers: McKinsey Bivens – Fr, Alexis Baldwin – Jr, Stella Harrison – Jr
Jumpers: Larson Abrams – Jr
Vaulters: Harrison Hatchett – Soph, Callie Adams – Jr, Alyssa Dolquist – Sr
Boys Track and Field
Head Coach – Duane Thompson (8th season)
Last season’s record – 11-9
Key returning athletes
Runners: Sam Ringgold – 8th, Aiden Lawson – Soph, Landon Johnson – Sr, Skylar Barker – Sr, Malachi Thompson – Soph
Throwers: Quinn Barnett – Jr, Daniel Haas – Jr, Paul Davis – Jr
Jumpers: Jaylen Lyles – Jr
Vaulters: Nathan McConnell – Jr, Landon Knighten – Soph
Coach Thompson says:
“As we head into a new season, our athletes have been putting in the work, showing dedication and true team spirit. The team is focused, motivated, and ready to compete. From sprints to distance, hurdles, to relays and field events, to finish lines, our student athletes are prepared to represent our school with pride.”
Golf
Head Coach – Buck Mosteller (13th season, 2nd season coaching golf)
Last season’s record – 3-6-1 (3rd in region)
Returning starters – 2
Key returning players
Jackson McCarley – Sr, Addison Davis – Jr
Top newcomers
Grey Horton, Luke Caldwell, Jaxon Sherbert, Hagin Queen
Coach Mosteller says:
“We lost three seniors, so there are some spots up for grabs. Jackson McCarley and Addison Davis should be able to build upon last year’s success (first-time golfers) and carry us through the season. We look to continue getting better (3rd place finish in the region last year). We definitely want to push forward and shoot to improve on that finish, as well as qualify as a team for the state tournament.”
