By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
With just a week left in the school year, Woodruff High School athletics is quickly coming to an end.
Some spring sports teams have already finished for the year, with some still battling in the playoffs or competing on the track, but one thing is certain for all: the end of a sensational sports season is quickly approaching.
Here is a look back on the week that was for Woodruff High School spring sports.
Multitude of Woodruff Track Athletes Qualify for State Meet
The Woodruff track and field teams had a fantastic showing at the 3A state qualifier meet, with 21 Wolverines across the men’s and women’s teams qualifying for the state meet this Friday.
On the men’s side, Aiden Gibson qualified in both the high jump and as part of the 4×100 relay team.
In pole vault, Nathan McConnell and Josh Terczak each earned a place in the field.
Daniel Haas (discus), Dawson Clevenger (shot put), Paul Davis (discus), Ty Moates (triple jump), Skylar Barker (400-meter, triple jump, and 4×400 relay), Jalen Roberson (4×400 relay), Landon Johnson (4×100 and 4×400 relays), Gabe Goodwin (javelin), Angel Madrid (4×400 relay), Aiden Lawson (4×800 relay), Malachi Thompson (100-meter and 4×100 relay), and Jaylen Lyles (long jump and 4×100 relay) all qualified for the Wolverines.
On the women’s side, Jordan Robinson (4×100 relay), McKenzie Hutchinson (4×100 relay), Alyssa Dolquist (pole vault), Sydnee Cothran (4×800 relay), Alexis Easterling (400-meter and 4×100 relay), and Ella Page (4×800 relay) all qualified for the state meet.
Softball Soars into District Championship
The Lady Wolverine softball team clinched their spot in the district championship of the 3A playoffs with two wins over highly ranked 3A teams.
Woodruff rallied from a 5-1 deficit to defeat two-time defending upper-state champion Belton-Honea Path 7-6, then went on the road and toppled top-10-ranked Palmetto, 7-4.
The Lady Wolverines host the district championship, taking on Belton-Honea Path once more, and the Bears will have to beat Woodruff twice on the same night.
The Lady Wolverines need to win only once to advance to the upper-state bracket.
With their first two playoff wins, Woodruff improved their season record to 12-9 and have now won six games in a row.
Girls Soccer Falls to Christ Church in Overtime Heartbreaker
The Woodruff girls’ soccer team, massive underdogs against Christ Church in the second round of the 3A playoffs, took the 3A No. 1-ranked Cavaliers to the brink and beyond in one of their best-played games in years.
Unfortunately, the Lady Wolverines fell 2-1 in overtime after rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to tie the game late in the second half.
Woodruff finishes the season 14-8-1, but with zero seniors on the roster and a number of highly talented freshmen and sophomores, Lady Wolverine soccer is once again on the rise after being one of the state’s best programs for two decades.
Woodruff Boys Soccer Falls to St. Joseph
The Wolverine men’s soccer team fell to St. Joseph 2-0 in the second round of the playoffs, finishing an immensely successful season with a 16-3 record and a third region championship in four years.
It was pure dominance for much of the year for Woodruff, who outscored their opponents 102-17 on the season.
It has been a dominant run for Woodruff soccer over the past four seasons, and the loss to St. Joseph was the Wolverines’ first home loss since March 2024.
They are 36-5 at home since 2023.
Also a young team, next season promises to be an even more exciting run for Woodruff soccer.
