By Richard Carrier, Contributing Writer
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The number of Powhatan High School athletes competing at college and university levels authenticates this small rural school’s growing tradition of competitive sports excellence.

That Powhatan has developed a reputation with college coaches through out the East for developing athletes who can perform at the next level does not reveal the true value of its athletic program, however.

Approximately 32 percent of the student body participates in school sports at Powhatan High and many of them are on multiple rosters each year, according the PHS Athletic Director, Jim Woodson.

“We are noted for our athletic program,” Woodson said. But more importantly, “for doing it right.”

Doing it right is helping the student-athlete “grow as a person, to become a better person,” Woodson said.

And, underlining the importance of having fun while never losing focus on academics, Woodson points out that “Our kids enjoy what they are doing and are doing well in the classroom.” As an example, Woodson pointed out that over 40 percent of the students who participated in fall sports last year maintained a 3.5 or better GPA.

Twenty nine former PHS students were on 19 different college or university rosters during 2008.

It is logical to assume that Woodson, who has built a football program recognized for its excellence by college coaches over several states, would have placed a substantial number of those. And he did. Eight of the 29 are former PHS football players. But the football program is not currently the largest contributor to higher education sports programs. As a statement of the excellence in the diversity of the athletic program at PHS, Coach Gregg Conner’s baseball program leads the way with nine while Cheering, Cross Country/Track, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Golf and Softball all have PHS grads who played at the next level in 2008-09.

Cheering is represented by Jessica Harrington (UVA/Wise) and Rebecca Hunter (Lynchburg)

.Cross Country/Track lists Ross Roberts and Mandy Ford (Longwood) Kendel Wynn (Mary Washington) and Erin Lonon (High Point).

Baseball alums include Brett Conner (William and Mary) Mike Wallace (Randolph Macon — He leads the Yellow Jackets in batting average and hits), Justin Kellaway (Shenandoah), Brent Mikionis and Paul Nice (Virginia Commonwealth), Matt Hall and Ethan Lewis (Bluefield) Corey Jones and Jesse Reid (Patrick Henry Community College).

Aaron Humphries represents boys soccer at Randolph College.

Taron Hampton leads the football contingent. At Virginia State he was selected as the CIAA Rookie of the year, set the school rushing record and, as a sophomore, was named a Pre-season Division Two Honorable Mention All-American.

Nathan Mullins and Blake Campbell play at Shenandoah. Mauriek Goode was Second Team All-Conference at Ferrum and led his team in tackles.

Raymond Grenke and Jonathan Marshall (Christopher Newport) Emmett Brown (Elizabeth City State) and Hakeem Abdul Saboor-(UVA/Wise — He leads the team in rushing and TDs scored) round out the football players.

Girls soccer is represented by April Goode (Radford) and Olivia Moore (Virginia Military Institute).

Freshman Moore led the Keydets in goal scoring and total points.

Paul Woodson represents the PHS golfers at Radford University. Emily Morris (Bridgewater) and Beth Bennett, a recent Liberty University grad, represent softball.

Bennett, a four-year Dean’s List student, was Big South Rookie of the year, set school records for number of games played and number of put outs. She was the recipient of Rock Royer/Mac Riviera Award, Liberty’s highest athletic honor.

These graduates of Powhatan High School and its athletic program have been essential factors in the Community’s desire to be a part of this on-going success.

“Almost everyone in the community wants to be a part of it,” Woodson said.

And he sees prior successes as a true stepping stone for both current and in-coming athletes.

“With this tradition there is a yearly challenge for the next group to become a part of the Powhatan High School legacy,” he said.