Ridge View High School to induct first Athletic Hall of Fame class this Friday night

Dating back to the 1995-1996 school year, its first in existence, Ridge View High School has a storied athletic history with multiple team state championships, individual state championships, a countless number of former student-athletes that have gone on to compete in college and many more that have played sports professionally. This Friday night the Blazer community will recognize 12 of these former student-athletes and coaches as the first class of Ridge View High School Athletic Hall of Famers.

Dr. Brenda Mack-Foxworth, Principal of Ridge View High School, is excited for this new tradition of inducting Hall of Fame student-athletes, coaches and even teams on a yearly basis.

“Everyone knows Ridge View High School expects success in the 4 A’s (Academics, Arts, Activities and Athletics).  It will be great for these 12 former student-athletes and coaches to be recognized as members of our first Athletics Hall of Fame for their excellence both as a Blazer and beyond.”

Brian Rosefield, Athletic Director at Ridge View High School, is excited to welcome these great Blazers back on campus.

“Ridge View has had such a positive impact on the community as well as its student-athletes and coaches through Athletics.  Welcoming back these Blazers in our brand-new facilities will make for a special night. They have inspired greatness in many of our students and coaches, and it will be wonderful to publicly thank and recognize them for all that they have accomplished.”

The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will begin at halftime of the Ridge View vs. Rock Hill Varsity Football game on Friday, Oct. 22, 2022 at Ridge View High School Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.  Tickets are on sale for the game at RidgeViewSports.com and are $7 each.  Space is limited due to COVID-19 protocols.

The 12 Ridge View Hall of Fame inductees are (Here is a link for a variety of photos of inductees):

Brian Quick

• 2006 Shrine Bowl selection in football

• Starred as a Blazer in Football, Basketball and Track & Field

• Two-time Division I FCS All-American at Appalachian State University

• Blocked a crucial FG attempt by Michigan in 2007’s win by App. St. over the Wolverines

• 33rd pick in 2012 NFL by the St. Louis Rams

• Played WR in NFL from 2012-2019 for the Rams and Redskins

Kate Morrison Floyd

• Named by The State Newspaper as one of the top five female-student athletes of the decade (90s)

• Earned a combined 13 varsity letters (softball, basketball, and tennis) and was the captain of each team

• Signed with University of South Carolina Softball team becoming the 1st Ridge View student/athlete to sign letter of intent with Division I school

• In 1999 was Gatorade Softball Player of the Year, SC HSSR Player of the Year, and SC Player of the Year

• Won a State Championship as Daniel HS Head Softball Coach in 2013

Jeff Buys

• Coached the Ridge View Boys Track and Field teams to the 2005 and 2006 State Championships

• Coached Ridge View Boys Cross Country to State Runner-Up finishes in 2001 and 2004

• Won 10 State Championships and 23 Region Championships as a coach

• Coached 210 “All-Region” Athletes

• Coached 144 “All-State” Athletes

Sierra Henderson (Oliphant)

• 3 time 800-meter State Champion (2007, 2008 & 2009)

• 3 time All-State and All-Region in 4×4, 4×8, and 800-meter dash

• Current school record holder in the 5k (18:43) and the 800m (2:13:30)

• Broke the 800m State of South Carolina Record in 2008 at a time of 2:13:30 and held that record until 2013

• Ran collegiately at The University of South Carolina and was Rookie of the Year in 2009

Cornelius Harvin (Being recognized posthostumously)

• Set the Ridge View record in the 1600m and 5k with times of 4:20.44 and 15:24 respectively

• Was the State Champion in the Mile and 2 Mile at the State Track Meet in 2006

• Helped lead the Ridge View Boys Track and Field team to 3 consecutive State Championships

• Ran collegiately at Charleston Southern University

Jessica Young

• Earned 4 gold medals at the 2005 State Meet in the 400m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x400m (State Champion in 4 events)

• Ran collegiately at TCU

• 4 x 400m Gold medalist at World Junior Championships held in Beijing, China

• Multi-time NCAA All-American

• NCAA Runner up in 100M & 60M

• Holds TCU records in the 60m, 100m and 400m

• Member of Team USA World Championship Team 09, Berlin

• Member of World Relay Team, Bahamas

• 60m National Championship Runner Up

• Olympic trials semifinalist

Catherine Lempesis

• Started the Girls Track & Field program at Ridge View and coached the team to a State Runner-Up finish in 1996 and to a State Championship in 1997

• Coached Cross Country and Track & Field teams to a staggering 16 State Championships throughout her career

• Named to the SC Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2005, the SC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, and the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame in 2009

Kirk Burnett

• Served as Ridge View’s first head Football coach helping to establish the Blazer culture of athletic excellence

• Coached Ridge View to 3 consecutive Upper State Championship Games 1996-98

• Coached the 1998 Ridge View Football team to a 12-3 record and a trip to the AAAA State Finals

• Coached Ridge View in baseball to 3 region championships and two District championships

• Region Coach of the year 3 times in Baseball

Caroline Ferrell Branchal

• Was the South Carolina Girls Tennis AAAA Individual State Champion and AAAA Player of the Year in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003

• Was chosen for All-Region in 1998-2003, All-Area 1999-2003 and All-State 2000-2003

• Led Ridge View High School to regional championships Tennis in 2003, state quarterfinals in 2003

• Was named the Wendy’s High School Heisman winner

• Played collegiate Tennis at Vanderbilt

Randy Corn

• 1998 USA Today All-USA High School Baseball Team selection & Midlands POY

• Region 5-AAA Player of the Year 1997 and 1998. All-State in 1997 & 1998

• As a RV Pitcher Posted 31 Career wins and 405 Career Strikeouts and 2 No Hitters

• Career .416 hitter at RV with 18 home runs

• At the Citadel: 2002 Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and the 2001-02 Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year.

• Two-time All-American honoree by Collegiate Baseball.

• Ranked 3rd on The Citadel’s all-time career ERA list and on the Bulldogs’ all-time career saves list. As a Closing pitcher posted a 9-5 career record with 25 saves, a 2.43 ERA, and 191 strikeouts in 90 Appearances

Dennis Daley

• Was a 2014 Shrine Bowl selection

• Played collegiately at The University of South Carolina

• 2019 Senior Bowl participant

• 2019 NFL Combine invitation

• 2018 Unselfish Teammate Award

• 2017 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll

• 1st team JUCO All American at Georgia Military College

• 6th Round draft choice by the Carolina Panthers in 2019

• Is the starting Left Guard for the Carolina Panthers

Randy Nazionale

• 149 high school Wrestling wins

• Place 3rd in state individuals in 2001, 2nd in 2002, 1st in 2003

• He is the only individual State Champion in Ridge View program history

• Undefeated senior year in 2003

• Ranked 28th by USA Best Wrestler National Rankings in 2003

• Two-time region champion

• Has been a successful coach at AC Flora, Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Heathwood Hall