By Thomas Grant Jr.
White Knoll High School recognized its 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame this past weekend.
The four inductees were:
David Moody (2001-06) He attended events in all sports to include football, basketball (boys and girls), baseball and softball. Also, while at White Knoll, David participated in track and field and other activities with the Special Olympics, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals throughout his career. David was presented with an athletic letter jacket before graduation because of his support of White Knoll Athletics. After finishing White Knoll with the Class of 2006, David continued his support of and passion for White Knoll Athletics, attending as many games as he could, home or away. He watched the baseball team’s drive to the State Championship in 2010, he followed the 2017 softball team to its State Championship and the 2023 football team to their state championship game this past season. Overall, David has attended and supported White Knoll teams at well over 500 games in all sports and continues to do so.
Joey Lawson – Coached softball at White Knoll from 2001-2011. During his 11-year tenure, the Lady Timberwolves won seven region Championships, five District Championships and earned a playoff bid 11 straight years. Coach Lawson’s record was 231-84. He was Region Coach of the Year seven times, Midlands area Coach of the year once and coached in the CAWS North-South All Star game twice. While at White Knoll he also was an assistant coach with football and basketball. Lawson also had stints at Lexington, McCormick, Saluda and Ridge Spring Monetta coaching football, cross country, basketball, baseball and softball.
Rian Burris – A 2-time State Champion, 2-time All-American, 4-time letterman, and a 4-time state qualifier. Rian had an overall record of 178-28 and went 51-0 his senior year to win his second state championship. He won the Coastal Clash tournament in his junior and senior years and received several Most Outstanding Wrestler awards. Burris became an All-American in 2016 by placing in two prestigious postseason tournaments; he took 4th in the NHSCA Senior Nationals and 8th in the FloNationals. Rian received the Mr. Timberwolf award his senior year and was an International Baccalaureate graduate. He wrestled for 3 years at The Citadel, where he made the All-conference team, was an academic All-American and graduated in 2021 with a BS and MA in biology.
Zack Smith – He played baseball 2006-2010. A 4-year letterman in baseball and 3-time All-Region performer. He was a North/South All-Star in 2010, participant in the 2010 select game, team MVP in 2009 and 2010, was the Class 4A state player of the year, and member of the 2010 State Championship baseball team. He was a 3-time all conference performer at Erskine College, 2011 Conference Carolinas freshman of the year and an All-region at USC-Sumter. He had a .370 career hitter in college with 43 career home runs. He also holds the record for single season home runs for the Columbia Blowfish with 11.
