Home News Richland Northeast to induct eight members into its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame

Richland Northeast to induct eight members into its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame

8/22/2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland Northeast High School is preparing to induct the first class of members into its Athletic Hall of Fame. The initial class includes Rick Grich, Portia George-Morrow, Ryan Bethea, Charles “Chuck” Lee, Aaron Lucas, Airese Currie, Bryn Post, and Laura Boozer Wentzky.

Rick Grich was a coach and athletic director from 1978 to 1998. Grich coached boys’ basketball and baseball for the first three years of the school’s opening while also serving as athletic director. His baseball team won the Region Championship in 1979. Grich is a native of Connecticut and a graduate of the University of South Carolina.

Portia George-Morrow, a member of the Class of 1985, was a dominant tennis player during her three years as a varsity player. During her junior year, she won the tennis Class 4A Singles State Championship and was State Runner-up during her senior year. She received a tennis scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where she was an eight-time NCAA Division II All American and helped guide her team to four consecutive Division II National Championships.

Ryan Bethea earned four varsity letters in football and baseball, and three letters in basketball before graduating in 1985. His senior year he participated in the NC/SC Shrine Bowl game and earned Most Valuable Player honors. He received a football scholarship from the University of South Carolina and excelled on the gridiron.

Charles “Chuck” Lee played tennis for the Cavaliers from grades 7-12. During his senior year of 1988, he won the Class 4A State Singles Championship while leading his team to a State Runner-Up finish. Playing on a full tennis scholarship at the College of Charleston, he was named NAIA All American in 1989.

Aaron Lucas is the boys’ basketball All-Time leader in points scored for a career with 1,238. He earned three varsity leaders and led his teams to an overall 64-15 record. Lucas received a scholarship to play at the University of South Carolina where he was a four-year starter. He went on the play professionally overseas for several years. Lucas was a member of the graduating Class of 1998.

Airese Currie earned varsity letters in track & field, football and basketball. During his senior year, he was a member of the 2001 Track & Field State Championship team where he individually won the 100 and 200-meter state championship races. He participated in multiple All Star events including the NC/SC Shrine Bowl in football and the Golden South Track and Field Classic. He was the 2001 Gatorade 4A State Track Athlete of the Year. Currie attended Clemson University on a football scholarship and ran track. The Chicago Bears selected him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.

Bryn Post was a four-year varsity letter recipient in soccer and a member of the Class of 2002. She helped lead the Cavaliers to the Class 4A State Championship during her junior season while earning the title of “Miss Soccer” from the High School Sports Report. She is the All-Time leader at Richland Northeast in goals scored in a single season with 60 and goals scored for a career with 220. She participated in the North/South All Star game in 2002.

Laura Boozer Wentzky played volleyball, softball, and basketball for the Cavaliers. She was selected All Region and All State in softball and volleyball for all four years of high school. She attended Clemson University on a volleyball scholarship where she was a member of the 2007 ACC Champions team. She was a member of the Richland Northeast graduating Class of 2004.

The induction ceremony will take place Friday, Sept. 6 at 1:00 p.m. in the school’s upstairs gymnasium mezzanine. Later that night, inductees will receive additional recognition during halftime of the annual home varsity football game on campus against Crestwood High School at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the football game are $7.00 and can be purchased at the gate.

Members of the public interested in attending the induction ceremony must RSVP with Kathy Wyant at kwyant@richland2.org no later than Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. Space is limited. Richland Northeast High School is located at 7500 Brookfield Rd., Columbia, SC, 29223.