ATHLETIC
HALL OF FAME
Class of 2014
*Jimbo Hensley
1970
At ORHS - A 2-sport athlete at ORHS, lettering in both football and basketball. In football, he starred at both the Offensive and Defensive tackle positions, earning All-County, Metro, Region and State honors in Football.
Post HS - Went on to play football at Floirda State University on a athletic scholarship. He played football for the Seminoles for 3 seasons. Suffered a sudden knee injury as a senior that ended his career, however he went on to graduated from FSU.
Curtis McLendon
1971
At ORHS - A 3-time All-Metro, and All-State basketball player at during his time at ORHS. Led Central Florida in scoring as a senior, and went on to win Mr. Basketball for Central Florida in 1971. He was the first of 3 players in OR History to be named to the All-Southern Basketball team (Others are Harris, and Fisher who were inducted in 2013), which he accomplished twice during his career. He played in Florida High School All-Star Game in 1971 and became the first Pioneer baskbetball player in school history to earn All-American honors.
Post HS - Went on to play collegiately at South Carolina State University, where he earned All-MEAC honors 4 times.
Lester Payton
1971
At ORHS - A 3 sport athlete during his time at ORHS, lettering in football, track and basketball. In football he earned All-Metro, Region and State honors, while leading Oak Ridge to its first Metro Conferenence Football Championship in 1970. He earned All-Metro, and State honors in track and field, while setting school records in the 100 and 440 yard dashes. He was a member of the ORHS basketball team, alongside fellow inductee Curtis McLendon.
Post HS - Went on to play football at Florida State University on a scholarship.
Cynthia Bruton
1975
At ORHS - All-Metro, All-District basketball player for the Lady Pioneers. She lead the girls basketball team to undefeated Metro Conference Championship in 1975.
Post HS - She went on to play basketball at Tuskegee University on a scholarship. She lead her teams to 2 Alabama (AIAW) State Championship, while winning All-Conference honors as a player. She also earned All-SIAC honors in leading the Golden Tigerettes to the first ever SIAC Women's Basketball Championship, and finshed the season earning All-American honors. In 1979, she became the first female pro player in Tuskegee's history as the 6th draft choice of Dallas Diamonds of Women's Basketball League. She was Inducted into Tuskegee University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
Kevin Greaney
1975
At ORHS – Earned All-Metro, District, Region, and State honors as a swimmer for ORHS. He was a 2-time State Champion, winning the 100 Butterfly in 1974 and 1975. He also set Florida State Record Holder in the 100 Butterfly as a senior and went on to earn All-American honors in 1975.
Post HS - Went on to swim at the University of Georgia, earning All-SEC honors twice and was an SEC Champion in 1977(100yd Butterfly). Went earn to eo earn All-American honors. Became High School Swim Coach in GA for 35 years, and during his tenure, has won 2 State titles in Swimming and Golf. He is 2- Time National Swim Coach Of The Year (1983,1988) as well as 1988 GA High School Swim Coach of Year. In 2013 he won GA High School Golf Coach of The Year.
Larry Hall
1975
At ORHS - Lettered in 2 sports during his time at ORHS - Football and Baseball. In football, we helped the Pioneers win Metro and District Titles in 1974, while earning All-Metro honors at the Cornerback position leading the team with a school record 12 interceptions. The 1974 team became the first and only regular season undefeated team in Metro history. In baseball, he earned All-Metro and All-State honors. He was selected to play in the 1975 FHSAA Baseball All-Star game.
Post HS - Went on to play baseball the University of Florida. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1979, playing 3 years in their Minor League sytem.
Greg Wilson
1975
At ORHS - Lettered in 3 sports during his time at ORHS - Football, Basketball and Track and Field. In football, he helped lead the Football team to Metro and District titles in 1974, while earning All-Metro, and All-State honors as a running back He lead Central Florida in rushing as a senior, and won Orlando Touchdown Club Back Of The Week Honors in 1974. He was selected to play in the 1975 FHSAA All-Star Football game. In track, he was an All-Metro athlete and a member of the 880 Relay team ranked #1 in Florida in 1974. He was also a member of the basketball team. He was the winner of the Oak Ridge Most Outstanding Athlete his senior year.
Post HS - Went on to play running back at East Tennessee State on a football scholarship. He earned All-Ohio Valley Conference as a running back in 1976. After college, he continued on to the professional ranks, playing in the USFL for the Tampa Bay Bandits alongside Hall Of Famer Tim Groves (2013).
*Carl Dragstedt
Coach
A teacher and coach for over 33 years at ORHS and Orange County. During his time at ORHS he coached Cross Country, Swimming, Softball. The only coach in Oak Ridge history to pull off the “Triple Crown”, winning Metro Conference Championships in 3 completely different sports; 1971, 1973 - Boys Swimming, 1975 - Girls Cross Country, and 1980 - Slow Pitch Softball. While serving as the swim coach for 12 seasons, he produced a number of All-American relay teams as well as individual swimmers, including fellow inductee Kevin Greaney. He was inducted into the Metro Conference Hall Of Fame in 1984. The softball field at ORHS is named in his honor, as well as the Valedictorian Trophy. For many years he came back to present the award himself. After his retirement from teaching, he went on to work for the Orlando Sentinel for 20+ years.
*Lillian Derrick
Contributor
*Bill Driver
Contributor
A chemistry and biology teacher at Oak Ridge High School for 30 years (1967-1997). He served as the Science department chairman for 10 years, and Senior class sponsor for 5 years. He was voted teacher of the year in 1997. During his time at Oak Ridge he served as our school mascot "Little Willie", while dressing up for pep rallys. He was a big supporter of athletics, and also worked the scoring table at basketball games during his tenure. He earned his Master’s degree in Science education at UCF. He was the receipent of a heart transplant in 1996 and came back to teach in 1997. He said, "Although I have been involved in other educational duties in Orange County, I have never lost my love for my Oak Ridge Pioneers." He fully retired from teaching in 2008, bringing his career to an end after a total of 42 years in Orange County.
Served as a sponsor for the student council and a variety of other clubs at Oak Ridge for many years. A huge supporter of Pioneer athletics, she was instrumental in bringing school blood drives to ORHS – and was recognized locally and nationally for her organization of blood drives. She brought home the state award for ORHS 3 times and National award once for donating blood in the school system.
* Deceased