Finalist are classified by decade

 

Athletes

 

70’s

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Carl Comstock (1971) - At ORHS – A 3-year letterman in football, he earned All-Metro, All-Central Florida, and All-State honors as a Linebacker and was a dynamic force for the Pioneers his senior year leading Oak Ridge to its first ever Metro and District Championships.  He won the “Unheralded Hero” of the week honors as a Senior and was selected to play in the FACA North-South All-Star game.  Won the Lineman of the Year awards at ORHS.  Went on to be named to the Metro Conference All-Time football team in 1973, which voted the best football players in the first 10 years of the Metro Conference.

 

R.C. Lee (1971) – At ORHS – A 2-year letterman in track and football.  In football, he was a star at the Defensive End position, leading Oak Ridge to its best season, 6-1-2, in school history in 1969, and was the team’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman on the 1970 first ever Metro and District Championship Team.  As a junior, he earned Lineman of the Week honors, along with being named All-Metro Conference as a junior and senior while earning All-Region Honorable Mention his senior year.   Post HS – Went on to UCF and enjoyed a career in television as a photo journalist.  Won awards for Best Sports Feature from the Greater Orlando Press Club, as well as featured in People Magazine with Ellen McFarland for investigative journalism.

 

Ed Finella (1975) - At ORHS - Lettered in 2 sports – Football and Baseball.  Earned All-Metro, All County and All State honors his senior year as a 2-year starting linebacker on the 1974 undefeated Metro Conference, District and Region Championship team.  A team captain, Ed was also selected the Pioneer recipient of the 1974-75 Burger King Hustler Award.  He was the 1974 Orlando Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Year with Ara Parseghian presenting the award at the annual awards banquet.  Post HS – As a 3-year letterman at Eastern Kentucky University, he earned All-Conference Honors and Player of the Year recognition at 2 positions-Linebacker and Defensive Lineman.  Ed was the starting linebacker on the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Team that went on to win the D1-AA National Football Championship in 1979.  He played the last game of his high school career, a loss in the FHSAA Region Championship game and his last collegiate game, winning the D1-AA National Championship, in the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium.

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Rayfield Adams (1976) - At ORHS – A 2 sport athlete lettering in Football, and Track.  In football, he earned All-Metro, District and Region honors from the Defensive End position.  He was also named to the A-Central Florida team as a Senior and won the ORHS Defensive Player of the Year award. Member of the 1974 undefeated Metro Conference, District and Region Championship team.  In track, he ran the 220-yard leg on various relays, and was a member of the Metro, District, and Region Championship Track teams.  Post HS – Went on to play Football at Edinboro University, where he played Defensive Back, and Free/Strong, where he was a 4-year letterman and 3-year starter.  Received offers/recruited by several CFL and NFL teams at the end of his college career.

 

Elizabeth “Peanut” Hickman (1977) - At ORHS – A 2 sport athlete, lettering in Basketball and Softball during her time as a Pioneer.  In Basketball, she was one of the great stars in the long history of basketball at ORHS.  She was 3-year starter at the point guard position, where she helped lead the first ever Girls basketball team at ORHS in 1974.  That team finished undefeated on the season (12-0) and went on to win the Metro Conference Championship – as girls’ basketball was not an official Florida HS sanctioned sport at the time. She earned All-Metro honors and finished as one of the top scorers in Central Florida. In Softball, she played shortstop, and earned All-Metro honors.  She was a member of the District and Regional Championship teams (first softball team in OR history to win District/Region) – led by Oak Ridge Hall of Fame coach Carl Dragstedt.  She went on to win the team MVP in her Senior season.  She also served as team manager of the 1976 Volleyball team that went on to win the Metro Conference Championship.  Post HS – Went on to graduate from the University of Florida, and practice law for 25 years in the Orlando area.  She went back to school to earn a degree in Nursing and now teaches Medical-Surgical Nursing in a local school.

 

Cyril Wyatt (1977) – At ORHS – A 2 sport athlete, he earned 6 varsity letters in both football an and track and is arguably the most decorated athlete in the Oak Ridge history in any sport. In Football, he earned All-Metro honors at the running back position, as he led the Metro in rushing as a junior. Won OR Offensive Back Award and was a member of 2 Metro Championship teams.  During his career, Oak Ridge never lost a game when Cyril was the starting tailback.  In Track, he earned multiple Major event championships – 4 Metro, 4 District, 4 Region and 3 State – and becoming a 2 time All-American. Earned All-Southern honors and became the world age group (15yrs old) record holder in the 100 meters as a junior (10.3).  Member of the USA Junior National Team, he holds the school records in the 100, and 220-yard dashes; as well as a member of 3 school record setting relay teams (440, 880, Sprint Medley) – in which the 880 Relay is the fastest in Florida history.  As a senior in 1977, he finished ranked #1 in the nation in 3 events -100,220 and 440y Relay. He finished his career as leader in All-Time Career Points, Most Points in a Season, and the winningest track athlete ever, with 15 major meet championships.  A 2-time Ray Judy Outstanding Performer award winner, and the Central Florida Boys Track Athlete of the Year. Post HS – Accepted a Track Scholarship to Florida State University.

 

Robin Wilhelm (1978) – At ORHS – A 3-year letterman in Swimming for the Pioneers, she was one of the top team point winners in numerous events and strokes. She set team records in the 200 and 400 freestyle, while going on to earn All-Metro honors during her career.  She was a 4-time State Qualifier and finished 5th in the 500 Freestyle as a junior. Ranked nationally in 1974, she completed in the National Championships in the 200-yard freestyle race. In 1975, she was selected as an Athletic Ambassador for Orlando and competed in the 200-meter freestyle event in the National Junior Olympics.  Post HS - She went on to Clemson University where she earned her degree and went on to become a teacher in Orange County for over 28 years. A winner of her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2003.

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80’s

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Shirley Burton (1980) - At ORHS – A 3-sport athlete at ORHS, earning varsity letters in Volleyball, Softball and Track.  In Volleyball she earned All-Metro honors for the Pioneers, while also running track and field.  While only playing softball for ORHS for one season, she decided to forgo her senior season to play semi-pro softball for the Orlando Rebels alongside OR Hall of Famer Lindi James (2013).  While playing for the Rebels, she was part of the National Championship team in 1982.  Post HS – She went on to earn a scholarship in Softball to the University of South Carolina again alongside Lindi James.  A 2-time Regional All-American with the Gamecocks, she helped lead them to the College World Series in 1983.  She ranks #9 in Triples and #13 in Stolen Bases All-Time at South Carolina – while also leading her team in at-bats, batting average, runs, hits, total bases, slugging percentage, RBI’s during her career.

 

Sam Crawford III (1980) – At ORHS – A 1980 All-American Track athlete who earned three varsity letters in Track & Field and who was also a two time All Metro and All State performer in helping lead Oak Ridge to two Metro, District and Region Championships in addition to the 1980 State Track Title during his career.  He also earned two varsity letters in Football while receiving All Metro and All State honors as the leading wide receiver in Central Florida his senior season.   In addition to being named a two-time offensive player of the week, Sam graduated from Oak Ridge as the all-time Pioneer leader in receptions and yards.  Post HS - Sam has been a high school basketball official for the 28 years coupled along with the last twelve officiating NAIA, Division II and III games.

 

Reggie “Aki” Pressley (1981) – At ORHS – A 3-year letterman in track and field, he considered one of the greatest track athletes in the school’s rich history in the sport.  He racked up All-Metro, District, and Region honors during his career – succeeded by All-State honors twice and becoming a 2-time All-American in the process.  A member of 2 Pioneer track teams that swept major championships, capped by back-to-back State Championships in 1980 and 1981.  Arguably the most versatile sprinter in OR history, he ranks #2 all time in the 100-yard dash, #3 in the 220, #3 in the 330 and #4 in the 440.  A member of some of the greatest all-time relay teams in history - 4x100, 4x200, 4x400 and Mile Medley – winning 3 state relay titles in the process. As a junior he became the first & only athlete in the history of the Metro Conference to win titles in the 100, 200 & 400 in the same year. Won the State title in the 200 as Senior. He ranks #3 in Career Championship Points, and #4 in Career Individual Points.  A Winner of the Hughley Leonard Coach’s Achievement award, and a 2-time winner of the Ray Judy Outstanding Performer award. He went on to have his jersey retired as a senior – one of only six Pioneers in history to do so.  Post HS – Went on to run track at Seminole and Santa Fe Community Colleges, before moving on to complete in the club ranks.

 

Vincent Smith (1981) – At ORHS – A 2-sport athlete for the Pioneers while lettering in Football & Track.  In Football, he earned All-Metro honors twice at the Defensive Back position.  On the track, he was the member of 2 Pioneer track teams that swept Metro, District, and Region championships – while moving on to win back-to-back State Championships his junior and senior seasons.  He earned All-Metro, District, Region and State honors as part of the #6 All-time 4x100, and #2 4x200 relay teams.  He was also a member of the school record setting Mile Medley Relay team in 1981. He still ranks #3 All-Time for his 200 Meter Relay Split (21.0), and #7 All-Time in the 330 yd Dash (36.0).  He earned All-American honors as a member of the Sprint Medley relay team.  Post HS – Received a Football scholarship to Edinboro University.  Went on to become an 18-year veteran in Law Enforcement and began competing in powerlifting.  During that time, he became a 5-time law enforcement Olympic champion in the unlimited class, in 2007 competed at the pro level in powerlifting – as he went on to compete in State, National and World Championships.

 

Gerald Jackson (1982) – At ORHS - A 3-year letterman in track in field, he helped the Pioneers win 3 straight Metro, District, Region and State championships.  He earned All-Metro, District, Region and State honors, excelling in the long jump and relays.  He ranks #2 all-time in the long jump and is the only athlete in school history to run on 3 State Championships Relay Teams in the same season – 440 Relay, Mile Relay and the Mile Medley.  Those relays still rank #5 (440 relay), #2 (Mile Relay), and #2 (Mile Medley) all time.  He went on to earn All-American honors as a member of the Mile Relay team, and the Burger King Coaches Achievement award as a senior.  Post HS – He went on to compete at Santa Fe College, where he helped the track team to a runner-up finish indoors in 1983.  He was inducted into Santa Fe College Hall of Fame in 2016.

 

*Vanessa Castellucci (1985) - At ORHS – One of the best golfers in the school history, she began competing for the Pioneers as a sophomore.  While OR did not have a Girl’s golf team at the time, she began to play on the Boys Golf Team and winning many games in the process.  She earned All-County honors and was a winner of 2 district championships during her career, while winning a bid to the State tournament.  As a sophomore she won the PING Girls Player of the Year, and the North-South Junior Championship at Pinehurst.  She earned All-American honors from Golf Magazine, won the Orlando Amateur Athletic Association Female Golfer of the Year award, and the LPGA National Junior Championship - while in high school at Oak Ridge.  She was named the ORHS Best Female Athlete as a junior, and the MVP of the OR Golf team as a senior.  During her career on the Junior circuit, she racked up a total of 89 victories on her way to becoming one of the greatest female junior golfers in the history of Florida.  Post HS – She earned a college scholarship to Florida State University before turning professional after her freshman year. She passed away in 2017.

 

Margaret Turman (1983) – At ORHS – A 3-year letterman in track and field, she helped the Lady Pioneers team find success at the Metro, District, Region and State levels – as they swept championship titles for 3 years straight in each. She was a 7-time Metro, 10-time District, and 7-time Region champion.  She won 3 State Championships as member of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams, as well as racking up All-American honors.  As a junior & senior, her 4x100 teams went on to run the fastest times in Florida History twice (1982,1983).  She also earned All-State honors in the 300 hurdles, where she still ranks 5th all time in school history.

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90’s

 

Molly Wynn (1991) - At ORHS -  A 3 sport star during her days for the Pioneers – excelling in Volleyball, Softball and Soccer earning a total of 11 varsity letters.  In Volleyball, she was a member of 2 Metro Conference Championship teams, while setting the school record for highest serving percentage (99%).  In softball, she earned All-Metro and All-County honors in the outfield as she helped ORHS win a State Championship in Softball – the first year of fastpitch.  She finished the season with a batting average of .500, while scoring 47 runs, driving in 26 runs, and racking up 47 stolen bases.  After having a remarkable season, she won the Orange Extra’s Player of the Year, along with the Golden Glove Award -as the best fastpitch Softball player in Orange County her senior season.  She was also nominated by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando for the female Scholar athlete of the year for Orange County and received the US Army Reserve Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence. A member of the Nation Honor Society.  Post HS – Received a 2-year Academic Scholarship to Valencia and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida.

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Elias Gonzalez (1996) – At ORHS – a three-year letterman in both Track and Cross Country, he is considered one of the all-time best distance runners in school history earning All-Metro and All-State honors in both sports.  An All-American track athlete in 1996, he won two Metro, two District and one Region individual event titles while a member of three Metro, three District and two Region Championship teams.  He was also a point scorer on both the 1994 and 1995 State Championship runner-up teams.  In his senior year, he was the recipient of the Ray Judy Outstanding Performer Award.  In Cross Country, Elias was a two-time individual Metro Conference and District Champion.  Is the school record holder in the 3-Mile, running a time of 15:00.  As a senior he won the Region Championship, and went on to finish 2nd at the State Championship Meet- the top finish in school history.  He was honored in both his junior and senior years as the Pioneers’ Outstanding Performer and in 1995 he was the Orange County Cross Country Athlete of the Year. He is the only Cross Country athlete in school history to have his jersey retired. Post HS – After earning Junior College Track & Field All American honors for 10,000 Meters at Florida Community College of Jacksonville, went into the Army.  After serving his initial term, Elias moved on to the University of Tampa.  He is one of the most decorated runners in school history earning distinction as the top male runner on the University of Tampa Men’s Silver Anniversary Cross Country Team.  He remains the Spartans’ only men’s Cross Country All American, earning that honor in 2003.   He is the school record holder at the three major race distances, 5K, 8K and 10K.  In 2012, he was inducted into the University of Tampa Athletic Hall of Fame.  Since his graduation from the University of Tampa in 2003, Elias has served as a U.S. Army Reserves Captain, logging multiple tours of duty in the Middle East.

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2000’s

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Antonio Carter (2000) – At ORHS – A 2 sport athlete for the Pioneers, earning letters in Football & Track.  In football, he earned All-Metro and All-State honors at the Wide Receiver position.  As a senior, he was selected to two All-Star football games – Metro Senior Bowl, where he earned MVP honors, and Dixon Ticonderoga Central Florida All-Star game.  He went on to win the Kiwanis/Pepsi Golden Helmet award for the top receiver in Orange County as a Senior.  Selected to the All-County team, while leading Central Florida in receiving yards.  In track, he earned All-Metro, District, Region, and State during his career.  A versatile sprinter, he excelled in multiple events and still ranks in the top 20 in 4 events (#6-100m, #17-200m, #12-300m, #8-400m relay split).  As a senior he was the Metro, District and Region champion in the 100 meters, along with becoming a State qualifier in the event.  He went on to break the ORHS Senior Class record in the 100m.  Winner of the ORHS Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year, as well as the Ray Judy Outstanding Performer Award as a senior in track and field. Post HS – Earned a football scholarship to Eastern Kentucky University where he played one season before transferring to Glenville State College.  While at Glenville State, he earned All-Conference (WVIAC) honors 3 times, All-Northeast Region honors twice, and was named to the Division 2 All-American team. As a senior, he was named the WVIAC Conference Offensive Player of the year and played in the Division 2 All-Star Game. He ranks 3rd All-Time in Glenville State College history in receptions, and receiving yards, and 5th all-time in career touchdowns.

 

Johnta Griffin (2002) – At ORHS – A 2-sport athlete at Oak Ridge, he excelled in Basketball & Track.  As a member of the Basketball team, he earned 3 varsity letters while pulling in All-Metro honors as a Senior. Member of 2001 District, and Regional championship basketball teams that reached the state Final Four. that He was named the MVP of the Deland Rotary Tournament and won the Slam Dunk title at the Senior Showcase All-Star game.  Went on to participate in the Slam Dunk session of the Florida-Georgia All Star game. Won the ORHS Male Athlete of the Year both his junior and senior years. In Track, he earned All-Metro honors throughout his career; and went on to sweep the Metro (East), District and Region titles in the triple jump, while also finishing 3rd in the State Championship at a Senior. A member of the 2001 District Champion, and Metro (East) Championships teams.  He ranks #3 all-time in school history in the Triple Jump, #12 in the Long Jump, as well as a member of the #13 all-time 4x100 team. A 2-Time Recipient of the Dr. Robert Parsons Most Improved Athlete Award.  Post HS – Earned a track scholarship to Florida A&M University where he earned All-MEAC honors in the Triple Jump and helping FAMU win 3 MEAC Conference Championships.  Transferred to Florida State, and earned All-ACC honors 4 times during his career in the Long Jump, Triple Jump and 100 meters.  He was a member of 4 ACC Championship teams, as well as the 2006 National Championship track team – the first in school history.  Went on to complete as a professional for Shore Athletic Club and was a 4-time USA National Championship qualifier in the Long Jump.

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Coach

 

Dick Damron (Coach) – Spent a total of 28 years at ORHS. He began in 1974 as the JV basketball coach and served as the head varsity basketball coach from 1976-1981.  His team won the 1976 West Orlando Christmas Classic Tournament and he was selected as the assistant coach for the Florida North/South All-Star game in 1977.  Coach Damron led ORHS to its first Metro Conference Basketball Championship in school history in 1981 and went on to earn Metro Coach of the Year honors that season.  He was selected as the head coach for the Orange County vs. Seminole County All-Star game, leading his team to victory.  Many high school basketball observers credit Coach Damron for his innervations and introduction of an up-tempo style of play never seen before in the Metro Conference.  Coach Damron went on to serve as Principal at Oak Ridge from 1991-2002.  He was inducted into the Metro Conference Hall of Fame in 1993.

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Contributors

 

Stephanie Lennon (Contributor) – An Oak Ridge High School living legend with regards to her affiliation with Pioneer athletics, Stephanie Lennon has been the Head Athletic Trainer and health/physical education teacher at Oak Ridge High School for the past 31 years; and in that span, Oak Ridge has won 6 State Championships across 3 sports.  During her career in high school athletics, she has won the Florida High School Athletic Trainer of the Year twice (’93, ’99), District High School AT of the Year (’01) and is a FL State and District Hall of Fame Member.  Stephanie is also an adjunct instructor for the Athletic Training Program at the University of Central Florida.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her Masters’ degree from Troy State University.  Though the high school setting is where most of Stephanie’s employment history lies, she has experience in the collegiate, clinical and professional settings, as well.  Stephanie began her volunteerism for the profession with the Board of Certification (BOC) as a Host Athletic Trainer, Test Materials Coordinator and Test Site Administrator.  She was also part of the Certification Exam Writing Committee and became an Examiner Qualification Facilitator.  Stephanie was appointed as the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) Representative to the NATA Secondary School Committee on which she served for six years.  She was also a member of the NATA Inter-Association Task Force for Pre-Season Heat Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics.  Stephanie was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Board of Athletic Training in 2000 and served as the co-chair from 2004 until her election as ATAF President in 2006.  Stephanie began her involvement in ATAF as the Century Club Chair.  She also served on the Governmental Affairs Committee in the early years when the association was pursuing licensure.  Stephanie served as the High School Committee Chair for nine years and was a member of the Education Committee.  She served as the ATAF President from 2006-2012.  Stephanie was an Executive Board Member for SEATA and was assigned to several SEATA committees during her tenure.  She currently serves on the SEATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award Committee and is the SEATA representative to the NATA’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award Committee.  In addition, Stephanie has been a preceptor for student athletic trainers with Valdosta State University and the University of Central Florida.  She served on the Concussion Task Force for the state of Florida which was instrumental in drafting concussion legislation for high school and adolescent athletics.  Stephanie accomplished the distinction of National Board Teaching Certification in 2003.  Stephanie has received several awards throughout her career including the NATA Service Award and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, ATAF High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, ATAF Athletic Trainer Award, and is an ATAF Hall of Fame Inductee.  She is also a University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance Hall of Fame Member.  She was inducted into the SEATA Hall of Fame in 2015.

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