BE's Drummond and Dengler close out seasons with honors

Kelly Drummond leaves Bishop England High School with a ring for every finger, including her thumb. She also will graduate with a dream to be a pediatrician.

Drummond concluded her impressive athletic career with a penalty kick goal in the Class AAA state championship 4-1 victory over a previously undefeated Powdersville team. That was the third time she was on a state title team in soccer. She also played on two state basketball championship teams.

She was recently named the Class AAA state soccer player of the year by the SC Coaches Association of Women’s Sports (CAWS).

“My coach (Dave Snyder) told us at the (team) banquet,” Drummond said. “I had no idea I was even nominated. I was super excited. Usually, a defensive player never wins (the award). It usually goes to the player who scores the most goals, so I was super excited.”

Drummond excels in the classroom as well. She has a 4.8 GPA on Bishop England’s 5-point scale and will attend Clemson in the fall. She plans to major in biology and hopes to be a pediatrician by the time she concludes her college studies.

Her playing days are pretty much over although she plans to play soccer at the club level. But there is one more match on her horizon. She will play in the North-South Game next month in Anderson.

“It’s going to de different to not be playing with my Bishop England teammates,” Drummond said. “But I’m excited to play with new people and finish off my career in a big way.”

She said winning all those state championships was a great experience, but the camaraderie was even more special.

“I really enjoyed my time at Bishop England,” she said. “All of my coaches are supportive and, obviously, I made some of my best friendships with my teammates. We have that special bond.”

DENGLER HONORED BY DP

Bishop England baseball standout Chris Dengler was honored by Diamond Prospects as a member of its Gold Glove team.

Dengler was recognized for his defensive prowess as a third baseman. He was a three-year starter and played on three state championship teams during his career as a Bishop. He had a .949 fielding average as a senior and was just as impressive at the plate, hitting .453 with nine doubles and three home runs. He drove in 33 runs and collected 20 stolen bases.

“Chris is going to be very difficult to replace,” BE coach Mike Darnell said. “I can’t even begin to count the number of big defensive plays he made this year. He fielded .949 with the second most attempts behind our shortstop Corey Cochran. Almost all of our defensive game runs through our third baseman, so he has just as much to do mentally as he has to do physically. He has been unbelievable since he moved there three-quarters of the way through his sophomore year.”

Dengler, who played for the Canes travel team, will play at the next level for Old Dominion.