The History of Peoria Woodruff High School, in brief …
Peoria (population: 113,000) is located in central Illinois along the Illinois River, and is deep in history. The community was once the home of the Peoria Indians, who were part of the Algonquin tribe, and were part of the Illinois Confederacy with the Tamaroa, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, and Cahokia tribes.
French explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette were the first Europeans to come thru the area in 1673 as the French took over control of the land. That would change in 1765 when the British gained control after victory over the French in the French & Indian War. However, that would be short-lived as George Rogers Clark would claim the area for the state of Virginia in 1778.
The community began to take shape and grew as the country would go westward in the 19th century. Peoria would be incorporated as a town in 1835, then repeat the process as a city ten years later.
Interstate 74 is the major route in the area, with Interstate 474 being a bypass for those who wish to go around the city. Other routes include US 24 & 150, in addition to Illinois 6, 8, 29, 40, 91, and 116. Rail service is offered by ten different carriers, including BNSF, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific.
Woodruff High School was built in 1937 as a replacement for Kingman High School that was located in the Averyville neighborhood. You can read about Kingman High (and it’s predecessor, Averyville High) HERE.
The school building, located at 1810 N. Perry, was built as a Works Project Administration concept (itself a concept of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” to help escape from the Great Depression). The architectulal firm of Jamison & Harrison of Peoria built the structure. The building was occupied on September 16, 1937 and a formal dedication ceremony was held on October 12. According to an article in the Peoria Journal, “taxpayers put more than $610,000 into the educational building.” Woorduff High School was so named in honor of E.N. Woodruff, a ten-time mayor of Peoria.
Louis R. McDonald was the first principal of Woodruff, serving until 1969. As time passed, the school would see many changes. One of them was a change of the demographic of the neighborhood. During the 1960’s, the school would experience some racial tension.
Peoria’s overall population would also shift during the latter half of the 20th century. During the start of the 21st century, talks began to start about closing one of Peoria’s public high schools (Peoria High and Peoria Manual are the other two). It was decided, after many years of studies, that Woodruff would close at the end of the 2009-10 school year.
Class of 1953 60th Reunion:
From John Keach, please click on the following link – http://1953whs.webs.com/. This site includes some great newspaper articles and photos regarding the Peoria Woodruff HS Class of 1953. Thank you for sharing John!
Peoria Woodruff High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1937
Year closed: 2010
Team nickname: “Warriors”
Uniform colors: Blue & Gold
Fight Song: Listed below:
Come and fight now Woodruff show what you can do;
We will keep our pep and also help to cheer for you;
So keep on fighting all the while and we’ll win this game.
Always wear a cheery smile and we’ll do the same, Rah! Rah! Rah!
Fight team, fight, Rah! Rah! Rah!
Fight team, fight, Rah! Rah! Rah!
Come on team now fight, U, Rah! Rah!
What’s the matter with our team?
Why they’re all right, That’s the way they’ll always be–
If they fight! fight! fight! Rah!
ATHLETICS
The Woodruff High School boys and girls competed in many sports. Woodruff also offered GAA programs up until State competition was offered as a result of Title IX. If you have any other facts regarding the athletic accomplishments of WHS please contact us via e-mail at eganann@sbcglobal.net.
BASEBALL
Tommy Correll founded the baseball program at Woodruff’s predecessor, Kingman High, in the 1930’s. Correll would coach the program until 1962 (with the exception of a brief stint). The program under Correll would win four District Championships, and took second place at the IHSA State Tournament in 1947. Woodruff also won three Regional championships in a span of ten years during the 1980’s and 1990’s.
1937-38 N.R.A. Coach Tommy Correll
1938-39 3 – 8 Coach Tommy Correll
1939-40 5 – 6 Coach Tommy Correll
1940-41 12-6 District Champions Coach Tommy Correll
1941-42 17-5-2 Coach Tommy Correll
1942-43 6 – 7 Coach Tommy Correll
1943-44 12 – 6 Coach Tommy Correll
1944-45 13 – 5 Coach Tommy Correll
1945-46 17 – 4 District Champions Coach Tommy Correll
1946-47 19 – 3 IHSA State Tournament 2ND Place!! Coach Tommy Correll
District Champions
Sectional Champions
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Summit Argo 1 – 0 (11 innings)
Final 4 Finalist
Beat Chicago Gage Park 3 – 1
State Title Game
Lost to Belleville 1 – 0 (7 innings)
1947-48 12-8-2 Coach Tommy Correll
1948-49 12 – 10 Coach Tommy Correll
1949-50 12-12-1 Coach Tommy Correll
1950-51 11 – 7 Coach Tommy Correll
1951-52 13-6-2 Coach Tommy Correll
1952-53 15 – 8 Coach Tommy Correll
1953-54 18-2-1 District Champions Coach Tommy Correll
Illini Conference Champions
Greater Peoria Champions
1954-55 6 – 13 Coach Tommy Correll
1955-56 12 – 10 Coach Tommy Correll
1956-57 7-10-1 Coach Tommy Correll
1957-58 8 – 14 Coach Tommy Correll
1958-59 6 – 21 Coach Jack Blakeman
1959-60 N.R.A. Coach Tommy Correll
1960-61 N.R.A. Coach Tommy Correll
1961-62 N.R.A. Coach Tommy Correll
1962-63 N.R.A. Coach Gerald McDermid
1963-64 3 – 7 Coach Gerald McDermid
1964-65 10 – 8 Coach Gerald McDermid
1965-66 N.R.A. Coach Gerald McDermid
1966-67 N.R.A. Coach Don Matthews
1986-87 N.R.A. Class AA Regional Champions
1987-88 N.R.A. Class AA Regional Champions
1994-95 N.R.A. Class AA Regional Champions
Chuck Rager was one of Woodruff’s early baseball stars. In 1946, Rager had an unbelieveable start against city rival Spalding, striking out 22 of the minumum 27 batters! The 22 strikeouts in a game may have been an IHSA record until 1972.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The Woodruff boys enjoyed many successes on the hardwood. They made two trips to the Huff Gym on the campus of the University of Illinois for the IHSA State Tournament. In addition to coaching baseball, Tommy Correll also coached basketball from the Kingman days into the 1960’s. He compiled 307 career wins during this time. The success comtinued under coach Jim Ingold with a Sectional championship in 1971. Four more Regional championships were won by the Woodruff boys after that, including three in a span of six years (1975-81).
Submitted by John Keach (left click on image to view larger version)
Submitted by John Keach (left click on image to view larger version)
Woodruff played on two different gym floors in it’s history. A newer gym was built in 1978.
1974-75 IHSA ‘AA’ Regional Champions
1975-76 IHSA ‘AA’ Regional Champions
1980-81 IHSA ‘AA’ Regional Champions
1990-91 IHSA ‘AA’ Regional Champions
1999-00 4 – 22 Coach Ed Brooks
2000-01 11 – 16 Coach Ed Brooks
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
The ONLY Athletic State Championship in Woodruff High School History came from the Boys Cross Country program in 1952. The State Meet was held in Peoria that year, which proved to be a home course advantage. Coach Roy Gummerson was in charge of a very successful Cross Country program since Woodruff’s inception in 1937. In a span of nine years, the program placed in the Top 10 at State eight times (1946-54). Gummerson left Woodruff in 1955 for Oak Park and River Forest High School, where his teams had four more top ten finishes before retiring in 1977.
Even after Gummerson’s departure Woodruff had success, with another State Top 10 finish in 1956 and had three more state qualifying efforts throughout the rest of it’s history.
1937-38 N.R.A. Coach Roy Gummerson
1938-39 2 – 0 Coach Roy Gummerson
1939-40 6 – 0 Geneseo Invite Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Kewanee Invite Champions
Woodruff Invite Champions
1940-41 4 – 0 Coach Roy Gummerson
1941-42 1-2-1 Coach Roy Gummerson
1942-43 N.R.A. Coach Roy Gummerson
1943-44 N.R.A. Coach Roy Gummerson
1944-45 N.R.A. Coach Roy Gummerson
1945-46 N.R.A. Coach Roy Gummerson
1946-47 N.R.A.10th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Final Team Standings
1. Paris 90
2. Chicago Lane 102
3. LaGrange Lyons 115
4. Chicago Harrison 147
5. Chicago Heights Bloom 149
6. East St. Louis 218
7. Moline 249
8. Christopher 268
9. LaSalle-Peru 289
10. Woodruff 316
1947-48 N.R.A.9th at STATE!!Coach Roy Gummerson
Final Team Standings
1. Paris 30
2. Des Plaines Maine Twp. 89
3. Chicago Lane 107
4. Chicago Schurz 125
5. Rock Island 142
6. Maywood Proviso Twp. 156
7. Collinsville 167
8. Springfield 168
9. Woodruff** 170
10. LaSalle-Peru 237
**Woodruff Individual Medalist:Moore (Third)
1948-49 7 – 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Geneseo Invite Champions
1949-50 5 – 0 4th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Normal Invite Champions
Kewanee Invite Champions
Greater Peoria Champions
Final Team Standings
1. Paris 36
2. Evanston 72
3. Downers Grove 87
4. Woodruff 103
5. Chicago Steinmetz 127
6. Rock Island 129
7. Collinsville 179
8. Marseilles 186
9. Buffalo Tri-City 224
1950-51 5 – 1 4th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Geneseo Invite Champions
Final Team Standings
1. Chicago Heights Bloom 49
2. Paris 70
3. Des Plaines Maine Twp. 99
4. Woodruff 104
5. Lincoln 117
6. Chicago Englewood 126
7. Moline 155
8. East Alton-Wood River 165
9. Christopher 248
1951-52 3 – 0 3rd at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Geneseo Invite Champions
Final Team Standings
1. Urbana 21
2. LaGrange Lyons 61
3. Woodruff** 72
4. Franklin Park Leyden 85
5. Dixon 139
6. East Alton-Wood River 179
7. Christopher 183
8. Moline 197
9. Marseilles 252
**Woodruff Indivdual Medalists: Charles Hakes (Eighth)
Tom Walton (Ninth)
1952-53 7 – 0 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Final Team Standings
1. Woodruff** 37
2. Urbana 80
3. Evanston 87
4. Geneseo 104
5. Chicago Heights Bloom 109
6. Alton 132
7. Marseilles 193
8. Dixon 213
9. Chicago Austin 215
10. Christopher 302
**Woodruff Individual Medalists: Charles Hakes (CHAMPION!!)
1953-54 6 – 0 4th at STATE!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Final Team Standings
1. Evanston 111
2. Toledo Cumberland 119
3. Alton 136
4. Woodruff 144
5. Urbana 149
6. Geneseo 172
7. Maywood Proviso Twp. 178
8. LaGrange Lyons 179
9. Rockford East 206
10. Dixon 257
1954-55 11 – 1 STATE RUNNER-UP!!!! Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
21-meet winning streak snapped
Final Team Standings
1. Maywood Proviso Twp. 71
2. Woodruff** 121
3. Alton 140
4. Urbana 155
5. Toledo Cumberland 158
6. Oak Park and River Forest 185
7. Geneseo 210
8. Peoria Central 218
9. LaGrange Lyons 234
10. Dixon 237
**Woodruff Individual Medalist: Bill Norton (Ninth)
1955-56 N.R.A. Coach John Wilkerson
1956-57 7 – 2 9th at STATE!! Coach John Wilkerson
Final Team Standings
1. LaGrange Lyons 102
2. Rock Falls 113
3. Chicago Englewood 151
4. Maywood Proviso Twp. 156
5. Alton 171
6. Rockford East 197
7. Downers Grove 205
7. Edwardsville 205
9. Woodruff** 242
10. Moline 252
**Woodruff Individual Medalist: Bill Gillingham (Second!)
1957-58 2 – 6 Bill Gillingham Third at State! Coach Don Matthews
1958-59 6 – 6 Coach Don Matthews
1959-60 10 – 1 State Qualifiers! Coach Don Matthews
Mid-State 8 Conference Champs
1961-62 7 – 3 Coach Don Matthews
1962-63 0 – 7 Coach Don Matthews
1963-64 5-4-1 Coach Ralph Ginn
1974-75 N.R.A. State Qualifiers!
1976-77 N.R.A. Class AA State Qualifiers!
2005-06 3 – 3 Coach Brien Dunphy
2006-07 4 – 2 Coach Brien Dunphy
BOYS FOOTBALL
Woodruff teams qualified for the IHSA Playoffs six times throughout its history. Before the days of the State Playoffs, Woodruff had two unbeaten seasons. The first one was in 1955, which would be regarded as one of the best seasons in not only Peoria history, but perhaps State history as well. The Virgil Boucher-coached team outscored opponents 285-7 in ten wins! The other unbeaten season was in 1957. Woodruff’s lone playoff win occurred in 1986.
1937-38 1 – 6 Coach Tommy Correll
1938-39 1 – 5 – 2 Coach Tommy Correll
1939-40 7 – 3 – 1 Coach Tommy Correll
1940-41 2 – 5 – 1 Coach Tommy Correll
1941-42 3 – 4 – 1 Coach Tommy Correll
1942-43 1 – 7 – 2 Coach Tommy Correll
1943-44 2 – 7 Coach Tommy Correll
1944-45 4 – 5 – 1 Coach Tommy Correll
1945-46 7 – 3 Coach Tommy Correll
1946-47 3 – 6 – 1 Coach Virgil Boucher
1947-48 2 – 8 Coach Virgil Boucher
1948-49 6 – 4 Coach Virgil Boucher
1949-50 2 – 6 – 1 Coach Virgil Boucher
1950-51 5 – 3 – 2 Coach Virgil Boucher
1951-52 6 – 4 Coach Virgil Boucher
1952-53 7 – 1 – 2 Coach Virgil Boucher
1953-54 7 – 2 – 1 Coach Virgil Boucher
1954-55 8 – 1 – 1 Coach Virgil Boucher
1955-56 10 – 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach Virgil Boucher
City Champions
Greater Peoria Champions
Outscored opponents 285-7!!
1978-79 N.R.A. Class 4A Playoff Qualifier Coach William Sissel
Lost to LaSalle-Peru 18-12
LP would be runner-up
1986-87 N.R.A. Class 4A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mike Bresko
Beat Champaign Central 39-20*
Lost to Springfield Griffin 10-7
*Only Playoff win in school history
1987-88 N.R.A. Class 4A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mike Bresko
Lost to Geneseo 27-7
1994-95 0 – 9 Coach Graylin McLeod
1995-96 2 – 7 Coach Graylin McLeod
1996-97 3 – 6 Coach Graylin McLeod
1997-98 0 – 9 Coach Graylin McLeod
1998-99 2 – 7 Coach Graylin McLeod
1999-00 2 – 7 Coach Graylin McLeod
2000-01 4 – 5 Coach Graylin McLeod
2001-02 2 – 7 Coach Graylin McLeod
2002-03 2 – 7 Coach Jim Donahue
2003-04 3 – 6 Coach Jim Donahue
2004-05 0 – 9 Coach Tim Thornton
2005-06 2 – 7 Coach Tim Thornton
2006-07 7 – 3 Class 5A Playoff Qualifier Coach Tim Thornton
Lost to Taylorville 36-12
2007-08 7 – 3 Class 5A Playoff Qualifier Coach Tim Thornton
Lost to Normal U-High 24-6
2008-09 7 – 3 Class 5A Playoff Qualifier Coach Tim Thornton
Lost to Dunlap 35-34
2009-10 2 – 7 School’s final season Coach Tim Thornton
one win forfeited
Total win-loss record: 270 wins, 397 losses, 19 ties.
BOYS GOLF
The Woodruff Golf program started at Kingman in 1933. The golfers of 1938-39 did real well, placing in the top five at the State Meet. Harry Landis coached the golfers in Woodruff’s early days until 1944. Coach Armitage took over in 1945, followed by Roland Sanders (1946-1949), Harold Burkholder (1950-1958) and P. Englebrecht from 1959 into the 1960s. Walt Durdle was a three-time state medalist for Woodruff, winning the State Championship in 1951! Larry Walden was a top five finisher in 1957. Below are some of the records we’ve researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.
1937-38 5-4-1 Coach Harry Landis
1938-39 12-1-1 5th at STATE!! Coach Harry Landis
District Champions
Final Team Standings
1. LaGrange Lyons 10 pts.
2. Highland Park Deerfield-Shields 10 pts.
3. Urbana 8 pts.
4. Danville 6 pts.
5. Woodruff 4 pts.
6. Galesburg 3 pts.
7. Antioch 2 pts.
1939-40 6-10-1 Coach Harry Landis
1940-41 2-5-1 Coach Harry Landis
1948-49 N.R.A. Walt Durdle 4th at STATE Coach Roland Sanders
1949-50 N.R.A. Durdle 9th at STATE Coach Harold Burkholder
1950-51 N.R.A. DURDLE WINS STATE MEET!! Coach Harold Burkholder
Illini Conference Champions
Conference Meet Individual Scores
Dick Heise – 75, Walt Durdle – 76,
Jim Stone – 77, John Rowe – 78
1956-57 7 – 6 STATE QUALIFIERS Coach Harold Burkholder
District Champions
Larry Walden 4th at STATE
1959-60 7-4-1 Coach P. Englebrecht
1961-62 12 – 4 Coach P. Englebrecht
1962-63 4-9-2 Coach P. Englebrecht
1963-64 1 – 3 Coach P. Englebrecht
BOYS SOCCER
Despite not winning any postseason championships, the Woodruff Boys Soccer team had four ten-win seasons during the 1980’s. Below are some of the records we’ve researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.
1979-80 5 – 10 Coach Chris Perry
1980-81 3 – 11 – 2 Coach Chris Perry
1981-82 9 – 8 – 1 Coach Chris Perry
1982-83 12 – 3 – 1 Good Season Coach Chris Perry
1983-84 10 – 7 – 1 Coach Chris Perry
1984-85 10 – 10 – 1 Coach Chris Perry
1985-86 5 – 14 Coach Chris Perry
1986-87 2 – 17 Coach Chris Perry
1987-88 13 – 8 Good Season Coach Thom Lacy
BOYS TENNIS
The Boys Tennis program began the same year Woodruff was founded, 1937. Bill Draglin was the program’s first coach. Armitage took over the following year and coached until Paul Culver took over in 1947. Football coach Virgil Boucher took over the tennis helm in 1952 and coached until Byron McCormick took over in 1956. The program’s only postseason success came in 2000 when coach PeteSanflip‘s team won the Sectional Championship. Below are some of the records we’ve researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.
1938-39 0 – 6 – 1 Coach Bill Draglin
1939-40 N.R.A. Coach Armitage
1940-41 0 – 6 – 2 Coach Armitage
1941-42 2 – 4 – 3 Coach Armitage
1954-55 5 – 4 Coach Virgil Boucher
1955-56 4 – 8 Coach Brian McCormick
1956-57 1 – 9 Coach Brian McCormick
1957-58 2 – 9 Coach Brian McCormick
1958-59 5 – 5 Coach Brian McCormick
1962-63 9 – 9 Coach Brian McCormick
1963-64 3 – 17 Coach Brian McCormick
1964-65 1 – 18 Coach Brian McCormick
1965-66 8 – 12 Coach Brian McCormick
1999-00 N.R.A. Sectional Champions! Coach Pete Sanflip
Alex Gomez Sectional Champ!
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
Roy Gummerson also had a fine Track and Field program at Woodruff in addition to Cross Country. The Woodruff harriers won five District Championships in a span of six years from 1950 to 1955. Below are some of the records we’ve researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.
In addition to team success, ten Woodruff individuals placed at the IHSA State Meet. Two athletes, Jerry Kats and Torry King, took home STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS in the 120-yard hurdles and the discus, respectively.
Season Summaries
1941-42 1 – 1 – 1 Coach Roy Gummerson
1942-43 6 – 0 Greater Peoria Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Lincoln Relay Champions
1943-44 4 – 4 Coach Roy Gummerson
1944-45 0 – 2 Coach Roy Gummerson
1946-47 6 – 0 Coach Roy Gummerson
1947-48 5 – 1 Coach Roy Gummerson
1949-50 8 – 1 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Kewanee Invite Champions
1950-51 7 – 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Kewanee Invite Champions
Geneseo Invite Champions
Normal Invite Champions
1951-52 8 – 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
1952-53 8 – 0 District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
1953-54 6 – 2 Coach Roy Gummerson
1954-55 9 – 0District Champions Coach Roy Gummerson
Illini Conference Champions
Kewanee Invite Champions
1955-56 3 – 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach John Wilkerson
Decatur Invite Champions
Normal Invite Champions
Woodruff Invite Champions
1956-57 3 – 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach John Wilkerson
Greater Peoria Champions
Normal Invite Champions
Woodruff Invite Champions
1957-58 6 – 0 Illini Conference Champions Coach Charley Gross
1947-48 Jerry Kats STATE CHAMPION 120-Yard Hurdles
1948-49 Joel McNulty 2nd Place 120-Yard Hurdles
1951-52 Names N/A 3rd Place One-Mile Relay
1951-52 Charles Hakes 4th Place One-Mile Run
1952-53 Charles Hakes 2nd Place One-Mile Run
1955-56 Names N/A 5th Place One-Mile Relay
1956-57 Paul Moore 5th Place 180-Yard Hurdles
1957-58 Will Gillingham 4th Place 880-Yard Run
—all above before class expansion
1979-80 Joe Wyatt 6th Place 400-Meter Dash
1984-85 Trenton Harper 7th Place 400-Meter Dash
1989-90 Torry King STATE CHAMPION Discus
6th Place Shot Put
1990-91 Warfield O’Lawrence 2nd Place Discus
1990-91 Walter Young 7th Place 300-Meter Hurdles
—all above in Class AA
BOYS WRESTLING
Wrestling was organized at Woodruff in 1941. The Woodruff wrestling program won seven Regional championships and three District championships. Of the seven Regional championships, four of them were won in a five-year span in the early 1990’s, and the other three were won consecutively during the late 2000’s. Below are some of the records we’ve researched. If you have more to add, please let us know.
In addition to team success, 11 Woodruff individuals placed at the IHSA State Meet. Two athletes, Vern Jones and Jeff Sutherland took home STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! Jones did so in the very first year of the program’s existance, in 1942.
During Coach Jim Querciagrossa’s tenure as Warrior head coach, Woodruff wrestling compiled a win-loss record of 303-102 with six ties from 1968-92. Twenty-two of those seasons wound up with winning records, and WHS wrestling won five conference titles as well as four regionals. His son, Jayson, took over the program and won 165 matches along with six conference titles and three regional plaques.
Season Summaries
1941-42 1 – 3 Vern Jones wins STATE! Coaches name N/A
1952-53 5 – 9 Coach Charley Gross
1954-55 8 – 8 Coach Charley Gross
1955-56 10-7-1 Coach Charley Gross
1956-57 5-10-1 Coach Charley Gross
1957-58 15 – 7 Coach Charley Gross
1958-59 9 – 7 District Champions Coach Charley Gross
1961-62 District Champions Coach Charley Gross
1963-64 3 – 7 Coach Charley Gross
1966-67 2 – 8 Coach Charley Gross
1981-82 Class ‘AA’ District Champs Coach Jim Querciagrossa
1989-90 Jeff Sutherland wins STATE! Coach Jim Querciagrossa
1990-91 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach Jim Querciagrossa
1991-92 24-1 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach JIm Querciagrossa
1992-93 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach Paul Bussone
1994-95 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach Paul Bussone
2006-07 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach Jayson Querciagrossa
2007-08 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach Jayson Querciagrossa
2008-09 17-5 Class ‘2A’ Regional Champs Coach Jayson Querciagrossa
2009-10 17-8 Final season Coach Jayson Querciagrossa
Individual Medalists
1941-42 Vern Jones STATE CHAMPION 125 lbs.
1942-43 Robert Alberti 4th Place 165 lbs.
1950-51 Bob Schoch 4th Place 138 lbs.
1951-52 Jerry Werner 4th Place Heavyweight
1972-73 James Taylor 5th Place Heavyweight
–all above before class expansion
1973-74 James Taylor 3rd Place Heavyweight
1978-79 Steve Little 3rd Place Heavyweight
1982-83 Scott Gordon 6th Place 119 lbs.
1989-90 Jeff Sutherland STATE CHAMPION 160 lbs.
1991-92 Jayson Querciagrossa 4th Place 140 lbs.
1995-96 Tim Thornton 4th Place 275 lbs.
1997-98 Dan Thornton 3rd Place 275 lbs.
—all above in Class AA
BOYS BOWLING
Bowling was considered a new sport when Woodruff opened her doors in 1937, and over the years a team would organize at different times. The first meets were against fellow Peoria schools Central, Manual and Spalding. Clem Colgan was the first coach of the program. We’ve only been able to find one year with a documented win-loss record. If you have more to add, please let us know.
1942-43 6 – 8 Coach W. G. Carlin
BOXING
Large schools of the 1920s and 1930s sometimes offered boxing as an interscholastic sport. Woodruff had a boxing program for its first three years of existance. The 1937-38 team was coached by Bill Draglin and the 1938-39 team was coached by Al Schurra. The latter name may be familiar to those in the Peoria boxing scene, as Schurra was a boxer himself.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
The girls basketball program at Woodruff won five Class AA Regional championships. The 2002-03 team was exceptionally good, as they were a Sweet 16 Finalist with a 28-4 record! We are looking for more records regarding Woodruff Girls Basketball.
1984-85 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs
2001-02 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs
2002-03 28 – 4 Class ‘AA’ Sweet 16 Finalist! Coach Steve Harper
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Sweet 16 Finalist
Lost to Champaign Centennial 61-58
Centennial lost in Elite 8 round
2003-04 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs
2005-06 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
We are looking for more records regarding Woodruff Girls Cross Country.
2005-06 2 – 3 Coach Mike Lewellyn
2006-07 0 – 3 Coach Mike Lewellyn
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The Woodruff Volleyball program had a couple of tastes of postseason success, one of which was during the early years of IHSA volleyball.
1974-75 District Champions
1982-83 Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs
ACTIVITIES
The Woodruff High School boys and girls also participated in many activities. If you have any other facts regarding the activity accomplishments of WHS please contact us via e-mail at eganann@sbcglobal.net.
DEBATE
The Woodruff Debate team could sure get their message across. During the 1950s, Woodruff debate teams placed in the Top Five in the IHSA State Meet FIVE times! The program won six Sectional meets during its existence. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.
1947-48 Sectional Champions
1952-53 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1953-54 Sectional Champions
3rd at STATE!!
1955-56 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1956-57 Sectional Champions
4th at STATE!!
1957-58 4th at STATE!!
1963-64 Sectional Champions
STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1964-65 Sectional Champions
DRAMA
Woodruff’s Drama department put up great performances, especially during the 1980s when they placed in the Top 10 at the IHSA State Meet seven times in ten years! In all, Woodruff clubs placed in the IHSA State Meet Top 10 eleven times in 40 years, qualified for State 16 times, and won nine Sectionals, three Regionals and one District championship. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.
1949-50 5th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1957-58 Sectional Champions
1958-59 5th at STATE!!
1965-66 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
Sectional Champions
1966-67 Sectional Champions
1971-72 Sectional Champions
1974-75 District Champions
1978-79 9th at STATE!!
1979-80 8th at STATE!!
1981-82 7th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1982-83 6th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
Regional Champions
1983-84 7th at STATE!!
1985-86 7th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1986-87 State Qualifiers
1987-88 7th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
Regional Champions
1988-89 9th at STATE!!
Regional Champions
1996-97 State Qualifiers
GROUP INTERPRETATION
The Woodruff Group Interp club qualified for the IHSA State Meet six times in a span of 13 years from 1984 to 1997. They enjoyed one IHSA State top ten finish in 1984. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.
1983-84 7th at STATE!!
Regional Champions
1986-87 State Qualifiers
1989-90 State Qualifiers
1990-91 State Qualifiers
1991-92 State Qualifiers
Sectional Champions
1996-97 State Qualifiers
SPEECH SWEEPSTAKES
The Woodruff Debate team could sure get their message across. The program brought home Woodruff’s first activity STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 1965-66 school year! In a span of less than 20 years, Woodruff teams placed in the IHSA State Meet top ten a total of ten times! Seven Sectional championships and two District championships were won. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.
1947-48 7th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1949-50 6th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1950-51 Sectional Champions
1952-53 8th at STATE!!
1953-54 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
Sectional Champions
1954-55 Sectional Champions
District Champions
1955-56 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1957-58 Sectional Champions
District Champions
1959-60 7th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1963-64 5th at STATE!!
1964-65 10th at STATE!!
1965-66 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!
1966-67 3rd at STATE!!
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
The Woodruff boys and girls of the “IE” club could certainly perform well. The program brought home another Woodruff activity STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 1966-67 school year! Throughout its history, the club placed in the IHSA State Meet top ten 17 times in 60 years, including 11 times in a span of 24 years. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.
Season Summaries
1940-41 3rd at STATE!!
1947-48 3rd at STATE!!
1949-50 6th at STATE!!
1953-54 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1954-55 10th at STATE!!
1955-56 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1959-60 STATE RUNNER-UP!!
1961-62 6th at STATE!!
1962-63 9th at STATE!!
1964-65 8th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1965-66 4th at STATE!!
District Champions
1966-67 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!
Sectional Champions
District Champions
1967-68 7th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
1968-69 District Champions
1971-72 Sectional Champions
1979-80 6th at STATE!!
1981-82 10th at STATE!!
1983-84 Sectional Champions
Regional Champions
1992-93 5th at STATE!!
Regional Champions
1993-94 Regional Champions
1996-97 9th at STATE!!
Sectional Champions
Regional Champions
1997-98 Sectional Champions
Regional Champions
1999-00 Regional Champions
2000-01 Sectional Champions Advisor Pete Sanfilip
State Meet Efforts (sorted by placing)
Year Name Place Event
1941 Lyle Crawford STATE CHAMPION Original Oratory
1948 Stanley Rives STATE CHAMPION Original Oratory
1950 James Beches STATE CHAMPION Original Oratory
1954 Richard Mathison STATE CHAMPION Oratorical Declamation
1956 John Harris STATE CHAMPION Original Oratory
Richard Venesky STATE CHAMPION Extemporaneous
1962 Steve Arnold STATE CHAMPION Comedy
1967 Dan Taylor STATE CHAMPION Extemporaneous
1968 Sue Schelly STATE CHAMPION Prose
1979 Bruce Thompson STATE CHAMPION Radio
1982 Mark Crede STATE CHAMPION Radio
1989 Mike Riley STATE CHAMPION Original Oratory
1991 Rachel Delap STATE CHAMPION Original Oratory
1992 Andrew Morris STATE CHAMPION Verse
1995 James Butler STATE CHAMPION Humor Interpretation
1954 Spero Margaris 2nd Place Original Oratory
1960 James Bond 2nd Place Extemporaneous
1961 James Bond 2nd Place Extemporaneous
1963 Nick Georgianni 2nd Place Original Oratory
1964 Cliff Shell 2nd Place Radio
1966 Dan Taylor 2nd Place Extemporaneous
1967 Roger Leach 2nd Place Serious
1980 Dan Allar 2nd Place Radio
1993 Mindy Hammontree 2nd Place Drama Duet
Andrew Morris 2nd Place Drama Duet
1997 Tagwana Holmes 2nd Place Oratorical Declamation
1963 Nick Georgianna 3rd Place Oratorical Declamation
1965 Marcia Schunk 3rd Place Prose
1969 Marty Sausser 3rd Place Comedy
1948 Mary Hoffman 4th Place Serious
1949 James Baches 4th Place Original Oratory
1954 Joy Randolph 4th Place Serious
1960 John Schunk 4th Place Original Oratory
1965 Sally Cleaver 4th Place Verse
1966 Dan Mitchell 4th Place Original Comedy
1967 Charlene Willis 4th Place Original Oratory
1980 Dan Allar 4th Place Drama Duet
Jim Loar 4th Place Drama Duet
1988 David Ellison 4th Place Radio
1993 Andrew Morris 4th Place Prose
Patrick Murray 4th Place Radio
1999 Scott Pyle 4th Place Humor Duet
Joe Stoltz 4th Place Humor Duet
2001 Scott Pyle 4th Place Original Comedy
1951 William Linsley 5th Place Extemporaneous
1954 David Sills 5th Place Verse
1958 Phillip Owen 5th Place Extemporaneous
1959 Phillip Owen 5th Place Extemporaneous
1970 Mark Absher 5th Place After Dinner
1973 Ron Rudd 5th Place Dramatic Interpretation
1980 Peggy Gerkin 5th Place Original Oratory
1989 Stephen Pearce 5th Place Original Comedy
1992 Michelle Burr 5th Place Drama Duet
Andrew Morris 5th Place Drama Duet
1996 Tracy Draksler 5th Place Special Occasion
1997 Dennis Warr 5th Place Original Oratory
1998 Tuan Ngo 5th Place Impromptu
1985 Lamont Robinson 6th Place Humor Interpretation
1988 Mike Riley 6th Place Original Oratory
1990 Dawn Robb 6th Place Radio
1996 Cherita Freeman 6th Place Oratorical Declamation
1997 Brandon Shockley 6th Place Original Comedy
SCHOLASTIC BOWL
The Woodruff “Schol Bowl” team qualified for the IHSA State Meet in 1986-87 and 1991-92. Advisor Chuck Fabish was in charge of the team during both of these runs. We are looking for a more detailed history of the program, including the instructors who helped guide the young men and women.
1986-87 6 – 2 State Qualfiiers Advisor Chuck Fabish
Sectional Champions
1991-92 35 – 10 State Qualifiers Advisor Chuck Fabish
Sectional Champions
2006-07 N.R.A. Advisors Farley and Roffman
IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE …
There’s a lot more to Woodruff High School than athletics, and the athletic records. We’d like to make this page even bigger with personal memories you may have about the school (and we know there are plenty of them).
Among the many things we are looking for about Woodruff, include gaps in our athletic information, noteable alumni, teachers, and academia.
If you have any further information you would like to share regarding Woodruff High School before its closure, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.. You can also write to us at:
