James Wood Athletic Association’s
P. Wendell Dick Hall of Fame
FOR USE BEFORE September 22, 2017 Issued: Sept. 14, 2017
(JWAA To Induct Five Into Athletic Hall of Fame)
WINCHESTER, VA--------Five former great athletes will be inducted into James Wood High School’s P. Wendell Dick Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, September 22, 2017. Ceremonies for the 18th annual induction begin with a reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by the 5:15 ceremony in the James Wood Auditorium. The inductees also will be recognized on the field at halftime of the football game between the Colonels and Hedgesville. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Jerry Kelican Stadium.
Michael A. Headley, 1969, is remembered as one of the most versatile athletes to play at James Wood and also as one of the area’s best baseball players, even though local high schools did not have baseball programs at that time.
Headley excelled as a quarterback and kicker in football for JW and helped lead the Colonels to a 19-1 record during his junior and senior years. In 1967 he engineered a 9-1 season in which he kicked a 33-yard field goal to defeat Loudoun Valley 16-13. His senior year, he quarterbacked his team to a 10-0 record, highlighted by his field goal that beat Handley 9-7 and preserved the undefeated season. In his senior year, he was named first team All Northwestern District, first team All-Region and honorable mention All-State. He also was named the Colonels’ Offensive Player of the Year.
In basketball, Headley earned two varsity letters at JW under the late Coach Jerry Hannas and helped lead the Colonels to a combined record of 42-18 over three seasons.
After high school, Headley left his mark at Randolph Macon College where he earned three football letters and propelled his Yellow Jacket team to the NCAA Division II championship in the Knute Rockne Bowl in 1969. He was inducted into the RMC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
Headley, who was highly regarded as one of the region’s top baseball players, both as a pitcher and hitter, also had great success in collegiate baseball. He lettered three years at RMC and was named to the Mason Dixon All-Conference Team in 1972 after leading the league in batting average (.351) and pitching/winning the conference championship game.
Scott Hodgson, 1981, is being inducted for his excellence in track and field, football and basketball at James Wood. In track and field, he earned three varsity letters and still ranks tied for second for the school’s all-time record in high jump (6’-6”) and eighth in the long jump at (21’-10”). He was a two-time district champion in the high jump (1980 and 1981) and regional champ his undefeated senior year. In addition to the jumping events, he also participated in the 400, 800 and 1600 meter relays.
In football, Hodgson was a two-year varsity letterman and started both seasons at tight end. He helped lead the Colonels to their undefeated district championship in 1980. He also played basketball and was a one-year letterman in that sport.
For his excellence, he received the JWAA Track and Field Awards in 1980 and 1981 and three JWAA scholarships (Jerry Hannas, Jim Casey, and Archie Manuel Awards) at graduation.
Michael Beckman, 1987, is being honored for his excellence in baseball at James Wood and later at George Mason University. As a sophomore for the Colonels, he turned in a pitching record of 6-0 with six saves. That year he pitched the district championship winning game against Potomac High School, he beat Pulaski in the regional semifinal game and defeated West Springfield 3-2 in the state semifinals. In the state championship game, he pitched five innings, leaving with a 2-0 lead before the Colonels fell 7-3 in the last inning.
His junior year, Beckman finished with a 2-3 record and three saves, and his senior season he posted a 5-2 record with a 1.43 ERA. He had 44 strikeouts and 18 walks in 43 1/3 innings that year.
He still ranks among the all-time baseball leaders for the Colonels, showing up in seven categories. He ranks first in saves (9), tied for second in wins (13), and second in appearances (32) and shutouts (3). He ranks fifth in innings pitched (121), sixth in ERA (1.91) and seventh in strikeouts (110).
For his excellence at JW, he received the JWAA Baseball Award and a JWAA scholarship. He also played basketball one year for the Colonels. After high school, he earned a scholarship to pitch for NCAA Division I George Mason University where in 1988 he helped GMU win the Colonial Athletic Association title and advance to the NCAA regionals. Beckman also played on the 1990 Winchester Royals Valley League championship team.
Micki Kaylor Diesel, 1987, is being inducted for her excellence in track and field and indoor track at James Wood. In outdoor competition, she lettered all four years and was high jump district champion in 1985 and regional high jump champion in 1986. She placed sixth in state competition all four years of her high school career.
In indoor track, she also lettered all four years and was district high jump champion in both 1986 and 1987. She placed fourth in state indoor competition her junior and senior seasons. Currently she is tied for second in the Colonels’ All-Time record high jump rankings (5’-4”) and third in long jump (15’-5”).
Diesel played basketball for the Colonels all four years, earning two varsity letters and serving as team captain. For her high school success, she received the Track Award in 1985 and was awarded the JWAA Jim Casey and Archie Manuel Scholarships in 1987. After high school, she participated in track and field at the College of William and Mary for two years.
Timothy Ganse, 1998, is the final inductee into the Hall of Fame and is recognized for his excellence in wrestling and golf. In wrestling, he earned four varsity letters and was the first Colonel ever to notch 100 career varsity wins. He was team captain for two years and won the district championship in 1997 (30-3 record). He was district runner-up in 1996 and again in 1998 with 28-7 record. On the regional level, Ganse finished third in 1996 and was runner-up in 1997 and 1998. His 30-win season in 1997 still ranks him atop the James Wood single-season win ranking and he was awarded the JWAA Wrestling Award in 1996 and 1997.
In golf at James Wood, he earned four varsity letters and was named the Most Improved Golfer and received the Golfer of the Year Award in 1997 when he qualified for regional competition. Following graduation, Ganse continued to pursue his passion for golf, earning his PGA Class A status in 2009 and logging five professional golf wins.
He has served in various professional golf capacities including pro instructional roles at Winchester Country Club, Bull Run Golf Club and Augustine Golf Club. He is a certified performance coach and senior staff instructor at Raspberry Golf Academy, a certified club fitter for all major manufacturers, a RGA instructor, PGA certified Flightscope, and certified level 1 and 2 for K-Vest Technologies.
Ganse won the T-40 PGA Middle Atlantic Section Championship at Congressional Country Club in 2015 and he holds course records at Bull Run Golf Club (63) and Augustine Golf Club (69).
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Newlin----JW’s P. Wendell Dick Athletic Hall of Fame Committee
Home Phone: 540-667-9157
Cell: 540-323-2799
Email:
