Beaufort – Beaufort High experienced a load of success in athletics during the 2022-23 school year, finishing as one of the top 10 overall programs in Class AAA.
Beaufort recorded its highest finish ever in the Carlisle Cup standings, which is the award presented to the top athletic programs in each classification by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association. Beaufort finished seventh among all Class AAA schools in the state.
“That’s something we are really proud of,” said athletic director Linc Lyles. “What it means is that we are competing well across the board. Our teams are finishing high in the region and are getting playoff opportunities. Our goal for next year is to finish higher, if not win it.”
In the last academic year, Beaufort reached the state finals in football, boys golf and boys soccer, winning the Class AAA state championship in football.
“Just about every team we had made the playoffs and most had a good run, so we are pleased with that,” Lyles said. “We are competing across the board.”
Lyles, a former basketball coach, is beginning his ninth year as Beaufort’s athletic director. He has worked tirelessly, along with his administration and his coaching staff, to upgrade all facets of the program,
“Budgets and facilities, those are the biggest challenges,” Lyles said. “We want the very best for our hard-working student/athletes. We are constantly looking at ways to raise money and spend it wisely. And we always look to upgrade facilities when we can. I feel like our facilities are as good or better as anyone we compete against, but we will always look for ways to make it better.”
Beaufort built a new and larger weightroom three years ago, allowing space for multiple teams to lift at once. The district also approved raises for coaching stipends three years ago, bringing the pay to a competitive level statewide. Lyles also is thankful for strong booster club and community support.
As for coaches, Beaufort will have a new wrestling coach as Jake Sowers takes over this winter. There also will be a new girls tennis coach to be named later this month.
The longest tenured coach at Beaufort is girls track coach Herbert Glaze, who is headed into his 48th year of coaching and has won 10 state championships.
“It’s amazing what he has done and continues to do with our track program,” Lyles said. “He still has great energy and is knowledge is unmatched. He has really good help also. The track coaches do a great job.”
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