SHS announces 2018 Class of Athletic Hall of Fame

Seneca High School (SHS) announces the tenth class of the Athletic Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Night is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 21, during halftime of the Seneca versus BHP varsity football game. The four member class of 2018 includes athletes Jessica Cousins and Stephanie Fernandes (formerly Stephanie Mihaly), Coach Tom Jordan, and administrator Charles Thompson. Jessica Cousins graduated from SHS in 2003 and was a member of the Track and Field team from 2000-2003 lettering all four years. During her time at SHS, she broke school records in the 100, 200, and 400 meters. Jessica won 13 individual Region Championships and one individual State Championship in the 200 meters in 2000. Jessica led the girls track team to their first Region Championship in school history her senior year. She went on to run track at Clemson University from 2004-2005 and was a member of the ACC Champion 4X400 meter relay team in 2004. Prior to her junior year, she transferred to Arkansas and became a four time All American in 2006 and 2007. Before graduating from Arkansas, Jessica competed in several NCAA Track and Field Championships. After graduating, Jessica volunteered as an assistant coach at Arkansas from 2008-2012 while competing for the USA Track and Field Elite, USA Indoor Track and Field teams and USA PAN American team. In 2008 and 2012 she competed in the Olympic trials, making the semifinals in 2008. She has been an assistant coach at Nova Southeastern University and is currently an assistant coach at Howard University. Stephanie Mihaly Fernandes graduated from SHS in 2008 and was a 5-year letterman. She was a 5-year region pitcher and 4-time All State award winner. Other awards she received while at SHS include 4-time team MVP, Western AAA softball player of the year, 2-time Independent Mail softball player of the year, and 2-time winner of the Daily Journal Messenger softball player of the year. Stephanie also led her team to the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Region 1-AAA Championship, and the 2006 AAA State Championship. After graduating in the top five of her class she was awarded an Academic and Athletic scholarship to Furman University. She pitched for Furman from 2009-2010 until an unfortunate injury brought her collegiate career to an end. Stephanie then transferred to Clemson University and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science in 2013. During the 2013 Seneca High School softball season, she also served as a volunteer pitching coach. Following the completion of her Bachelor’s degree, she moved to Florida where she earned her Masters degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University. Stephanie is now the first full-time dietician in Major League Baseball. She works for the Texas Rangers organization and its affiliates as the team dietician. Coach Tom Jordan served as the head track coach at SHS from 1996-2010 and currently serves as an assistant coach. He was also an assistant football coach (defensive line) from 1995-2003, highlighted by a trip to the State Championship game in 1996. In his 16 years as head track coach, he led the team to 9 Region 1-AAA Championships and 5 State AAA Championships in 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, and 2007. He was also an integral part of 4 girls’ team runner-up finishes and a State Championship in 2012. He has been named Region 1-AAA Coach of the Year 9 times, State AAA Track Coach of the Year 5 times, and was named the overall State Track Coach of the Year in 2001. In his time as a coach at SHS, he has coached 25 individual state champions, and 226 individual region champions between boys and girls teams. Although Coach Jordan actively coaches all events, his specialties are the jumps. He has coached 24 region champions and 3 state champions in the pole vault, 18 region champions and 4 state champions in the triple jump, 19 region champions in the long jump and 7 region champions and one state champion in the high jump. He has coached 69 athletes to All Region Status and 11 athletes to All State Status in the jumps alone. Coach Jordan continues to serve as an assistant coach for horizontal and vertical jumps for the SHS track program, making major contributions to the 2018 State Championship by coaching 2 pole vaulters and a triple jumper who all performed well in the state meet. Coach Jordan currently resides in Oconee County and when he isn’t coaching, he enjoys spending time with his family. Mr. Charles Thompson began his career at SHS in August 1967 and retired June 1989. During his tenure, Coach Thompson held many titles and feels he did as much or more as an administrator to help and guide the success of the Seneca Bobcats. He began his career in 1967 as a P.E. teacher at SHS and the first ever Jr. High School in 1967-1968. From 1967 through 1972 he coached football (’67-’71), basketball (’67-’72), track (’68-‘69’) and golf (’70-’71). His motto was to never keep records of wins and losses. Developing good students who depended on each other and always gave 100% on and off the field was his focus. In August 1969 he organized and sponsored the first ever Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Seneca area schools combining SHS and Blue Ridge High School athletes. On Feb. 15, 1972, he was named the principal of Utica Elementary, while continuing to coach basketball. As principal at Utica Elementary, he organized and directed the first ever Special Olympics in Oconee County. This event allowed students from Utica, Oakway, and Keowee Elementary to compete and receive ribbons for several events. He is also credited with developing and implementing the first full time Physical Education class in elementary schools. Mr. Thompson is credited with hiring several current and former teachers and coaches who have all had a significant impact on the Bobcat community. Throughout his career, Mr. Thompson’s focus was positivity, hard work, good behavior, and working as a team. Although he is retired that does not keep him from supporting the Bobcats. He attends almost all football games volunteering to run the Pass Gate. When Football season is over, you will most certainly see him supporting the student athletes at other athletic events.