Waukesha South's Woodford Recognized as a Scholar Athlete

Bradley Woodford, a senior at Waukesha South High School, was selected as a 2013 scholar athlete by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 

Thirty-two scholar athlete finalists, both boys and girls, were chosen from among 750 seniors nominated by more than 375 high schools in the state. 

Woodford, along with the other finalists, will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 5 at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau. Former Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer Bill Ferrario will speak at the ceremony. 

Woodford, a 4.0 GPA student, has excelled in a number of cross country and track & field events during his four years at Waukesha South. He's been a Cross Country Sectional champion, two-time Track & Field Regional champion and a Track & Field Sectional champion.

During his senior year, Woodford and his team snatched the Cross Country Sectional championship despite coming down with mononucleosis.

"During my senior cross-country season, while I had huge aspirations for personal success, I came down with mononucleosis," Woodford wrote in his essay to the WIAA. "All hope of an individual state championship was gone, and all that was left was the chance to give everything I had for my team. I did so at the risk of my health, but it paid off in huge dividends. Giving your all for your brothers on either side of you on the start line is far more rewarding than giving your all for yourself."

Woodford officially committed to University of Minnesota in February where he is receiving a scholarship for 30 percent of tuition to run track and cross country.

Each 2013 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalist will receive a medallion and certificate, and will take with them a special plaque for display in their school’s trophy case.

A Webcast of the awards ceremony will be available at www.wiaawi.org during and after the ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 5.