Photo: The Greenville News (1996)
Willie Wooden, a Riverside High School coach that guided the team to 17 cross country and track state championships, died after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, according to the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Retired Eastside coach Ed Boehmke emailed to the SCTCCCA, "It is with great sadness that I inform you that a great coach in our sport has passed away. Willie Wooden, a long-time coach at Riverside High died yesterday after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Willie had an incredible championship record. His boys and girls cross country teams won 12 Greenville County Championships, 14 region championships, and 15 state championships including 11 straight boys championships from 1987 through 1997. He is a member of the SC Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the SC Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. More details will be sent later."
Feature on Willie Wooden in The Greenville News