BLYTHEWOOD – The Blythewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame is proud to announce its second induction class. The Hall of Fame was created in 2019 to recognize the outstanding contributions to Blythewood High School athletics.
The newest inductees are Justin Bethel (Football), Kelly Owens Johnson (Softball) and Kelsey Thurston Pelfrey (Girls Lacrosse). The three inductees will be honored at an induction banquet Thursday, Oct. 21 and recognized at Blythewood’s varsity football game Oct. 22.
Justin Bethel (Class of 2008) was a defensive back on Blythewood’s first varsity football team (2006-2007). Bethel helped lead the Bengals to a 24-1 record over those two seasons, including the 2006 AAA State Championship. After a collegiate career at Presbyterian College, Bethel became the first Blythewood athlete taken in the NFL Draft when the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the sixth round. Bethel, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, currently plays for the New England Patriots.
Kelly Owens (Johnson) (Class of 2010) played softball during her time as a Blythewood Bengal. Owens was a member of the school’s first varsity program and earned All-Region honors each of her four years in high school. Owens helped lead the Bengals to a region championship in each of her five years on the varsity team and a District Championship in 2008. Owens graduated with multiple school records, including pitching four perfect games. After Blythewood, Owens earned a Pre-Professional Health degree from Clemson University and then a Doctoral in Pharmacy from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Owens (Johnson) is a pharmacist in Greenwood.
Kelsey Thurston (Pelfrey) (Class of 2011) played girls lacrosse during her time at Blythewood High School. Thurston led the Bengals to a 53-8 overall record, including back-to-back undefeated state championship seasons her sophomore and junior seasons. Thurston scored 242 in her four years as a Bengal and tallied 64 assists. She earned All-State honors each of her four years at Blythewood and was named an Academic All-American her senior year. Thurston continued her lacrosse career at Coastal Carolina University. Thurston is currently a physical therapist in North Carolina.
Information about public tickets for the induction banquet will be made available at a later date.
