The Wayland-Cohocton Hall of Fame Committee inducted the Class of 2023 on Friday, January 27th. This year’s inductees are Joe Sabo (program contributor), Amanda Acomb (athlete), Terin Brown (athlete) and Evan Englert (athlete). The event was emceed by Rob Hughes and each guest was introduced by someone meaningful in their career who offered insight into the inductees’ accomplishments and character while participating in Wayland-Cohocton Athletics. Following dinner, inductees and their guests were escorted into the fieldhouse for a formal presentation of the plaques during halftime of the varsity boys basketball game. An invitation was then extended for anyone to return to the cafeteria to visit or share memories about the inductees. Hall of Fame Committee Members include: Jim Brownell, Jim Burke, Rose Fox, Julie Martin, Steve Wager, Barb Miller, Dave Stewart and Julee Acomb.
During the dinner Jeff Englert introduced Joe Sabo and spoke about his many contributions to football both at Wayland-Cohocton and in the community. Joe Sabo was a 1971 graduate of Wayland Central School. Growing up, Joe always had a desire to play football, but it was not offered in High School. He was able to share his love of the game when he coached the Wayland Redskins youth football for 3 years. Joe went on to Wilmington College, Ohio, where he played football as a sophomore, eventually starting for the Quakers. His passion for football continued. He returned home and coached high school athletes at the AA football level for 16 years and won several league championships. The AA football program subsided as most high school football programs were now in the school systems. Joe’s passion, determination and commitment to coaching paved the way for our community’s adolescents to play football. He was the driving force behind bringing football to Wayland-Cohocton. Often referred to as The Founding Father of Wayland-Cohocton Football, his foresight and persistence to start a new program, and his determination to ensure that it was implemented properly, helped the program succeed. Joe would become the first head football coach in Wayland-Cohocton school history when he coached the 1997 fledgling junior varsity team. The following year, Joe would become part of the varsity staff when the district fielded its first varsity team. A beloved member of the coaching staff for 18 years, Joe had two sides to him which made him special. One side was his gruff “old school” exterior that could make even the strongest nervous. His expectations of 100% effort with absolutely “no excuses” were always the same for all athletes. He was always honest and direct with his players. The other side was the coach who earned the respect of hundreds of players, taught life lessons, and left lasting impressions about the importance of being humble, honest and a good person. Joe would become the head coach of the varsity program in 2011 and would go on to lead the Eagles to their first, and only, Section V Championship in school history in 2013. Joe Sabo’s contributions to the Wayland-Cohocton School District are everlasting and immeasurable.
Amanda Acomb was introduced by her former coach Rob Hughes competing in boys’ swimming, the inaugural season of girls’ swimming, volleyball, and track and field. During her career Amanda earned the following athletic awards: Four-Year Contribution Award, Golden Eagle Award, Tri-Athlete, Varsity Girls’ Swimming MVP Award 2004, Wegman’s Athlete of the Month, Varsity Boys’ Swimming 2002, Varsity Girls’ Track 2003, Varsity Girls’ Swimming 2003. She was a Scholar Athlete in Varsity Boys’ Swimming (four years), Varsity Girls’ Swimming (one year), Varsity Track (five years), Varsity Volleyball (one year). While participating for four years on the boys’ swim team, she earned the right to compete at the diving state qualifier in 2002. During her one year on the Girls’ Swimming team she earned the following accolades: Section V Girls Champion Diving, LCAA All-Star(2003), LCAA Senior Swimmer/Diver of the Year (2003), LCAA Most Outstanding Performer (2003); Top Five at State Qualifier Girls’ Diving; competed in diving in the NYS team, first swimming/diving athlete to compete at NYS competition.
Amanda held the following records for swimming:
WCCS Girls’ 6-Dive Record (226.80) still holds the record today
WCCS Girls’ 11-Dive Record (387.25) still holds the record today
LCAA Girls’ 6-Dive Record
LCAA Girls’ 11-Dive Record
Bath Girls’ Pool Record 6-Dives
WCCS Girls’ 200 Freestyle Relay Record
WCCS Girls’ 400 Freestyle Relay Record
While competing on Varsity Girls Track four five years, Amanda had the following accomplishments:
Section V Champion 100 Hurdles (2001, 2003)
Section V Champion 400 Hurdles (2003)
Section V Champion High Jump (2002, 2003)
Section V Champion 1600 Relay (2003)
Section V Team Championship Girls’ Track (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
State Meet 1600 Relay (2003)
LCAA Division 1 All-Star (2003)
Records Held for Varsity Girls’ Track:
High Jump (5’5”) still holds the record today
Terin Brown was introduced by her former Coaches Julie Martin and Dave Stewart. Terin was part of one of the most successful groups of female athletes in school history. During her athletic career she was a member of teams that captured five LCAA Championships, three Section V Championships, made one NY State Basketball Quarter Final appearance and NYS State Softball Quarter final appearance and a
Scholar Athlete Team State Championship in basketball.
Other team accomplishments include:
LCAA Championships: Basketball (2008, 2009) Softball (2007, 2008, 2009)
Section V Championships: Basketball (2008, 2009), Softball (2009)
NYS State Championships: Basketball Quarter Finals (2009), Basketball Scholar Athlete Champions (2009), Softball Quarterfinals (2009)
Individual Accomplishments:
LCAA Division 1 All-Star: Soccer (2007, 2008), Basketball (2008, 2009), Softball (2008, 2009)
Section V All-Tournament Team: Basketball (2008, 2009), Softball (2007)
Exceptional Senior: Soccer, Basketball Softball
After leaving Wayland-Cohocton, Terin attended Keuka College where she competed in soccer and softball. As a member of the Keuka College softball team she earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2010 and was First Team All-Conference in 2011. As a soccer player she earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2011. Terin competed in four NCAA Championships while at Keuka.
Evan Englert’s former coaches Steve Wager and Bob Skoczylas spoke about his athletic career at Wayland-Cohocton competing on the football, basketball and baseball teams. His outstanding accomplishments include:
Varsity Football (3 years):
Member of 1st WC Section V Finalist Team (2011)
Section V Class C Offensive Player of the Year (2011)
Section V Class C Most Valuable Offensive Back (2011)
NYS Class C All-State 1st Team (2011)
LCAA Division 1 All-League (2010 and 2011)
Wendy’s High School Heisman State Finalist (2011)
Section V Eddie Meath All-Star Game (2011)
WC All-Time Leading Passer: 2,610 Career Yards (2011)
WC Touchdown Leader: 35 Career
WC Career Points: 238 - No. 1 in WCCS history
Varsity Basketball (3 years):
Section V Class B2 Finalist (2011, 2012)
Section V Class B2 Champion (2012)
Section V Class B2 All-Tournament Team MVP (2012)
Section V Class B2 All-Tournament Team (2010, 2011, 2012)
All-Greater Rochester: 1st Team (2012)
Ronald McDonald All-Star Game (2012)
LCAA Division 1 All-Star - 2011, 2012 and LCAA Division 1 Champion (2012)
Livingston County News Athlete of the Year (2012)
NYS Class B All-State: 8th Team (2011), 2nd Team (2012)
NYS Western Regional Finalist (2012)
Hornell Tribune Male Player of the Year
Varsity Baseball (2 years):
Section V Class B Champion (2012)
NYS Class B Far West Regional Champion (2012)
NYS Class B Final Four (2012)
Section V Class B MVP (2012)
All Greater Rochester (2012)
LCAA Division 1 Champion (2012)
LCAA Division 1 All Star (2012)
NYS Class B All-State 1st Team (2012)
2012 Season Stats: Innings Pitched: 87 (WC record); ERA: 2.33; Strikeouts: 69; Walks: 19; Pitching Victories: 12 (WC Record)
Athletic Achievement Awards:
- WC Kyle Costello Outstanding Award
- Junior Athlete Award Winner (2011)
- WC Athlete of the Year (2012)
- Scholar Athlete Awards: Football (2009, 2010, 2011); Basketball (2010, 2011, 2012); Baseball (2011, 2012)
- Division 3 Football at Carnegie Mellon University (four years)