Homer High School inducted Jade Auchmoody, James Baranello, Alec Bush, Tom Cottrell, Gary Podsiedlik, Roger Rawson and Grant Stokoe into its hall of fame Friday night at halftime of the Homer football game.
Auchmoody graduated in 2014 after a standout career as a cross country and track and field athlete. She competed in five state meets and holds the school record for girls pole vaulting. She continued her athletic career at Canisius College after graduating from Homer.
Baranello coached Homer girls soccer for 11 seasons, compiling a 125-62-18 record. He guided his team to the 2006 league and Section III championship. Baranello continues to serve as a lawyer in the Cortland area.
Bush broke many Homer football rushing record that still stand today. A 2015 graduate, Bush set the career records for rushing yards in a season, 2,418, rushing yards in a career, 3,751, and points scored in a career, 288. He also played indoor and outdoor track and field and lacrosse at Homer and was a first-team all-state football player.
Cottrell graduated from Homer in 1984 after playing football, wrestling and lacrosse. He went to SUNY Geneseo to play lacrosse, but returned to teach social studies and begin his coaching career. Cottrell took over as the offensive coordinator of the football team in 1998 and held that post until 2023. He also coached the boys lacrosse team for 22 years, recording 253 wins to 140 losses and reaching the state final four in 2012.
Podsiedlik began his Homer coaching career in 1983 as an assistant coach before taking over in 1990. Podsiedlik manned the program until 2023, winning five sectional championships en route to a 183-108 record. He was a part of 49% of all Homer football wins and 45% of the Homer football seasons.
Rawson is a 1986 Homer graduate and played football and wrestling as a Trojan. He then returned to the school and became the school’s speed, agility and strength coach, running the program three to five days per week. The program was initially meant for football players not participating in other sports, but became a program for all athletes from all sports.
Stokoe ran cross country and track and field at Homer and graduated in 2018. He set school records in various events and was named Runner of the Year and Co-Athlete of the Year. He competed in state championships in all three seasons. Stokoe then ran cross country and track and field at St. John Fisher University, setting the school record in the 800-meter race and twice being named Empire 8 Runner of the Year in cross country.
