By RUSSELL JONES
During halftime of Saturday’s Otter Valley Union High School football game, 12 new members of the Otter Valley Hall of Fame were introduced, including eight athletes, a coach, two teachers and an administrator.
Honorees were selected based on the following criteria:
• Demonstrated exemplary scholarship and citizenship.
• Demonstrated character by conducting themselves as an exemplary role model.
• Demonstrated superior commitment and successful accomplishments in their role toward students, staff and the OV community.
The new members of the Otter Valley Hall of Fame are as follows:
Nancy Robinson is a lifetime Otter. She graduated from Otter Valley in 1968, and after earning a Business Education degree from Castleton State College and a Master’s in Curriculum Studies from the College of St Joseph, she returned their to teach.
Robinson became associate principal at Otter Valley in 1994, then served as co-principal from 2010 until her retirement in 2014. She went above and beyond for her students, helping create a center for their growth.
Brad Frohloff taught at Otter Valley from 1975 to 2015. During those those 40 years as an educator, he spent time at the middle school and high school level, served as department chair and coached cross-country running and skiing.
Frohloff worked hard to educate his students in real life situations. He offered afterschool taxidermy courses and took students on field trips whale watching, deep-sea fishing, hiking Camel’s Hump and conducting nighttime trapping at Otter Valley. He helped set the standard for teaching with his easy demeanor, vast knowledge and desire to connect with his students.
Jane Sarno came to Otter Valley from the University of Minnesota via Ohio Wesleyan. Master’s degree in hand she began teaching American Studies at Otter Valley in 1971. After 27 years of teaching she became Curriculum Director at Otter Valley and served in that capacity until she retired in 2009.
Patricia Candon spent 33 years as head coach of the varsity softball program, amassing a record of 347-236, winning four state championships, 11 league championships and earning the distinction of league coach of the year seven times. Because of the countless hours she spent making it such a great place to play, the varsity softball diamond is now named in her honor. Candon is also a member of the Castleton University Hall of Fame, Northeast Women’s Hall of Fame and the VPA Hall of Fame.
Randy Adams participated in three sports at Otter Valley — soccer, basketball and baseball — earning 12 varsity letters over his career. He was an astute baseball player who hit over .500 his senior year, and an intelligent soccer player who became a local official at the varsity level.
Adams has been a vital part of the Otter Valley community as the Pittsford Recreation Director, coaching area youth and setting up vital programs for the area. He coached varsity baseball at Otter Valley and still referees varsity soccer games.
Pat Bessette was a nine-letter winner who graduated in 1968. Not only was he basketball co-captain his junior and senior years, but he also ran cross country, played golf, participated in the gymnastics club, and was a monitor squad member all four years of high school. Bessette’s was a key ingredient of the 1967 boys soccer team that advanced to the state finals, finishing off a penalty shot after regulation to determine the winner.
Robert “Robbie” Greeno was a four-year varsity club member who played four years of soccer and basketball, and two years of baseball. An outstanding athlete who was known to his teammates as a leader on the field, Greeno was also a student council member.
Maurice LaRock was a three-sport athlete who played soccer, basketball and baseball during his time at Otter Valley. He was a co-captain in both soccer and baseball, inspiring his teammates with his hustle and determination. He seemed to thrive in clutch situations.
Phil Marks played basketball and excelled at baseball at OV. He was a member of the 1963 state championship baseball team and went on to play college baseball. He has been an avid fan of Otter Valley and was a vital member of the first championship team to hoist a trophy for the school.
Kay Mulcahy was one of Otter Valley’s best athletes. An 11-time varsity letter winner, she starred in field hockey and played basketball and softball as well. Mulcahy went on to play field hockey at Keene State, where became the all-time leading scorer, until her record was broken in 2017.
Kirk Rusin remains one of Otter Valley’s most storied wrestlers. A two-time state champion in 1987 and 1988, as well as a New England champion in 1987, Rusin was one of the finest wrestlers to don the OV singlet in the history of the program. Over four years he wrestled his way to a 92-10-1 record.
Dana Shaw, who graduated in 1989, ended his wrestling career with 100 wins and was the individual state champion in the 140-pound class his senior year. He wrestled at the varsity level for four years and also participated in both soccer and baseball as an Otter Valley athlete.
