SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Josette Woodyshek '93'

It would be hard to argue which aspect of Josette Woodyshek's high school career was most impressive: field hockey, indoor track or softball. You could make a strong case for each sport.

The early 1990s was arguably the second big "wave" of seeing tremendous female student-athletes perform at Sidney (the first being the early-to-mid 1980s). Success for the Warriors came from everywhere! And one of the most versatile of them all was Josette. Let's examine why.

As a three year field hockey starter for coach Mary Morrison, Josette was a part of three Section IV title teams. In 1991, she scored a school-record 20 goals which helped propel Sidney to the New York State Class A Championship, still the only state title ever won by a Lady Warrior team. The next season - her senior season - despite losing a powerful nucleus from the '91 banner year, the team excelled again. Sidney returned to the NYS Class A semifinals while Josie established another school mark for goals with 25.

Back to 1991 season, now. Josette's individual skills not only blended with the play of her team, they were also recognized by higher levels of field hockey talent. She was selected for the Futures program, the Empire State Games, and the AAU/USA Junior Olympics!

Let's move to the winter, where Josette chose to run track mostly to utilize her speed. Of course, the coaching staff found some more for her to do. In 1990, her first attempt at this event as a sophomore, Josie was the long jump champion of Section IV and also earned a 19th place in the NYS meet. Her speed was still on display, as she ran the 55 meter dash in 7.8 seconds and was part of a 4200 relay team that finished third in the section. The next season, her relay quartet again placed third while Josette qualified for the State Meet in the long jump and Medley relay, which consisted of the fastest non-qualifying sprinters in Section IV.

As a senior, Josie's 4200 relay DID qualify for the NYS meet. She took first place in the sectional meet in the 300 meter dash and qualified for states in the long jump for a third straight year.

And then there is softball. Fans of the Lady Warriors will always think of Josie playing third base with a hat pulled down over her eyes - always the intense competitor! As a four-year starter, she was named a Sus League All-Star three times. Josette earned All-State honors, too. From third team (soph) to second (junior) and finally, as a senior to First-Team NYS All-Star status.

This career .500 hitter was part of the core group that captured the Section IV Class C title in 1991, winning the deciding game on a no-hitter pitched by classmate Liz Wagner. In 1992, The Daily Star selected Josette as its Player of the Year.

Upon graduation, Josette headed to Colgate University and concentrated her athletic efforts on playing field hockey. Yes, she also played softball for a time, but hockey - the outdoor kind - was her niche. During a senior season in which her nine goals paced the Raiders to their first-ever Patriot League championship, Josie was also named Patriot League MVP. She remains among Colgate's Top 5 all-time scorers in goals with 25 and in the Top 10 with 56 offensive points.

Josie is still active playing softball in Oneonta while she helps to bring back some of the glory of Sidney Field Hockey by leading its youth program. She is once again in Sidney and earns her living as a technology teacher at nearby Unatego. We know you'll join us in welcoming Josette Woodyshek into the Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame.