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See the full story · 2 sourcesFive candidates separated themselves from the pack, according to The Tribune-Democrat High School Soccer Hall of Fame selection committee.
Those honorees will be part of the fourth class. Players Laura (Stayrook) Wasilewski and Brock Weaver, coach Victor Ochoa, official David Rizzo and contributor Chip Minemyer will be inducted into the hall of fame Nov. 19.
The class will be honored during a luncheon Nov. 19 at the Johnstown Masonic Temple, 130 Valley Pike.
The honorees will then be introduced to the crowd assembled at Greater Johnstown High School’s Trojan Stadium between games of the 16th annual Santa Fund Soccer Classic girls (5:30 p.m.) and boys (7:30 p.m.) all-stars event.
Rams Inside 27 - Richland vs. Westmont Girls' Soccer
Richland's Laura Stayrook (left) works to get past Westmont's Natalie Sheehan on Thursday.
Wasilewski scored a program-record 128 goals at Richland, leading the Rams to the 2008 District 6 Class 2A title as an all-state selection. She tallied 42 goals as a junior and 43 as a senior, a single-season record.
Wasilewski played at NCAA Division I St. Francis University from 2009-13, helping the Red Flash win Northeast Conference titles in 2010 and 2013 as a defender.
Weaver supplied a program-record 102 goals at Ligonier Valley High School. A 2004 all-state pick, Weaver led the Rams to three District 6 crowns. He played at Division I Duquesne University between 2004-07.
Ochoa led the Conemaugh Township boys program from 1992-99, making five appearances in the state playoffs.
The Indians went 159-20-3 during that span with an .876 winning percentage, claiming four District 5 titles in 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996. Conemaugh Township earned South Central crowns in 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
The Indians went undefeated during the regular season in 1992, 1993 and 1998, posting 20 or more wins in 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1998.
Ochoa coached two all-state players in Matt Cuppet (1992) and Jared Mishler (1996) and was named Somerset County coach of the year in 1996 and 1997.
Ochoa was an assistant coach on the Conemaugh Township girls staff in 1990 and 1991.
Rizzo served as the initial regional director of the Westmont American Youth Soccer Organization, introducing thousands of local youth to the sport.
Though he tragically passed away in 1999 while doing what he loved – officiating a state playoff match – his legacy continues to shape the sport through regional scholarships, community programs and a family lineage deeply rooted in soccer, according to the nomination submitted.
Rizzo was instrumental in bringing the Keystone Cup to Johnstown for the first time in 1996. He went on to serve as the tournament’s referee coordinator for three years. He officiated plenty of matches across youth, club and high school levels, serving with the Laurel Highlands Soccer Club and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. In 1997, Rizzo was honored as part of the winning team for the inaugural Ken Austin Cup, recognizing his commitment to the soccer community.
Chip Minemyer
Minemyer was nominated for supporting local soccer during his time at The Tribune-Democrat – as sports editor, editor and publisher.
In 2011, to celebrate local high school seniors and support the well-established Tribune-Democrat Santa Fund, Minemyer helped launch the Santa Fund Soccer Classic. The Santa Fund provides gifts for area children during the holidays.
The Santa Fund Soccer Classic led to the creation of The Tribune-Democrat High School Soccer Hall of Fame in 2023.
Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.
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