2 minute read
Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer
by Joe Swan
In 2014, former West Virginia University women’s tennis player Jo Marie (Cinco) Bohn was inducted into the 24th annual WVU Sports Hall of Fame at the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. “It was so unexpected. As I look back on the previous inductees and their past collegiate accomplishments, I was completely shocked that I was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame,” Bohn said.
A former standout for the women’s tennis team, Bohn put together a career record of 214-73 from 1988 to 1992 under former coach Martha Thorn. Bohn received her degree in sports management from WVU in 1992, and 22 years later she continues to remain at the top of the record book.
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The 1989 Atlantic 10 Conference Freshman of the Year, Bohn finished her career as the 1992 Atlantic 10 Senior of the Year and remains the only player in WVU history to win more than 60 matches in one season and have two 30-win seasons in singles matches. Bohn also was honored with a spot on the Atlantic 10 AllTournament Team in her final season as a Mountaineer.
“This honor means a lot to me. I come from a small women’s sport at a large University,” Bohn said, a native of Charleston, West Virginia. “I also come from a small high school, Charleston Catholic High, so to receive the highest collegiate athletic award one can acquire is an amazing feeling.” Although, the highlight of her college years were not the accolades she received year after year, but simply donning the Old Gold and Blue. “I enjoyed the team, traveling and even the band practicing as we practiced on the courts. It still gives me chills to hear “The Pride of West Virginia” play at games today. I truly can say that I miss it all,” Bohn said. As the assistant coach for the women’s tennis team at the University of Charleston from 2012-14, Bohn encouraged her players to live in the moment and to not take the game they love for granted. “As a college athlete you only get four years to play, so why not give it your all and leave with no regrets,” Bohn said. “Then hopefully down the road you can look back and be proud of your contribution to your University.” Bohn resides in Charleston with husband, Pete Bohn, and their two children, Jada and Xavier. She is currently a tennis instructor at the local YMCA and the Charleston Tennis Club.
The 2014 class also included Michael Anti (rifle), Chris Enochs (baseball), George King (men’s basketball), Mike Krak (golf), Gene Lathey (football), Mike Logan (football) and Lester Rowe (men’s basketball).
The class brought the number of total inductees to 156.