Randy Payne was the first Sidney athlete to be inducted into the Section Four Hall of Fame, in 1981. His scholastic wrestling career was hard to ignore, based on his two state titles and just one loss in three varsity seasons. In fact, Randy avenged that loss, experienced as a sophomore in the 1967 New York State Tournament semifinals, by defeating that same opponent in the State tournament the following year.

Randy went on to wrestle one season at the University of Pittsburgh, where he became the first freshman to ever earn a berth in the National Finals. He also excelled in distance running. Randy was a Susquenango League champion in Cross Country, a new sport at the time for Sidney athletes. During the Spring, he ran the mile and two-mile races, and was a pole vaulter.