Holland Hall’s Cohen Sanford
Holland Hall sophomore Cohen Sanford is already a two-sport standout, making his mark on the football field and the baseball diamond. He plays baseball primarily at shortstop, while also filling a variety of other positions, and suits up in the fall as a strong safety and receiver for the Dutch.
Sanford points to his freshman baseball season as a defining moment, when he earned first-team all-district honors as an infielder and helped Holland Hall win a regional title. Those achievements, he said, set the tone for how he approaches every season. “My sports have taught me to stay tough and when something bad happens have the ability to move on to the next play or the next pitch,” Sanford said.
In the classroom, Sanford gravitates toward history and credits Holland Hall teacher Mr. Campbell for making school feel as engaging as game day. Sanford described Campbell as kind and relatable, saying he makes every student feel involved and comfortable speaking in front of the class. “He feels like another kid and likes to joke around with us,” Sanford said.
Family plays a central role in Sanford’s development as both a person and a player. He said his dad, older brother and grandpa push him to become the greatest version of himself, especially when things are not going his way. His older brother, Clark, has been the teammate with the biggest impact, showing him what leadership looks like on and off the field.
Sanford said his favorite part of representing Holland Hall is leading others, whether that is in competition or in everyday life. His advice to younger athletes is simple: stay grounded in who you are. “Don’t try to switch who you are so others like you,” he said. “God has made you the person you are for a reason so don’t try to change the person you are.”
He also thanked Coach Nick for teaching him to work hard and believe in himself. Sanford said he models his game after former Boston Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia, a comparison first made by his dad when Cohen was younger.
