sports

Mustangs lacrosse squad returns a large contingent of veterans

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 March 2024 at 9:57 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the Medina varsity lacrosse team lineup this season will be this group of returning regulars. In front are Lucius Wagner, Sawyer Kingsbury, Jack Cecchini and Jason Beyer. In back are Cole Callard, Jacob Rissew, Will Prest, Dylan Lonnen, Ayden Johnson and Liam Castricone.

Boasting a large group of veterans, the Medina lacrosse team is scheduled to open the season against Depew at 6 p.m. Thursday at Vets Park.

That veteran contingent includes seniors Jacob Rissew (Midfield), Dylan Lonnen (Attack), Will Prest (Midfield), Liam Castricone (Midfield), Kole Campbell (Midfield), Jack Cecchini (Defense), Jackson Schultz (Defense), Jason Beyer (Defense), Ayden Johnson (Midfield), Sawyer Kingsbury (Defense), Conor Crandall (Defense), Xavier King (Goalie), and Jackson Clute (Goalie) along with juniors Lucius Wagner (Midfield) and Cole Callard (Attack).

Prest, Beyer and Johnson all earned second team D Division All-Star honors while Callard received Honorable Mention.

Callard had 24 goals and 12 assists last season while Prest had 22 goals and 3 assists, Lonnen 21 goals and 13 assists and Castricone 11 goals and 3 assists.

“We do have a large veteran group back but we play in a tough league,” said Coach Todd Eick. “So our defense really has to step up and hopefully our attack can put the ball in the back of the net consistently.”

The Mustangs graduation losses included midfielder Cayden Lilleby who had a team leading 71 goals and 30 assists, attackman Josh Wilson (12 goals and 23 assists) along with defenders Ollie Wilson and Noah Skinner. Lilleby, Josh Wilson and Ollie Wilson all earned first team D Division All-Star honors.

Medina went 6-4 in the D Division and 11-6 overall last year.

The Mustangs will also host Brockport on Saturday at 11 a.m., Wilson on March 26 at 5 p.m. and visit Gowanda on March 28 at 6 p.m. before the Easter break.

Green captures Mountain View tourney title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 March 2024 at 5:39 pm

Contributed Photo – Melanie Green holds the tournament championship trophy

Putting together a sizzling final round, Medina’s Melanie Green captured the Mountain View Collegiate Golf Tournament championship which concluded this afternoon at the Mountain View Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona.

Green, who is a senior at the University of South Florida, blistered the course with 8 birdies to key her final round of 66.

She finished the three-day tourney with a 205 total on rounds of 67-72-66 to score a three shot win for her third career victory.

Trailing by one shot heading into today’s final round, she set the tone for a big finish at the outset by birding two of the first three holes.

A bogey on the seventh hole dropped her to -1 for the day but she rebounded in dominating fashion.

Catching fire, she registered birdies on five of the next six holes (8,9, 10, 12 and 13) to go to 6 under for the day and 11 under for the tournament to open up a three shot lead.

Green tacked on another birdie on the 16th hole to go to 7 under for the day. She finished with the day’s best round of 6 under 66.

She also opened the tourney in strong fashion on Friday notching 7 birdies in route to posting a round of 5 under par 67 to take the early tournament lead.

On Saturday, Green posted an even par round of 72 to stay within one shot of the lead setting the stage for her red hot tournament title clinching final round.

Her efforts helped the University of South Florida win the tournament team championship by four strokes over Texas A&M (848-852).

Green will next compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament at Augusta, Georgia April 3-6. The final round will be played at Augusta National, the site of The Masters.

H.S. spring sports contests begin this week

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 March 2024 at 9:39 am

Weather permitting, local high school spring sports competition will begin later this coming week with a light schedule of contests.

On Thursday, the Medina High lacrosse team will host Depew at 6 p.m. at Vets Park. The Mustangs will also host Brockport at 11 a.m. Saturday.

On Friday, the Albion softball team will visit Batavia at 4:30 p.m.

Saturday also has the Roy-Hart baseball squad visiting Gowanda at noon.

Non league competition will continue through the Easter break. The Niagara-Orleans League softball and tennis seasons are scheduled begin on April 10, baseball on April 15 and track on April 16.

Green is one back at Mountain View Tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 March 2024 at 6:38 pm

Contributed Photo – Melanie Green

Medina High graduate and University of South Florida senior Melanie Green slipped to a shot off the lead after today’s second round of the Mountain View Collegiate Golf Tournament being held at the Mountain View Golf Club in Tucson Arizona.

Green, who held a one shot lead after Friday’s opening round, shot an even par 72 today with two birdies and two bogies for a two-day total of five under par 139.

She now trails a pair of golfers, Arkansas’s Maria Jose Main and Iowa State’s Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn, who are both six under par at 138.

Green is all alone at -5. There is one player at -4 and seven at -3.

Green opened the tourney with a five under par round of 67 on Friday including seven birdies and two bogies which gave her a one shot lead.

The tournament will conclude on Sunday.

Notes from the collegiate diamonds

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 16 March 2024 at 10:15 am

A trio of local players have been in action for the SUNY Niagara (formerly NCCC) baseball team.

Roy-Hart graduate Gavyn Boyle, a freshman outfielder, is hitting .324 with 4 doubles, 1 home run and 16 RBI in 16 games for the 12-6 Thunderwolves.

Medina graduate Zach Fike, a sophomore pitcher, has appeared in 3 games and has registered 12 strikeouts in 13.1 innings of work.

Contributed Photo – Rylee VanNostrand

Another Mustangs grad, freshman pitcher Aidan Paul, has appeared in two games and had recorded 16 strikeouts in 9 innings of work.

Also at SUNY Niagara Medina grad Rylee VanNostrand has joined the ranks of local community college players who are competing in three sports this school year.

She is now playing softball after competing in soccer last fall and basketball over the winter.

Albion grad Lexi Wolck and Holley grad Tatum Gagne are both doing likewise at Genesee Community College.

Roy-Hart grad Ryan Mettler, a sophomore shortstop on the Finger Lakes Community College baseball squad, is hitting .400 with 5 RBI.

Lyndonville grad Trenton Muck, a freshman pitcher at FLCC, has made one appearance on the mound for the Lakers.

Green holds early Mountain View tourney lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 March 2024 at 6:31 pm

Contributed Photo – Melanie Green

University of South Florida senior Melanie Green has a one shot lead after today’s opening round of the Mountain View Collegiate golf tournament being played at the Mountain View Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona.

Green, who is a Medina High gaduate, fired a five under par round of 67 to hold a one shot lead over a quartet of players deadlocked in the runner-up spot at minus four.

Green had 7 birdies on the day as her round also included 9 pars and 2 bogies.

She is seeking her second career tournament victory.

The 54 hole tournament will continue on Saturday and conclude on Sunday.

Roy-Hart has Niagara PAL honorees

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 March 2024 at 9:33 am

Contributed Photos – Two Roy-Hart seniors, Rem Albee and Madison DiNieri, are the Rams 2023-24 Niagara Police Athletic League’s honorees. Albee competes in soccer, basketball and baseball for the Rams and DiNieri in soccer and basketball. DiNieri was also a Niagara PAL scholarship recipient.

Purple Eagles youth wrestlers place at states

Contributed Story Posted 14 March 2024 at 2:14 pm

Contributed Photo – The Albion Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy had 18 wrestlers qualify for the New York State Tournament by placing at their regional wrestling tournament. Fourteen of those wrestlers took the challenge of competing at the state tournament and the team walked away with four state medalists. Those medalists included, from left, Jai’kiah Drisdom (6th place), Mason Rotthoff (5th place), Colton Moreland (3rd place) and Justin Mengs (5th place). The Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy will now be transitioning into their offseason and begin training for next season for those that want to continue training (both youth and high school).

Orleans trio on GCC softball team

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 March 2024 at 8:20 am

Contributed Photos – Orleans players on this years Genesee Community College softball team include, from left, Tatum Gagne, Julie Coble and Lexi Wolck.

This spring’s Genesee Community College softball lineup includes a trio of Orleans County players.

That threesome includes Kendall graduate Julie Coble, Holley grad Tatum Gagne  and Albion grad Lexi Wolck who are all freshmen.

Coble and Gagne are outfielders and Wolck a utility player.

It has been a busy year  athletically at GCC for all three players. They all played soccer last fall. Gagne and Wolck also both played basketball this winter.

GCC will open its season on Saturday with the first of six games in Florida.

N-O All-League boys’ team selected

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 March 2024 at 7:54 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Niagara-Orleans All League first team honorees include, from left, Blake Martin from Wilson along with Landon Braman and Ben Dickinson from Newfane.

Honorees from five schools comprise the first team of this season’s Niagara-Orleans All-League boys basketball squad.

Those honorees include Newfane seniors Landon Braman and Ben Dickinson, Barker senior Luey Castro, Wilson senior Blake Martin, Roy-Hart junior Dan Aquilina and Akron sophomore Ben Gerstung.

Dickinson and Castro are both repeat first team honorees.

Braman, who earned N-O Player of the Year honors, had 274 points, 105 assists, 95 rebounds and 48 steals while Dickinson had 284 points, 229 rebounds, 60 steals and 56 assists.

Castro had 355 points and 200 rebounds, Martin 378 points and 87 rebounds, Aquilina 363 points and 190 rebounds and Gerstung 256 points and 122 rebounds.

Completing the first team are, from left, Dan Aquilina (Roy-Hart), Luey Castro (Barker) and Ben Gerstung (Akron).

Six schools are represented on the All-League second team which includes Newfane senior Nate Snow, Akron senior Brale Abrams, Roy-Hart senior Rem Albee, Barker senior Aidan Mescall, Albion senior Blake Preston and Wilson sophomore Aiden Neumann.

Players earning Honorable Mention, as listed by team, are as follows:

Akron – Blake Gerstung (So.), Trace Hill (Sr.) and Brayden Lamont (Jr.)

Albion – Kyle Radder (Jr.) and Wesley Olles (So.)

Barker – Owen Harris (Jr.)

Medina – Justin Pitts (Sr.)

Newfane – Mac Capen (So.) and Brayden Seitz (So.)

Roy-Hart – Jackson Webber (Sr.), Jayden Swygert (Sr.) and Brayden Ricker (Jr.)

Wilson – Ryan Hough (So.)

N-O selects girls’ All-League team

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 March 2024 at 9:32 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Niagara-Orleans All-League first team honorees, from left, Rian Faery and Peyton McInnis from Wilson and Mallory Schultz from Newfane.

Five schools are represented on the first team of the Niagara-Orleans All-League girls basketball squad.

Heading that group are repeat honorees seniors Peyton McInnis and Rian Faery from champion Wilson.

McInnis, who has been named N-O Player of the Year for the second year in a row, had 348 points, 211 rebounds and 25 steals this season. Faery had 266 points, 186 rebounds and 132 steals.

The first team honorees also include Albion senior Madison Hughson, Roy-Hart freshman Adella Dukes, Akron senior Sloan Jonathan and Newfane senior Mallory Schultz.

Hughson had 324 points, 95 rebounds and 95 steals; Dukes 164 points, 135 rebounds and 77 steals; Jonathan 256 points, 82 rebounds and 67 steals and Schultz 221 points, 105 rebounds and 49 steals.

First team honorees, from left, Madison Hughson (Albion), Sloan Jonathan (Akron) and Adella Dukes (Roy-Hart).

The All-League second team includes Newfane juniors Anna Chunco and Sienna Bowers, Akron senior Ashlee Henning and eighth grader Abby Gerstung and Wilson sophomore Bella Thrush.

Players earning Honorable Mention are listed by school as follows:

Wilson – Cait Cliffe and Rowan Simpson

Akron – Emma Gerstung and Gracie Leiker

Newfane – Kami Boyer and Cameron Stopa

Roy-Hart – Courtney Aquilina and Lila Brigham

Medina – Iyla Lilleby and Nevaeh Moss

H.S. spring sports teams begin practice

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 March 2024 at 7:39 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – The high school spring sports season got underway today with the first day of practice for baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis and track squads. The chilly weather had teams opening practice with an indoors session. Here several members of the Medina varsity lacrosse team work on a defensive drill. Weather permitting non league games are scheduled to begin late next week.

Albion wins Batavia indoor soccer tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 March 2024 at 6:18 pm

Contributed Photo – The Albion Soccer Club won the boys varsity division of the Batavia Indoor Soccer Tournament on Sunday. Leo Bolton had the game winning goal in the semi finals to defeat Orleans FC 3-2. In the championship game Albion beat Campbell-Savona 3-1 on a game winning goal by Alonzo Figueroa-Fuentes. Adrian Figueroa-Fuentes played all six games as goalkeeper making some huge saves to lead the team to the championship. In the back row from the left is Caelen Tchoroleev, Alonzo Figueroa-Fuentes, Jose Franco Lopez, Noah Marat, Landin Chaffee, Tye Talbot, Leo Bolton, Joey Bropst, Landon Graybill, Donovon Braley, John Marat. Front row from left, Adrian Figueroa-Fuentes, Coach Bridgette Varin and Joe Otomfuo. After opening the tourney by defeating Attica 3-1, Albion advanced to the semifinals by downing Orleans FC 2-1, Holley 4-1 and YMCA of Batavia 3-1.

Green competes at Augusta Invitational

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 11 March 2024 at 7:44 am

Contributed Photo – Melanie Green

University of South Florida senior Melanie Green finished six shots off the lead at the Valspar Augusta Invitational which concluded Sunday at the Forest Hills Country Club in Augusta Geogia.

Green, who is a Medina High graduate, finished with a one under par 215 total for the 54 hole event on rounds of 72-71-72.

Her total was six back of tourney champion Minabel Ting from Florida State who carded a final round 5 under par 67 to finish with a 209 total.

Green will be returning to Augusta, Ga. the first week of April as she is one of 72 players invited to compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament.

The first two rounds will be played at the Champions Retreat Country Club in August on April 3 and 4 after which the field will be cut to the top 30.

The final round of the tournament will be played at Augusta National on April 6.

Medina football great Ernie Clark passes away

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 March 2024 at 4:30 pm

Contributed Photo – Ernie Clark during his NFL playing days with the Detroit Lions.

Ernie Clark, the only Medina High graduate to play in the National Football League, passed away today in Orchard Park at the age of 86 Mustangs football coach Eric Valley announced this afternoon.

Clark played nine years in the NFL after graduating from Michigan State University.

A 13th round NFL draft choice in 1963, Clark played linebacker for the Detroit Lions from 1963 to 1969 and with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1970-71.

He played in 96 games during his nine year NFL career during which time he had 7 fumble recoveries and 4 interceptions.

Following his graduation from Medina, where he played under Coach John “Pinky” Loughlin, Clark became a three year regular at defensive end for Michigan State.

Clark is a member of both the Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame and the “Pinky” Loughlin Wall of Fame whose honorees have their photos displayed at Vets Park during the football season.