Area high school teams begin fall sports practice

Photo by Mike Wertman – Albion running backs go through an agility drill this morning during the first fall sports practice session.

Area ball fields and gyms were beehives of activity today as fall sports practices began under sunny skies and cool temperatures for football, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, volleyball, cross-country and golf.

“It was great. They kids had great energy and great intensity,” said new Albion High varsity football Coach Gary Parisi. “The kids were all ready for it and I was very happy with the intensity.”

Photo by Mike Wertman – Medina High gridders practice a play on the turf at Vets Park.

Several other area teams also begin practice under the leadership of new coaches. That group of new coaches includes Keith Akers (Albion boys varsity soccer), Colleen Rausch (Roy-Hart girls varsity soccer), Rene Wolf (Holley girls varsity soccer) and Amber Cleaveland (Medina varsity field hockey).

“I’m really happy with the numbers we have,” said Cleaveland. “That’s very positive.”

Photo by Mike Wertman – Medina High field hockey players go through a drill.

Six area teams are also beginning a quest to defend league titles. Those teams include the Kendall boys and girls soccer and volleyball squads which each captured Genesee Region League Division 1 championships last fall. The Albion volleyball and Barker golf and field hockey teams are also beginning to tune up to defend their Niagara-Orleans League titles.

The high school fall sports season will get off to an early start on August 26 with a round of N-O League golf matches including Medina vs. Roy-Hart.

Photo by Mike Wertman – The Albion High girls soccer squad works on a ball control drill.

The football season gets under way on September 5 as Barker/Roy-Hart hosts Lew-Port. The other three local gridiron squads will begin play on September 6 with Medina at Newfane, Albion at Burgard and Attica at Holley.

Prior to that the local gridiron squads will be involved in scrimmages on August 30. Medina and Albion will both host scrimmages that morning.

Photo by Mike Wertman – The Medina High boys soccer team goes through a six on three drill.

Soccer and volleyball action will begin in earnest right after the Labor Day weekend. Highlighting that first full week will be the Holley boys soccer tournament (September 4 and 6), the Albion volleyball tournament (September 6) and the Medina at Albion boys soccer game (September 6).