It was a banner N-O League season for the Barker High track teams

Contributed Photo – Members of the now five time defending Niagara-Orleans League champion Barker boys track team includes, in front from left, Ryan Harris, Josh Weakland, Ethan Greenwald, Adam Woodworth, Brent Bachman and Joseph Baronich. In the second row are Dustin Walters, Zachary Cogar, Andrew Callaghan, Dominick Snider, Patrick Desmarais, Davison Miller and Dominic Clement. In the third row are Noah Rocklein, Craig Parfinski, Malik Smith, Aidan O’Shea, Sergio Cruz, Jacob Arnold, Carter Pisarski and Joseph Brown. In the fourth row are Adam Wagner, Matthew Pestinger, Lovon Daigler, Christopher Sweeney, Kyle Moeller, Brandon Carmer, Josh Mead, Brett Holland and Collin Stevener. In the back row are Kirk Fay, Riley Dingman, Coach Brooke Jablonski, Coach James Jurewicz, Coach Bill Wilson, Andrew Schafer, Jack Hopkins and Casey Webb. Not pictured are Daniel Gardner, Thomas Callaghan, Russell Larsen and Rocco Spagnolo.

Making school history both the Barker High boys and girls track teams captured Niagara-Orleans League championships this season by compiling 6-0 records.

The championship was was fifth in a row for the boys squad, which is 30-0 during that reign, and the first for the girls team.

Close wins over Medina/Lyndonville (74-67) and Wilson (72-65) keyed the boys squad’s successful title defense.

“The boys team was carried this year by a very deep group of seniors (13), some who have been on the team for all five undefeated seasons,” said Barker head Coach James Jurewicz. “I had to ask many of the seniors to run events that they were not comfortable with, but they all bought into the team concept of every place counts, especially 2nd and 3rd places. Casey Webb led the way in running new events, taking up the 110 and 400 hurdles, and ending up undefeated in the 400 hurdles. Chris Sweeney competed in the 400 and high jump events for the first time this season just to pick up a 2nd or 3rd place, points very important in close meets. New comer Dominick Snider was a key man in the sprints this year, while fellow senior Brandon Carmer was also a regular placer in the sprint events. Sergio Cruz has been on all 5 championship teams and was a rock in the distance events this year. Underclassmen Kirk Fay and Brett Holland were serious contenders in the throws, while Jake Arnold and Jack Hopkins, both sophomores, were also key to winning this years championship.”

Contributed Photo – Members of Barker’s first Niagara-Orleans League champion girls track team include, in front from left, Natalie Regling, Haleigh Mason, Brooke Evans, Rebecca Pisarski, Abigail Ignatowski, Taylor Tocco and Alexis Greene. In the second tow are Allison Austin, Gabriella Clare, Lydia Dewart, Rachel Hurtgam, Alaina Israel, Rachel Parfinski and Emma Jenks. In the third row are Rebecca Stoloski, Lindsey Williams, Katrina Clare, Caitlyn Mason, Serena Harris, Ciara Gregoire and Katie Przybyl. In the back row are Natlie Menz, Erin Greenwald, Coach Brooke Jablonski, Coach James Jurewicz, Coach Bill Wilson, Madison Greenwald, Jessica Haseley and Melissa Pestinger. Not pictured are Kelsi Flegal, Kamilah Robison and Gabrielle Baker.

A season opening victory over two-time defending champion Akron (75-65) and a season ending win over Albion (75-66) keyed the Lady Raiders successful quest for a first N-O title.

“The girls team won their first ever title because this was the most balanced team I have ever coached. I had at least one very strong athlete in almost every event,” said Jurewicz. “Senior Kelsi Flegal was one of the top sprinters all year in the league, while Gabby Clare went undefeated in the 400 hurdles and was solid in the 100 hurdles and high jump. Lydia Dewart set a school record in the 800, while 8th grader Gabby Baker and senior Katie Pryzybl provided huge efforts in the distance events. Caitlyn Mason consistently won in the long jump and triple jump events, while Allison Austin took several victories in the throws. Balance was the key to our success as a team and I am very proud of the effort these girls put into this season. Several girls (Gabby Clare, Caitlyn Mason, and Becky Stoloski) spent the past summer, and throughout the school year, in the weight room training to become better athletes, and I believe it can be seen in all the sports they participated in this year.”

Barker athletes also had a strong showing at the annual N-O All-League meet as Gabriella Clare won the 400 hurdles, Kelsi Flegal the 200, Caitlyn Mason the long jump, Casey Webb the 400 hurdles and Brett Holland the discus. The Raiders 3200 relay quartet of Carter Pisarski, Christopher Sweeney, Jacob Arnold and Webb also took a first place.

Final N-O Boys Standings: Barker 6-0, Albion 4-2, Medina/Lyndonville 4-2, Wilson 4-2, Roy-Hart 2-4, Newfane 1-5, Akron 0-6.
Final N-O Girls Standings: Barker 6-0, Akron 5-1, Albion 4-2, Wilson 3-3, Newfane 2-4, Medina/Lyndonville 1-5, Roy-Hart 0-6.