Page Sponsor
Local Sports
N-O honors All-League softball team
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Heading the N-O first team All-League are pitchers Roy-Hart’s Reanna Perkins and Akron’s Jenelle Kieffer.
A trio of Roy-Hart players head the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League softball squad.
Junior pitcher Reanna Perkins, who has been named N-O Player of the Year, heads Roy-Hart’s honorees which also includes senior catcher Shelby Wolf and sophomore infielder Casey James.
Undefeated (12-0) champion Akron is represented by junior pitcher Jenelle Kieffer and senior utility player Jessee Jonathan.
Wilson also had two first team selections in senior infielder Julia Faery and junior infielder Bella Lemke.
Rounding out the first team are Albion senior infielder Bryne Dysard, Medina freshman infielder Miriam Fike, Barker senior infielder Sydnie Luckman and Newfane junior outfielder Kendall Knealing. Luckman is a repeat selection.
Four schools have each placed two players on the second team.
Roy-Hart is represented by junior Molly Russell and sophomore Juliana Buscarino, both outfielders, Akron by senior infielder Madison Henning and junior outfielder Ella Hill, Medina by outfielder Hannah Kenward and infielder Brooklyn Brown, both seniors, and Wilson by pitcher Rian Faery and infielder Kenzie Beyer, both seniors.
Completing the second team are Albion junior infielder Kenzi Hapeman, Barker senior outfielder Chloe Lee and Newfane junior catcher Julie Dumais.
The following players, listed by school, all received Honorable Mention:
Albion – Emani Poole, Leah Pritchard and Aly Knaak.
Akron – Alex Roland, Mikayla Venter and Jayni Sundown.
Barker – Jessalynn Coen and Anna Bowerman.
Medina – Paige Adkins, Faith Oberther and Brionna Raiser-Russell.
Newfane – Autumn Christy, Mackenzie Irwin and Alyna Ander.
Roy-Hart – Emma Livergood.
Local wrestlers attend Journeymen’s Camp
Contributed Photos – Nine local wrestlers including Christian Garver, Alex Farrell, Sebastian Temich, Payton Grabowski, Austin Schmitt, Allan Heideman, Sam Doolan, and Ben Doolan from Lyndonville and Sawyer Kingsbury from Medina attended the Journeymen Wrestling camp with Oklahoma State held at Malta, N.Y. The four day game (Sunday through today).was headlined by Oklahoma State University Head Coach John William Smith, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time NCAA Champion wrestler whose teams have won four, National Championships. Here Coach Smith, who has guided the Oklahoma State program for over 20 years, meets with the local wrestlers. The local wrestlers were accompanied to the camp by Lyndonville Coaches Joe Suhr and Jim Zeliff.
Here wrestlers work on a drill under the watchful eye of Coach Smith.
Tigers have a trio of G-R diamond All-Stars
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Local G-R All-Stars Jayden Gibaud, Holley, and Rolland Balcerzak, Lyndonville.
Lyndonville has placed three players on the Genesee Region League All-Star baseball team.
The Tigers are represented by senior shortstop/pitcher Nathan Dillenbeck, senior catcher/pitcher Rolland Balcerzak and junior outfielder/catcher Jack Whipple.
Dillenbeck hit .472 overall on the season with 25 hits including 8 doubles, 7 triples and 3 home runs.
Balcerzak hit .423 with 28 RBI and posted a 3-2 record on the mound with a 2.00 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 31.67 innings.
Whipple hit .462 with 24 hits and 18 runs scored.
The Tigers also had senior outfielder Casey Winiecki receive Honorable Mention.
Holley is represented by senior pitcher Jayden Gibaud.
Lyndonville’s AG-R All-Stars also included Jack Whipple and Nathan Dillenbeck,
The All-Star team also includes Zach Strselec, Nick Perl and Ian Romesser from Attica; Josh Merrill and Hunter Fletcher from Alexander; Garret Totten from Pembroke; Gavin Schrader and Ryan Fitzpatrick from Notre Dame; Peyton Yasses, Cooper Colstanio and Brodie Hyde from Oakfield-Alabama; Zach Howard and Caleb Scouten from Elba and Gianni Ferrara from Byron-Bergen.
The Honorable Mention selections also include Dan Bialek and Wyatt Brymann from Attica, Nolan Quakenbush from Alexander, Bryceton Berry from Notre Dame, Colton Yasses from Oakfield-Alabama; Andrew Hare from Elba and Nick Baubie from Byron-Bergen.
Banes tops Genesee Feed to go to 6-0
Banes downed Genesee Feed 18-4 Monday evening to improve to 6-0 in Medina Women’s Softball League competition.
Morgan Allis had a home run and a double, Kathy Allen two doubles and Connie Heschke a single and double to lead the way for Banes which scored 5 runs in the first inning, 7 in the second and 6 in the third.
Lady Tigers, Lady Eagles have G-R All-Stars
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Local G-R All-Stars include pitchers Haley Shaffer, Lyndonville, and Sara Mattle, Kendall.
Lyndonville and Kendall have both placed a trio of players on the Genesee Region League All-Star softball team.
Lyndonville, which captured the G-R Division 1 title with a 14-1 record, is represented by senior catcher Chloe Stinson, sophomore pitcher Haley Shaffer and sophomore shortstop/pitcher Lorelei Dillenbeck.
Lyndonville mentor Joe Moore was named G-R Coach of the Year.
Kendall has placed junior pitcher Sara Mattle, junior outfielder Julie Coble and sophomore infielder Lauren Pilon.
Lyndonville junior infielders Ella Lewis and Gracie Johnson have both received Honorable Mention as has Kendall junior outfielder Shelby Kruger.
Lyndonville’s G-R All-Stars also include Lorelei Dillenbeck, left, and Chloe Stinson.
The All-Star team also includes juniors Samantha Sawyer (pitcher) and Neva Saile (catcher) from Alexander; junior Allie Schwerthoffer (pitcher) from Pembroke); senior Brittany Martin (pitcher) and freshman Maddie Robinson (infielder) from Attica; sophomores Kendall Phillips (pitcher) and Aly Ball (catcher) from Byron-Bergen; sophomore Sonji Warner (catcher), junior Sophi Johnston (utility) and freshman Katie Landers (utility) from Notre Dame; senior Kallie Totten (pitcher) and junior Dakota Brinkman (infielder) from Elba and junior Kelsey Schlagenhauf (infielder), sophomore Lily Davis (outfielder) and freshman Caitlin Ryan (pitcher/shortstop) from Oakfield-Alabama.
Ryan was named G-R Player of the Year,
The Honorable Mention selections also include Emily Pietrzykowski and Mikayla Hickey from Alexander, Elizabeth Newell and Makenna Jarnot from Attica, Lexi Vurraro from Byron-Bergen, Loretta Sorochty and Mia Treleaven from Notre Dame, Trinity Humel from Pembroke and Hanna Beldue from Wheatland-Chili.
Kendall’s All-Stars also include Julie Coble, left, and Lauren Pilon.
Hickory Ridge leagues results
Only two leagues at Hickory Ridge reported in this past week with their results.
The Tuesday Ladies Night Out League filed their report with Deb Wood shooting low gross with a 41 on the back. Aleta Martin was next with a 48. Vicki Brawn took low net honors with a 36 followed by Brenda Powers with a 38.
The team of Dona Hazen and Karen Berlew continue to lead with 42 points. Jan Palmer and Deb Wood are in second with 35.5 points. Third place is held by Marcia Zambito and Margie Paige with 34.5 points.
The Thursday Night Mens’ Traveling League has Soria and Spencer holding on to first place in the standing with 152 points. Burgess and Eaton have 144 followed by Ashe and Gifaldi with 134 points. Barry and Froman are in fourth with 130 points and Cotter and Knaak hold down fifth place with 126 points.
Wes Bedford recorded low gross with 41 on the back. Barry Flansberg and Scott Budde both logged a 42. AJ Gifaldi and Tim Hallenbeck shot 43. Hallenbeck led the birdie parade with two while Chris Barry, Ken Hinkson and Zack Burgess had one each.
N-O honors All-League tennis team
All seven schools are represented on the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League tennis squad.
Akron, which posted a 12-0 record to capture a third straight N-O title, is represented by junior Will Chubb and sophomore Caleb Suckow. Chubb, a repeat honoree, has been named N-O Player of the Year,
Newfane has also placed two players, senior Sam Capen and junior Conner Gunby.
Rounding out the underclassmen dominated first team are Wilson’s Joey Moote, Albion’s Carson Bader, Barker’s Nate Meza Ray, Roy-Hart’s Nik Gutierrez and Medina’s Joe Lederhouse, all juniors. Moote is a three-time first team honoree.
Akron has placed three players on the second team including juniors Sean Brennan and Sean O’Shannessey and eighth grader Sam Nierscier.
The second team also includes seniors Mya Quinn and Cecelia Santos from Roy-Hart, senior Sam Gergal and junior Evan McKinney from Wilson, eighth grader Leo Bolton from Albion and senior Ella Gooding from Barker.
The Honorable Mention selections include senior Kaly Lin and sophomore Morgan Towlson from Akron, junior Tyler Seider and freshman Abriana Christiano from Wilson, junior Marissa Scott from Roy-Hart, senior Keith Robison from Barker, senior Josh DePoty from Albion, freshman Luke Gunby from Newfane and senior Makayla Heideman from Medina.
Mustangs celebrate a four sectional title year
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Senior Brian Fry was a member of all four of Medina’s sectional championship football, basketball, soccer and baseball squads during this school year.
Junior Joe Cecchini was a member of the Mustangs sectional championship football, basketball and baseball teams.
Hayden Woodroe, a Medina junior, was a key contributor on the basketball, football and baseball teams.
Because of Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions this past school year has been a most challenging one to be sure for high school student-athletes, coaches and athletic directors.
However, for Medina High it will be remembered as a very special year in athletics as the Mustangs captured what is believed to be a school record four Section VI championships in football, basketball, baseball and soccer.
“Winning a sectional title is pretty amazing in any year but winning four during this Pandemic year shows so much resilience by our student-athletes. It’s certainly nice to have some bright spots to celebrate after all everyone has gone through,” said Medina Athletic Director Eric Valley.
Senior Brian Fry was a member of all four of those title teams.
Juniors Joe Cecchini and Hayden Woodroe were both on three (football, basketball and baseball).
In all at least a dozen Mustang student-athletes were on at least two of those championship squads. Senior Corey Saj and junior Xander Payne were members of both the football land baseball teams, seniors Dontae Rhim and Tyler Chinn and junior Jarin Rhim were on the football and basketball squads, seniors Miles Hartway and Cole Seefeldt on the football and soccer teams and seniors AJ Seefeldt and Jack Rutkowski and junior Zach Fike on the soccer and baseball squads.
Interestingly, with the Pandemic restrictions eliminating neutral sites for sectional games the Mustangs were home for all of the football, basketball and baseball playoff games by earning top seeds.
Only the soccer team had to play on the road and the Medina/Lyndonville squad bested Lackawanna 4-0 in the quarterfinals, East Aurora 1-0 in the semis and then tied Tonawanda 2-2 in overtime resulting in the teams being declared Class B2 co-champions.
The Mustangs football squad defeated Eden 54-6 in the Class C semifinals and Southwestern 21-13 in the title contest.
The top seeded basketball team bested Alden 68-48 in the Class B2 quarterfinals, Newfane 64-45 in the semis and Lackawanna 68-57 in the title contest.
And most recently the top seeded Mustangs baseball squad defeated Southwestern 10-0 in the quarterfinals, Akron 7-3 in the semis and Roy-Hart 7-0 in the Class B2 finals.
The Mustangs football team also captured the C North Division title while the basketball and baseball squads also both claimed Niagara-Orleans League championships.
Sandstone goes to 6-0 in Midget League action
Improving to 6-0, Sandstone scored a pair of Albion Midget League wins this past week downing Barre/Elba 17-2 and Carlton 4-1.
Drew Pritchard, Elliot Trapiss, Omer Fugate and Jonah Elsenheimer each had 3 hits for Sandstone in the win over Barre/Elba. Pritchard’s hits included a home run and Trapiss’ a triple. Pritchard also picked up the win on the mound notching 10 strikeouts.
Breaking away from a 1-1 tie, Sandstone then downed Carlton as Trapess had an RBI single in the fifth inning and Wesley LeFrois a two-run double in the sixth. LeFrois finished with 3 hits and Trapiss 2. Trapiss also picked up the win on the mound registering 9 strikeouts.
Colin Mcullen had 10 strikeouts for Carlton.
A big nine run third inning sparked Rotary to a 11-5 win over Carlton.
Issac Sugar had a three-run double and Noah Harrison, Dennis Mathes and Liam Leader each had RBI singles to highlight the decisive inning.
The week’s other game saw Rotary and Barre/Elba tie 6-6.
Standings: Sandstone 6-0, Rotary 3-2-1, Carlton 2-4, Barre/Elba 0-5-1.
Mustangs down Rams to claim Class B2 title
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina players and coaches celebrate capturing the Section VI Class B2 championship with a 7-0 win over Roy-Hart at Vets Park this afternoon.
Escaping a big first inning jam, top seeded Medina went on to shutout No. 3 seed Niagara-Orleans League rival Roy-Hart 7-0 to capture the Section VI Class B2 championship this afternoon at Vets Park.
Roy-Hart got the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first inning on a walk, an error and an intentional walk. However, the Mustangs quickly got out of the jam as pitcher Zach Fike bore down to register two clutch inning ending strikeouts.
Medina’s AJ Seefeldt celebrates banging out a three-run double in the second inning.
“That was huge for Zach to battle back and shut them down like that,” said Medina Coach Jon Sherman. “And then we were able to come right back and score a run. That was big.”
Keeping the momentum from that strong performance on the mound, the Mustangs scored what proved to be the game winning run in the bottom of the first on an error. A leadoff single by Brian Fry and a sacrifice bunt by AJ Seefeldt set up the threat.
Medina then broke the contest open by erupting for five runs in the second inning. A huge bases loaded, three run triple by Seefeldt was the lone hit of the frame as an error and a RBI sacrifice fly by Fike plated the other two runs for the big 6-0 lead.
Brian Fry connects for a triple to drive in Medina’s final run.
Fry also drove in Medina’s final run with a two out, triple in the sixth inning.
Fike finished with a two hitter and 10 strikeouts as he retired the last 10 batters he faced in order.
“Zach really gutted it out,” said Sherman. “He was having some trouble with his second pitch but he worked through it and pitched a fine game.”
Roy-Hart hurler Thomas Russo III likewise went the distance on the mound allowing only 3 hits and striking out 9.
Medina, which downed Roy-Hart twice during the N-O season in route to a 12-0 title campaign, finishes the season with a 16-1 record. Roy-Hart winds up at 13-4.
It marks the third straight season that the Mustangs and Rams have met in a sectional title contest. Roy-Hart edged Medina 4-2 for the Class B2 title in 2018 and the Mustangs downed the Rams 15-4 for the overall Section VI Class B title in 2019.
The victory also caps off an incredible four sectional title year for Medina as the Mustangs also captured Section VI championships in football, basketball and soccer. Click here to view a video of highlights from the game.
Medina captains Brian Fry, Austin Mosher, Corey Saj and AJ Seefeldt hold the championship plaque high.
In action on the mound were Zach Fike for Medina and Thomas Russo III for Roy-Hart.
Roy-Hart’s John Conley slides into second base as Medina shortstop Brian Fry takes the throw.
Roy-Hart’s Jake Gould braces for contact from Medina’s Xander Payne.
