Contributed Photos – Holley’s Halee Passarell, Akron’s Kara Seguin and Roy-Hart’s Kara Choate have earned All-State soccer honors.

Three local players have earned  spots on the girls All-State soccer squad.

The trio includes Holley senior midfielder Halee Passarell, Roy-Hart junior forward Kara Choate and Akron senior forward Kara Seguin.

Passarell, who was named to the Class C second team, had 9 goals and 8 assists this past season in helping lead Holley to the Genesee Region League Division 1 title.

Choate, who was named to the Class B second team, had 18 goals and 2 assists as she helped lead Roy-Hart to a share of its first Niagara-Orleans League title. She was also named N-O Player of the Year.

Seguin, who was named to the Class B third team, led the N-O league with 21 goals and 10 assists.

Choate and Seguin have also both been named to the second team of the All-Western New York squad.

Three other G-R League players have also earned spots on the All-State squad.

Wheatland-Chili senior Niyah Rosado has been named to the Class D first team, Notre Dame sophomore Autumn Mathisen to the Class D second team and Byron-Bergen senior Bianca Brumsted to the Class C first team.

Five Medina fall varsity teams have earned New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar/Athlete Team Awards by compiling composite averages of at least 90.

The teams which earned the honor and their grade point averages include Boys Cross-Country (95.49), Girls Cross-Country (94.97), Field Hockey (96.41), Boys Soccer (94.5) and Girls Soccer (95.2).

Listed by team, the student/athletes who were members of these squads are as follows:

Boys Cross-Country – Alwyn Cayea, Arian Cayea, Jack Cecchini, Joe Cecchini, Conor Crandall, Ben Griffin, Ryder Jones, Sawyer Kingsbury, Gabriel Mark, Mike Marker, Isaac Pace, Xander Payne, Will Prest, Henry Rigerman, Kamron Rupp, Ethan Stonebreaker and David Vanderwalker.

Girls Cross-Country – Faith Austin-Baker, Suvi Biesinger, Theresa Biesinger, Ella Dalhaus, Emma Schwarzott and Lillian Wilson.

Boys Soccer – Alex Barry, Zaric Boyce, Aiden Burczyk, Jacob Corser, Nate Dillenbeck, Zach Fike, Brian Fry, Evan Harris, Roman Heinsler, Sam Kingsbury, Dan Mandujano, Anthony Moule, Mason Nicholson, Jack Rutkowski, Aron Seefeldt, Russell Stephens, Jack Whipple and Sebastian Zilempe.

Field Hockey – Dakota Alexander, Abby Blount, Sophia Cardone, Paige Dix, Lydia Fox, Rachel Hill, Hannah Kenward, Karina Rotoli, Charisma Roy, Alex Strong, FaithAnn Vanderwalker and Emma Wagner.

Girls Soccer – Paige Adkins, Brooklyn Brown, Lily Jo Carpenter, Gracie Cogovan, Annabelle Follman, Aasiya Huzair, Gracie Johnson, Erin Keiffer, Carina Kingsbury, Ella Lewis, Kendra Lonnen, Kaylee Nesbitt, Karlee Rounds, Emma Roush, Sarah Sones, Elizabeth Whipple and Megan Zakes.

Contributed Photo – Paige Emborsky

Newfane High and Niagara County Community College graduate Paige Emborsky is off to a strong start to her first season of Division 1 college basketball at Abilene Christian University.

Emborsky, who earned Region III Player of the Year and All-American honors last year at NCCC, is averaging 10 minutes on the court for the Wildcats. She scored nine points on three of three shooting from long range in Abilene’s 77-59 loss at No. 10 ranked Texas A&M Sunday evening in a non league game which was televised nationally on the SEC Network.

Emborsky, who was second in the nation in Division II with 142 made three’s last year at NCCC, is shooting over 50 percent (7 of 13) in the early season from long range and is averaging five points per outing for Abilene which is 5-1.

A Communications major, Emborsky was a five year varsity player during her scholastic days at Newfane scoring 1,498 points and was named the Niagara-Orleans League Player of the Year her senior year.

She finished her two year career at NCCC as the Thunderwolves second leading all-time scorer with 1,011 points.

Contributed Photo – The starting lineup for Albion’s 2001 Section VI champion girls cross-country team included Heather Snyder, Devin Wilcox, Shauna Kirby, Trisha Sliker, Lindon Wilcox, Michaeli Moffett and Lynn Metcalf.

Just 20 years ago the Albion High girls cross-country team made school history by capturing the Section VI Class B cross-country championship.

Keeping the momentum from earning a one-third share of their first Niagara-Orleans League title, Coach Dave Carson’s Purple Eagles captured the 2001 Class B crown at Elma Meadows by garnering 61 points to claim a 23 point victory over runner-up N-O rival Starpoint which had 84.

Lindon Wilcox led the way for Albion with a second place finish as Lynn Metcalf placed 7th, Trisha Sliker 8th, Devin Wilcox 23rd, Michaeli Moffett 25th, Heather Snyder 38th and Shauna Kirby 51st.

Lindon Wilcox was edged out for top individual honors by four time N-O champion Angela Kudla who finished in a time of 19:19.3. Wilcox was close behind at 19:19.7.

Albion had finished in a three-way tie with Starpoint and Newfane at 12-2 for the N-O championshp.

Interestingly,  Wilcox and Kudla would also both enjoy big days again at Elma Meadows the following week at the state championship meet. Wilcox finished third and Kudla fifth in the state Class B race. Wilcox went on to place 12th at the state Federation meet and earned All-State honors.

The milestone season ignited a big N-O title run for Albion which went on to claim at least a share of the league title four more times over the next five years.

The Purple Eagles won the N-O title outright in 2003 and 2005 and also shared it with Newfane in 2004 and with Akron in 2006.

LATHAM, NY –The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) today announced the cancellation of all 2021 Winter State Championships and the postponement of all high-risk sports until authorization is granted by state officials.

The NYSPHSAA Officers rendered these decisions with input from the NYSPHSAA membership and the 11 Section Executive Directors.

“When examining the feasibility of Winter State Championships, it became apparent that travel and overnight accommodations would create a unique challenge for our member schools,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “At this time, we must prioritize maximizing student participation without a focus on championship events.”

The Association’s decision to postpone all high-risk sports until authorization is granted was reinforced by the increase in infection and hospitalization rates across the State. The New York State Department of Health has determined the following NYSPHSAA-endorsed sports to be high risk: basketball, boys lacrosse, competitive cheerleading, football, ice hockey, volleyball, and wrestling.

The cancellation of the Winter State Championships (bowling, basketball, boys swimming & diving, competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track & field, ice hockey, skiing, and wrestling) addresses membership concerns associated with increased travel, hotel accommodations, transportation logistics and the planning for meals.  Furthermore, venue capacity limitations and social distancing restrictions make it increasingly difficult to ensure the safety of student-athletes, coaches, and families.

“As an educator, I am witnessing first-hand the challenges our member schools are facing each day in addressing this pandemic,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President. “It is important we continue listening to the concerns being expressed by our membership when making decisions impacting interscholastic athletics.”

Low- and moderate-risk regular season sports continue to be permitted. The 2021 NYSPHSAA Spring State Championships remain scheduled at this time.

Contributed Photos – Medina Coach Eric Valley, left, and Albion Coach Adam Krenning have earned Buffalo Bills Coach of the Week honors this season.

Even though there has been no high school football this fall the Buffalo Bills are still honoring coaches around Section VI for their contributions to their players, their school and their community.

Medina Varsity Football Coach Eric Valley and Albion Varsity Football Coach Adam Krenning have been among the recipients of the Coach of the Week award.

A Mediina High graduate who played college football at SUNY Cortland, Valley has been on the Mustangs coaching staff for 25 years serving as head coach for the past 13 years.

The Bills release notes that in addition to serving as varsity football coach and athletic director, Valley has helped bring unified sports including basketball and bowling to the Medina athletic program.

The release adds that Valley is very involved in the community. It notes he works closely with the Medina LOYAL Football organization,  has organized the “Miles for Heils” 5K run to raise money for a local family whose father passed away and the “Coins for Coopers” fundraiser which aided a local family who lost their home to a fire.

Krenning, who is an Albion High graduate, has been on the Purple Eagles football coaching staff  for 15 years serving as head coach for the past four years.

Also Albion’s Athletic Director, the Bills release notes that Krenning has started a football study hall three days a week to help support his players academic studies and performance. He has also developed a summer strength and conditioning program for Albion athletes.

The release adds that Krenning likewise is very active in the Albion community. He has worked with the Albion Youth Football organization and has hosted camps for youth players. He has also developed a Big Brother initiative for the Albion football program where a varsity player is paired with a middle school player to help them with their schoolwork and other needs.

The release notes that Krenning, who has previously taught agricultural education, has been active each December in leading a group of local agriculture businesses as they collect produce which is donated to Orleans Community Action an effort which last year helped over 800 families during the holiday season.

The weekly honorees are now in the running for the Coach of the Year award which will be announced on January 3 at halftime of the Bills vs. Dolphins game.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Class C1 All-Tournament honorees include, from left, Kayden Servais, KJ Biedlingmaier and Charlie Turpyn.

Kendall’s Class C2 All-Tourney honorees are Michael McCue, left, and Joe Nettles.

Three Holley and two Kendall players have been named to the Section V boys soccer All-Tournament teams following the recent playoffs.

Holley is represented on the Class C1 All-Tournament team by senior midfielder KJ Biedlingmaier, senior defender Kayden Servais and senior attacker Charlie Turpyn.

Servais had a goal and an assist and Biedlingmaier a goal during the Class C1 sectionals which saw Holley defeat Addison 2-0 in the quarterfinals, Pavilion/York 2-0 in the semis and lose to East Rochester 4-0 in the finals.

On the season Servais had 7 goals and 7 assists and Biedlingmaier 2 goals and 3 assists.

Kendall is represented on the Class C2 All-Tournament team by senior defender Joe Nettles and sophomore midfielder Michael McCue.

McCue had 2 goals and an assist in Kendall’s 7-2 Class C2 quarterfinal win over Pembroke. The Eagles lost to Naples 2-0 in the semifinals.

On the season, McCue had 7 goals and 3 assists.

Not unexpectedly because of the recent rise in Covid-19 cases around the state the Section VI Executive Committee this morning voted to postpone the start of practice for low-moderate winter sports until January 4 which for Niagara-Orleans League schools means a delay in the start of boys and girls swim practice.

Practice for the swim season had been scheduled to being on December 14 with the first N-O meets slated for December 22.

“It’s clear to all of us on the committee that pausing at this time is the most responsible  act we can take,” stated Section VI President Brett Banker in a press release. “It is our responsibility to mesh our actions with that of district leaders who are trying desperately to get students back in their buildings in a responsible fashion.”

The release continues that “The Section had originally moved low and moderate risk sports from the state guidance of a November 30 start to December 14 out of an abundance of caution. The move now aligns all winter sports to the January 4 date.”

“Our focus remains doing everything in our power to create seasons for our students,” continued Banker. “Creating opportunities for kids is what motivates us and demands our attention. People are working  extremely hard toward that goal.”