Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Roy-Hart softball squad include, in front, Shelby Wolf and Claire Halstead. In back are Sam Choate, Reanna Perkins and Mallory Steiner.

Looking to keep the momentum from back-to-back undefeated (12-0) Niagara-Orleans League title seasons, the Roy-Hart varsity softball squad is led by a good nucleus of five veterans.

That quintet includes senior infielder Sam Choate, junior pitcher Mallory Steiner and junior first baseman Shelby Wolf along with sophomores Claire Halstead and Reanna Perkins.

Steiner earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring while Choate was a second team pick and Perkins an Honorable Mention selection.

“We’ve got a good group and they have set some pretty high goals for themselves,” said new Coach Mark Kwoka.

The Lady Rams graduation losses include first team N-O All-League honorees cacher Maddie Fry and third baseman Jamie Bower, second team pick outfielder Lexie Lovewell along with Honorable Mention selections Ashley Hill and Jayden Townsend and first baseman Emily Metz.

Along with other area teams the Lady Rams are currently awaiting for schools, which are closed due to the coronavirus concern, to reopen so the season schedule can begin.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – The Kendall varsity softball team’s large veteran group includes, in front, Autumn Woodward, Lizzie Sutphen, Brittney Marks and Olivia Caldwell. In back are Kate Pearson, Madison Shonitsky, Sara Mattle and Rebecca Banker.

Looking to improve upon last spring’s 6-12 record, the Kendall varsity softball squad boasts a large veteran contingent including no less than seven starters.

Kendall’s veteran contingent includes seniors Brittney Marks (infield), Lizzie Sutphen (outfield), Olivia Caldwell (outfield), Kate Pearson (outfield), Autumn Woodward (infield) and Rebecca Banker (outfield) along with sophomore Sara Mattle (pitcher) and freshman Madison Shonitsky (infield). Marks earned Genesee Region League All-Star honors last spring.

The Lady Eagles lineup also includes junior Ciera Kupferschmid (catcher) and sophomore Julie Coble ((catcher/outfield).

Kendall’s gradation losses included infielders Kelly Mayes and Abigail Jenks and outfielder Anna Oakley.

“We have a veteran group with seven starters back,” said Coach Jeff Parizek. “That experience will be key as the league is always tough.”

Kendall, like all other area teams is awaiting the reopening of schools which are currently closed due to the coronavirus concern so that the schedule can begin.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading the way for the Roy-Hart varsity baseball team will be this group of veterans. In front are Noah Stern, Reed Albee and Gavyn Boyle. In back are Mike Huntington, Noah Draper and Thomas Russo III. Missing from the photo is Hunter Babol.

A large group of seven returnees anchors the lineup for the Roy-Hart varsity baseball squad whose main challenge is to shore up a graduation depleted pitching staff.

Roy-Hart’s returning contingent includes seniors Reed Albee (infield/pitcher), Mike Huntington (infield/outfield) and Noah Draper (infield/outfield); juniors Noah Stern (catcher/infield) and Hunter Babol (outfield/pitcher) along with sophomore Gavyn Boyle (outfield/pitcher) and freshman Thomas Russo III (infield/pitcher/catcher).

Boyle earned first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last spring and Stern was a second team honoree.

Roy-Hart is also looking to sophomore Ryan Mettler (shortstop/second base/pitcher).

The Rams graduation losses included the 1-2 pitching duo of Charlie Bruning and Walker Samanka along with infielder/pitcher Charlie Brigham and outfielder/pitcher Lance Krieger. Bruning was a first team N-O All-League honoree while Samanka and Brigham were both Honorable Mention selections.

“That’s a large hole to fill so pitching will be by committee,” said new Rams Coach and Roy-Hart grad Jim Heideman. “It definitely helps to have that many kids back with experience.”

Roy-Hart finished in second place in the N-O standings at 9-3 last spring after winning the title each of the previous three years.  The Rams went on to win the Section VI Class B2 title but lost to Medina in the Section VI Class B state qualifier.

Just like every other area team the Rams are awaiting schools, which are currently closed due to the coronavirus concern, to reopen so that the season schedule can begin.

Contributed Photo – Coach Pat Uveino

By a vote of his peers, Albion High varsity wrestling Coach Pat Uveino has been named Niagara-Orleans League Wrestling Coach of the Year.

Uveino recently completed his fourth season at the Purple Eagles helm after serving as an assistant coach for several years.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of all the coaches, wrestlers and families of our program,” said Uveino. “This award is voted on by the coaches in our league so it speaks volumes on how our coaching staff and wrestlers are viewed by other teams.

” I have been blessed to be surrounded by phenomenal coaches that not only coach our kids but inspire them as well,” he added. “We all bring something different to the table and David Skrip, Mike Sanders, Will Francis, Preston Flugel and Jordan Wolcott have done an amazing job to continue helping our kids not only with wrestling but with all challenges they may encounter.

” A special thanks to all the wrestlers,” he said. “They truly are the epitome of hard work and sacrifice. The amount of time and effort they put into the wrestling season is unmatched and for that I am truly grateful.”

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Kendall varsity baseball squad is this veteran quartet of Brian Shaw, Mason Kuhn, Riley Hirshman and Noah Rath.

A small group of seniors will lead the way for the Kendall varsity baseball squad this season.

The Eagles senior veterans include Mason Kuhn (catcher/pitcher), Brian Shaw (first base/outfield), Riley Hirshman (pitcher/catcher), Noah Rath (second base) and Noah Walzer (centerfield). Kuhn earned Genesee Region League Al-Star honors last spring. Sophomore Jordan Ostrander (third base/catcher) also returns with varsity experience.

Kendall’s graduation losses included pitcher John Rath, shortstop Mickey Gardner and first baseman Hunter Menze.

“We’re young and we have some shoes to fill,” said Coach Tige Noni noting that the Eagles are light on veteran pitching experience. “It’s going to be a bit of a raw season with a lot of young kids but it will be exciting.”

The Eagles went 7-8 a year ago.

Kendall, like all other area teams is awaiting the end of the current coronavirus school closing situation to end so that the schedule can get underway.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Barker varsity softball team include, in front, Jess Coen, Ella Fox and Kaitlyn Rounds. In back are Chloe Lee, Emily Wagner, Kylie Annable and Rachel Parfinski. Missing from the photo is Sydnie Luckman.

Boasting a large group of eight returnees, the Barker softball team is looking to bounce back from last spring’s 1-11 Niagara-Orleans League campaign.

“We’ve got almost everyone back including our two pitchers and our infield so our experience is much better,” said Coach Aileen Hinton. “Returning our pitchers and infielders will help our defense. We’re just hoping the offense comes through for us.”

Barker’s returnees include seniors Ella Fox (catcher), Rachel Parfinski (second base), Kaitlyn Rounds (outfield), Emily Wagner (pitcher) and Kylie Annable (first base) along with juniors Jess Coen (ptcher/third base), Sydnie Luckman (shortstop) and Chloe Lee (utility).

The Lady Raiders are also looking to the junior trio of first baseman Courtney Hillman and outfielders Hailey Chellno and Angel Seager.

Like all other area teams the Lady Raiders are awaiting for schools, which are currently closed due to the Coronavirus concern, to reopen so that the season’s schedule can begin.

Contributed Photo – Dave Clark, left, and Jaime Rodriguez  played key roles during the early years of the Medina tennis team’s two decade long title run.

When it comes to local sports dynasties the Medina High tennis team’s 20 year long title run of Niagara-Orleans League domination from 1980 to 1999 has to rank right near the top.

During that two decade long stretch, Medina captured the N-O championship 18 times (16 outright and 2 co-championships) compiling a record of 254-12.

Three coaches had a hand in leading the Mustangs during that title run including Gib Irons, who coached from 1970-84, Tom Robinson (1985-90) and Larry Decker (1995-2000).

After tying Starpoint for the N-O title in 1980 at 11-1, Medina rattled off seven straight undefeated championship seasons from 1981-87 going 96-0 during that stretch.

Medina’s N-O undefeated streak reached 108 before it was snapped by Roy-Hart in the 13th match of the 1988 season. The Rams also snapped the Mustangs eight year long title run that spring and went on to also claim the N-O crown in 1989.

The Medina and Roy-Hart tennis rivalry stayed strong over the next three years as the Mustangs and Rams shared the N-O title in 1990, 1991 and 1992 each time at 11-1.

Interestingly, Roy-Hart’s coach at the time was Chris Horgan who went on become Medina’s coach in 2001 and is still at the Mustangs helm.

Medina regained outright possession of the N-O championship in 1993 with a 12-0 record.

The Mustangs went on to claim the crown in each of the next six years with four of those being undefeated campaigns.

In all the Mustangs went 94-2 during that seven year run and when the three co-championship years with Roy-Hart are added in went 127-5 for the decade.

Dozens of players contributed to that outstanding two decade run.

Five of those players topped the 50 career victory mark including Dave Clark (Class of 1984), Jaime Rodriguez (’84), Brett Decker (’87), Kirk Zimmer (’94) and Chris Oveis (’98).

In addition, over a dozen other players topped the 40 career victory mark including Mike Mancuso (Class of 1982), Karl Terryberry (’83), Tim Gelder (’84), John Derry (’84), Sean McCloy (’85), Steve Balcerzak (’87), John Fox (’88). Brian Kreppeneck (’92), Ken Krozel (’94), AG Irons (’94), Eric Howe (’95), Matt Schreck (’95), Tom Huber (’95) and David Holtz (’99).

Editor’s Note – The series of high school spring sports previews will resume Monday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s All-WNY honorees include, from left, Chris Goyette, Margaret Klotzbach and Nate Sherman.

A trio of Medina High student-athletes have earned spots on the All-Western New York Scholar/Athlete Winter Sports Team.

Students must have maintained a 90 plus average for six consecutive semesters and be a starter or key contributor to their team to qualify.

The Medina trio includes Chris Goyette (swimming) Margaret Klotzbach (swimming) and Nate Sherman (basketball).

Six other Niagara-Orleans League student-athletes also earned All-WNY honors including Lauren Bergman (swimming) and Danielle Robinson (cheerleading) from Akron, Paige Littman (basketball) and Josh Everett (basketball) from Newfane and Skylar Munnikhuysen (basketball) and Izzy Dinse (basketball) from Wilson.

Eight Roy-Hart swimmers have earned Honorable Mention to the All-WNY squad including Jordyn Bobzien, Kayla Hagen, Madison Ohol, Anna Rickard, Aaron Bacon, Matt Scott, Andrew Corser and Ozzy Moore.

Barker has a quartet of Honorable Mention selections including swimmers Kaitlynn Dauphinee and Alex Jenks along with basketball players Serena Harris and Kylie Annable.

Contributed Photo – Holley pitcher Pete Selden celebrates the regional win which propelled the 1997 Hawks into the state semifinals.

All five Orleans County varsity baseball teams have earned a berth in the state semifinals over the past 25 years.

However, the distinction of being the first to accomplish the feat belongs to Holley as the Hawks 1997 diamond squad advanced to the state Class C Final Four.

Holley gained a spot in the state playoffs by capturing a third straight Section V title. The Hawks first downed Wellsville 6-4 to win the CC title and then bested Caledonia-Mumford 9-4 for the overall Section V Class C crown and a berth in the state playoffs.

The Hawks scored five quick runs in the first inning to key the win over Wellsville. A double by winning pitcher Keith Topham ignited the decisive scoring burst which also featured a two-run single by Eric Collyier, an RBI single by Brad Williams and a run producing sacrifice by Pete Selden.

However, Holley did have two close calls before reaching the finals. The Hawks nipped rival Kendall 1-0 in the CC quarterfinals as Selden hurled a one hitter with 9 strikeouts. Then in the semifinals the Hawks outlasted East Rochester 10-8 in 9 innings. A double by Jeremy Rowley plated the winning run.

Selden also had a huge day in the Hawks Class C win over Cal-Mum. He hurled a one hitter with 14 strikeouts in five innings of work on the mound and also hit a pair of two-run homers.

Having successfully competed a sectional championship three-peat, Holley kept the momentum by nipping Falconer 3-2 in the Class C Far West Regional.

Selden hurled a 4 hitter with 16 strikeouts to lead the way for the Hawks. He registered two clutch strikeouts to end a Falconer rally in the sixth inning and then two more in the seventh to lock up the victory.

Offensively, the Hawks scored once in the first inning on a single by Karl Gnann, once in the second on a triple by Doug Nicholson and once in the fifth on a triple by Brandon Smith for what proved to be the game winning tally.

That victory advanced Holley to the state Class C semifinals where the Hawks dropped a narrow 5-3 decision to Carle Place from Long Island.

Holley did jump out to an early 2-0 lead by scoring once in the second inning on a single by Williams and once in the third on a home run by Topham.

However, the Hawks lead failed to hold up as Carle Place rallied to first tie the game with two runs in the home half of the third and then take the lead for good with two more in the fourth.

Holley finished the season with a 19-4 record and capped the three year sectional title run with a 53-8 mark. During that run the Hawks claimed the Section V Class B title in 1995 with a 5-0 win over Byron-Bergen and the Class CC crown in 1996 with a 7-1 victory over rival Kendall.