Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Hailee Mitchell scored the lone goal in the Lady Eagles state championship win over Fort Ann.

The Kendall High girls soccer team made local sports history in 2018 by becoming Orleans County’s first team state champion when they captured the Class D soccer title.

Kendall’s narrow 1-0 victory over Fort Ann in the state championship game capped an amazing run of seven straight post season victories the last four coming on narrow shutout wins.

In all, the Lady Eagles defense which was anchored by All-State defender Lizzie Sutphen and goalie Katie Pearson, allowed only two goals in the seven playoff games.

Hailee Mitchell, who was named state Class D Player of the Year, scored the lone goal in the title contest for the Lady Eagles.

Kendall had trimmed Cincinnatus 2-0 in the state semifinals on a pair of goals by Mitchell.

The Lady Eagles advanced to the Final Four by trimming Fillmore 2-1 for the Section V Class D1 title, edging Hinsdale 2-0 in the Section V Class D state qualifier and nipping North Collins 1-0 in the Far West Regional.

Kendall also captured sectional titles in both 2014 and 2015.

2018 was also big for Albion
The Albion girls soccer team also had a big season in 2018. The Purple Eagles captured the Niagara-Orleans League championship with a 10-0 record and then advanced to the Section VI Class B1 final for the second year in a row where they dropped a 3-0 decision to Olean.

Anthony Pane clears the ball for Medina/Lyndonville during the Mustangs rainy sectional title win over Newfane.

Albion’s first ever appearance in the sectional finals came in 2017 where they lost a narrow 1-0 decision to N-O League foe Newfane.

Wilson won four N-O titles (2012-15), Akron three (2010 co- champions, 2011, 1019) and Newfane three (2010 co champions, 2016, 2017).

Boys Soccer
Mustangs claim league, sectional titles
The Medina/Lyndonville boys soccer team captured N-O championships in both 2014 and 2019.

The Mustangs also captured their first sectional title in 2013 winning the Section VI Class B1 championship by nipping league foe Newfane 2-1 in overtime. Medina then lost 2-0 to N-O foe Akron in the Class B state qualifier contest.

Holley captured the G-R League and Section V Class B title in 2010 with a 3-0 win over Mynderse.

Kendall won G-R title in both 2013 an 2014.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Melanie Green lines up a putt at this past spring’s state championship which was held near Brockport.

Melanie Green, who is a senior at Medina High this year, has had an outstanding run on the links over the past three years.

Green captured the Section VI golf championship as a freshman in 2017, sophomore in 2018 and junior in 2019.

Then, after finishing third in the event as a freshman, she captured the state high school championship in both 2018 and 2019.

Interestingly, she won in 2018 by two strokes over Bailey Shoemaker from Section IV and by one shot this past spring again over Shoemaker.

Green, who has signed a Letter of Intent to play golf at South Florida, has also been a very strong competitor in national amateur events.

This past year won the Western New York JR PGA title for the second year in a row,  made the cut at the U.S. Women’s Amateur championship and finished sixth at the Girls Junior PGA Championship. She also earned Honorable Mention on the American Junior Golf Association’s Jr. All America Team.

Evan Gaesser, a 2016 Kendall High graduate, also had a very successful career in scholastic postseason golf competition.

Named the Greater Rochester Golfer of the Year his senior year, he was a three time Genesee Region League and Section V Class C champion. A four time state qualifier he finished fourth at the state championships and third at the Federation tourney his junior year.

In Niagara-Orleans League team competition, Medina captured the league title three times (2017-18-19) while Albion claimed the 2011 crown going 14-0. Medina’s Ian Wagner captured four straight N-O Tournament titles (2016-19).

Wilson claimed the N-O crown three times (2014-16), Barker twice (2012-13) and Newfane once (2010).

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Sergio Cruz, a two-time league champion, leads the way during the 2014 N-O All-League race at Lakeside Beach State Park.

The Barker boys cross-country team enjoyed an outstanding title run during the first half of the decade.

The Raiders captured the state Class D championship in 2011, finished second in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and third in 2013 after winning the Section VI title in each of those seasons.

In N-O competition, Barker claimed the championship six times (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). Albion interrupted that run by claiming the crown in 2012 while Newfane has captured the last three titles.

Newfane also claimed the N-O girls cross-country title seven times during the decade including the last five in a row. The Lady Panthers Kim Goerss claimed the N-O individual title four years in a row (2015-18).

The Barker boys track team also had a very successful decade capturing five straight N-O championships from 2011-15. That run came following Albion’s string of seven straight titles from 2004-10. Albion ended that title drought by claiming the crown this past spring.

The Barker girls track team claimed the N-O crown in 2015 while Albion captured the title for three straight years from 2010-12.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Josh Brabon slides into home during the Tigers state semifinal contest as Livingston Manor catcher Dillon Taggert makes the tag.

The Lyndonville, Roy-Hart and Medina baseball teams all reached diamond highs during the decade by advancing to the state semifinals.

Lyndonville reached the state semifinals for the first time in the program’s history in 2011 as the Tigers dropped a 7-4 decision to Livingston Manor at Binghamton.

The Tigers had advanced to the semis by defeating Genesee Region League foe Notre Dame 7-4 in the Section V Class DD title contest, Webster Christian 10-4 in the Section V Class D state qualifier and Pine Valley 12-6 in the Far West Regional.

Lyndonville also claimed the Section V Class DD title in  2013 and the D1 crown in 2017.

In 2013 the Tigers defeated Fillmore 1-0 in the DD title contest and Whitesville 8-3 in the Class D state qualifier but then lost 3-2 to Pine Valley in the Far West Regional.

In 2017, the Tigers downed Fillmore 6-2 to win the D1 title but lost in the state qualifiers 6-5 to Lima Christian.

Roy-Hart’s Ben Schwab dives to try and make a play at third base during the Rams state semifinal game against Seton Catholic.

Roy-Hart advanced to the state Class B semis in 2018 where the Rams dropped a 7-1 decision to Seton Catholic of Binghamton at Binghamton.

The Rams advanced to what was their first ever appearance in the state semis by downing Niagara-Orleans League rival Medina 4-2 for the Section VI Class B2 title, Olean 12-9 in the Section VI Class B state qualifier and Midlakes 10-1 in the Far West Regional.

Roy-Hart repeated as Section VI Class B2 champion this past spring by downing Gowanda 5-1 in the title contest. However, the Rams were bested by Medina in the state qualifier 15-4.

Medina’s Brian Fry slides into third base during the Mustangs state semifinal game against Schuylerville.

Roy-Hart captured the N-O championship three straight years 2016-17-18.

Medina made its second ever appearance in the state semifinals this past spring as the Mustang lost 6-3 to Schuylerville at Binghamtion.

The Mustangs only previous trip to the state semis came in 2003 when they lost to Carle Place 5-1.

Medina advanced to the state semis by downing rival Albion 10-6 in the Section VI Class B1 final, N-O rival Roy-Hart 15-4 in the Section VI Class B state qualifier and LeRoy 10-2 in the Far West Regional. The win over Roy-Hart avenged the Mustangs loss to the Rams in the 2018 B2 title contest.

Medina captured the N-O title twice during the decade in 2015 and 2019.

Albion also had a big decade on the diamond as the Purple Eagles captured four N-O championships (2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014) and four Section VI titles (Class A in 2010, Class A2 in 2011, 2012 and  2014).

In the sectional finals Albion downed Williamsville South 5-3 in 2010, Lew-Port 9-8 in eight innings in 2011, Maryvale 17-5 in 2012 and Starpoint 2-1 in 2014.

The Purple Eagles lost to Pittsford Sutherland in the Class A Far West Regional in both 2010 (6-2) and 2014 (3-2).

Holley captured the G-R Division 1 title in 2015 and 2016 and the Section V Class CC crown in 2015 downing East Rochester 6-2. The Hawks lost in the Class C state qualifier 6-3 to Geneseo.

Albion’s Pete Nesbitt dives back to first base during the Purple Eagles  2012 sectional title win over Maryvale.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Katrina Clare and her Lady Raider teammates captured the Far West Regional this past season for the fifth time this decade with a win over East Rochester.

When it comes to dominating over the past decade no other local team can match the championship records compiled by the Barker field hockey team.

Over the past 10 years the Lady Raiders have captured eight Niagara-Orleans League titles, eight Section VI Class C championships, five Far West Regional titles and made five appearances in the state semifinals.

Barker claimed N-O championships during the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons and Section VI Class C titles during the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 campaigns.

Only Akron’s championship runs in 2015 and 2016 were able to interrupt Barker’s N-O title streak Akron also shared the N-O crown with Barker in 2017.

In all the Lady Raiders went 115-7-2 in N-O competition during the decade.

The Lady Raiders went on to claim Far West Regional titles in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2019 each time with wins over East Rochester to earn a berth in the state semis.

Those semifinal appearances were, for the most part were narrow, low scoring losses, as the Lady Raiders were downed 1-0 by Pierson/Bridgehampton in 2010, 2-1 by Southhampton in 2012, 1-0 in double overtime to Cazenovia in 2013, 5-0 by Carle Place in 2018 and 2-0 by Bronxville this past season.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion co-captains Clayton Stanton and Alex Bison celebrate with the championship plaque following the 2015 Class B1 title win over Maryvale which ended the Purple Eagles 40 plus year sectional title drought. At right Austin Loyd drives in for a layup.

On the hardwoods, it was a decade which saw Albion end a 40 plus year boys basketball Section VI title drought and Barker end  a 70 plus year long Niagara-Orleans League title drought.

Albion captured the Section VI Class B1 championship in 2015 with a 65-57 win over Maryvale.

Des Blackmon scored 20, and Clayton Stanton 16 to lead the Purple Eagles as Tommy Mattison added 9, Austin Loyd and Manny Thompson 6 and Alex Bison 4.

Barker’s Jacob Haight and his Raider teammates captured the N-O title in 2014 to end a 70 year drought.

The sectional championship was the first in 43 years for the Purple Eagles whose only other Section VI title came in 1972.

Seeded No. 4, Albion advanced to the finals by defeating top seeded Burgard 62-54 in the semifinals.

The Purple Eagles though were bested by East High of Buffalo 72-54 in the Class B state qualifier contest.

Barker captured its first Niagara-Orleans League championship since 1945 by claiming the 2013-14 crown with a perfect 14-0 record.

The Raiders clinched at least a tie for the title by nipping Medina 42-39 in their closest call of the league campaign. They then locked up the title with a 64-34 win over Wilson and closed out the 14-0 campaign with road wins at Roy-Hart (83-46) and Albion (81-52).

Barker, which went 18-0 during the regular season, was led by a quartet of multi year starters including seniors Jacob Haight, Mitch Luckman, Bryce Moeller and junior Christopher Sweeney.

The Raiders magical 19-1 season finally ended in a 62-48 Class C semifinal loss to Silver Creek.

Medina likewise had a big decade in N-O boys basketball competition as the Mustangs have captured a school record four straight league titles over the last four seasons (2016-17-18-19).

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion catcher Kelsee Soule makes a tag at home during the Purple Eagles 2012 sectional championship win over Lew-Port.

Albion, Lyndonville and Medina all claimed their first sectional softball titles during the decade.

Albion captured the 2012 Section VI Class A2 softball championship with a 10-7 win over Lew-Port. However, the Purple Eagles lost 7-1 to Hamburg in the Class A state qualifier.

Medina first baseman Brandi Guild stretches to make an out during the Mustangs 2017 sectional championship win over Eden.

Albion also captured three Niagara-Orleans League championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Medina claimed the Section VI Class B2 in 2017 with a narrow 5-4 win over Eden. Depew though bested the Mustangs 5-2 in the Class B state qualifier.

The Mustangs also shared the N-O title in 2017 with Akron and Roy-Hart.

Roy-Hart captured the N-O title four times during the decade in 2015, 2017 (tri-champ), 2018 and 2019. Akron also won the title in 2014 and 2016 and Newfane in 2013.

Lyndonville claimed two Section V Class D1 titles during the 2013 and 2017 seasons.

In 2013, the Lady Tigers nipped Romulus 6-5 for the title but then lost 7-3 to Andover in the Class D state qualifier.

Again in 2017, the Lady Tigers bested Alfred-Almond 10-1 for the D1 title but then lost 2-1 to Elba in the Class D state qualifier.

The Lady Tigers also claimed  five Genesee Region League Division 2 titles.

Lyndonville catcher Miranda Lembcke stretches to make a tag at home against Fillmore in the semifinals of the Lady Tigers 2017 sectional title run.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Chanyce Powell, left, Sara Millspaugh register spikes for Albion during the Purple Eagles 2014 sectional title win over Cheektowaga.

Albion captured its first two Section VI volleyball titles during the 2011 and 2014 seasons.

In 2011 the Purple Eagles defeated Cheektowaga for the Class B1 title and Olean for the overall Class B crown and a berth in the state playoffs but then lost to Marcellus in the Far West Regional.

In 2014, Albion bested Cheektowaga for the Class B2 crown but then lost to Williamsville South for the overall Class B title and a spot in the state playoffs.

The Purple Eagles also captured the Niagara-Orleans League championship four times during the 2010, 2013, 2014 and 1015 seasons.

Akron also took the N-O title four times (2016-19).

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kevin Hillman goes high to haul in a pass during Albion’s playoff victory over Tonawanda this past season which saw the Purple Eagles win a third straight division title and advance to the sectional finals.

The Albion football squad closed the decade with a flurry capturing three straight division championships.

Ending an 11 year drought, Albion shared the B2 Division championship with Dunkirk in 2017 and then captured the B2 title outright in 2018 and the B3 crown outright in 2019.

Albion also ended a 17 year drought by advancing to the Class B sectional final in 2019 where the Purple Eagles dropped a 34-20 decision to WNY Maritime at New Era Field.  The Purple Eagles advanced to the finals for the first time since 2002 with narrow home field wins over Tonawanda (17-14) and Olean (21-14).

The Purple Eagles had an overall record of 23-5 over the past three title seasons.

Albion also went 5-5 against rival Medina during the decade.

The Mustangs captured the B East Division title in 2016.

The Roy-Hart boys swim team dominated the N-O League during the decade capturing the championship eight years in a row from 2010-2017.

The Channel Cats went 79-0 during that title stretch.

The Albion boys swim team shared the N-O crown with Barker in 2018 and then captured both the league and Section VI Class C titles in 2019.

The Roy-Hart girls swim team shared the N-O crown with Akron in 2018 and then won it outright in 2019 after Newfane had claimed the league championship for eight years in a row from 2010-2017.

The Medina tennis team captured five N-O championships during the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017 seasons..

Akron claimed the crown twice (2018 and 2019) while Albion (2015), Wilson (2010) and Newfane (2011) each won it once.

Patrick Sheeler in action during the 2015-16 title campaign for Roy-Hart which claimed eight N-O boys swim championships over the past 10 years.

Sacred Heart combined a 45-25 win over Vets Club with front-running Legion’s 42-28 victory over JR Wilson Monday to move into second place in the Medina Euchre League standings.

Legion is now 494-416 on the season followed by Sacred Heart 471-439, JR Wilson 456-454 and Vets Club 399-511.

League competition will continue on January 6 with Vets Club at Legion and JR Wilson at Sacred Heart.