Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to help lead the Medina track teams into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season are these returnees. In front are Caelon Holland, Alden Cayea, Jack Hill and Daniel Heil. In back are Guin Schalck, Ashley Woodroe, Veronika McClary. Devin Griffin and Miranda Zelazny.

Working to cope with low numbers, the Medina track teams are prepping for the April 19 Niagara-Orleans League opener at Roy-Hart.

The boys squad is led by seniors Daniel Heil, Alden Cayea, Jack Hill, Connor Miller, Christian Hahn, junior Caelon Holland and sophomores Trenton Cruz and Lincoln Pace.

Miller placed third in the 110 Hurdles and fourth in the 400 Hurdles at last year’s N-O All-League meet while Heil took third in both the 800 and 1600, Cayea third in the 3200, Pace second in the Pentathlon and Holland fifth in the 800.

However, the availability of senior Jalin Cooper, who won both the 100 and 200 at the N-O All League meet and Section VI championships, is a questionmark as he is rehabbing from a knee injury.

“Right now we’re not sure,” said Coach Jeff Dole. “He is rehabbing it but we’re just not sure when he can come back.”

The accent is on youth for the Mustangs girls squad which is led by sophomores Guin Schalck, Olivia Carter, Ashley Woodroe, Veronika McClary, Miranda Zelazny, junior Sarah Cochrane and freshman Devin Griffin.

Both Medina teams went 3-3 in N-O competition last year.

Schedule
April: 19 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Barker, 4:15 p.m.; 26 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
May: 1 – Albion, 4:15 p.m.; 8 – Akron, 4:15 p.m.; 10 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 16 and 17 – All-League meet at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Roy-Hart’s large veteran contingent includes, in front, the singles trio of Caleb Reith, Madigan Lang and Patrick Sheelar. In back are doubles players Noah Kindron, Evan Birkemeier, Kody Hayes, Mason Collins, Evan Dodge, Cameron VanBuron, Kayla Hagen, Jordyn Bobzein, Isabel Kiern and Zoey Haynes.

It’s been some 26 years since Roy-Hart last claimed a Niagara-Orleans League tennis title.

However, with a large veteran contingent returning, including all three singles starters, the Rams are taking aim at challenging for top N-O honors this season.

Senior Patrick Sheelar, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring, along with senior Caleb Reith and junior Madigan Lang give the Rams plenty of experience at the singles positions.

Looking to help man the doubles spots for the Rams will be seniors Noah Kindron, Evan Birkemeier, Kody Hayes; juniors Mason Collins, Evan Dodge, Cameron VanBuron; sophomores Kayla Hagen, Jordyn Bobzein, Isabel Kiern and Zoey Hayes.

“We’ve got a good group back so we’re looking for a real good season ,” said Coach Doug Meyer.

Roy-Hart last claimed the N-O championship in 1992 when the Rams shared the crown with Medina. That marked the Rams fifth straight N-O title (1988-92).

The Rams are slated to begin N-O competition at home against Newfane on April 10.

Schedule
(Matches at 4 p.m.
April: 10 -Newfane, 12 – Wilson, 16 – at Medina, 18 – Albion, 20 – at Akron, 25 – at Barker, 27 – at Newfane, 30 – at Wilson
May: 2 – Medina, 4 – at Albion, 7 – Akron, 10 – Barker.

Photo by Mike Wertman – This veteran trio of Victor Benjovsky, Matthew Kovaleski and Hailey Bader will lead Albion into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League tennis season.

Having lost regulars at seven of nine positions makes for a bit of a rebuilding task for the Albion tennis team heading into the Niagara-Orleans League season.

Junior Matthew Kovaleski, a first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honoree last spring, along with seniors Victor Benjovsky and Hailey Bader provide the veteran court experience for the Purple Eagles.

“It’s a young team and we’re looking to advance as far as they can,” said Coach Jay Kovaleski. “We’re just looking for them to give their best every time they hit the courts.”

Albion lost five key players to graduation (Owen Foos, Emilie Barleben, Kastriot Bela, Donato Rosario and Freeman Lattin) while two others have switched to track (Leonel Rosario and Angel Rosario) and another has transferred (Connor McQuillan).

Foos, Barleben and McQuillan all earned second team N-O All-League honors last year while Donato Rosario was an Honorable Mention selection.

Albion, which went 8-4 in N-O competition last spring is scheduled to visit defending champion Medina in the league opener on April 10.

Schedule
(Matches at 4 p.m.)
April: 10 – At Medina, 12 – Newfane, 16 – at Akron 18 – at Roy-Hart, 20 – Barker, 23 – Wilson, 27 – Medina, 30 – at Newfane.
May: 2 – Akron, 4 – Roy-Hart, 7 – at Barker, 9 – at Wilson, 16 and 17 N-O Doubles Tournament at Medina

Sacred Heart wrapped up its Medina Euchre League championship season with a 38-32 win over runner-up Legion Monday.

Vets Club downed JR Wilson 37-33 in the other match.

Sacred Heart finishes the season with 957 wins for the second time matching the team’s 2015-16 total. The total is the most since Legion’s 982 total during the 2013-14 season.

The Hearts finish at 957-793, Legion 892-858, JR Wilson 845-905 and Vets Club 806-944.

The league banquet will be held April 9 at JR Wilson at 6 p.m.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina pitcher Chris Goyette, who hurled a no hitter, helps his own cause as he slides safely into home for a run during this afternoons’ win over Holley at Vets Park. The Holley catcher is Patrick Bower.

A big early inning scoring explosion provided more than enough offense and a no hit pitching performance took care of the rest as Medina romped past Holley 18-0 this afternoon in the non league season opener for both teams at Vets Park.

Sophomore pitcher Chris Goyette hurled the no hitter for the Mustangs striking out 12 and allowing no walks. Holley’s lone baserunner came via an error in the seventh inning.

Medina broke the contest wide open early by erupting for eight runs in the second inning highlighted by a two-run double by Goyette, a two-run single by Nate Sherman and an RBI single by Brett Riemer.

A single by Trevor Luthart and a double by AJ Seefeldt ignited that big uprising which was also aided by six walks.

The Mustangs also had a big five run fourth inning highlighted by a two-run single by Goyette along with hits by Riemer and Brandon Heschke.

Luthart added a two-run single to key a three-run fifth inning.

Goyette had a total of three hits as Sherman, Riemer and Luthart each added two.

Medina is next scheduled to host JFK in another on league contest at noon on Wednesday.

Medina’s Nate Sherman is tagged out at third base by Holley’s Ryan Andrews.

Rebounding from an early 4-0 deficit, Barker came battling back to nip visiting Pembroke 5-4 this afternoon in the Raiders non league season opener.

Barker got back into the game by scoring three runs in the fourth inning keyed by hits by Evan Ecker and Collin Webb.

The Raiders then plated the tying and winning runs in the fifth frame on bases loaded walks. A single by Webb ignited that rally.

Ecker picked up the win in relief allowing only one hit and striking out four over the final three innings.

Barker next hosts Alexander at 1 p.m. Tuesday in another non league game.