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Mustang netters looking to rebuild
Photo by Mike Wertman – Helping to lead Medina into the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League tennis season will be these veterans. In front are Haylee Seefeldt and Kody Leno. In back are Jacob Houseman, Toby Kiebala, Ray Paull and Andrew Fuller.
Having lost six of nine regulars to graduation, the defending Niagara-Orleans League champion Medina tennis team faces a bit of a rebuilding task this season.
“We lost our singles players and half of our doubles teams but our focus is the same,” said Coach Chris Horgan. “We want to them to have fun and do the best they can to realize their potential.”
Seniors Toby Kiebala, Andrew Fuller and Jacob Houseman, along with juniors Ray Paull, Kody Leno and Haylee Seefeldt, who all saw some action at doubles last season, head Medina’s veteran group.
“It’s a good group and the competition for spots is wide open,” said Horgan.
The Mustangs graduation losses included the first team N-O All-League singles trio of Kristian Snyder, Michael Cardone and Nick Bogan along with second team honoree Kyla Leno and Honorable Mention selections Brandon Harris and Abel Zavitz.
Medina, which captured the N-O title for the fifth time in the last six years last spring with a 12-0 record is scheduled to begin its title defense at home against rival Albion on April 10.
Schedule
(Matches at 4 p.m.)
April: 10 – Albion, 16 – Roy-Hart, 18 – Wilson, 20 – Newfane, 23 – at Barker, 25 – at Akron, 27 – at Albion.
May: 2 – at Roy-Hart, 4 – at Wilson, 7 – at Newfane, 9 – Barker, 10 – Akron.
Kendall track teams prep for G-R season
Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Kendall track teams include, in front, Allen Tonas, Dylan Spellan, Noah Walzer and Ethan Kuhn. In back are Bri Drennan, Lyndsay Wright, Bri Wakefield, Madison Jacob, Kiersten Rodas, Alezya Brown and Kailie Regan.
Underclassmen dominate the lineups for the Kendall track teams which are getting set for the April 10 Genesee Region League opening meet at Wheatland-Chili.
Senior Lyndsay Wright (Hurdles/Sprints); sophomore Bri Drennan (Sprints); freshmen Bri Wakefield (800, 1500, 3000) and Madison Jacob (Hurdles/Sprints) along with eighth graders Kiersten Rodas (Steeplechase/Mid-Distance), Alezya Brown (Shotput/Discus) and Kailie Regan (Shotput/Discus) will lead the way for the Lady Eagles squad.
Wright won both the 100 Hurdles and 400 Hurdles at last year’s Section V Class D championships as Wakefield placed second in the 1500 and Jacob fourth in the 400 Hurdles.
Seniors Allen Tonas (Shotput/Discus) and Dylan Spellan (Shotput/Discus) along with sophomore Noah Walzer (Long Jump/Triple Jump) and Ethan Kuhn (Pentathlon) anchor the lineup for the Kendall boys squad.
Schedule
April: 10 at Wheatland-Chli, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Lyndonville and Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – at LeRoy Invit., 5 p.m.; 27 – at Brighton Invit., 4:30 p.m.
May: 2 – Attica and Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – at Pembroke Invit., 5 p.m.; 9 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at G-R All-League Meet
Tigers have youthful track squads
Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Lyndonville track teams include, in front, Evan Horn, Jacob Golding and Joyce Stamp. In back are Trey VerCruysse, Jon Slingrland and Savannah Poler. Missing from the photo are Angela Wachob and Ethan Bowie.
The accent is on youth for the Lyndonville track teams as the Tigers prep for the Genesee Region League openers at Holley on April 10 and at Kendall on April 13.
Underclassmen dominate the lineup for the Tigers 15 member boys squad which includes senior Brandon Baun (Throws); juniors Nate Poler (Sprints/Jumps), Jon Schroth (Throws/Sprints) and Seth Warner (Throws/Sprints); sophomores Jacob Barry (Hurdles/Sprints), Ethan Bowie (Sprints/Jumps), Jacob Golding (400/Relays), Evan Horn (Jumps/Sprints), Jon Slingerland (Distance) and Trey VerCruysse (Sprints); freshmen Isaac Becker (400/Hurdles), Ethan Craig (Distance) and Joseph Stamp (Sprints/Jumps/Relays) and eighth graders Connor Bell (Distance) and Noah Poler (Distance).
“We’ve got some depth this season” said Coach Jim O’Connor.
However, depth is lacking on Lyndonville’s small nine member girls team which includes seniors Bridget Barry (Sprints/Throws), Angela Wachob (400/Hurdles) and Iva Warriner (Throws); juniors Grace Hayes (Sprints/High Jump), Joyce Stamp (Sprints/Throws) and Carly Woodworth (High Jump/Sprints/Hurdles); sophomore Savannah Poler (Hurdles/Distance) and freshmen Erin Kiefer (Sprints/Hurdles) and Reese Raduns (Sprints/Hurdles).
Poler placed sixth in the 1500 at last year’s Section V Class D championships.
Schedule
April: 10 at Holley, 4:30 p.m.;13 – at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.;18 – at Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 25 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – at Warsaw Invit.
May: 4 – at Pembroke Invit., 9 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m. 19 – at G-R All-League meet at Pembroke.
Senior group leads Holley diamond squad
Photo by Mike Wertman – This veteran trio of Patrick Bower, Sammy Lammes and Ryan Andrews will lead Holley into the upcoming Genesee Region League baseball season.
With a good group of senior veterans anchoring the lineup and new Coach Dan Burke at the helm the Holley baseball squad is prepping for the upcoming Genesee Region League season.
Burke, the Hawks longtime JV coach, takes over the helm from Jason Cole who has stepped down after 17 seasons leading the varsity squad.
Leading the Hawks will be the veteran senior trio of Sammy Lammes (pitcher/infield) and Patrick Bower (catcher/pitcher) who are both four year varsity regulars, and Ryan Andrews (pitcher/infield).
Holley is also counting on five other returning seniors including Nick Schutz (first base), Glenn Thrower (outfield), Nathan Towne (outfield), Mike Passarell (outfield/pitcher) and Brandon Dillenbeck (outfield).
“I’m pretty excited about this team,” said Burke. “It’s a really good group of seniors. Each one fills a definite role. They work so hard, they listen and they are very coachable. It’s just a great nucleus.”
The Hawks are scheduled to tune-up for the April 10 G-R opener at Byron-Bergen by visiting Medina on Monday.
Schedule
April: 2 – at Medina, 4 p.m.; 5 – Barker, 1 p.m.; 10 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Alexander, 1 p.m.; 17 – Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 23 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 27 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 30 – Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.
May: 1 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 2 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – Northstar, 4:30 p.m.
Rain soaked opening scrimmage for Mustangs
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina began prepping for the upcoming Niagara-Orleans League season by hosting Batavia in a rain soaked scrimmage this afternoon on the new baseball diamond turf at Vets Park. Here Chris Goyette delivers a pitch for the Mustangs. Medina is next slated to host Holley in a non league game at 4 p.m. Monday.
Seniors anchor Lady Hawks softball lineup
Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Holley into the upcoming Genesee Region League softball season will be seniors Madison Day, Kassie Norman, Kennedy Jones and Hannah Day. Missing from the photo is Madison Papaj.
Five senior veterans anchor the lineup for the Holley softball squad which is prepping for the April 3 Genesee Region League home opener against Pembroke.
That quintet includes Kassie Norman, Madison Day, Hannah Day, who can all pitch or play in the field, along with third baseman Madison Papaj and Kennedy Jones.
The Lady Hawks are also looking to the junior battery combination of pitcher Madson Marsh and catcher Jocelyn Chilton.
“We’ve got some good experience back and good pitching which is always key,” said Coach Amy Ostrom.
The Lady Hawks losses to graduation included infielders Anna Brasted, Hannah Biedlingmaier, Brooklyn Bartholomew and outfielder Ryley O’Mara.
Schedule
April: 3 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; Northstar, 4:30 p.m.; 10 – at OakfieldAlabama, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Lima Christian, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 23 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – at Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 26 – at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 30 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
May: 2 – Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at Kearney, 4:30 p.m.
Mustangs try out new softball turf
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina gave the new Vets Park softball diamond turf a tuneup test this afternoon as the Mustangs hosted Iroquois in a scrimmage. Here Lacey Kenward delivers a pitch for the Mustangs.
Medina’s Ashlee Howell makes solid contact at the plate in this photo which gives an overall view of the colorful new infield turf.
Lyndonville will host combined varsity girls soccer team with Medina
File photo by Cheryl Wertman: Lyndonville’s Anna Lewis (17) works the ball up field against Notre Dame during a soccer game in September 2015. Lewis wore the Medina Mustang uniform this year in a combined girls soccer team with Lyndonville and Medina. Next season, Lyndonville will be the host school for the combined team.
LYNDONVILLE – The Medina and Lyndonville girls varsity soccer team combined for the first time this past fall, the latest effort by the two school districts to share some athletic programs.
The soccer team will stay combined in the fall, but this time Lyndonville will be the host school and the team will play in the Genesee-Region League in Section V, instead of the Niagara-Orleans League in Section VI.
Medina is the host district for football and boys varsity soccer, while Lyndonville is host for a boys volleyball team.
The Lyndonville Board of Education approved the change last week with Lyndonville becoming the host school for girls varsity soccer, and the Medina Board of Education approved it on Tuesday.
Mark Kruzynski, the Medina school superintendent, said the shared sports programs have worked out for both schools by keeping programs, fielding competitive teams and reducing overall costs.
Some of the Lyndonville girls soccer games will be played at Medina, and the team will wear Medina uniforms for those games. Some of the Medina boys soccer games also are played in Lyndonville, with the team wearing Tigers uniforms.
“We’re hosting boys soccer and they’re hosting girls soccer,” Kruzynski said. “We see it is as a cooperation. It’s not Medina absorbing Lyndonville. There are savings for both districts.”
Each district continues to maintain its own JV programs, although Kruzynski said the districts are discussing whether it makes sense for shared services with some of those programs in the future.
Jason Smith, the Lyndonville school superintendent, said the district is glad to host the varsity girls soccer program. He said the shared programs has worked out well for the two districts.
“We’ve had a good relationship with Medina,” Smith said this afternoon. “We’re trying to keep things balanced. There is a lot of pride at both schools.”
Lyndonville students also have the option of being in the Medina Marching Band and many Medina students are part of the musical based at Lyndonville.
Varsity baseball is back at Kendall
Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead Kendall into the upcoming Genesee Region League varsity baseball season are Mickey Gardner, John Rath and Mason Kuhn. Missing from the photo is Jeremy Browe.
No area team is probably more anxious to get the season going than the Kendall baseball squad as the Eagles are prepping to return to varsity competition after a two year absence.
“It’s nice to have a team,” said Kendall Coach Tige Noni of the Eagles return after low numbers made it impossible to field a varsity team the last two years. “I’m glad to be fielding a team again. We’re going to be young but we’ve got good numbers and I think we will be pretty competitive.”
The Eagles are slated to return to the field beginning with a non league contest at Barker on Thursday.
Kendall is led by the quartet of senior Jeremy Browe (third base/outfield), juniors Mickey Gardner (pitcher/shortstop) and John Rath (pitcher/shortstop) and sophomore Mason Kuhn (catcher/pitcher).
Schedule
March: 29 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
April: 10 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 19 – at Northstar, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 23 – Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 27 – Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 30 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.
May: 1 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 3 – Northstar, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
Lady Eagles softball team has key holes to fill
Photo by Mike Wertman – Helping to lead the Kendall varsity softball squad this season will be this quartet of veterans including Ashley Kingsbury, Adriana Passarell, Michela Hanlon and Kierstyn Christensen.
Looking to plug a number of holes caused by key graduation losses, the Kendall girls varsity softball squad is prepping for the upcoming Genesee Region League season.
The Lady Eagles return experience in seniors Michela Hanlon (second base), Adrianna Passarell (outfield), Kierstyn Christensen (infield), Ashley Kingsbury (infield) and Shianna Patten (catcher).
The Kendall roster also includes senior Sunni Brice (outfield), juniors Anna Oakley (outfield), Kelly Mayes (infield), sophomores Lizzie Sutphen (outfield) and Brittney Marks (shortstop/second base) and eighth grader Sara Mattle (pitcher).
“We will be young but I think we’s got some solid bats and we’re looking to get stronger as the season progress,” said Coach Jeff Parizek.
The Lady Eagles graduation losses included a trio of G-E All-Stars, pitcher Chelsea Wright, catcher Kacey Menge and first baseman Madison Rath, along with center fielder Lizzie Rath and infielder Emily Mattle.
Kendall is slated to begin G-R competition at Wheatland-Chili on Thursday.
Schedule
March: 29 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.
April:10 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Monroe, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – at Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.; 26 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 27 – Lima Christian, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Barker, 11 a.m.; 30 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.
May: 1 – at Monroe, 4:30 p.m.; 2 – Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at HAC, 4:30 p.m.; 9 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Elba, 4:30 p.m.
