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Powell earns Rookie of the Year honor
Contributed Photo – Chanyce Powell
Albion High graduate and SUNY Brockport freshman Chanyce Powell has been named SUNY Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year for women’s indoor track.
Powell captured the SUNYAC title in the triple jump and also placed fourth in the long jump at the conference championships.
She followed that up by winning the triple jump at the NCAA Division III regionals and then placed fifth in the long jump at the Division III national championship meet.
Powell set a new Brockport record in the long jump (18-6) in February and came within two inches of setting a new school record in the triple jump.
During her scholastic days at Albion Powell was a four-time Niagara-Orleans League champion in the triple jump and a two-time long jump champion. She was also a two-time Section VI long jump champion.
Albion girls eye rebound softball season
Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran upperclassmen members of the Albion softball squad include, in front, Sarah Gregori, Brylie Hapeman, Lexi Wolck and Sierra Newton. In back are Erin Doty, Natalie DiCureia, Janae Doty and Haley Black.
Looking to rebound from last year’s 3-9 league campaign, the Albion softball squad is prepping for the Niagara-Orleans season led by a good veteran nucleus of eight upperclassmen.
That veteran group includes seniors Erin Doty (pitcher/outfield), Janae Doty (catcher), Natalie DiCureia (infield) and Haley Black (outfield) along with juniors Sarah Gregori (catcher), Lexi Wolck (infield), Brylie Hapeman (outfield) and Sierra Newton (first base).
DiCureia earned second team N-O All-League honors last spring while Hapeman and Newton both received Honorable Mention.
Three sophomores, who all saw varsity action late last season, also return including Paige Derisley (infield), Kendall Derisley (outfield) and Ella Knaak (pitcher/first base).
Rounding out the Purple Eagles roster are juniors Alexis Bentley (outfield) and Marie Reynolds (outfield).
“We have a lot of fielding experience but pitching is the big question mark. That is where we lack the experience,” said Coach Cathy Schmitt. “We need to play good defense and play to our potential.”
The Purple Eagles are scheduled to begin N-O competition at Akron on April 9.
Schedule
March: 26 – at Lockport, 4:45 p.m.; 28 – Batavia, 4:45 p.m.
April: 4 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Alden 12 p.m.; 9 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 16 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 18 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 20 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 24 – Aquinas, 4:45 p.m.; 27 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 30 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
May: 2 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 4 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – at Brockport, 3 p.m.; 7 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.
Holley is switching to 8 man football
In recent years a dwindling number of participants has caused problems for many small football playing high schools across the state.
In order to keep their football programs going some schools have turned to merging with neighboring districts, such as Medina and Lyndonville have done for the past several years. Others have turned to another alternative – 8 man football – and that is the direction Holley is taking.
“It’s a done deal. We’re going to play 8 man football this fall,” said Holley Athletic Director Dan Courtney. “Our numbers have been low so this came around at the right time for us and we’re going to give it a try. It’s nothing new. Eight man football has been around for a long time and is played in many states. We want to give our kids the opportunity to continue to play football and this provides us the chance to do that.”
Section V has given its approval for 8 man competition, a decision which follows the Section III (Central New York) move to form an 8 man division last year. That division included Cooperstown, South Lewis, New York Mills, Bishop Grimes, Oriskany and Pulaski.
“Our coaches and players are excited that we will have football,” said Hawks head Coach Wil Prince. “We’re really excited. We’ve done our research and have talked to the Section III people and they have nothing but positives to say about it. I think it will really help us. It really was going to 8 man or nothing so it is a way for us to not only keep football but to build the program.”
Some of those Section III schools likely loom as possible opponents for Holley this fall as to date CG Finney is the only other Section V school to indicate its plans to go to 8 man football though Courtney notes several other districts have expressed interest.
“Schools have until August to make a decision to switch from 11 to 8 man football so we will have to see what schools choose to do so but playing some of the Section III schools is something we’re looking at,” noted Courtney.
Played on a regulation field 8 man football requires a minimum squad of only 12 players as opposed to the 16 which the state requires for an 11 man team.
Interestingly, for Holley the switch to 8 man football is almost going back to the Hawks gridiron roots as when Genesee Region League (then Genesee Orleans League) schools formed football teams after World War II they were 6 man teams. Holley in fact played 6 man football from 1948-1955 before dropping the sport until it was reinstated as 11 man football in 2002.
Medina softball looks to keep momentum
Photo by Mike Wertman – The Medina softball team’s veterans include, in front, Ryenn Oliver, Cora Payne and Destiny Satkowski. In back are Brandi Guild, Alisha Scroger and Alyssa Beyer. Missing from the photo are Morgan Allis, Ashlee Howell and Lacey Kenward.
Last spring was a real turning point season for the Medina softball team as not only did the Mustangs end a 12 year Niagara-Orleans League title drought but also captured the first Section VI championship in the program’s 43 year history.
“We peaked at the right time last year and we’re hoping to continue that this season,” said Medina Coach Amber Cleaveland whose Mustangs earned a one-third share of the N-O crown with Roy-Hart and Akron at 9-3 and then nipped the top two seeds (No. 2 Fredonia 1-0 in the semis and No. 1 Eden 5-4 in the finals) to capture the Section VI Class B2 title.
The majority of that title squad returns including seniors Alisha Scroger (shortstop), Destiny Satkowski (outfield) and Alyssa Beyer (outfield) along with juniors Cora Payne (pitcher), Ashlee Howell (catcher), Ryan Oliver (outfield), Brandi Guild (infield) and sophomores Morgan Allis (infield) and Lacey Kenward (pitcher).
Scroger and Satkowski, who will miss part of the season due to off season knee surgery, both earned first team N-O All-League honors last season while Howell and Guild were both second team honorees.
The Mustangs chief loss to graduation was first team All-League pitcher Emily Kams.
Medina, which is scheduled to begin its N-O title defense at home against Akron on April 11 has several scrimmages slated during the Easer break at Disney World in Florida.
Schedule
March: 28 – Iroquois 4:45
April: 9 – Cleveland Hill, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – Starpoint, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; 14 – at Lyndonville, 3 p.m.; 16 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 18 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 20 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 23 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 26 – at Maryvale, 5 pm.; 28 – at Depew Tournament; 30 – Barker, 4:45 p.m.
May: 1 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 2 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 4 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 5 – CSAT, 6 p.m.; 7 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 9 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.
Zimmies hands Nemi first soccer loss
Zimmies Auto handed Tony Nemi their first loss of the season over the weekend in Keenan Indoor Soccer League action by a score of 8-4.
Zimmies scored 3 goals in the first 10 minutes.
Nemi was able to score 2 to close the gap at the end of the first half. However Zimmies pulled away in the second half for the 8-4 win.
Goal scorers for Nemi were Caelan Holland, Andrew Houseman, Matthew Hess and Jonathan Pietrafesa.
Hearts top Legion in Euchre League action
Front-running Sacred Heart downed runner-up Legion 38-32 Monday in Medina Euchre League competition.
JR Wilson nipped Vets Club 36-34 in the other match.
Now in front by 65 points, Sacred Heart is 887-723 on the season followed by Legion 822-788, JR Wilson 778-832 and Vets Club 733-877.
League competition continues on March 26 with Legion at Sacred Heart and JR Wilson at Vets Club.
Snowy practice for Mustang stickmen
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina varsity lacrosse players took to the still largely snow covered Vets Park turf this afternoon to get in some outside practice time and to help break up the remaining snow pack. The Mustangs are scheduled to host Greece Saturday in the non league season opener and Salamanca next Monday in the Class D Division opener.
Raiders will be an “Ironman 9” squad
Photo by Mike Wertman – Everyone will see plenty of playing time as these nine players will comprise this season’s Barker varsity baseball team. In front are Shane Gerhardt, Collin Webb, Austin Sullivan and Dan Ober. In back are Preston Harris, Evan Ecker, John Costello, Logan Harris and Nick Brandt.
It will literally be an “Iron Man 9” for the Barker varsity baseball team this coming season as the Raiders are prepping for the Niagara-Orleans League campaign with a roster of only nine players.
“Our numbers are a bit low”, said Coach Rob Mucha who lost 11 players from last spring’s second place (8-4) squad to graduation. “We do have some good field experience though and we’ve got some good hitters but pitching will be by committee.”
The Raiders lineup includes seniors Collin Webb (pitcher/outfield/catcher), Evan Ecker (shortstop/pitcher), John Costello (outfield) and Austin Sullivan (first base); juniors Dan Ober (outfield), Preston Harris (catcher/pitcher/shortstop) and Nick Brandt (third base/pitcher) along with freshmen Shane Gerhardt (infield/outfield/pitcher) and Logan Harris (second base).
Webb earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring.
The Raiders graduation losses included first team N-O All-League pitcher Eddie Wasnock along with second team honorees Ryan Voss (infield) and Kyle MacDonald (outfield) and Honorable Mention selections Chauncey McKee and Cam Fox.
Barker, which tied with Albion and Wilson for second place at 8-4 last spring just a game behind champion Roy-Hart (9-3) will begin tuning up for the N-O season by hosting Kendall on March 29. The Raiders league opener is slated for April 9 at Roy-Hart.
Schedule
March: 29 – Kendall, 4:30 p.m.
April: 2 – Pembroke, 1 p.m.; 3 – Alexander, 1 p.m.; 5 – at Holley, 1 p.m.; 7 – at Lyndonville, 1 p.m.; 9 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 14 – CSAT, 1 p.m.; 17 – at Holland, 4:45 p.m.; 18 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 20 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 23 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 25 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 27 – at Albion, 4:45 p.m.; 30 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.
May: 2 – Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 3 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 7 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 9 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
Bradley earns high Triathlete ranking
Contributed Photo Scott Bradley competing in the Ironman 70.3 Austin.
The results of a very busy 2017 year has earned Lyndonville native Scott Bradley high national and international rankings in Triathlete competition.
Bradley, who races as a professional, was ranked 76th among 8,341 worldwide competitors in his age group (30-24), 43rd along those from the U.S. Among those participating in three or more events he was ranked 34th (20th in the U.S.). Among those athletes residing in the Northeast U.S., he was ranked 3rd among triathletes of all ages, not just the 30-34 age group. And in New York State, he was ranked 2nd along triathletes of all ages.
Bradley finished his busy 2017 year by competing in the Ironman 70.3 in Austin, Texas where he finished 14th out of 23 Male Pros and 20th overall out of 1,621 participants. It was his seventh 70.3 of the year in addition to one full Triathalon and a marathon.
Coming out of the water 23rd out of 23 Male Pros, he posted the 6th fastest bike time of the entire field riding a 2:15.35 at an average speed of 24.65 miles per hour to improve his place to 11th among Male Pros. However, battling a sinus infection, his run of 1:32.52 dropped in to the 14h place finish with an overall time of 4:23.12.
Bradley is scheduled to begin a reduced 2018 schedule at the Ironman 70.3 Texas on April 8. He is also planning on competing in the Wildflower Long Course (California, May 5); Ironman 70.3 Eagleman (Maryland, June); New York City Triathlon (July); and, Ironman Mont-Tremblant (Quebec, August).
“The 2018 season will likely be my last racing in the professional field. That isn’t set in stone, but it’s the way I’m leaning at the moment,” said Bradley. “It’s been a good three years where I’ve been able to race a lot and challenge myself against phenomenal athletes, but there are other things I want to try and maintaining the training schedule I’ve had with work has been a challenge.”
Bradley started working with a new coach in the last part of 2017 and it was his determination that he was racing too much. In assessing the 2017 year, Scott agreed, stating “Last year was very disappointing for me, with only two races that I felt proud of. I think all of the racing took a toll on me and prevented me from the quality, consistent training that I needed.”
He is the Assistant Principal at Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School.
Lady Tigers have youthful lineup
Photo by Mike Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Lyndonville softball team this season will be this group of veterans. In front are Ella Lewis, Miranda Lembcke and Anna Lewis. In back are Victoria Newman, Stacey Buckland, Cassidy Boyce and Alecia Hinkson.
Lyndonville, which captured the Section V D1 softball championship last spring, is prepping for the season with a very youthful squad anchored a good veteran contingent of two seniors and five underclassmen.
That group includes seniors Miranda Lembcke (catcher) and Victoria Newman (outfield) along with juniors Anna Lewis (outfield), Alecia Hinkson (outfield), Stacey Buckland (pitcher/first base), Cassidy Boyce (third base) and eighth grader Ella Lewis (infield/outfield).
Lembcke and Anna Lewis both earned Genesee Region League All-Star honors last spring.
The Lady Tigers are also looking to sophomore Megan Krisher (infield/outfield), freshman Chloe Stinson (shortstop) and eighth grader Gracie Johnson (pitcher).
“We’re still a very young team but if we can play everyone in the position they should play we should be pretty solid,” said Coach Joe Moore. “It really depends on the pitching.”
Lyndonville went 12-3 in the G-R League and 15-5 overall last year.
The Lady Tigers graduation losses included G-R All-Star shortstop Aubrey Lewis and first baseman Makenzie Muck.
The Lady Tigers are scheduled to begin tuning up for the April 9 G-R home opener against Wheatland-Chili by hosting Albion on April 4.
Schedule
April: 4 – Albion, 1 p.m.; 5 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Roy-Hart, 11 a.m.; 9 – Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Elba 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 16 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 18 – Pembroke ,4:30 p.m.;20 – at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Oakfield-Alabama, 4:30 p.m.; 26 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 30 – Byron-Bergen, 4:30 p.m.
May: 2 – at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; 4 – at Elba, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – Lima Christian, 4:45 p.m.; 10 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 11 – Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; 14 – Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.
