Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Travis Wiseman works toward a major decision win over Barker/Roy-Hart’s Brett Ricker to clinch the Mustangs home mat victory this evening.

In a sea-saw battle which saw half a dozen lead changes, Medina posted a 39-30 victory over visiting Barker/Roy-Hart this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League wrestling match.

Trailing 24-23, Medina regained the lead for good by taking the last two bouts decided on the mat on a second period pin by Spencer Rotoli (285) and a major decision win by Travis Wiseman (113) for a clinching 39-24 advantage.

The Mustangs also got off to a quick start grabbing a 17-0 lead at the outset off two forfeit wins and a technical fall victory by Da’Ron Bellan (130).

However, Barker/Roy-Hart answered right back with three straight pins by DJ Alvord (145) in 47 seconds, AJ Schafer (152) in 1:15 and Tyler Choate (160)  in 2:29 to rally into a 18-17 lead.

Barker/Roy-Hart then got decision wins by Aiden Haley (182) and Ben Schwab (220) to offset Medina decision wins by Jeremiah Wiseman (170) and Elijah Sones (195) to maintain a slender 24-23 lead.

The Mustangs though answered the challenge by notching the second period pin by Rotoli and then the major decision win by Travis Wiseman to lock up the victory.

Medina is now 2-1 and Barker/Roy-Hart 0-3 in N-O competition.

Akron 45, Albion 33
Pins by Josh Cummings, Owen Kissel, Anthony Brandel, Robbie PeQueen and Jacob Sarow keyed Akron (2-1) to a 45-33 win over host Albion (1-2).

Preston Flugel and Ben Restivo both had pins and Jacob Thom a decision win for Albion.

In the other N-O match, defending champion Newfane (3-0) defeated Wilson (1-2) 62-16.

Tyler Choate of Barker/Roy-Hart works toward a pin over Medina’s Judah Barnum.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina High senior Jalin Cooper signs a national letter of intent to accept a football scholarship from the University of Toledo. He is joined by his parents Sandy and Eric Hellwig. In back are Adam and Jason Hellwig.

After making a verbal commitment last June, Medina High senior Jalin Cooper made it official this evening as he signed a national letter of intent to accept a Division 1 football scholarship from the University of Toledo.

“I am so excited to be going to one of the top offenses in the country,” said Cooper who signed on the first day of the NCAA’s new three day early signing period for football.  “They were ranked 6th in the nation this year, and I am a good fit for the offense they run.”

On why he chose Toledo, Cooper says, “Toledo is a football school, first. They have a good reputation, they’ve created a culture of winning, and I will have the opportunity to compete for a MAC championship every year and play in bowl games. I’ve been to a couple of games and their stadium is full. I’m excited to play in front of crowds like that. They also have some of the best facilities.

“We visited a lot of schools and Toledo’s facilities are equal to schools in the ACC and PAC-12. But most important is the chance to play for this coaching staff. Coach Candle does a great job of getting the best players he can and he sends several to the NFL every year.

“I have had the chance to talk with guys like David Fluellen, who’s dad actually played at Medina, and Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, who might be NFL Rookie Of The Year. Those guys believe in Toledo and Coach Candle 100 percent. Even players who went to other schools have told me if I have a chance to play at Toledo, I should take it. He also gets the best coaches for every position and I can’t wait to learn more about being a receiver from Coach Bellamy.”

Cooper is planning on majoring in Social Work. “I  want to help people, especially kids. Toledo has a program that will allow me to get my degree and get field experience with internships. Their graduates all get jobs, so the school is well respected.”

Cooper, who came to Medina as a sixth grader from Chicago, is also quick to point out how much his adopted home town has meant to him

“I can’t believe my high school career is almost over. When I first came here in 6th grade, I never dreamed of this,” he said.  “Of course I loved sports and had the same dream as every little kid of being a professional athlete, but I had no idea what it took to get to this level. I can’t thank Coach Valley, Coach Forrestel, and Coach Dole enough for fall they’ve done for me. They’ve given me the skills I need and taught me how to work hard. I don’t know where I would be without the support of all my coaches and teachers at Medina, but I don’t think I would have the opportunity that is in front of me now.”

Cooper, who is a two-time All-Western New York football squad honoree, is also a two-time first team Niagara-Orleans All-League basketball selection. In addition, he is a two-time Section VI 100 and 200 meter track champion.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Charlie Bruning looks to work for a shot against Oracle’s Deontay Johnson during the host Rams non league loss this evening.

A late rally fell just short as Roy-Hart dropped a narrow 51-49 decision to visiting Oracle this evening in a non league boys basketball game.

Roy-Hart put together a late 11-0 run, including 7 by Jake Bruning and 4 by Noah Kindron, but the Rams could get no closer than the final two point margin.

Jake Bruning finished with 18, Charlie Bruning 12 and Kindron and Charlie Brigham 6 each.

Gary Marshall took game high honors with 23 for Oracle.

Roy-Hart jumped out to a 14-9 first quarter lead as Charlie Bruning scored 8 and Jake Bruning 5.

Roy-Hart’s Noah Kindron drives against Oracle’s Shontez Asturias.

The Rams maintained a slender 20-19 lead at the half on a late free throw by Blake Halstead.

However, Oracle rallied into a 39-32 lead at the three-quarter mark.

Now at 4-3, Roy-Hart next hosts Wilson at 7 p.m. Thursday in a Niagara-Orleans League game.

Buffalo Academy of Science 61, Albion 54
Albion dropped a 61-54 non league decision to Buffalo Academy of Science at Daemen College.

Liam Ward scored 16 to lead Albion as Deyonci Farley added 9 and Kevin Hillman and Demetrius Gardner 7 each.

Academy led by margins of 16-12 after one period, 32-26 at the half and 44-36 at the half.

Elba 72, Lyndonville 51
Pulling away down the stretch, Elba downed Lyndonville 72-51 in a Genesee Region League game.

Leading 49-41  at the three-quarter mark, Elba outpointed Lyndonville 23-10 in the final stanza to lock up the win.

Colton Dillon scored 11 of his game high 27 and Jon Boyce 8 of his 13 to lead the Lancers down the stretch.

Ben Pflaumer added 14 for Elba which led 34-30 at the half.

Zach Johnson scored 20, Matt Hess 12 and Nathan Dillenbeck 10 for Lyndonville.

Wheatland-Chili 57, Kendall 46

Trailing 28-25 at the half, Wheatland-Chili used a 14-9 third period surge to move into the lead for good by a 39-37 margin to key the 57-46 G-R win over visiting Kendall.

Anthony Rosado took game high honors for W-C with 20.

Nate Warters scored 14, Hunter Menze 9, John Rath 8 and Mickey Gardner 7 for Kendall. Gardner also had 9 rebounds and Warters 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Byron-Bergen 47, Holley 37
Patrick Bower scored 14 and Ryan Andrews 11 for Holley in the 47-37 G-R loss at Byron-Bergen.

Notre Dame 81, Barker 55

Notre Dame defeated visiting Barker 81-55 in a non league game.

Girls Basketball
Akron 57, Barker 24
Up 34-22 after three quarters, Akron used a big 23-2 fourth period surge to lock up a 57-24 N-O win over visiting Barker.

Neely Abrams scored 22, Helena Hill 12 and Darion Jonathan 11 to lead Akron.

Sydnie Luckman scored 8 for Barker as Gabby Baker, Serena Harris, Kylie Miller and Kylie Annable each added 4.

Alden 42, Roy-Hart 41

Ellie Todd and Meghan Washington each scored 9 points for Roy-Hart in a narrow 42-41 non league loss at Alden.

Holley-Kendall bested visiting Livonia/Wayland-Cohocton 49-36 this evening in a non league wrestling match.

First period pins by Jeremy Browe in 44 seconds, Dawson Custer in 48 seconds, Hunter McLean in 1:20 and Jayden Pieniaszek in 1:40 highlighted the Hawks victory which also included a pin by Dylan Spellan, a major decision win by Tristyn Moyer and a decision win by Matt Hahn.

Roy-Hart/Barker also posted a 54-21 non league victory at Lyndonville highlighted by pins by Andrew Schafer, Tyler Choate, Murphy Lang, Aiden Haley and Nico Cacique.

Cullen Heveron had a pin for Lyndonville.

Medina plans Alumni Night
Medina will honor its alumni wrestlers prior to the start of the Mustangs Niagara-Orleans League League match against Roy-Hart/Barker Wednesday evening at 6.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Madison Lang was a double winner in the 200 and 500 Free events during the Channel Cats loss to host Medina today.

Improving to 2-1, Medina defeated visiting Roy-Hart 96-72 this afternoon in a Niagara-Orleans League boys swim meet.

Roy-Hart gained a split on the day by winning the girls competition 116-54 to likewise improve to 2-1.

Ray Paull was a double winner for the Medina boys in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke.

Jack Hill in action for Medina in the 100 Butterfly.

The Seahorses also got individual event wins from Mason Pecoraro (50 Free) and Hunter Heil (100 Backstroke).

Hunter Heil also teamed up with Paull, Jack Hill and Pecoraro to win the 200 Medley Relay and with Daniel Heil, Pecoraro and August Pietrafesa to take the 200 Free Relay.

Madigan Lang doubled fin the 200 Feee and 500 Free for Roy-Hart which slips to 0-3.

The Channel Cats also had Michael Miller win the 100 Butterfly and William Rickard the 100 Free.

Lang, Rickard and Miller also teamed up with Patrick Sheelar to win the 400 Free Relay.

Roy-Hart’s Holly DeMayo heads toward a win in the 100 Breaststroke.

Madison Ohol doubled in the Individual Medley and Backstroke for the Roy-Hart girls as Amanda Hill took the 200 Free, Alex Fox the 100 Butterfly, Kayla Hagen the 100 Free, Colleen Ulrich the 500 Free and Holly DiMayo the 100 Breaststroke.

Hagen, DeMayo, Hill and Jenna Heiser also teamed up to win the 200 Medley Relay for the Channel Cats while Ohol, Heiser, Hill and Hagen captured the 200 Free.

Hannah Heil won the 50 Free for Medina and also combined with Alyssa Beyer, Margaret Klotzbach and Amanda Woodruff to win the 400 Free Relay.

The Seahorses are now 1-2.

Albion, Newfane split
The Albion boys stayed unbeaten at 3-0 with a 101-69 victory at Newfane as Carlitos Sanchez doubled in the 50 Free and 100 Free and Matt Kovaleski in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Breaststroke.

Thomas Schultz doubled in the 200 Free and 500 Free for Newfane which slips to 0-2-1.

The Newfane girls improved to 2-1 by downing Albion (0-3)  132-35 as Lauren Gaughran doubled in the Individual Medley and 500 Free.

Barker, Akron split
The Barker boys improved to 2-1 by downing hosts Akron (1-1-1) 107-63 as Collin Webb doubled in the 50 Free and 100 Back, Adam Wagner in the 200 Free and 100 Free and Andrew Jenks in the Individual Medley and 100 Butterfly. Dominic Clementi added a win in the 100 Breaststroke for the Raiders..

The Akron girls stayed perfect at 3-0 by besting Barker (1-2) 106-63 as Madison Harrison and Lexi Cramer were triple winners.

Hannah Heil anchors Medina’s winning 400 Free Relay quartet.

Sacred Heart posted a 40-30 victory over front-running Legion Monday to regain the Medina Euchre League lead.

JR Wilson downed Vets Club 42-28 in the other match.

Now on top by nine points, Sacred Heart is 450-390 on the season followed by Legion 441-399, JR Wilson 402-438 and Vets Club 387-453.

League action resumes on January 8 with Vets Club at Legion and JR Wilson at Sacred Heart.

Jumping out to a 16-4 first quarter lead, Rochester Academy Charter went on to score a 57-31 victory over visiting Kendall this evening in a non league girls basketball game.

RAC, which went on to hold leads of 37-16 at the half and 51-25 at the three-quarter mark, was sparked by Tyana Viruet-Henta with 23 and Tylasia Weaver with 17.

Taylor ReQua led Kendall with 9 as Lizzie Sutphen added 7, Lyndsay Wright 6, Brittney Marks 4, Jenna Regan 3 and Katherine Pearson 2.

Now at 3-2 overall, Kendall next hosts Wheatland-Chili Wednesday in a Genesee Region League game.

Scoring three quick goals in the first half of the opening period, Batavia went on to defeat the Tri County Midget hockey team 7-2 Sunday evening at Batavia.

Batavia led 3-0 at the end of the first period and 4-0 early in the second before Tri County scored on a goal by Patrick Ricker.

Josh Gimeli netted Tri County’s other goal in the third period.

Now at 0-6-2, Tri County next faces Webster at Brockport on December 29.

Contributed Photo – Alba Perez

Medina High and Niagara County Community College graduate Alba Perez is in her senior year of collegiate basketball competition at the University of Montevallo, Alabama.

Perez, who is majoring in Sociology, is averaging 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Falcons.

Perez was a two-time first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honoree during her scholastic days at Medina.

At NCCC, she was a first team Region III All-Star her sophomore year as she ranked in the top five in the nation in rebounds.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Thomas Furmanski and his Albion teammates are off to a 2-0 start to the Niagara-Orleans League season.

Niagara-Orleans League swim competition opened with a bang last week as the Akron teams signaled the start to a bit of a new era by ending both the defending champion Roy-Hart boys 11 year league unbeaten streak and the defending champion Newfane girls 8 year unbeaten streak.

The Roy-Hart boys had compiled a record of 109-0 and the Newfane girls a mark of 80-0 during their decade of domination.

That very interesting start to the N-O season looks to continue this week with several key meets.  On the boys side, Albion, which is in sole possession of first place at 2-0, visits Newfane (0-1-1) on Tuesday and hosts Akron (1-0-1) on Friday while Barker (1-1) visits Akron (1-0-1) on Tuesday and hosts Medina (1-1) on Thursday. On the girls side, Akron (2-0) hosts Barker (1-1) while Medina (1-1) entertains Roy-Hart (1-1) on Tuesday and visits Barker on Thursday.

N-O basketball action will feature the Albion boys (0-1) hosting Newfane (1-0) on Friday and the defending champion Wilson girls (0-1) at Akron (0-0) on Wednesday.

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Girls Basketball: RAC at Kendall, 6 p.m.; Holley at Attica, 7 p.m.

Tuesday
Boys Basketball: Albion vs. Buffalo Academy of Sciences at Daemen College, Barker at Notre Dame, Holley at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Wheatland-Chili, Lyndonville at Elba, Oracle at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Barker at Akron, Roy-Hart at Alden, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming: Roy-Hart at Medina, Albion at Newfane, Barker at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Wrestling: Roy-Hart at Lyndonville, Livonia at Holley-Kendall, 6 p.m.

Wednesday
Girls Basketball:  Wilson at Akron, Medina at Mt. St. Mary’s, 6:30 p.m.; Byron-Bergen at Holley, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, Elba at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Wrestling: Roy-Hart/Barker at Medina, Akron at Albion, Wilson at Newfane, 6 p.m.

Thursday
Boys Basketball: Wilson at Roy-Hart, Notre Dame at Kendall, Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Roy-Hart at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.
Swimming: Medina at Barker, Roy-Hart at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.

Friday
Boys Basketball: Newfane at Albion, Gowanda at Roy-Hart, Barker at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Albion at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Medina at Elba, Holley at Pembroke, Kendall at Notre Dame, Lyndonville at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.
Swimming: Akron at Albion
Wrestling: Albion at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; Wilson Magnet vs. Holley-Kendall at Kendall, 6 p.m.

N-O Standings
Boys Basketball: Akron 1-0, Medina 1-0, Newfane 1-0, Wilson 0-0, Albion 0-1, Barker 0-1, Roy-Hart 0-1
Girls Basketball: Newfane 2-0, Albion 1-0, Akron 0-0, Barker 0-0, Medina 0-1, Roy-Hart 0-1, Wilson 0-1
Boys Swimming: Albion 2-0, Akron 1-0-1, Barker 1-1, Medina 1-1, Newfane 0-1-1, Roy-Hart 0-2
Girls Swimming: Akron 2-0, Barker 1-1, Medina 1-1, Newfane 1-1, Roy-Hart 1-1, Albion 0-2
Wrestling: Newfane 2-0, Albion 1-1, Akron 1-1, Medina 1-1, Wilson 1-1, Roy-Hart/Barker 0-2