sports
Albion wins Holley indoor soccer tourney
Contributed Photo – Albion’s championship team included, in back from left Coach Bridgette Varin, Leo Bolton (Assistant Coach), Logan Poupore, Benny Rosario, Garret Jones, Gabe Campbell, Adrian Figueroa-Fuentes and David Rosario (Assistant Coach).In front are Joey Bropst and Pablo Rosario.
The Albion boys varsity team won the Holley Indoor Soccer Tournament today defeating Holley in overtime in the championship game.
Pablo Rosario scored the game winning goal.
Albion also had goals from Joey Bropst, Gabe Campbell, Benny Rosario and Garret Jones throughout the tournament.
Logan Poupore and Adrian Figueroa-Fuentes (Goalkeeper) made some big defensive plays to help the team win the tournament.
The other teams in Albion’s bracket were two Holley teams, YMCA from Batavia and Attica.
Tigers set for return to the varsity diamond
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set to lead Lyndonville’s return to varsity baseball competition is this quintet of veterans. In front are Austin Fonda and Quincy McClinsey. In back are Colton Smith, Jacob Pitcher and Cole Moyle.
Last fall boys varsity soccer made a successful return at Lyndonville after missing a year due to low prticipation numbers.
Now the Tigers varsity baseball team is returning to the diamond after likewise missing a year due to low participation numbers.
“It’s great to have the varsity team back,” said Coach Brad Hoffee, a Lyndonville graduate and a former Tiger baseball player himself. “Having the numbers to have both a varsity and JV team is a big win for the program.”
Anchoring the Tigers lineup are five players who played on Lyndonville’s last varsity team in the spring of 2023.
That quintet includes seniors Jacob Pitcher (Pitcher/Outfield) and Cole Moyle (Infield/Catcher/Pitcher), juniors Colton Smith (Pitcher/Shortstop) and Austin Fonda (Second Base) and sophomore Quincy McClinsey (Infield/Pitcher).
The Tigers are scheduled to make their return to the diamond this coming Saturday with a non league game at Barker at 11 a.m.
Local duo in junior year at St. Bona
Contributed Photos – Two local players, Holley’s Broek Ostron and Roy-Hart’s Reanna Perkins, are in their junior year of competiton at St. Bonaventure University. Ostrom is in his third year as a walk on guard on the Bonnies men’s basketball team. A Sports Studies major he capped off his season on a high note scoring a late basket in the Bonnies NIT loss to Kent State. Perkins is in her third season as a shortstop on the Bonnies women’s softball team. A Public Health major she has started six games so far this season. She started 38 games in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.
SUNY Niagara softball squad includes several N-O League players
Contributed Photo – The Niagara-Orleans League is well represented on this year’s SUNY Niagara softball team. The N-O graduates on the Thunder Wolves squad include, in front, Natalie Brandel (Pitcher/First Base) a freshman from Barker. In back are Sidney Ziemendorf (Outfielder), a freshman from Wilson, Mia Herman (Outfielder/Shortstop) a freshman from Barker and Rylee VanNostrand (Shortstop/Second Base), a sophomore from Medina. Missing from the photo is Mikayla Venter (Pitcher), a freshman from Akron.
Medina to host Eden in lacrosse opener
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran senior members of the Medina lacrosse team include, in front, Tyler Allen, Ethan Carson and Jake Dunn. In back are Cam Kenward, Lucius Wagner and Cole Callard. Missing is Austin Seefeldt.
Led by a group of seven senior veterans, Medina will open Section VI Class D Division lacrosse competition this coming Wednesday as the Mustangs will host Eden at 5:30 p.m.
The Mustangs senior returnees include attackman Cole Callard (19 goals, 7 assists) and midfielder Lucius Wagner (14 goals, 6 assists) along with Jake Dunn and Cam Kenward at midfield, Tyler Allen and Austin Seefeldt on defense and Ethan Carson in goal.
Callard earned second team D Division All-Star honors and Wagner received Honorable Mention.
The Mustangs also return experience in junior Luke Duffina and sophomores Brennan Allen and Gavin Dahlhaus.
“I’m optimistic. We’ve got a good group back but it is a tough league,” said Medina graduate Ben Austin who takes over the coaching reins from another MHS grad, Todd Eick, who guided the Mustangs for the past five seasons.
The Mustangs graduation losses included first team All-Stars Dylan Lonnen (30 goals, 5 assists) and Will Prest (30 goals, 9 assists) along with second team honoree defender Jason Beyer and Honorable Mention selection defender Jack Cecchini as well as midfielders Jack Rissew (8 goals), Liam Castricone (9 goals, 13 assists). Kole Campbell, defender Sawyer Kingsbury and goalie Xavier King.
Medina will next visit East Aurora at 5:30 p.m. on March 28.
Underclassmen dominate the annual N-O All-League boys basketball squad
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – First team Niagara-Orleans All League honorees include Ben Gerstung (Akron), Aidan Neumann (Wilson) and Derren Brooks (Akron).
Underclassmen dominate the lineup on both the first and second teams of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League boys basketball squad.
Underclassmen hold five of the six spots on the first team including Wilson junior Aidan Neumann, Medina junior Jerrell Nealy, Akron junior Ben Gerstung, Albion junior Wesley Olles and Akron sophomore Derren Brooks.
The only senior on the first team is Roy-Hart’s Dan Aquilina.
Rounding out the first team are Jerrell Nealy (Medina), Wesley Olles (Albion) and Dan Aquilina (Roy-Hart).
Neumann, who has been named N-O Player of the Year, Gerstung and Aquilina are all repeat first team selections.
Neumann scored 523 points (21.8 average) and had 69 rebounds, 63 steals and 54 assists.
Nealy scored 392 points (19.6 ave.) and grabbed off 181 rebounds.
Gerstung scored 341 points (13.6 ave.) and had 143 rebounds and 45 assists.
Olles scored 262 points (11.9 ave.) and had 177 rebounds and 79 steals.
Brooks scored 321 points (12.8 ave.) and pulled down 255 rebounds.
Aquilina scored 409 points (18.6 ave.) and grabbed off 212 rebounds.
Underclassmen likewise hold five of the six spots on the second team including Mac Capen (Newfane), Preston Woodworth (Medina), Ryan Hough (Wilson), Blake Gerstung (Akron) and Tyler Cody (Albion), all are juniors.
The lone senior is Akron’s Brayden Lamont.
The Honorable Mention selections, as listed by school, include:
Akron – Syras Jonathan (Sr.) and Coy Patterson (Sr.)
Albion – Kyle Radder (Sr.) and Isaiah Riley (Sr.)
Barker – Owen Harris (Sr.), Isaac Monaco (Sr.) and Anthony Taliaferro (So.)
Medina – Cole Callard (Sr.) and Christian Moss (Jr.)
Newfane – Camlo Flowers (Jr.)
Roy-Hart – Brayden Ricker (Sr.) and Erique Powell (Sr.)
Wilson – Colton Frerichs (Sr.) and Shamus George (Jr.)
Callard signs to play football at Cortland
Contributed Photo – Medina High senior Cole Callard has signed to continue his education and his football career at SUNY Cortland. He is shown here at the signing with his parents Chad and Jill and his sister Lydia. Callard, who will be a kicker for the Red Dragons, is planning on majoring in Sports Management. He earned All State honors in both football and soccer this past fall. He made good on 48 of 50 extra point hicks and clicked on 6 of 7 field goal attempts with the longest being from 42 yards. On the soccer field he scored a school record 44 goals. He also holds the school records for most goals in a game (7) and a career (98).
N-O has youthful All-League girls team
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Niagara-Orleans All-League first team honorees include, Rowan Simpson (Wilson), Anna Chunco (Newfane) and Bella Thrush (Wilson).
The spotlight is on youth as five of the six players on the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League girls basketball squad are underclassmen.
Those honorees include Wilson juniors Bella Thrush and Rowan Simpson, Roy-Hart sophomore Courtney Aquilina, Akron freshman Abby Gerstung and Akron eighth grader Lexie Ground.
The only senior on the first team is Newfane’a Anna Chunco who has been named N-O Player of the Year.
Chunco and Gerstung are repeat first team honorees.
Rounding out the N-O All League first team are Abby Gerstung (Akron), Courtney Aquilina (Roy-Hart) and Lexie Ground (Akron).
Chunco scored 287 points and had 123 steals, 114 assists and 101 rebounds.
Thrush scored 158 points and had 139 rebounds and 144 steals.
Simpson also scored 158 points and had 95 steals and 55 rebounds.
Aquilina scored 192 points and had 122 rebounds.
Gerstung scored 278 points and had 82 steals and 74 rebounds.
Ground scored 211 points and had 81 steals and 80 rebounds.
The All-League second team includes Newfane seniors Kami Boyer and Sienna Bowers, Roy-Hart senior Kaitlin Mettler, Wilson junior Abbie Faery, Medina sophomore Alexa Demmer and Roy-Hart sophomore Adella Dukes.
The players who earned Honorable Mention include, listed by school:
Akron – Olivia Novak (Jr.), Gracie Leiker (Sr.) and Wakinyanwin LaFromboise (Sr.)
Albion – Kenzi Snook (Sr.) and Cami London (Sr.)
Barker – Elise Monaco (Fr.), Jordyn Kinne (Jr.) and Rachel Samson (Sr.)
Medina – Honesty Hill (Sr.) and Samantha Heschke (So.)
Newfane – Ah-leena Golden (Fr.), Julia Noonan (Jr.) and Paige Miller (Sr.)
Wilson – Emily Phillips (Sr.), Kairi Beck (So.) and Addison Elia (Fr.)
Hawks and Eagles have G-R All-Star honorees
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Genesee Region League All-Stars William Kludt (Kendall), Destin Kuyal (Holley) and Vinny Golisano (Holley).
Holley’s senior duo of Destin Kuyal and Vinny Golisano along with Kendall senior William Kludt have all earned Genesee Region League All-Star basketball honors.
Kuyal, who surpassed the 1,000 point career scoring milestone this season, scored 238 points (17.3 average), grabbed off 136 rebounds (7.3 ave.) and averaged 3.6 assists per game.
Golisano scored 316 points (16.6 ave.) and pulled down 143 rebounds (7.5 ave.).
Kludt scored 140 points (8.2 ave.) and had 66 rebounds, 37 steals and 35 assists.
Three local players also earned Honorable Mention including Kendall juniors Jonas Rhodes and Vinnie D’Agostino and Lyndonville junior Colton Smith and freshman Lane Woodworth.
Rhodes scored 188 points (9.9 ave.) and had 73 rebounds, 40 steals and 36 assists.
D’Agostino scored 174 points (9.7 ave.) and had 99 rebounds, 28 steals and 20 assists.
Smith had 156 points, 99 rebounds and 37 assists.
Woodworth scored 218 points and grabbed off 140 rebounds.
H.S. Spring sports teams begin practice
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Pre season practice got underway today for area high school spring sports teams though chilly weather forced most of the opening sessions to be held indoors. Here Cole Callard makes a pass during a drill at the Medina varsity lacrosse team’s practice. The Mustangs are scheduled to open the season at home on March 26 with a D Division game against Eden.
Lady Eagles, Lady Tigers have G-R All-Stars
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Genesee Region League All-Stars, from left, Brooke Rodas (Kendall), Addison Dillenbeck (Lyndonville) and Ava LaMay (Kendall).
Kendall’s duo of senior Ava LaMay and junior Brooke Rodas along with Lyndonville senior Addison Dillenbeck have all earned Genesee Region League All-Star basketball honors.
LaMay scored 144 points and had 118 rebounds, 30 steals and 11 blocks this season.
Rodas Had 133 rebounds, 103 points and 35 steals.
Dillenbeck, who became Lydonville’s all-time career scoring leader, had 374 points, 125 rebounds, 73 steals and 55 assists.
Lyndonville junior Isabella Groves earned Honorable Mention. She had 227 points, 164 rebounds, 48 assists and 30 steals.
Holley’s senior sister duo of Alivia Wolf and Zoey Wolf also both earned Honorable Mention. Alivia had 286 points, 102 rebounds, 53 steals and 23 assists. Zoey had 174 points, 137 rebounds, 35 steals and 31 assists.
Green competes at IOA Golf Classic
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Rebounding after missing the cut last week, Medina’s Melanie Green finished tied for 21st at the Epson Tour’s IOA Golf Classic which concluded today at Longwood, Florida.
Green finished with a 2 under par total of 211.
That score was 9 shots back of the winner Gina Kim who had a 202 total on round of 65-69-68.
Green had 1 under par rounds of 70 on both Friday and Saturday and an even par round of 71 today to finish the tournament.
The appearance on the Epson Tour was the third of the young season for Green.
The Epson Tour, which is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA, will resume in late April with the IOA Championship as Beaumont, California.
N-O trio playing on collegiate diamonds
Contributed Photos – Niagara-Orleans League alumni who are now playing collegiate baseball includes this trio of, from left, Aidan Voss (Barker), Xander Payne (Medina) and Brayden Hy (Roy-Hart). Voss is a sophomore pitcher at Genesee Community College. Payne is a junior pitcher at SUNY Cortland majoring in Sport Management. Hy is a freshman outfielder at Canisius University majoring in Finance.
Host Lyndonville wins Battle in the Ville youth wrestling tournament
Contributed Photo – Raymond Faro Dix in action for Lyndonville.
The host Lyndonville Wrestling Club took top honors at today’s Battle in the Ville youth wrestling tournament.
Lyndonville garnered 197.5 points as Barker/Roy-Hart (174), Wilson (139), Akron (127.5) and Purple Eagles Wrestling Club (82) rounded out the top five teams.
The team totals were based on the top 10 scorers from each squad and Lyndonville had 10 winners.
Lyndonville’s winners were Carson Dix, Jackson Nottingham, Brodie Suhr, Jayden Nottingham, Cole Preston, Raymond Faro-Dix, Damien Withey, Jayden Rushing, Scotty Nesbitt, and Wyatt Schumacher.
Lyndonville’s runner-ups were Finley Draper, Sawyer Joy, Easton Zeliff, Jack Schoales, and Jack Mendel.
This was the second consecutive year of the tournament which included Open and Novice levels for 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U.
N-O trio on Roberts Women’s Track team
Contributed Photos – This season’s Roberts Wesleyan Universaity Women’s Track and Field team includes a trio of former Niagara-Orleans League athletes. That trio includes, fom left, Kaitlyn Goodwin, a junior from Barker, Madelyn Rutledge, a freshman from Medina and Alanna Daniel a freshman from Akron. Goodwin, who is an English Education major, competes in the distance events. Rutledge, who placed second in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump at the Division II Section VI championships last spring, is competing in the jumps. Daniel is competing in the sprints.
