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GCC to host monthlong baseball camp for grades 1-12 starting Jan. 21, registration underway

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee Community College is hosting a four-week baseball camp starting Jan. 21. Classes are available for players in grades 1-12 and are limited to seven players per coach.

Genesee Community College Head Coach Skip Sherman will direct the program in conjunction with U.S. Baseball Academy.

Sessions are offered in advanced hitting, pitching, catching, fielding and baserunning. Space is limited. Registration is now underway and will continue until all spots are filled.

For more information, visit www.USBaseballAcademy.com, or call toll-free 866-622-4487.

U.S. Baseball Academy

Exotic Beach wins easily in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

Photo of Exotic Beach with driver Larry Stalbaum, courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Without even a moment of doubt in the mile, Exotic Beach overpowered her five rivals to jog home with authority in the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 18).

Exotic Beach (Larry Stalbaum) tucked in third off the gate while Squeeze This (Billy Davis Jr.) settled on the lead. But that was just a ruse by Stalbaum as he pulled Exotic Beach halfway up the backstretch and gunned her to the front in :27 flat. After clearing, Stalbaum grabbed some leather just to let the five trailers think they were in the race. But it became obvious that wasn’t the case once they hit the second stanza.

Exotic Beach opened up a gapped three-length lead and that was as close as the rest would get for the rest of the race. She cruised to three-quarters in 1:24, rounded the turn in full stride and paced away down the stretch to win by four in 1:53.3.

The time was a new seasonal mark for Exotic Beach and only three-fifths of a second off the track record for aged pacing mares.

It was the sixth win of the year for Exotic Beach ($4.30) who has now earned $52,266 for owner Larry Stalbaum, who also does the training.

Owner/trainer/driver Stalbaum similarly won the co-featured $8,000 Fillies and Mares Open II pace when he went from last at the half to three-deep at three-quarters to a half-length victor in 1:55, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner. Kaitlyn Rae ($5.80) won her ninth race in 18 starts this year giving her $36,594 in the bank account.

The top three dash drivers of the meet had a very business night on Wednesday. Larry Stalbaum had four winners, Ray fisher Jr. three and Drew Monti two. As a result there has been movement at the top of the leader board. Larry Stalbaum who was behind in double digits only a week ago is now in a first place tie with former leader Drew Monti with 79 wins apiece. Ray Fisher Jr. is a close third with 75. With nine weeks left in the meet, this is going to be a tight three-way competition for the rest of the year.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 20) with post time at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame High School Sports Hall of Fame awards ceremony and dinner is Nov. 11 at Ascension Parish

By Billie Owens
The Notre Dame High School Sports Hall of Fame annual awards dinner will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Slomba Hall, Ascension Parish, in Batavia.
 
It is located at 19 Sumner St. in the city. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards ceremoeny starting at 6:30. Cost is $40 per person. To buy tickets, contact Emily Patrick, director of Advancement at Notre Dame, by calling 585-343-2783, ext 106, or by email via emily.patrick@ndhsbatavia.com
 
The following people will be honored this year (write-ups provided by former Notre Dame Principal Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D.):
 
Dave O’Connor '67
 
Dave O’Connor was a standout three-sport athlete during the heyday of ND’s participation in the Bishop Smith Division of the Buffalo Catholic League Msgr. Martin Association. Like his Darien Center brothers – Dick ’64 and Dan ’69, he was a mainstay for Fighting Irish Varsity Football, Wrestling and Track and Field teams during his four year tenure [1963 – 1967] at ND.

A key member of ND’s 1st Bishop Smith League Football Championship team also being honored tonight, Dave was a four-year member of the Fighting Irish Varsity Football Team and had the distinction of being the only member of his class to play Varsity football as a freshman. He was recognized as the Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the 1966 Varsity Football team and received All-Catholic recognition as the Smith Division 1st team fullback during his senior year.

A well-rounded competitor, Dave was also recognized as the MVP of his Varsity Wrestling and Varsity Track and Field teams during his senior year at ND. As a wrestler, he earned All-Catholic honors in the heavyweight classification in tough Smith League competition and captained the Fighting Irish Bishop Smith League 1967 All-Catholic Championship team during his senior year. Weighing 180 pounds, Dave often wrestled up to the 255-pound weight class whenever additional points were needed! He had the distinction of only losing one Varsity match during his star-studded four-year wrestling career on the mats at ND!

As a member of the ND Varsity Track team, he established the All-Catholic record in the shot put as a freshman and went on to hold ND school records in the shot put and discus and was a member of the 880 yard relay team by the time he graduated in 1967. He was also named the recipient of the E. Lawrence Spring Award for ND school spirit on and off the field of play as a senior.

After his ND graduation, Dave attended Erie Community College where he earned an AAS [Applied Arts and Sciences] degree. He was the president of the ECC Athletic Society and wrestled collegiately earning the overall MVP Athlete-of-the-Year award in 1969.

In 2014, Dave trained and competed in the West Virginia senior Olympics in the shot put and discus, scoring well enough to qualify for the national senior Olympics in Minneapolis in 2015. Dave and his wife Marcia are the parents of two children -- Andrea and Benjamin – and nine grandchildren and currently reside in Morgantown, W. Va. Dave is employed by the [Monroe] "Mon" County Board of Education Transportation Department as a bus driver.

Michael Francis ‘80

Mike Francis had the unique distinction of representing Fighting Irish Football and Basketball teams in both Bishop Smith League and NYSPHSAA Section V [Rochester Region] competition! As was the case with his athletic brothers John ’66, Ron ’67, Fred ‘69 and Mark ’75 before him, Mike was a high profile student-athlete during his four years [1976-1980] at ND participating in four years of Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball, two years as a member of Varsity Track and Field and one year as a member of Varsity Baseball.

Mike truly made his mark on the gridiron during his junior [1978] and senior [1979] seasons. As a junior, he was ND’s Most Outstanding running back, a member of the 1978 Genesee Region [GR] Championship team and received 1st team GR All-Star honors as a running back. He was also named to the prestigious Rochester Democrat and Chronicle All Greater Rochester [AGR] all-star team in that same year as a wide receiver [45 catches, 849 yds, 15 TDs].

As a senior, he was once again a member of the 1979 GR league Football championship team and named a GR league 1st team all-Star for the second straight year. Mike was also a member of ND’s 1979 Section V Class C Championship Football team and was again recognized as a member of the Democrat and Chronicle’s AGR all-star team, this time as a wide receiver as well as a running back where he accounted for 15 TDs. The 1979 ND team MVP and New York State all-state selection, Mike was also named to the Rochester Times Union “Super 22” all-star team as a running back.

As a member of the ND Varsity Basketball program, Mike was named team MVP during his sophomore year while playing in Bishop Smith league competition and a Genesee Region [GR] All-Star during his junior and senior seasons after ND left the Smith League for local Section V competition. As a senior, he was named to the all-tournament team in the Albion Christmas tournament.

He was also a member of the Fighting Irish Baseball team which competed in the Bishop Smith league as a sophomore as well as the ND Varsity Track team his junior and senior years as a sprinter.

Mike played one year of collegiate football during his freshman year as a wide receiver for the Canisius College Golden Griffins. The parent of three sons – Mitchell, Richard and Andrew -- Mike resides in Tonawanda and currently serves as an officer at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia.

Monica Dillon Billard ‘82

Monica Dillon was a highly competitive four-sport student-athlete for Lady Irish athletic teams in the early portion of the 1980s. ND records indicate that the Batavia native played four years of Soccer, Basketball and Softball and three years of Volleyball during her noteworthy Lady Irish athletic career.

Monica was a key member of the 1981 and 1982 Section V Class D Championship Varsity Girls Volleyball teams. Her 1982 team finished the season unblemished while compiling a perfect 17 – 0 record! She earned Junior Varsity Basketball MVP recognition in 1978 and 1979 and the Varsity Girls Basketball Coach’s award as a sophomore in 1980.

During her senior year, Monica was named to the Section V Girls Basketball All-Tournament team and received the ND Coach’s Award for Varsity Volleyball. She was also named to the Genesee Region [GR] Softball All-Star for the second consecutive year while also receiving additional recognition as the Varsity Lady Irish Softball MVP.

Monica was named the ND Female Athlete-of-the-Year during her senior year [1981-82] of Varsity competition.

After graduating from ND in 1982, Monica went on to Marietta College [Marietta, Ohio] where she earned her BS degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training degree [1986]. She continued her athletic career at Marietta where she played four years of Varsity Volleyball for the Pioneers and, as a senior, co-captained her collegiate Volleyball team while earning 1st team All OAC [Ohio Athletic Conference] honors in the process! Monica also played three years of collegiate softball and one year of crew during her college career.

After graduating from Marietta, Monica moved to Boston and earned her MS degree in Health, Sport and Fitness Management as a graduate student at Northeastern University. She worked as a trainer, fitness director and assistant General Manager of the Boston Raquet Club for 12+ years until the arrival of her first daughter, Sarah. During the next nine years, Monica was a stay-at-home mom during which time also gave birth to her second daughter, Julia, in 2002. In 2007 she re-entered the work force as a personal trainer, yoga teacher and manager of the Kingsbury Fitness Club [where she still works today] in Kingston, Mass.

In addition to a lifelong career in the fitness industry, Monica has maintained an active and healthy lifestyle while participating in sprint distance triathlons, hiking, running Boston marathons, playing golf, biking and doing yoga!

Monica is the proud parent of two daughters, Sarah [19] and Julia [15], and currently resides in Kingston, Mass.

Sean Flynn '96

Sean Flynn was a standout student-athlete throughout his star-studded six-year career [2000 - 2006] at ND. A native of Batavia, Sean began his record setting Varsity Golf career as a seventh-grader at St. Joseph's Elementary in Batavia. He earned medalist honors in the Genesee Region [GR] Sectional Golf Qualifier as a freshman and went on to be a three-time ND Varsity Golf MVP! A five-time Genesee Region All-Star [Grades 7 - 11], Sean also qualified for the Section V Golf Tournament on four different occasions and the NYSPHSAA state tournament on one occasion [1995]!

Sean was also a key member of the Fighting Irish Varsity Football and Ice Hockey teams during his four years at ND. He served as captain of his Varsity Football team as a senior and helped lead ND to the Genesee Region Division III title. A two-time MVP and talented member of ND "Irish on Ice" Varsity Ice Hockey team from 2002 - 2006, Sean was a key member of ND's first Section V Class B Hockey Sectional Championship team during his senior year during which time he was also named to the Monroe County All Star Hockey 1st Team.

As a senior, Sean moved from the "links" to the baseball field where he earned the "Coach's Award" in route to helping the ND Varsity Baseball earn the 1996 Section V Class D title.

Sean will be remembered as a team leader and role model for younger student-athletes throughout his accomplished sports career at ND. He earned honor roll and NYSPHSAA ”Scholar-Athlete” [minimum 90-percent academic average] distinction throughout his high school career and was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious Reverend David J. Scheider Sports Loyalty Award [1994-1995] as well as the Batavia Lions Club Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete and Athlete-of–the-Year at ND during his senior year [1995-1996].

Upon graduation from ND in 1996, Sean completed BS [Business Management, 2001] and MBA [2002] degrees at Canisius College, the Jesuit College of Buffalo. He currently works as a commercial underwriter at JP Morgan Chase in Columbus, Ohio. Sean and his wife, Karyn [Sokol –ND '97], reside in Dublin, Ohio and are the proud parents of three children – Maren [8], Declan [5] and Nora [3] Flynn.

Jennifer Cocco Rybczak ‘01

Jenny Cocco was an exceptional student-athlete who began her six-year [1995-2001] Fighting Irish Varsity Swimming and Track and Field team careers as a seventh-grader at St. Joseph’s Elementary, in Batavia!

As a member of the Varsity Boys Swim team, Jenny was the first athlete – male or female – to compete for six years in ND’s Varsity Swimming program and played a key role developing the program, as well as putting it on the Genesee Region [GR] and Section V maps.

A member of two ND Genesee Region Varsity Boys Swimming Championship teams [2000 and 2001], Jenny earned 17 GR League individual championships [6 – 100 yd. breaststroke, 5 -200 yd. freestyle relay, 4 – 50 yd. freestyle and one each in the 200 yd. medley relay and 400 yd. freestyle medley] during her six years in the pool competing against primarily male swim competition!

By the time she completed her senior swim season, Jenny – who was unbeaten as an individual in dual meets throughout her high school career -- was credited with being the ND school record holder in nine individual events [50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, 200 Individual medley, 500 freestyle, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and the 400 freestyle relay]. She was also credited with being the Genesee Region county record holder in an additional five events [50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay]!

As a junior, she was a contributing member of ND’s NYSPHSAA Varsity Boys Swimming Championship “Scholar-Athlete” [minimum team average of 90 percent] team – the #1 academic team in New York State!

Jenny’s competitiveness transferred to the Track and Field arena each season after swimming! A six-year member of the ND Varsity Girls Track team, Jenny had the distinction of being undefeated in dual meet competition during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons!

She was an 11-time Genesee Region champion [Intermediate hurdles – 4X, 400 meter run – 3X, and 1600 meter and 3200 meter relay – 2X each] and set county records in the 400 meter run, the 400 intermediate hurdles and as a member of the 3200 meter relay. She was also a seven-time Section V Class D individual champion [400 meter run – 3X, 400 intermediate hurdles-2 X and 1600 and 3200 meter relays – 1X each] during her Varsity Girls Track and Field career.

Jenny competed at the New York State meet level twice, once as an eighth-grader where she finished fifthas a member of the 3200 meter relay team and as a senior in the individual 400-meter run where she tied the Section V 400 meter record. 

After graduation from ND in 2001, Jenny attended and received degrees from SUNY Geneseo [BA – English Education] and the University of Buffalo [MA – Education]. She swam collegiately at SUNY Geneseo for four years where she was an Academic All-American who set two ECAC conference records [100 yd. and 200 yd. breaststroke], seven SUNYAC records [100 yd. and 200 yd. breaststroke -3X each and 400 Medley Relay once] and four SUNY Geneseo pool records[ 100 and 200 yd. breaststroke and 200 yd. and 400 yd. Medley relays].

Jenny currently teaches AP Literature and Composition at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School. She and her husband, Alex Rybczak, currently reside in Cicero and are the proud parents of three boys – Jack [5], Vito [5] and Louie [4] Rybczak!

Administrator/Contributor

Joseph D. Scanlan ’65: ND Principal: 2004 - 2015

Joseph Scanlan, Ed.D., ND Class of 1965, is being inducted into the Notre Dame Hall of Fame as an Administrator/Contributor, a role he certainly excelled at.

A lifelong LeRoyan, Joe played basketball and ran cross country, served as president of the Class of ’65 and was the 1965 “Man of the Year” during his ND years. He earned both his BA in History and his MS in Education at Canisius College where he was a member of both the DiGamma Jesuit Honor Society and the Col. Richardson Army ROTC Honor Society. He attended SUNY Brockport for his CAS/SAS Administrative Certification and earned his doctorate [Ed.D.] in Educational Administration from the University of Rochester. His wife, Kate, was Notre Dame’s Campus Minister/Theology teacher for 15 years while his son, Michael ’02, played on our 2001 New York State Boys Basketball Championship team and continued the “Scanlan Tradition” as he also was named ND Man of the Year for the Class of 2002.

Joe spent 15 years at Byron-Bergen as both a teacher and administrator, 17 years at York as HS Principal before returning to Notre Dame where his plan to “stay a few years” turned into an 11-year stint as his Alma Mater’s President/Principal! Known as “Dr. Joe” to students and staff alike, he was a student-oriented administrator who had high expectations for himself as well as for all members of the ND school community. These high expectations reaped many benefits from academic, athletic and respect for others perspectives during his tenure including ND being named the #1 academic high school in the GLOW Region during each of the 11 years he served as principal.

A staunch supporter of Notre Dame’s students on a multitude of levels, he was most visible (and vocal) at ND sporting events cheering for and offering support as well as encouragement to all Fighting Irish teams and student-athletes. Even though his job demanded a lot of time, he found the time to attend numerous athletic events making a point of attending contests of all sports while rarely, if ever, missing a home game. Our student-athletes were always well aware and very appreciative of his support which provided Dr. Joe a venue to reach them on many levels. Dr. Joe could often be heard in the halls or cafeteria offering advice and encouragement to student-athletes and nonstudent-athletes alike. Many of his athletic sayings such as “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” are legendary among ND student-athletes!

During Dr. Joe’s tenure, Fighting Irish athletic teams won two State championships, eight NYS Western Regional championships, 28 Section V titles, and 40 GR [Genesee region] championships as well as producing 167 NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete [minimum 90 percent academic average] teams.

When asked to briefly sum up his ND years, Dr. Joe said: “My love of interacting with teenagers and my longtime interest in high school athletics made attending and supervising ND Fighting Irish athletic events and rooting for our Alma Mater a perfect match!"

1965 Fighting Irish Bishop Smith League Varsity Football Championship Team

The Fall 1965 football season at Notre Dame was a record setting time period in school history as our Varsity Football program notched the first [of many] Bishop Smith League Championships in school history!

The Smith league championship roster featured the likes of senior Co-Captain All-Catholic Halfback John Francis '66 -- regarded as one of the most talented all around athletes in ND sports history, his junior QB brother Ron Francis '67, as well as senior All-Catholic linemen Jim Schiller '66 and co-captain Jim Murphy '66. 

The makeup of our 28 member Varsity roster included nine seniors [Class of ‘66] Dan Callahan, Joe Chilano, John Francis, Brian Glor, Mike Lippold, Jim Murphy, Tom Petrick, Jim Schiller and Paul Tresco, 15 juniors [Class of '67] Mike Brady, Jim Bundy, Ray Chaya, Larry Conte, Ron Francis, Jim Hedtke, Bill Johnson, John Kellner, Dave Mandeleone, Mike McGinnis, Dave O’Connor, Mike Serve, Jim Starret, Bill Sutherland and Carl “Butch” Webster and four sophomores [Class of '68] Bob Cline, Dave Dudek, Harry Stortz and Denny Waggoner. 

Highlights of the 1965 season included speedy John Francis' four touchdown performances against Knights of DeSales of Lockport [38 - 27] as well as in ND's first time ever victory over the Frannies of St. Francis of Athol Springs [34 - 13], Ron Francis' two TDs in a come-from-behind 34-to-14 victory over Erie County Power Alden High School and a hard fought 13-to-7 victory over the Olean Archbishop Walsh Eagles after being down 7 - 0 early in the game.

The come-from-behind Walsh victory set the stage for the Smith League Championship game on a cold November Sunday afternoon against the Vikings of Bishop Gibbons at North Tonawanda Stadium. Supported by seven busloads of spirited ND student fans and down by four points with four minutes to go, junior QB Ron Francis '67 connected with classmate Mike Brady '67 on a key pass that kept a fourth-quarter Irish drive alive. With 52 seconds on the clock, Francis connected with sophomore Denny Waggoner '68 for the go ahead TD.  

Senior co-captain Jim Murphy '66 iced the championship by intercepting a Gibbons pass 10 seconds later and rambling for a 23-yard TD to seal the deal. Final score: ND 25 - Bishop Gibbons 13.

Congratulations to Head Coach Bernie Fagan, assistant coaches Joe Eppolito and Joe Chilano, and our 28-member record-setting 1965 Bishop Smith League Varsity Football Champions -- our first in school history!

Free Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program starts Nov. 4

By Billie Owens

The free instructional Batavia Blue Devil Boys Basketball Saturday Program for students in grades one through six will be held weekly at John Kennedy Elementary School Gymnasium from Nov. 4 through Dec. 9.

The program is open to boys who attend Batavia City Schools only. Participants are to enter and exit the gym by the rear of the school, which is located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.

Times are as follows:

GRADES 3-4:  9 -- 10:30 a.m.

GRADES 5-6:  10:30 a.m. -- noon

GRADES 1-2:  Noon to 1 p.m.

Although the cost of the Saturday program is free, there is a fee for those playing in the league that begins in January and runs through early March. This is a travel-friendly league, which competes against other towns including Attica, Alexander, Oakfield, Byron Bergen, Pembroke, Elba, and St. Joe's.

Practices will begin after Winter Recess and be held once or twice per week in the evening at various schools in Batavia. There will be an 8-10 game schedule and played on the weekends. Schedules will come out around the holidays.

The program will feature Coach Jim Fazio -- Batavia Jr. Blue Devil youth director, youth coaches, and current Blue Devil players. It will focus on the offensive and defensive fundamentals of the game including shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and ball handling, etc. There will be contests with full court and half-court games.

Contact Youth Director Jim Fazio 585-356-0901 with questions or concerns.    jfazio@gvboces.org

To get an application, email Fazio at his email address above.

Batavia City Schools are not responsible for injury that may happen during the program.

In Runaway Bay an upset winner in Batavia Downs Open

By Billie Owens

Photo of Runaway Bay with driver Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Racing against Foiled Again last week must have had a positive effect on In Runaway Bay as he put a circle around the best local pacers in the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 14).

In Runaway Bay (Kevin Cummings) fired off the gate and crossed over like a flash of light. Cruising unchallenged from there until the half, the leader saw fit to cut a rather casual :57.3 fraction. At that point In Runaway Bay was confronted first by Santana Beach (John Cummings Jr.) until three-quarters and then by Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) when that one faded. Try as he might Fireyourguns couldn’t get closer than a length from the time he pulled and when the race hit the stretch, In Runaway Bay ran away to a three-length victory in 1:53.1, which was a new seasonal mark for the winner.

It was the fifth win of the year for In Runaway Bay ($26.60), all five of which were scored at Batavia Downs. Owner Super Mile LLC has received $30,010 in purses as a result of the 7-year-old Mach Three offspring’s efforts this year which were achieved through the training of Angelo Nappo.

In the $9,000 Open II co-feature, Show Stopping (Kevin Cummings) sat a tight two-hole trip behind the heavily favored Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) before popping the pocket off the last turn and out-pacing the leader to the wire to win in 1:52.1, which was a new lifetime mark. Show Stopping ($7.20) is owned by Resilient Racing Stable and trained by Rose Russo.

Kevin Cummings led all drivers with four wins on the night and James Clouser Jr. led all trainers with three.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Oct. 18) with post time at 5 p.m.

Le Roy picks up homecoming win to finish season at 6-1

By Howard B. Owens

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On homecoming night, the Oatkan Knights secured the #2 seed in sectional play and locked up a 6-1 record for the regular season with a 20-6 win over Letchworth/Warsaw.

Kyler LaCarte gained 56 yards and scored a TD on 21 carries. Luke Stella added a TD and 21 yards on nine carries. Cole Biggins was 8-19 passing for 84 yards. LaCarte had one TD pass for 24 yards.

Reece Tresco had six receptions for 65 yards. Gavin Luckey, two for 37 and a TD.

Luke Stella led the defense with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Jake Hill had five tackles. Gavin Luckey, four, and Bryce Bordonaro, four. Gaven Cassidy had two interceptions to go with three tackles.

In other Friday night action:

  • Alexander 54 -- Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 6. It was also homecoming for Alexander and on a night when the community honored Brian West Jr., the former player killed earlier this year in a car accident, the Trojans brought their A game. The 54 points scored by the team matched West's uniform number. 
  • Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen 49 -- Avon 12. Bryce Yokel gained 225 yards and scored three touchdowns on 13 carries.

Le Roy game photos by Ed Henry. Top photo: Kyler LaCarte fights for yardage.

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Gaven Cassidy after an interception.

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Bob Locke

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Reece Tresco

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Start of the game, honoring law enforcement with a greeting of Sheriff's deputies.

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Kahoku goes coast to coast at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens
Photo of Kahoku with driver Kevin Cummings in the command spot.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
 
With little challenge at the start of the mile, Kahoku set pedestrian early fractions and hung on late to win the $10,500 Open Handicap trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Oct. 13). 
 
The car released the field and surprisingly nobody left; giving the pylon-sitting Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) the command spot by default. Feeling right at home in that position, Kahoku slowed the fractions considerably with a :30.1 second panel and :59.3 half. Fleet Bumblebee (Drew Monti) was outside on the move at that point and came within a length of the leader by the five-eighths pole. 
 
Pushing the issue from there, the pace quickened to :28.2 for the third quarter but that took a toll on Fleet Bumblebee, who faded as they came off the turn. However a fresh Northern Matador (Ray Fisher Jr.) who had been sitting second the whole mile found the passing lane and incrementally gained ground down the stretch on that path. Sensing the challenge, Cummings urging Kahoku to dig in and he did his best to comply, hanging on to win by a nose in 1:58. 
 
It was the 4th win of 2017 for Kahoku ($10.60) and it raised his earnings to $37,448 for owner Colleen Girdlestone and trainer Kirk Desmond. 
 
In the $8,000 Open II trot, Winky's Pride (Billy Davis Jr.) was also a wire to wire winner, touring the facility unencumbered in 1:58.3. Winky's Pride ($7.80) is owned and trained by Robert Hummel. 
 
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs today (Oct. 14) with post time at 6 p.m.

Batavia closes regular season dominating St. Mary’s 69-20

By Steve Ognibene

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St. Mary’s football squad left Woodward Field a bit crushed on Friday the 13th after the Blue Devils steamrolled the visitors on their way to a school-record 69 points in a game.

Batavia won its final regular season match 69-20.

On the record-setting night, Batavia's kicker Alec Wagner also put his name in the books by going nine for 10 on extra point attempts and finishing the regular season with 30. The previous school record was 28.

The team's total point record stood for 55 years. 

Junior Ray Leach carried the ball 15 times for 106 yards for five touchdowns. He also scored on a 22-yard interception. Senior Chandler Baker was four for four passing, 75 total yards, and one touchdown. He scored a touchdown on a 45-yard punt return and 70-yard kickoff return.

Andrew Francis scored a touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Baker.

Batavia’s Defensive stats: John Kindig had six tackles, three for a loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Nick Neid made 11 tackles, two for a loss. Anthony Ray made four tackles, all for a loss. Josh Barber had seven tackles, three for a loss. Alex Rood made four tackles, one for a loss, two sacks and one interception.

St. Mary’s scoring summary: D’Jae Terry scored two touchdowns, one of them on an 85-yard kickoff return and a 75-yard run from the line of scrimmage. Quarterback J’Shawn Collins scored on a 57-yard run. St. Mary's scored only two points on three extra point attempts.

To view or purchase photos, click here: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p532489889

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Ramparts' fundraiser will feature nationally known psychic who grew up in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Ramparts Peewee III Hockey Team and Frank Lord -- psychic, clairvoyant, medium and spiritual advisor -- are teaming up for a two-night fund-raiser event.

  • 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16th at the Polish Falcons in Batavia (123 S. Swan St.)
  • 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19th at the American Legion in Le Roy (21 Lake St.)

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance or at the door on the night of the events.

This is a Group Psychic Reading. If you've been to one of these events before, you know how amazing the connections can be. If you've never been, don't be afraid to check it out. Help support a local hockey team! 

Frank Lord is New York State’s youngest and most accurate registered psychic, clairvoyant, medium and spiritual advisor who grew up in Batavia. His spiritual guidance emphasizes mainly on what the past, present, and future hold for the individual who seeks the answers they need. Frank also works in an array of the metaphysical realm, specializing in areas such as astrology, dream interpretation, and spiritual investigation.

He has worked professionally since the age of 12. Frank has read more than 9,500 individuals and continues to read on a daily basis. Frank has worked in areas such as New York City, Buffalo, Rochester and New Jersey.

Featured on the Sci-Fi Channel at age 18, Frank has worked with such individuals such as Raymond Buckland, former Genesee County Historian Sue Conklin, The Boo Brothers, and The Ghost Hunters. He enjoys all areas of work in the aspect of spiritualism and ensures guidance that will help with an individual's situation at hand.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Millennium Computers, 156 Washington Ave., Batavia; or contact Michelle Johnson at 409-9299; Alicia Cook at 815-3478; or Holly by email at   hollyesch@yahoo.com; or from any Peewee III Hockey parent.

Medina Lanes' Sunday Morning Rolloffs League starts this weekend

By Mike Pettinella

Drawing on the success of the Wednesday Senior Shootout, a weekly match-play format league at Transit Lanes in Buffalo, management at Medina Lanes is starting its 20-week Sunday Morning Rolloffs this Sunday (Oct. 15).

“We’ve got 20 people signed up and we will take more,” said Jim Foss, lanes employee, who explained that participants – it’s open to men and women -- will be divided into three groups based on their highest league average and will bowl against only those in their age group until the final game.

The format is as follows:

-- Qualifying: Three games, with those advancing determined by high scores in each of three age groups.
-- Rolloffs: Two games, with the top two advancing from the first game, and the top one advancing from the second game.
-- Finals: The winners from each group bowl one game, with the high score taking the top cash prize.

The finalists will receive cash awards each week – the amounts determined by the number of bowlers. The weekly fee is $20.

Foss said the season will feature two 10-week sessions, the first one from Oct. 15 through Dec. 17 and the second one from Jan. 14 through March 18. Participants can bowl in either or both sessions, but are obligated for a minimum of 10 weeks. The league will be certified by the United States Bowling Congress.

For more information or to sign up, contact Medina Lanes at 585-318-4474.

HONEOYE FALLS TOURNEY A TRUE TEST FOR STRONG FIELD

An eight-game tournament featuring a throwback oil machine drew a "who's who" list of Western New York scratch bowlers to Miller Lanes in Honeoye Falls last month, and their skills were put to the test.

Miller Lanes manager Mike Kime reported that bowlers competed on an oil pattern used in the 1990's for the former American Bowling Congress Championships, applied with an old pad-style oil machine on the center's wood lanes.

"There was nothing easy about it," Kime said. "Of the 46 entrants, only six averaged better than 200 and six DNF'd (did not finish)."

In what proved to be a matter of survival, Jim Zimmerman of Syracuse finished with a score of 1,680 to win the $800 top prize.

He was followed by Brian Hall of Canandaigua, 1,624, $400; Chris Lamb of Rochester, 1,620, $250; Jacob Kent (Doug Kent's son) of Newark, 1,617, $200; Chris Bardol of Rochester, 1,609, $180; Kevin Donovan of Painted Post, 1,606, $160; Tom Sorce of Blasdell, 1,591, $140; Dan Vick of Rochester, 1,563, $120, and Dana Voytovich of Cheektowaga, 1,553, $100.

60-AND-OVER TOURNEY CIRCUIT EXPANDS TO 10 EVENTS

The 60-and-Over Tour, coordinated by Rochester and New York State Hall of Famer Tommy Kress, is expanding its schedule this season.

Kress announced that the Sunday scratch singles circuit, which has produced several champions from the Genesee Region, will feature at least 10 tournaments in 2017-18, including events at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, Medina Lanes and Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The entry fee has been increased from $30 to $40 this season, Kress said, explaining that he wants to add some additional prize money for seventh to 12th place.

The schedule of events follows. Check-in time is 11 a.m. with starting time at noon.

-- Oct. 15, AMF Dewey Garden Lanes, Rochester.
-- Nov. 5, TBA.
-- Nov. 26, Pleasure Lanes, Hilton.
-- Dec. 17, Bowl-A-Roll Lanes, Rochester.
-- Jan. 7, Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia.
-- Jan. 28, Parkview Bowl, Rochester.
-- Feb. 18, TBA.
-- March 18, Brockport Bowl.
-- April 8, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion.
-- April 29, Medina Lanes.
-- Year-end event in May, TBA.

YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE OPENS THE SEASON WITH 14 TEAMS

The Genesee Region Youth Travel League started last Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia with 13 four-person teams, including five from the youth program in Batavia.

Team rosters are as follows:

Batavia Strike Force – Corinne Saluste, Emma Miller, James Townsend, Skylar Laesser and Sam Miller.

Batavia X-Factor – Tara Clattenburg, Nate Goras, Zach Wester, Tony Sprague, Haylee Thornley.

Batavia Fire & Ice – Samantha Balbi, Jack Pickard, Noah Pickard, Ben Sputore.

Batavia Thunder – Josh Sprague, Gavynn Trippany, Ryan Bigsby, Brock Bigsby.

Batavia Bombers – Jonah Martin, Lily Martin, Michael Geck, Noah Martin.

Mount Morris Lanes – Trenten Willis, Brad June, Kline Laney, Cameron Laney.

Le Roy Legion Lanes – Trey Prevost, Felicity Wieseltier, Aaron Leone, Samantha Leone.

Scopano’s Lanes – Roster TBD.

Rose Garden Bowl I – Devon Zinter, Madelynn Pimm, Brooke Jarkiewicz, TBD.

Rose Garden Bowl II – Megan Jarkiewicz, Sawyer Zinter, Brendan Pimm, Katelyn Ball.

Oak Orchard Lanes I – Bailee Snook, Paige Snook, Matt Baker, TBD.

Oak Orchard Lanes II – Jesse Keller, Dallas Ecker, Cameron Ecker, TBD.

Perry Bowling Center – Hayden Abbott, Brooke Jurek, Matt Hurlburt, Dennis Van Duser.

Individually, Hurlburt had the high game (208) and series (574) for the boys and Emma Miller had the high game (234) and series (582) for the girls.

The league bowls again at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

TOURNAMENT TIME: SENIOR MASTERS, ‘TRIPLE O’ SCHEDULED

Several local tournaments are scheduled over the next month, including two Genesee Region USBC competitions for seniors in Bergen and Medina and the 10th annual Triple O Mechanical handicap singles event in Bergen.

SAT., OCT. 28
GRUSBC Youth Eliminator
Perry Bowling Center

GRUSBC boys and girls are eligible to compete for scholarships in the tournament, which features one qualifying squad (12:30 p.m.) and a four-game handicap format. Entry fee is $25. Contact GRUSBC President Tom Fluker at 585-284-2637 or by email at tfstrikeforce@msn.com.

Brian Morasco Memorial 3-Person No-Tap
Mancuso Bowling Center

First place is $750, based on 48 entries, in this second annual tournament, which is dedicated to the late Brian Morasco, a lifelong Batavian well known in the bowling community. Squads are at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Entry fee is $75 per team. Part of the proceeds will go Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Arthritis Foundation. Contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960 or call Mancuso’s at 585-343-1319.

Early Bird Season 3-Person No-Tap
Medina Lanes

Squad times this Saturday are 2, 4 and 6 p.m. with a guaranteed $600 awaiting the first-place team. Open to men, women and mixed teams, the tournament features a 90 percent of 220 handicap format. Entry fee is $75 per team. Call 318-4474 to enter.

SAT., NOV. 4-SUN., NOV. 5
GRUSBC Gladys Ford Memorial Women’s Senior Singles
Rose Garden Bowl, Bergen

Senior (age 50 and over) women members of the GRUSBC are eligible to bowl in the handicap, age-division event, which is in its 33rd year. Squad times (three games) are 2:30 p.m. on Saturday or 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Bowlers compete only against those in their age classification. Entry fee is $27 and entries close on Oct. 28. Contact Jan King at 585-335-3309.

SAT., NOV. 11
GRUSBC Senior Masters
Medina Lanes

A $300 top prize, based on 48 entries, awaits the winner of the 12th annual tournament, a scratch singles event for GRUSBC men and women age 50 and over. Squad times (three games) are 12:30 and 2 p.m. – re-entry is allowed – with the top 12 advancing to the finals at 3:30 p.m. Entry fee is $30. Contact Paul Spiotta at 585-202-6458 or pspiotta@rochester.rr.com.

SUN., NOV. 12
Triple O Mechanical Singles Handicap
Rose Garden Bowl, Bergen

The entry fee stays at just $30 for this event, which includes incentives for woman, seniors (55-and-over) and super seniors (65-and-over). First place, based on 48 entries, is $500. Squad times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with eliminator-style finals (top two advance from each pair of lanes) to follow. Each squad has a maximum of 24 bowlers. Contact Mike Pettinella at 343-3736 or at mikepett2002@yahoo.com

John Mungillo scores 1,000th training win at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photo, from left: Larry Willer, John Mungillo and Jennifer Papiernik

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Western New York veteran trainer John Mungillo reached a major milestone at Batavia Downs on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 11) and he did it in a very convincing manner. Mungillo sent out his 3-year-old pacing filly Roll With Faith that he co-owns with Lawrence Willer and Finish Line Investors and watched her go wire to wire at 1-9 over a very sloppy race track in 1:57.3 to notch the 1,000th training victory of his career.

The grand achievement didn’t happen overnight, it was a culmination of a lifetime’s labor.

Mungillo started working as a groom for Pete Mondi at Batavia Downs in 1981 and eventually became second trainer for Don Rothfuss where he earned his driver’s license and started teaming regularly. When Mungillo went on his own in 1986 his objective was to have horses from his barn win, regardless of who did the driving and didn’t let ego stand in the way of success.

Although he did drive regularly from 1987-1989, he focused more on training his stock from that point on and really started accumulating wins as his stable grew.

Mungillo’s career best training year was in 2013 when he scored 155 wins with a .309 UTR and earnings of $683,812 as a result. For his entire training career Mungillo has 6,099 starts with 1,000 wins 860 seconds and 791 thirds with $4,466,409 in purses. That’s 43 percent in the money lifetime and that’s not too shabby.

Currently at the Downs Mungillo is racing 10 horses regularly and ranks eighth among all trainers with 13 wins, eight seconds and 14 thirds off 84 starts and has banked $66,782 in purses so far. For the entire year he has 32 wins and $202,945 in purses.

Squeeze This breaks the bank in Batavia Downs feature

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The feature race at Batavia Downs on Wednesday was the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace and Squeeze This paid big dividends after being overlooked by the betting public and tripping-out to a narrow margin of victory.

Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) went right to the front and seated all the girls behind her around the first turn. Exotic Beach (Larry Stalbaum) who had gotten away last, became restless at the eighth pole and pulled to start a slow, methodic march to the front. With Classy Lane Rose comfortable on the lead, it took Exotic Beach another half mile outside before she reached the pacesetter at the three-eighths pole to get within striking range.

Aware of the challenge at hand, Monti stepped up the third quarter with his mare but the pesky Exotic Beach would not relent. The two then argued around the last turn before Classy Lane Rose showed some fatigue at the head of the stretch. It was there the pocket-sitting Squeeze This (Billy Davis Jr.) snuck into the passing lane and zoomed by both of them to win by a nose in 1:57.2.

It was the fifth win of the year for Squeeze This ($37.80) who now has $41,591 in the bank. Garth Bechtel owns the 5-year-old Allamerican Native offspring that is trained by Jim Graham.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (Oct. 13) with post time at 6 p.m.

Photo: Long-awaited scoreboard repair at Dwyer Stadium

By Howard B. Owens

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It's been a few years since baseball fans at Dwyer Stadium could see the names of hitters at the plate and their batting averages, but when next spring's first "play ball" is called that will have changed.

Crews were at the stadium today making long-desired (by the fans) repairs of the outfield sign that will restore the lighting to the upper portion where players' names and averages appear.

The project is part of the city's maintenance budget for Dwyer.

GCC announces athletes of the week

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The Genesee Community College's athletes of the week for the period ending Oct. 8 are Nao Maeda (Yokahoma, Japan) from the women's volleyball team and Charlie Livesey (Sandbach, United Kingdom) from the men's soccer team.

Nao was the lone Cougar named to be named to the all-tournament team of the Cara Bryant Tournament this past weekend that was hosted by Onondaga Community College, Oct. 6-7. She averaged nearly 18 assists per match with 89 over 11 sets that included 23 and 22 in the final two matches against Broome and Jefferson, respectively. She also added 29 digs, 14 points, four kills, two block assists and one block during the tournament and had a pair of aces in four of the five matches for a total of eight.

Charlie was the lone Cougar to record points in all three Genesee contests last week that improved the team's unbeaten streak to 10 games by netting three goals and four assists for the No. 3 Cougars. His 10-point week started with a pair of goals and a pair of assists against Jamestown Community College Oct.4. Then the sophomore forward sent a corner kick toward the net against No. 4 Herkimer with just 20 seconds left in regulation that resulted in a game-tying score and a big assist to keep the Cougars' unbeaten streak intact with the road tie Oct. 7. Charlie completed the week with a goal and an assist against Fulton-Montgomery Oct. 8 to move No. 3 Genesee to 10-2-1 on the year.

Curtis Kreutter / GCC

The Festivus CrossFit Worldwide Competition is Saturday at CrossFit Silver Fox in Batavia

By Billie Owens

CrossFit Silver Fox in Batavia is hosting a CrossFit competition called The Festivus (third year in a row) at our location in The Harvester on Saturday, Oct. 14th.

It’s a worldwide competition and will bring about 100 CrossFit athletes to CrossFit Silver Fox along with spectators and coaches.

We have people coming from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse to compete.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. followed by an event briefing and the competition starts at 9.

Information about the worldwide event can be found at Festivusgames.com

Cougars volleyball sweep Thunderwolves

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The Genesee Community College volleyball team swept visiting Niagara County Community College 3-0 Oct. 10 by scores of 25-22, 25-23 and 25-18, respectively.

As has been the case most of this season, Genesee appeared to get more dominant once the match got underway, as was the case against the Thunderwolves.

In the first set trailing 20-19, the Cougars recorded six of the last eight points to take the set 25-22, including the final four points behind the service points of Tommi Rutherford.

The second set almost provided an identical scenario that had the Cougars trailing by that same 20-19 score before the team rattled off six of the last nine points for the 25-23 win. Again it was Rutherford capturing four of the team's last five points with her serve.

In the third set, Genesee got its second double-digit lead at 15-5 before cruising to a 25-18 win. Audriana Reeves had the hot serving hand in helping the Cougars establish an early 9-1 lead.

Reeves led all Cougars in aces with four, while Lyndsey Rowland had five blocks on the day. Sydney DeVay registered a team-high 13 digs and Sha-Ony Obispa had seven kills that included one to end the second match and prevent it from going to extra points.

Head coach Tricia Ziebarth used the match to get some more experience for some of her players and was pleased by what see saw, "We used today to put a couple of our freshmen in at different positions and they rose to the occasion.

The Cougars continue their home stand by hosting Finger Lakes Community College Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.
 

Photo by Curtis Kreutter / GCC

Foiled Again, DW’s NY Yank win at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Foiled Again with driver Kevin Cummings. Photo by Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The Nation’s leading trainer Ron Burke shipped two of his millionaires into Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Oct. 7) and won the two biggest overnight races of the season at the oldest lighted harness track in America with Foiled Again and DW’S NY Yank. Burke, The Burke Brigade and driver Kevin Cummings had a very good night. 

The pacing feature was the $15,000 George “Duke” Dranichak Memorial named for a longtime local horseman and racing official whose career spanned over five decades.

Focus Power (Drew Monti) went for the front but outpaced the turn, making a break. This left In Runaway Bay (Ray Fisher Jr.) calling the shots with five behind him in :27.3. Right at the quarter Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) pulled and sidled the leader around the turn and past the half in :55.1, but Fireyourguns couldn’t clear and remained parked into the second circuit. With the outer flow stagnant, Teo Enteo A (Larry Stalbaum) tipped three-wide at the three-eighths and brought Don’tcallmefrancis (Billy Davis Jr.) into the fray with him. This left Foiled Again (Kevin Cummings) hopelessly locked in at the rail fourth behind a wall of horses.

Just before the three-quarters In Runaway Bay stopped, Fireyourguns finally cleared and Cummings was somehow able to maneuver Foiled Again out of the box and moved him into third behind Teo Enteo A. Halfway through the final bend, Cummings tipped the richest Standardbred of all time three-deep and had him in full gear. Foiled Again proceeded to barrel down the stretch and show his class once again, pacing by everyone under mild urging to win in 1:52.2.

It was the 96th lifetime win for Foiled Again ($4.60) and his fourth victory at Batavia Downs where he won the Kane Memorial Pace in 2009, 2013 and 2016. The richest Standardbred of all time got even richer and now has an unbelievable $7,543,278 in lifetime earnings.

Foiled Again is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables LLC.

The top trot was the $15,000 Brian Schroeder Memorial Trot named in honor of the local trainer/driver who developed many great trotters and excelled on the Grand Circuit.  

The heavily favored DW’s NY Yank left from post six and went right to the front. As the field settled behind him there were no serious challenges as they tripped the timers in :28, :57.1 and 1:27.1. But when they spun off the far turn the leader’s biggest test was yet to come.

Fleet Bumblebee (Drew Monti) had been sitting in the garden spot the whole race and when they straightened out, he hit the passing lane. With DW’s NY Yank suddenly looking vulnerable, Monti went to work on Fleet Bumblebee inside of Cummings who was already high-lining the leader. The two drivers were highly animated all the way down the lane with Fleet Bumblebee gaining with every stride. But as they hit the wire DW’s NY Yank hung on to win by a nose in 1:57 in a very exciting finish.

It was the third win in a row for DW’S NY Yank ($2.40) and sixth win of the year and that effort boosted his bankroll to $140,750 for 2017. His career numbers got even more impressive, now with 46 wins and $1,156,335 in purses to his credit.

The 8-year-old altered son of Dilbert Hanover is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

GCC men's soccer team hits 10 on win streak

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

Despite completing a road contest against No. 4 Herkimer just 18 hours from the previous day, the No. 3 Genesee Community College men's soccer team bested visiting Fulton-Montgomery Community College 7-1 Oct. 8. The win improved the Cougars' record to 10-2-1, while the Raiders dropped to 5-5 on the season.

Charlie Livesey 's penalty kick about 30 minutes into the contest proved to be the game-winner as Livesey would finish the day with a helper as well and a three-point afternoon.

Sam Hall picked up where he left off after scoring the tying goal against the No. 4 Generals in the final minute the night before by also getting the team's first goal against the Raiders to round out the Cougars' first-half scoring.

Hijiri Sano led Genesee in the second half with two of its five goals. Phillip Melo, Ryan Price and Adam Price also added goals; while Matheus Araujo, Leo Anthony and Alejandro Ocampo added assists on the day.

David Ormiston split the contest with Gaurav Cheema in net as the pair combined for five saves.

Genesee out-shot the Raiders 36-7 with 11 Cougar shots finding the net. Genesee also held the edge in corner kicks, 11-1.

The Cougars embark on a three-game road excursion beginning with a contest against Finger Lakes Community College, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. Genesee continues on with a pair of weekend games with the first coming against North Country Community College Oct. 14 at 3 p.m., followed by a contest at Clinton Community College Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.

Photo: Curtis Kreutter / GCC Athletics

Cougar volleyball team finishes strong at Bryant Tournament

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College volleyball team out-scored its last two oppositions by a combined 109-108, but could only muster one set win of five that included a 2-1 loss to Broome Community College and a playoff loss to Jefferson Community College at the Cara Bryant Tournament hosted by Onondaga Community College Oct. 6-7.

The Cougars dropped its playoff match to the Cannoneers with the first set going into extra points 24-26 and then dropped a close second set 22-25.

Heading into playoff competition, the Cougars rallied to split with Broome before dropping another close final set 13-15. The Hornets took the first 25-27 before the Cougars came on strong with a convincing 25-15 win.

The four teams Genesee faced over the two-day event entered the tournament with a collective 60-22 record with three of the four appearing in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III national polls at some point this season.

Genesee showed marked improvement against Jefferson after facing them the previous day and scoring 20 and 19 points. The Cougars also faced Monroe Oct. 6 with 18- and 17-point performances, respectively.

The team began play against undefeated host Onondaga and came close to taking the first set at 23-25.

Four players led in categories in two matches or more. Sha-Ony Obispa led the team in kills twice, Nao Maeda in assists twice, Tommi Rutherford in digs twice, and Lyndsey Rowland in blocks three times.

GCC's men’s soccer team extends undefeated streak to nine

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The No. 3 Genesee Community College men's soccer team rallied twice to keep pace with No. 4 Herkimer in finishing with a 2-2 road tie in extending their unbeaten streak to nine games.

The Cougars then went on to win the post-game penalty kick competition 3-1 for seeding purposes.

Sam Hall converted a Charlie Livesey corner kick with about 20 seconds left in regulation to send the contest into extra sessions. Prior to that Glenn Holmes converted a penalty kick to knot the game at 1-1 after both teams played a scoreless first half.

David Ormiston out-dueled his counterpart in net with a double-digit save performance with 10. In addition, he was again sharper than the Generals' goalkeeper in allowing just one goal in the penalty-kick session.

Holmes and Hall scored again during the penalty kicks with Ryan Price getting the team's third goal. That's all the Cougars would need after Ormiston stopped Herkimer's fourth shooter and made it mathematically impossible for Herkimer to win the penalty kick shootout with both teams having only one shooter remaining.

Both teams finished with four corner kicks.

This was the fourth time this season that the Cougars have faced a team that has appeared in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association polls with none of those teams able to beat Genesee. Of the four, Herkimer has appeared highest at No. 2.

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