Tournament director Mark Brown, left, congratulates Tom Rohl, champion, and John Wolff, runner-up, following the "Super Bowl" handicap singles event at Mancuso Bowling Center. Submitted photo.
LeRoyan Tom Rohl defeated Batavian John Wolff, 210-203, in a battle of left-handers to win the “Super Bowl” handicap singles tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.
Rohl, 50, earned $500 while Wolff, 83 years young, took home $300 for their efforts in the event, which drew 43 entries last weekend.
Based on his 212 average, Rohl received three pins handicap and just managed to sneak past Wolff, who received 44 pins based on his 171 average.
Rohl downed Rich Wagner of Batavia, another lefty, while Wolff topped Rick Underhill of Batavia in the semifinals. Wagner and Underhill won $160 each.
Quarterfinalists were Brandon Luce of Oakfield (the high qualifier), Selena McJury of Batavia, Sam Oddo of Batavia and Austin Hawker of Geneseo. They won $120 apiece.
HEROLD HITS 290 AT LEGION LANES
In Genesee Region USBC league action last week, Le Roy Legion Lanes produced some high scores, with Shayne Herold's 290 game highlighting the American Legion Thursday Mens' League.
Gunner Pietrzykowski, Ethan Bradley, Nolan Radley, and Ben Stone Submitted Photo.
Submitted by Coach Matt Holman
On Tuesday, the Batavia Boys Alpine Ski team found a mixed bag of weather and conditions at Swain Resort.
The warmer temperatures over the weekend led to a sugary snow, easily pushed away by each skier leading to a hard service with large banks of soft light snow. The morning sun turned to afternoon clouds and light snow of giant picturesque snowflakes.
The boys came in sixth place out of 11 teams in the competition.
Freezing overnight conditions left the race course in great condition for the girls on Wednesday.
The soft snow from the day before was much more solid and the girl skiers did not have to worry about snow piles of any kind. The day was perfect for ski racing, with bluebird skies minimal cloud coverage, and the bright spring sun.
The girls, competing with an incomplete team, came in eighth place out of 11 teams.
Ivan Milovidov receives a pass from Jameson Motyka for a goal in the second period. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Notre Dame United opened sectional play on Thursday as the #1 seed in Class B and came away with the expected victory over Geneseo/Avon/Livonia.
United (19-2) won 6-1 at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.
United scored first on a pass by Jake Hutchins and Orion Lama to Ivan Milovidov.
Five goals in the second period gave United a 6-0 lead.
Three goals were scored by Ivan Milovidov, giving him more than 100 career points.
Brady Johnson and Jake Hutchins also scored.
Goaltender Rhys Tanner lost his shot at a shutout when Matt Mulvaney scored for Geneseo with four minutes left in the game.
United plays next Wednesday at home against #5 seed Canandaigua. The game time has not yet been announced.
Photo of Imprincessgemma A courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
After a lengthy respite, winter returned to western New York as persistent snow and wind kept things challenging for the Thursday afternoon (Feb. 15) card at Batavia Downs. The program featured the three top weekly classes and two big efforts from the meet’s leading drivers.
The $14,000 Open Handicap pace for fillies and mares was up first and Imprincessgemma A (Brett Beckwith) got her first victory of the year.
Leaving from post five, Imprincessgemma A cut fractions of :28.1, :58.3 and 1:28 while Ball Diamond (Keith Kash Jr.) followed close in the pocket. Ball Diamond pulled to advance at the top of the last turn and almost drew even as they entered the stretch. But Imprincessgemma A held sway and paced away to a 1-¼ length victory under a line drive in 1:57.3.
It was the 43rd career win for Imprincessgemma A ($3.90) and it pushed the 10-year-old’s lifetime earnings to $601,489. Imprincessgemma A is owned by Elite Harness Racing and is trained by Shawn McDonough.
Imprincessgemma A was also one of four driving wins on the card for Brett Beckwith who also won with Stars And Stones (2:00.3, $6.90), Angelo J Fra (1:58.1, $9.20) and Silver Buckeye (2:02, $8.00). Beckwith currently sits second in the driver standings.
Then in the $15,000 Open I Handicap for male pacers, Umberto (Dave McNeight III) got his second win in a row on the strength of an impressive effort.
Umberto also left from mid-pack, post five, and crossed over to the lead in the first turn. After setting up shop on the point, Umberto paced unchallenged through swift quarters of :27.3, :57.2, and 1:25.1. In the last turn, McNeight laid back for the ride home and Umberto strode to the line by 2-¼ lengths and won in 1:54.
Umberto ($7.40) is owned by El Dorado Stables and is trained by Dave McNeight Jr.
Finally in the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, E Street (Jim Morrill Jr.) drew a rare inside post and tripped-out to an upset feature win.
Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) took the lead before the quarter as E Street sat behind him in the cozy pocket. After hitting the quarter in :29, positions remained unchanged to the half and up the backstretch. It was there that Special Prosecutor (Drew Monti) made a first-over push and joined the fray at three-quarters in 1:30 flat. Big Box Hanover responded to the challenge and pulled away by a length as they hit the straight. But at the same time, E Street dipped into the passing lane and within the length of three pylons, had the lead and bolted home by a length in 1:59.3.
E Street ($16,60) is owned by Elite Harness Racing and trained by Rachelle Mungillo.
E Street capped off a driving grand slam for Morrill as well after he had already won with P C Foreign Affair (2:02, $10.40), Just A Wrangler (1:55.4, $6.50) and Mayweather Hanover (1:59.1, $5.30).
Trainers Taylor Fritz and Andy Torre both had conditioning doubles on Thursday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 15) at 3 p.m. and the card will feature the $100,000 finals of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers. Also, there will be a $2,669 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Left to right in black t-shirts are Julia Clark, Anna Varland, Isabella Walsh, and Julia Preston were honored on senior night. Photo by Steve Ognibene
On Senior night, one win-shy of a .500 season, Batavia came out strong against Geneva and came away with a 59-19 win.
The game began with a 6-4 early in the first quarter lead for the Blue Devils but trailed at the end of the quarter 11-8.
With a strong second half, Batavia turned out the light on Geneva, going into the half with a 33-12 lead, and the game was never close again.
After a couple of consecutive seasons where wins were hard to come by, Coach John McCulley sees progress in a 10-10 season and a group of young players developing winning habits and gaining experience.
"The season started out pretty good," McCulley said. "We had a light schedule. We started out with a bunch of girls that hadn't played at the varsity level. The senior girls that I had, that's what made it so special throughout the season. The senior girls I had were a huge help for me, as far as the right attitude, and teaching the young girls the right way to handle things. And so the season went pretty well. We had our ups and downs but as far as I'm concerned, from last year to this year, leaps and bounds. We've learned a lot, everything, every game, we progressively got better."
There are nine freshmen in the program, between varsity and JV and McCulley believes they have high ceilings.
"The freshmen are going to be phenomenal for me," McCulley said. "And I got Jamie (Macdonald) coming back another year that she just took leaps and bounds towards the end of the year. I think she's going to accept this role as a leader and just be a powerhouse next year."
Pembroke beat Oakfield-Alabama 58-50. Seneca Calderon scored 17 points, Peyton Liss, 12, with five rebounds, and Elle Peterson, seven points and five rebounds.
In Boys Basketball, Batavia beat Greece-Olympia 65-62. Estavan Lovette scored 16 points, Carter Mullen, 15, and Justin Smith, 12.
Notre Dame beat Wheatland-Chili 48-17 in Girls Basketball on Tuesday.
The Lady Irish had two players record double-doubles on Senior Night.
Emma Sisson led in scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sofia Falleti followed her with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Gianna Falleti also added eight points for the Irish.
“Tonight was a great way to close out our regular season with a home game and celebrate senior night," said Coach Vinny Falleti.
In Boys Basketball on Monday, Elba beat Holley 53-47.
Mike Long scored 31 points and Angela Penna scored 14 for Elba.
Also in Boys Basketball on Monday, Le Roy beat Pavilion 66 - 27. The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Knights and dealt a blow to the Goper's three-game win streak. For Le Roy, Merritt Holly scored 32 points, had 14 rebounds and three blocks. Jean Agosto, nine points and 13 rebounds.
Pembroke beat Kendall 71-41. Tyson Totten scored 31 points, 10 rebounds, Avery Ferreira, 11 points, and Owen Hootman, 10 points and nine rebounds.
Photo of Long Train Runnin courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The fourth and final leg of the Western New York Trasckmaster Series for pacers was held at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Feb. 12) and after the dust had settled, both Long Train Runnin and Proven Desire will enter the Trackmaster 79 division finals unbeaten.
In his $9,000 division, Long Train Runnin (Dave McNeight III) led the field off the gate but yielded the top to Dogfight (Kevin Cummings) at the 27.4 quarter. However that change was short-lived as McNeight sent the Train back down the tracks immediately to regain the lead. Now firmly back in control, Long Train Runnin backed off the half to 58 and met no opposition in doing so. With the group still in single file, the leader marched to three-quarters in 1:26.4 with only a mild bid from Huntsville Place (Kyle Swift) at that station. Long Train Runnin rounded the last bend and paced into the lane with a 1-½ length lead while the pocket-sitting Dogfight tried to make up ground. But Long Train Runnin made it to the station first and on time in 1:55.3.
It was the fourth straight win for Long Train Runnin ($3.40) who is owned by Paige Usiak and William Emmons. Jim Clouser Jr. trains the winner.
Clouser and Emmons are also the connections of Proven Desire, who won his $9,000 division and extended his winning streak to three.
John Cummings Jr. flew to the front with Proven Desire and opened up a two-length advantage in 28.2. While P L Notorious (Kevin Cummings) tracked from second, Proven Desire took his gapped advantage to the half in 58 and three-quarters in 1:27. As they entered the last turn, Cummings threw the lines at the leader and Proven Desire took off. He opened up 1-½ lengths at the top of the stretch and extended that lead to two as he cruised to the line in 1:55.4.
Proven Desire returned $3.20.
Clouser and Emmons also won with Lanas Desire (1:56.1, $2.50) in another $9,000 division giving that connection a hat trick for the second week in a row as they advanced all three of their horses to the final.
The 10-year-old pacer Sir Pugsley hit a career milestone in the 12th race after going gate to wire in 1:56.2. It was the 40th career win for the son of American Ideal and Q and A who has now bankrolled $453,798 as a result of his success. Taylor Fritz both owns and trains Sir Pugsley.
Driver Dave McNeight III scored a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine and his win total was matched by Kevin Cummings, who was also victorious in three races on Monday. Trainer Sam Smith matched Jim Clouser Jr.’s three win total as well, to finish as co-conditioning leader for the afternoon.
The WNY Trackmaster Series pacing finals will be held next Monday afternoon (Feb. 19) at 3 p.m. The TM79 division will have a $20,000 final and two consolations worth $10,500 and $9,000. The TM75 division will have a $17,000 final and two consolations worth $8,500 and $7,500. And the TM71 group features a $14,000 final and two consolations worth $7,500 and $6,500. The top eight money earners in each group make the final and the second consolation must realize seven entries to be a go.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Feb. 15) at 3 p.m. and that card will feature the fourth and final round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for trotters. Also there will be a $2,273 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Proven Desire courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Rick Howe of Le Roy recorded his second United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game last week during league action at Le Roy Legion Lanes.
The 52-year-old right-hander rolled games of 227, 215 and 300 on lanes 5-6 in the American Legion Thursday Men's League. He entered the night with a 201 average.
Howe's other perfect game took place in March 2012, and he posted a 299 game in Sept. 200, both at the Le Roy hall.
In other league play around the Genesee Region USBC, Brandon Gurnsey rolled a 758 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion and Tim Talbot fired a 754 series in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Braedyn Chambry hit a free throw to set a new Byron-Bergen scoring record. Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
Byron Bergen's Braedyn Chambry hit a free-throw on Thursday on his way to a 28-point game and 63 to 49 over Oakfield-Alabama to break his school's career scoring record.
Chambry surpassed the previous record of 1,063 points set by Brandon Burke in 2017. Chambry finished the game, with games left in the season to keep building his new record, with 1,078 points.
“Braedyn is old school,” said Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach Roxanne Noeth. “100% of his buckets come from inside the paint. Nothing flashy, just hard work and persistence around the rim.”
“If someone is going to break Brandon’s record, I’m glad it is Braedyn,” said Joann Burke, mother of Brandon Burke.
For the Bees, Colin Martin added 12 points, and Cody Carlson scored 10.
For O-A, Gavin Armbrewster scored 17, Aedyn Groth, 15, and Jack Cianfrinni, 10.
Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
Senior cheerleader Hanna Loewke gave a solo performance at half-time. Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
Byron-Bergen seniors Brendan Pimm, Brodie Baubie, Braedyn Chambry, Colin Martin and Carter Prinzi with coach Coach Roxanne Noeth. Photo by Jennifer DiQuattro
The Irish were led in scoring by freshman forward Sofia Falleti with 14 points. Emma Sisson contributed a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Gianna Falleti also added nine points for the Irish.
Photo of City Of Hope courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
The weekly $15,000 top-class events for both gaits were carded on Thursday afternoon (Feb. 8) at Batavia Downs and the winner of both races claimed their first victory of the year in impressive fashion.
The Open Handicap trot was won by City Of Hope (Kevin Cummngs) who turned a three-wide move into a 1-¼ length victory.
City Of Hope got away fifth as J-s Swanman (Dave McNeight III) took the lead and forced fellow leaver Big Box Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) into the two-hole on the strength of a 28.3 quarter. Positions remained unchanged to the half where Ricky B Sharp (Mike Baumeister) and City Of Hope initiated an outer flow that would eventually initiate two lead changes. First, Ricky B Sharp cleared J-s Swanman before three-quarters and crossed over as City Of Hope dropped into the pocket. These two stayed in line around the last turn and to the top of the stretch where Cummings tipped City Of Hope and trotted right by Ricky B Sharp under a line drive to win in 1:57.2.
A 14-time winner in 2023 who earned $149,382, City Of Hope ($8.10) got his first win of the new year for owners Philip Hale and David Dewhurst, who also trains the winner.
Then in the Open Handicap pace, Umberto (Dave McNeight III) capitalized from a perfect trip to win in a romp.
Umberto eased into the garden spot as Avion Seelster (John Cummings Jr.) flew to the front. After getting to the half in :57.1 with no challenges, Ideal Artillery (Drew Monti) and Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) tried to push the issue heading into the second circuit. However Cummings Jr. hit the gas with Avion Seelster and a :28 flat third quarter squelched those attempts from the rear, leaving only the pocket-sitting Umberto with a legitimate shot. McNeight pulled Umberto in the final turn and rocked him to the lead around the fading leader. Then Umberto opened up a three length margin in deep stretch and was a wrapped-up winner in 1:53.4.
It was the first win of the year for Umberto ($15.80), but also the first win for his new connections, El Dorado Stables, who claimed him two weeks ago for trainer Dave McNeight Jr.
Drivers Mike Baumeister, John Cummings Jr., Kevin Cummings, Dave McNeight III, Jim McNeight Jr. and Jim Morrill Jr. all had two wins apiece while 13 different trainers each won one race on Thursday.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 12) at 3 p.m. and the card will feature the fourth round of the Western New York Trackmaster Series for pacers. There will also be a $1,852 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 14th race.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Notre Dame beat Elba 68-55 in Girls Basketball on Wednesday.
The game, played at Elba, also served as a fundraiser in memory of Jordyn Torrey Augello, with the memorial foundation named in her honor, co-hosting the game. A raffle, braids and Tinsel by Jagged Edges, and gift certificates sold helped raise money for the University of Rochester Genetics, Epigenetics & Metabolism Research Program.
Augello was an Elba Lady Lancer who later returned to Elba to coach youth basketball.
A 2009 graduate of Cornell who became a partner in Torrey Farms, Augello died at age 30 in 2018.
In Wednesday's game, Sofia Falleti scored 22 points for the Irish. Emma Sisson scored 16 points, Nina Bartz scored 14, and Gianna Falleti scored 12.
For Elba, Sydney Reilly scored 19 points. Lydia Ross scored 12. Mariah Ognibene and Brea Smith each scored 11.
