Press Release:

The Byron-Bergen Class of 2024 Valedictorian Victoria Rogoyski has signed to continue her Track & Field career at the collegiate level with Saint John Fisher University. During high school, Rogoyski boasted an impressive 17’ 103⁄4” in the long jump, 5’ 00” in the high jump, 16.66 seconds in the 100m hurdles, and 2734 in the pentathlon. 

At Fisher, she plans to study biology, chemistry, and pharmaceutical science. 

“Victoria epitomizes what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Byron-Bergen Athletic Director Rich Hannan. “She is driven in everything she does, and it shows. She is graduating at the top of her class and is one of the best athletes in her grade, and that all comes from hard work and determination. We are all so proud of her!”

In addition to being captain of the outdoor track & field, she was captain of the varsity soccer and basketball teams. She also participated in varsity gymnastics, swimming, and indoor track. Outside of sports, she is treasurer of the senior class, Varsity Club, and National Honor Society.

“I would like to thank my parents, who have been my support system throughout high school and sports, and my siblings for their hard work and persistence in their own sports that inspire me to never give up while also being the loudest cheering section ever. I want to thank my coaches in all of my sports, I couldn’t have done any of this without them and I am entirely grateful for their help. Finally, I want to thank my teachers for teaching me knowledge and inspiring me to continue my education elsewhere. Oh yeah, and the best teammates on the planet need a special shoutout!” said Victoria Rogoyski.

Hough (JTS) v.s. Brooks (BAT)

#GoDogs

Press release:

Quarterback Corey Turpin threw for a pair of touchdowns on Saturday to lead the Genesee County Spartans to a 19-12 victory over the host Rochester Chargers in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action at Franklin High School.

The Spartans, 1-1, built a 19-0 lead with scores in each of the first three quarters.

Turpin connected with Deyonci Farley and found Rayshawn Huitt for a score to make it 12-0 at halftime before halfback Jed Reese burst into the end zone to put the visitors up 18-0. Kicker Julia Petry converted on the extra point to round out the Spartans’ scoring.

Genesee racked up 300 yards of total offense with Turpin passing for 150 and Reese running for 100.

Defensively, the Spartans held the Chargers, 1-1, to 200 yards of total offense, with three interceptions – two by Kaden Marucci and one by Marley English – and four sacks.

“The game marked a huge improvement from our first game (a 16-6 loss to Lockport), which I really felt we let slip away,” said Head Coach Harry Rascoe. “We controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game. Credit to our secondary of Tre Bucci, Max Rapone, Jazon Henderson and Cody Wenner for holding down a very talented passing offense.”

Rascoe also credited coordinators Jermaine Henderson (offense) and Craig Tiberio (defense) for coming up with solid game plans.

The Spartans are off this weekend but will receive a forfeit victory since the East Coast Blue Devils have withdrawn from the league.

The team is back in action at 7 p.m. June 22 at the Watertown Red & Black.

Mike Geissler (ELM) v.s. Gavin Chandler (BAT)

#GoDogs

Press Release:

Notre Dame senior Kaitlyn Landers signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career at Keuka College today at Notre Dame High School. 

Joining her for this signing were her parents, Matt and Melissa Landers; brother, Benjamin Landers; head softball coach, Otis Thomas; assistant coach, Mikey Rapone; and Notre Dame Athletic Director Mike Rapone.

Landers was a varsity call-up in her 7th-grade season and has been a mainstay with the team ever since.

Career highlights while playing for the Lady Irish include: 

• Genesee Region All-Star – 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 
• NYS Class D All-State 2nd Team – 2021
• NYS Class D All-State 3rd Team - 2023
• Section V Class D1 Sectional All-Tournament Team – 2019 (as a 7th grader) 
• Member of Section V Class D1 Sectional Championship Team – 2023
• Team Co-Captain – 2024
• Genesee Region Exceptional Senior All-Star

Lander's favorite memory of playing softball at Notre Dame was winning a sectional championship in 2023.

Along with playing for the Lady Irish, Kaitlyn has played 8 years of travel softball, where she currently plays for Coach Mruczek’s 18u Edge team, and has played the last 11 summers for her local Batavia Stingers team. 

In addition to playing softball, Kaitlyn was a member of the Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Indoor Track, and Varsity Outdoor Track teams at Notre Dame. Kaitlyn plans to major either in Social Work, Psychology, or Education at Keuka College. 

Press Release:

Youth basketball players will have the opportunity to build their skills at the upcoming Building Champions basketball camp, set to take place from August 5 - 8 at Elba Central School gymnasium.

Registration for the camp will kick off at Elba High School on Saturday, June 8, from 10 - 11 a.m.

The camp will be divided into two sessions for different age groups. Students in grades 1 to 3 will have sessions from 9 to 11 a.m., while those in grades 4 to 6 will have theirs from 1 to 3 p.m.

Building Champions will focus on essential basketball skills including handling, passing, shooting, and defense. Both boys and girls in grades 1 to 6 are encouraged to participate and hone their abilities on the court.

Campers can expect a range of amenities throughout the camp, including access to a daily hydration station, healthy snacks, a pizza party, a commemorative t-shirt, and the exciting opportunity to compete for the "MVP" of the week trophy.

The cost of enrollment stands at $100 per camper. For those unable to attend the registration event, inquiries and registrations can be made by contacting Coach Zambito at 585-813-8592 or via email at ciaci4zambito@gmail.com.

For young athletes seeking to elevate their basketball skills in a supportive and engaging environment, Building Champions promises a rewarding experience.

Submitted photos.

The Genesee County Spartans will be looking to get their offense in gear this Saturday when they travel to Franklin High School to take on the Rochester Chargers in Northeastern Football Alliance semipro action.

Corey Turpin will be handling all of the quarterback duties for the Spartans due to an injury to the team’s other QB, Alex Rood. Head Coach Harry Rascoe said that Rood will be out for at least eight weeks – likely all season.

The Spartans dropped their season opener last weekend, 16-6 to the Lockport Wildcats.

“Our defense played very well against Lockport, now we just to need get our offense clicking,” said Rascoe, noting that the Spartans held the Wildcats to just 118 yards passing and 90 yards rushing.

The Chargers received a forfeit victory last week as they were scheduled to play against the East Coast Blue Devils, which has opted out of the NFA this season.

Game time on Saturday is 5 p.m. Franklin High is located at 950 Norton St., Rochester.

Admission is $10. Youths 10 and under will be admitted at no charge.

The Genesee County Spartans gave the Lockport Wildcats all they could handle on Saturday afternoon before falling, 16-6, in their Northeastern Football Alliance semipro opener at Pembroke Town Park.

The Spartans’ defense kept the Wildcats, who went 9-1 last season, in check for most of the game except for a 60-yard touchdown pass from strong-armed quarterback Willie Fair III to Jason Thurman on the opening drive and a four-yard TD run by Fair with 1:18 to play.

Lockport was able to run for both two-point conversions.

Genesee’s offense sputtered in the first half, losing the ball twice on botched snaps, but put together its only scoring drive to begin the third quarter.

Halfback Jed Reese (Notre Dame graduate) gained 12 yards on two plays up the middle before wide receiver Deyonci Farley picked up 10 yards on a sweep.

On third down, quarterback Alex Rood threw a deep ball intended for wide receiver Rayshawn Huitt, who drew a pass interference penalty – putting the ball at the Lockport 7-yard line.

The Wildcats stiffened on the next two running plays and a false start penalty on the Spartans moved the ball back to the 15. From there, Rood found Huitt in the end zone for a touchdown, pulling Genesee to within two at 8-6.

Another pass intended for Huitt for the two-point conversion fell incomplete, however.

Both teams punted three times until the Spartans took possession at their own 47 with 4:39 to play. Following a couple of short gains, Rood hit Farley for a first down but a fumble on the play and long return gave the ball back to Lockport at the Spartans’ 26, setting up the visitors’ final scoring drive.

Spartans Head Coach Harry Rascoe said he was proud of the way the defense shut down the 6-5, 250-pound Fair for most of the contest. LB Marley English had an interception for Genesee.

“This was the best QB in the league and one of the best teams,” he said. “We’re close and we’re going to get better.”

Fair credited the Spartans for their defensive game plan.

“I want to take my hat off to their defensive coordinator (Craig Tiberio),” he said. “His schemes and stuff were a little tricky and we didn’t make the right adjustments.”

Reese said he saw a lot of good things, mentioning the Spartans’ effort and togetherness.

“This is our second season, and we will improve. I really like the way that everyone is more positive (this season) and willing to work with each other,” he said. “We’re playing like a team, not a bunch of individuals.”

The Spartans next game is against the Rochester Chargers at 5 p.m. Saturday at Franklin High School in Rochester.

Post-game fireworks for the Batavia Muckdogs home opener on Saturday were set up in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning when the home team erased a 3-2 deficit to win 4-1 on a squeeze bunt with the bases loaded.

The Elmira Pioneers had high school senior Bryce Mashanic making essentially his baseball debut at the collegiate level to start the ninth, after he entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning. 

Mashanic faced adversity in the inning early after second baseman Tim Haftl made a bad throw on a routine grounder for an error, allowing Anthony Greco to reach base.  Greco advanced on a wild pitch to Sean Mindas, who would get a free pass on the next pitch. Mindas then stole second, and Pioneers issued an intentional walk to Caleb Walker. 

Greco scored on a sacrifice fly by Cooper Romich, tying the game.

That brought Travis Hammond to the plate with one out and Walker on third.  Walker inched down the line as Mashanic went into his wind up, dashing toward the plate and scoring standing up after Hammond laid down a perfect bunt down the first base line.

The walk-off sacrifice improved Batavia's record on the young season to 2-1.

DH Trevor Dutra, a sophomore at Lafayette College and from Rye Brook, was 2-3 with a walk. He had the only multi-hit game on the night for the Muckdogs.

Josh Livengood, a senior attending Center College and from Lexigton, Ky., got the win in relief, going 3 1/3 innings giving up no hits or runs and fanning six Pioneers.  It was his first appearance of the season.

Starter Gavin Chandler went four innings, giving up two runs on four hits and fanning three. Chandler is a sophomore at Marion Military Institute and is from Alabaster, Ala.

Photos by Nick Serrata.