Sports

Vaughn Boler scored 30 points and grabbed ten rebounds for the first double-double of his collegiate career, but it was not enough on Thursday night as the Genesee Community College men’s basketball team fell to visiting Niagara College (Canada), 73-70.

Genesee faced a ten-point, 42-32 halftime deficit and could not draw much closer throughout the second period. They trailed at one point by as many as 18 when they were down 56-38 with about 15 minutes to play. It wasn’t until late in the half that the Cougars were able to apply pressure and cut into the Niagara lead. Having to put Niagara at the line, GCC capitalized on a couple of missed free throws and drew within three with less than thirty-seconds left. After two Knights missed free throws with less than twenty-seconds to go and trailing, 73-70, the Cougars had one last possession but could not get off a good shot, dropping their fourth game of the season and first at home.

(#11 Vaughn Boler goes up strong against three Niagara defenders on Thursday night)

Malik Brown finished the night with eleven points, Terryl Coombs added nine points and ten rebounds and Donte Meredith chipped in seven points and five assists.

The loss drops Genesee to 5-4 on the season and the Cougars will return to action in their holiday tournament, which begins on Saturday. They will host the Community College of Rhode Island at 8pm.

The Genesee Community College women’s basketball team struggled at home on Thursday night against visiting Niagara College of Canada, falling 73-40.

The Lady Cougars were led by Dashawna Jenifer who scored 16 points and collected 13 rebounds, but balanced scoring from the visitors was too much. Four Lady Knights reached double figures and Niagara held GCC to under 27% shooting on the night.

Dominique Davis added seven points for Genesee, Falesha Moultrie chipped in six and Becky James grabbed seven rebounds.

GCC falls to 0-6 on the season and will return to action on Saturday, in the Cougar Holiday Classic Tournament when they host ASA College at 4pm.

Press release:

Each year, the members of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association look to recognize a member of the racing community who has selflessly given of their time and effort for the betterment of the sport and its horses.

This year, the organization will honor a man who has been doing it for more than three decades. Peter Kanter, D.V.M., Ph.D., has been practicing equine medicine in Western New York since 1973, after graduating from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. While servicing the needs of horsemen in the morning, he has also been the paddock vet at both Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway each night since 1979.

But this is only part of the story. Besides caring for his four legged patients, Dr. Kanter was also working to defeat a human disease that has touched everyone’s life at some point. From 1973 until 2008, Dr. Kanter served as a director in the Division of Drug and Treatment Development as well as being in charge of the Department of Comparative Surgery at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. Among his many accomplishments there, he was responsible for bringing a plethora of treatment drugs to market and also helped develop the techniques of what is now commonly known as minimally invasive surgery.

At the track, his commitment to the sport and its participants has been unparalleled and his many clients are a testament to that. He has made an uncountable number of horses better through his work and he continues to be there to address their needs before or after the races. While at Roswell Park, his work was responsible for helping to ease the pain and suffering of thousands of people while aiding the fight to a cure.

It is for his life’s work to improve the lives of both man and beast that Dr. Peter Kanter was chosen the 2012 UNY USHWA Unsung Hero. Dr. Kanter will receive his award trackside at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 8) during the fifth annual “Night of Distinction” awards presentation, where all the best equine and human performances of the current Batavia meet, as well as the best in Western New York for the entire year, will be feted.

The Genesee Community College men's basketball team held on to beat visiting Mohawk Valley Community College on Saturday afternoon, 75-72.

The Cougars built a double-digit lead in the first half and took a 36-22 advantage into the break.

Mohawk Valley responded in the second half and eventually trimmed the Cougars lead to single-digits.

(#10 Terryl Coombs jumps for possession of the opening tip-off against Mohawk Valley CC on Saturday)

Leading 60-54, Malik Brown scored four-straight GCC points to up the lead to ten, with five minutes left in the second period. Later in the half, Vaughn Boler converted a three-point play with 3:30 left, to keep GCC in front, 67-58.

Mohawk Valley kept battling late, and an Alexshay Pearce three-pointer cut the Genesee lead to just three with ten seconds to play.

The Cougars were able to hit a couple of free-throws in the closing seconds, and held on for the win.

Boler finished with a game high 24 points and also grabbed seven rebounds. E.J. Blackwell added 15 points and six assists, Terryl Coombs chipped in 13 points and nine boards and Donte Meredith added eight points.

Genesee improves to 5-3 on the season and will host Niagara College (Canada) on Thursday night at 8pm.

It was the penultimate Friday night (Nov. 30) of the 2012 summer-fall meet at Batavia Downs Casino. Headlining the 12-race program, which take place on a cold and snowy night in Western New York, was a pair of $7,400 races, one trotters and one for pacers.

On the trotting side, Howard Ouriel’s Duke of Wellington, took over the lead past three-quarters and went on to a 2-1/4 length score in 1:59.4 to notch his fifth win of the season. Dan Noble, who has now won 16 races in the last three racing nights at the Downs, was at the controls for conditioner Don Rothfuss.

Duke of Wellington ($22.60), a 7-year-old altered son of Canadian sire Duke of York raised his lifetime bankroll to $119,037.

On race later the best distaff pacers in Western New York hit the racetrack and it was one of the most exciting finishes of the year.

Hasty Pulse with Dan Noble in the bike, took command at the top of the stretch after a first over trip and appeared to be well on her way, but it was Miss Too Punch who would not be denied and closed from last to take home the lion’s share of the purse money.

With Jamie Dunlap in the sulky for trainer Tracy Root, Miss Two Punch ($17) unleashed a wicked late burst to score a narrow neck victory in 1:57.4. The daughter of Allamerican Ingot made her fourth winners circle visit in 2012 and increased her lifetime earnings to $87,482.

In the final Pick-6 wager of the season, that featured a mandatory pay-out, four of six was a winning ticket and returned $83.

Racing resumes on Saturday night with a post time of 6:25. There are only three nights remaining in 66th season at Batavia Downs. Racing concludes on Dec. 8.

The free pick-6 contest kicks off on Saturday night; Players Club members that can pick the winners of races 4 through 9 will win or share in the $500 pool. This promotion is sponsored by the Western New York Harness Horseman’s Association.

The Genesee Community College men's basketball team topped 100 points for the first time this season, on their way to a 103-50 victory over visiting Medaille JV in their home opener of the 2012-2013 season.

Vaughn Boler scored 15 first half points and 19 total points to lead the way for Genesee. Stanley Peacock added 16 points and nine rebounds, Maurice Bailey chipped in 12 points and Donte Meredith, Terryl Coombs and E.J. Blackwell each scored ten points.

(Vaughn Boler (white) scores two of his game-high 19 points in win over Medaille JV)

GCC opened a 55-21 first half lead and shot better than 64 percent in the game en-route to their fourth victory of the season.

The Cougars (4-3) will host Mohawk Valley Community College on Saturday at 3pm for their next contest.

By Brian Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

It was Ladies' Night Friday (Nov. 23) in the featured $8,200 Open I-II Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs as the lone mare in the field of seven, Starbux Eden, beat the boys by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:00.4.

Owned, trained and driven to victory by John Cummings Jr., of Williamsville, the favored Starbux Eden ($4.40) sat the pocket behind the pacesetting Perfect Man (Dave McNeiught Jr.) through quarters of :29.0, 1:00.2 and 1:30.1.

But just before the top of the stretch, instead of dropping down to the passing lane, Cummings Jr. tipped the 6-year-old Striking Sahbra mare to the outside and trotted home smartly in :30.3 on the blustery evening, easily beating Keystone Bernard (Shawn Gray). Partici Pator (Jim McNeight) finished third.

It was the 10th win of the season for Starbux Eden in 35 starts and increased her 2012 earnings to $60,005.

Reinsman Dan Noble, currently second in the Downs' standings, was the driving star of the evening winning six times on the 12-race card.

Press release:

Batavia Downs Casino will celebrate the accomplishments of world champion and trotting track record holder Archangel with a coffee mug giveaway on Wednesday night (Nov. 21). The locally owned trotter took Western New York by storm when he competed in the historic $1.5 million Hambletonian.

To receive a collector’s edition photo mug, patrons simply need to swipe their Player’s Club card beginning at 5 p.m. at Players Club to receive a ticket that can be redeemed in the Paddock Room after the seventh race for an Archangel mug. Supplies are limited.

Archangel, a son of Credit Winner-Michelle’s Angel, was purchased for $120,000 in 2010. Earlier this year he set a world record on a half-mile racetrack on July 7 at Yonkers Raceway when he won the Yonkers Trot, the first leg of Trotting’s Triple Crown, in 1:54.1. Then on Sept. 9, he lowered the Batavia Downs trotting all-age and 3-year-old record when he cruised to victory in a New York Sires Stake event in 1:54.3. His final time was more than two seconds faster than the previous record of 1:56.4 set by Earl in 1993 in the Provenzano Trot.

In two years of racing Archangel earned $906,579, including $771,386 during his sophomore season. His lifetime best of 1:53.1 came at Vernon Downs and was equaled at Lexington, Ky. In addition to the giveaway, a special meet-and-greet session with owner/trainer Peter Arrigenna and co-owner Alan Hainsworth will be held in the track lobby beginning at 5:30 p.m. On display will be some of the trophies won during the 2012 campaign.

“We wanted to buy a top quality horse, one that could be dominant on the New York Sire Stakes and eventually become a Grand Circuit horse,” Hainsworth said. “He did that and more. He earned a lot of money for us and it’s really been an amazing ride. I got a chance to meet some great people along the way.”

Hainsworth and partners purchased another son of Credit Winner for $170,000 at the recently concluded Harrisburg Sale and are hopeful they have another champion.

“He’s extremely well bred and is a carbon copy of Arch,” Hainsworth added. “Not only do I have confidence in his breeding but in my trainer as well.”

The Downs is expecting a nice crowd on Wednesday night.

“Back in the day, the night before Thanksgiving used to be one of the biggest nights of the year,” said Todd Haight, track general manager said. “I’m confident we’ll have a nice crowd on hand, many thanks to Pete and Alan for making this happen.”

By Brian Mazurek, for Batavia Downs

Taking advantage of a perfect trip from the rail, Looks R Deceiving used the passing lane down the stretch and captured the $27,000 finals of the Henry Tojj Claiming Pacing Series in 1:58.0 at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 17).

Looks R Deceiving, dismissed at 9-1, just missed by a neck off the rail last week in the third leg of the Tojj, losing to The Classic Z Tam in 1:57.3. But driver-trainer Bobby Verney made sure he took advantage of the rail in the finals as he caught the pace-setting Johnny Grippa (Jim Morrill Jr.) midway down the lane.

Johnny Grippa had set the fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:27.4 but started to get leg-weary down the lane. Looks R Deceiving ($20.80) dropped down into the passing lane and stepped away for the one-length win over the fast track. Vasvixen N (Shawn Gray) rallied late inside for the place spot while Johnny Grippa held on for third.

Looks R Deceiving, a 5-year-old Modern Art gelding, is owned by Stephen Andzel of Williamsville. The victory pushed his 2012 earnings to $46,388 and has now nine wins in 35 starts this season.
 
In the $10,000 consolation of the Henry Tojj Claiming Pacing Series, driver Anthony Morgan guided Dawn Of Trey ($31.80) to the surprise one-length victory, beating Square John (Jim Morrill Jr.) in 1:58.
 
Dawn Of Trey is owned by Doug Neely of Barberton, Ohio, and trained by Larry Clabaugh.
 
In the $9,000 Open Pace, What The Sheik, after a solid third-place finish at Yonkers Raceway last week, returned to Batavia Downs and once again proved he is currently the best pacer on the grounds, scoring a convincing length victory over Cole Hard Cash in 1:54.1.
 
Settling in fifth place at the start, What The Sheik ($4.70) and driver Jim Morrill Jr. watched the four lead changes that took place in front of them before the first half mile was completed. Down the backstretch the final time, Morrill Jr. went three-wide and collared Cole Hard Cash midway down the stretch and easily pulled away for a three-quarters of a length victory.
 
What The Sheik, claimed for $12,000 back in August by owners JML Stables, Inc., of Heathrow, Fla., and Mike Torcello of Hamburg. has now earned $49,526 this season. What The Sheik is a 5-year-old Western Terror horse and is trained by Gerry Sarama.
 
The racing resumes at Batavia Downs with a 12-race card on Wednesday night beginning at 6:25 p.m. The night before Thanksgiving program is always popular and this year the evening should be extra special.
 
The night will be highlighted by a Archangel Collector's Mug giveaway. Coupons will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m. at the Player's Extra desk and redeemed after the seventh race. There is also a "Meet and Greet" session beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Archangel's owners Alan Hainsworth and Pete Arrigenna.

By Brian Mazuek, for Batavia Downs

Under The Stars and driver/trainer Jim McNeight were first under the wire in the featured $8,500 Open I-II Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 16).

Under The Stars had finished second in three of his last four starts in the Open trot but finally broke through for the win.

Sitting second over going to the three-quarter pole, Under The Stars ($11.60) swept three-wide around the final turn and trotted around the pace-setting and favored Perfect Man (Dave McNeight III) and the cover of Big Baller (Dan Noble).

Down the lane Under The Stars trotted strongly to the wire, beating the pocket sitting Starbux Eden (John Cummings Jr.), by a length in 1:59.2, while Ziegfeld (Jim Morrill Jr.) rallied late to finish to third.

Owned by Mike Calimeri of Falconer, N.Y., it was the fourth win of the season for Under The Stars, a five-year-old Yankee Glide gelding. The win also moved his seasonal winnings to $44,952.

A 12-race program is slated for tonight at 6:25 p.m. with some top late-season races on tap.

The $27,000 Henry Tojj Pacing Series finale is the feature, scheduled for the seventh race. Johnny Grippa, with driver Jim Morrill Jr., is the morning line choice at 5-2 starting out of the four post.

The $10,000 consolation of the Henry Tojj will follow as the ninth race with D J Supreme and driver Shawn Gray the favorite from the four spot at 5-2.

The weekly $9,000 Open Pace will go as the sixth race with What The Sheik with Jim Morrill, Jr. in the sulky as the 6-5 morning line favorite despite starting from the eight hole.

To watch all the action via streaming video or for more information on the track, go to www.batavia-downs.com <http://www.batavia-downs.com

Press release:

The “Jack Flanigen Milestone Watch” has officially begun. When racing resumes on Wednesday night at Batavia Downs Casino, all eyes will be on Flanigen, who is closing in on 4,000 lifetime wins in the sulky.

The veteran driver, a lifelong resident of Western New York currently sits at 3,992. The 46-year-old Flanigen is a native of the Buffalo suburb of Hamburg and now lives a little more than five miles from the Batavia track, in Oakfield. In two-plus decades of driving he has become Western New York's winningest driver, and now he's closing in on another milestone.

He reached 3,000 victories on Oct. 20, 2007. There are other drivers from the Batavia-Buffalo Raceway circuit -- past and present -- who have won more races. Jeff Gregory of nearby Churchville is the current leader with 6,583 lifetime wins. Jim Morrill Jr., is at 5,432; Hall of Famer Buddy Gilmour 5,381; Ken Holliday 5,092; Ben Webster 4,378; and John Stark Jr. 4,119.

But most of their wins came at other racetracks. For Flanigen it’s been all about Western New York. Well, at least after the very beginning. His first career drive (and win) didn’t come on his hometown circuit but rather at Lake Shore Meadows, in Erie, Pa. He sat behind a horse named Mighty Mite for trainer Jim Crossan. By 1990 Jack was one of the most sought-after drivers on the Western New York harness racing circuit.

During the '90s he drove in 11,899 races and won 2,279 times. His best year was 1996, when he brought home 271 winners. During his career the horses he has driven have earned more than $11 million. His 3,992 wins best WNY legends, Ed McNeight Jr. (3,456), Jim McNeight (3,089) Gaston Guindon (3,080), Dave Vance (2,894) and Gerry Sarama (2,630).

Flanigen was the Downs dash leading reinsman in 2011. He missed the entire 2008 Downs season with concussion suffered on closing night at Buffalo Raceway. This season, during the 2012 summer-fall meet, he is currently fourth in the driver standings with 74 wins.

And to think it wasn't all that long ago that he actually pulled back on his driving career. In 2001, Flanigen began a second career, taking a full-time job with the New York State Department of Transportation as a truck driver.

“I wasn’t sure which way the business was headed; Batavia was closed and Buffalo was racing reduced dates,” Flanigen said. “So I decided I needed to get a job with benefits just in case.”

When purses climbed at Batavia and Buffalo Flanigen gave up driving trucks for the DOT in 2009 to go back driving horses full-time. He also added training to his resume again, something he hasn’t done since 1994.

“I was just looking for another way to supplement my income so I went back training," he said. "I currently have six in my barn.”
 
Looking back Flanigen said his career has been a bit of a surprise.

“I never dreamt sitting on driver/trainer Franny Bond‘s lap when I was 10-years-old, while he was out jogging horses, that I would have ever come close to his accomplishment."

The Genesee Community College swimming and diving team came away with a tri-meet sweep on Wednesday night, defeating both Alfred State College and Mercyhurst North East.

The men’s team downed Alfred 48-46 and Mercyhurst North East 70-17. The women edged Mercyhurst North East 37-33 and defeated Alfred 44-16.

(Melissa Krause competes in the 200 yard IM for the GCC Swimming and Diving team on Wednesday night)

Calla Wolfley got things going for GCC by placing first in the 200 yard free with a finishing time of 2:21.80, and followed it up later in the night by winning the 500 yard free. Kylie Bank tallied a pair of first place finishes, topping the 50 yard free and the 100 yard breaststroke. Brianne Strong paced the 100 yard backstroke, winning by more than 14 seconds with a finishing time of 1:12.11.

Yusuke Inami continued his strong start to the season on the men’s side with a pair of first place finishes. He won the 100 yard butterfly with a finishing time of 53.10 and the 100 yard free with a finishing time of 51.71. Randi Rudnik and Jacob Finkney also earned top finishes for the Cougars, winning the 200 yard IM and 500 yard freestyle respectively.

The Cougars will return to action next Wednesday when they travel to Jamestown Community College for a 6pm start.

Vaughn Boler scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Genesee Community College men's basketball team on Sunday afternoon, but it was not enough as the Cougars fell to Delaware Tech Community College, 82-71 in the finals of the Erie Community College Tip-Off Tournament.

GCC built an early lead but Delaware took a 38-28 advantage into the break.

A 4-0 start to the second half had Genesee back within six, but the Spirit responded and extended their lead back to double-digits and to as many as 17 with twelve minutes remaining.

GCC fought back and cut it down to five late in the second half, but Delaware held off the Cougars and converted at the free-throw line to seal the victory.

E.J. Blackwell added 14 points for Genesee, Theirry Ngarambe grabbed 11 rebounds and Joe Gray and Malik Brown each chipped in ten points.

Boler was named to the All-Tournament Team for Genesee, who returns to action next Saturday at the Monroe Community College tournament.
 

On Saturday...

The Genesee Community College men's basketball team downed conference rival Niagara County Community College 82-77 in their opening contest of the season at the Erie Community College Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

Genesee used a late surge to take a 20 point lead late in the first half, before taking a 43-28 lead into halftime.

The Thunderwolves got off to a fast start in the second half and cut the GCC lead to single-digits before Terryl Coombs scored nine straight points for the Cougars to extend their lead back to 15.

Niagara CCC hung around and closed the gap to within two at 79-77 with about two minutes remaining, but GCC was able to convert three out of four at the freethrow line and came away with defensive stops to hold off the Thunderwolves.

Vaughn Boler and E.J. Blackwell each scored a game-high 18 points for GCC. Boler also added six rebounds and Blackwell chipped in five assists. Coombs ended the game with 14 points, all of which came in the second half. Malik Brown was also in double-digits for GCC, scoring 13 points, Carlton Wright scored nine points and Maurice Bailey added seven points.

The Genesee Community College swimming and diving team held their season-opening invitational meet on Saturday afternoon, competing against Jamestown Community College, SUNY Delhi, Alfred State and Herkimer County Community College.

The men's team combined for 260 points and a second place finish and the women's team combined for 181 points and a third place finish.

Men (team totals):                                                

SUNY Delhi- 296                                                  

Genesee- 260                                                       

Alfred State- 252                                                  

Jamestown Community College- 207             

Herkimer County Community College- 86       

Women (team totals):

Jamestown Community College- 346

SUNY Delhi- 184

Genesee Community College- 181

Alfred State- 136

Herkimer County Community College- 118

Brianne Strong led the way for the women with first place finishes in the 200 yard free, 100 yard free, 100 yard backstroke and was part of the top 200 yard medly relay team. Melissa Krause earned the top spot in the 100 yard breaststroke with a finishing time of 1:20.22, and Calla Wolfley added a second place finish in the 1000 yard free.

Yusuke Inami was the top swimmer for the men's team, earning three first place finishes. He paced the 100 yard fly, the 50 yard free and the 100 yard free. Randi Rudnik swam to a second place finish in the 100 yard breaststroke.

The Cougars will swim again on Wednesday night when they host Alfred State and Mercyhurst North East at 6pm.