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Notre Dame notches second win against Oakfield-Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

A Notre Dame offense propelled by Nick Taylor, Tim McCulley and Andrew Mullen dominated on the gridiron Saturday against Oakfield-Alabama.

With a 32-0 win, the Fighting Irish move to 2-0 while the Hornets top to 0-2.

Taylor carried the ball 15 times for 161 yards and one TD. McCulley tossed a 26-yard TD pass to Charlie Hebert, rushed for a touchdown and returned an interception for a score. He also rushed for 48 yards on seven carries. Mullen scored once on nine carries for 65 yards.

O-A's stats are not available, nor are defense stats.

Head Coach Rick Mancuso said his young team is still learning and needs to take each week of the season day-by-day.

"A lot of kids played in their first varsity game last week," Mancuso said. "Today, they played in their second, so I think we’re getting a little more experience as we go on so we can develop a little bit of an edge and we can get some momentum going through the season."

Oakfield-Alabama has talent -- such as Austin Schroeder, Chase Manzella, Chris Nanni, Ryan Emery and Allen Chatt -- and Mancuso said the Hornets should not be taken lightly.

"I think Brian (Palone) is doing a job with that group of kids," Mancuso said. "He’s got them motivated week-to-week. He’s got them playing very hard. It was not a walk over by any means."

In other local football action this weekend:

  • Batavia beat Cardinal O'Hara High School 36-8 and is now 2-0 on the season. Justin Washington carried the ball twice and scored both times. Andrew Budlong had nine carries for 77 yards and one TD. Brandon Stevenson rushed for 74 yards and a TD. Nick Canzoneri carried the ball 10 times for 49 yards and scored once. Zac Bromley kicked four successful PATs.
  • Le Roy dominated on offense and defense for the second week in a row, beating Warsaw Central School 42-0. Warsaw (0-2) was held to 99 yards of offense. Ryan McQuillen had four receptions for 115 yards and a TD. Dylan Johnson rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Peter Privitera scored twice with 57 yards on the ground. Johnson had seven tackles and Zack Fitzsimmons had five.
  • Elba/Byron-Bergen (2-0) beat Pembroke 43-0 (0-2), jumping to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Zack DuBois had another solid game, rushing for 264 yards, scoring four times on runs of 58, 69, 59 and 35 yards. Zac Gillard tossed two TDs, one for 60 yards, completing four passes on seven attempts for 127 yards. Receiver Kyle Morse caught three passes for 97 yards, including that 60-yard TD pass from Gillard. For Pembroke, QB Tyler Bruning was 6-12 for 42 yards. Andy Underhill had 14 tackles for the Lancers, with 11 more for Nate Jonathan.
  • Alexander (1-1) beat Finney 29-8.

Reminder: Each of the next two weekends, I'll be traveling so won't be able to cover any games.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

GCC Soccer: Men roll, late goal dooms Women

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team cruised to their third victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, handling visiting Onondaga Community College 7-0.

The Cougars struck early when Theo Stamotopolous beat the OCC goalkeeper just a minute and a half into the opening period to put Genesee in front 1-0. Nathan Rose made it 2-0 with a goal in the 15th minute, and then assisted on a Lee Micklethwaite goal about six minutes later to give the Cougars a three-goal lead. Sam Cassidy and George Anthony followed with goals in the 32nd and 34th minutes to cap off a five-goal first half, sending GCC into the break with the lead.

(Theo Stamotopolous, right, celebrates his first half goal in win over OCC on Saturday)

Jake O’Leary and Cameron Evans weren’t tested often in net, but combined for the shutout, the second of the year for Genesee. Dom Francis added a goal in the fourth minute of the second half before Cassidy scored his second of the game in the 25th minute to put the finishing touches on OCC.

The win improves Genesee to 3-1 on the season. The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they host Jefferson Community College at 4pm.

 

The Genesee Community College women’s soccer team played host to Onondaga Community College on Saturday evening, still searching for their first win of the season.

Both teams played nearly 90 minutes of even, scoreless soccer before Emily Parker cashed in the only goal of the game in the 88th minute off of an assist from Olivia Ferlenda. The play was a result of a free kick just outside of the box.

Genesee played well defensively all afternoon, not allowing many scoring chances for OCC.

(#19 Taylor Vanderkooi goes for a steal late in the game against OCC)

 

The Lady Cougars’ best scoring chance came late in the first half when Megan McDonald sent a cross into the middle of the box that was snared by the OCC goalkeeper.

With the loss, Genesee falls to 0-3-1 on the season. The Lady Cougars will host Jefferson Community College on Tuesday night at 6pm.

Lady Cougars down Mercyhurst North East

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women’s volleyball team knocked off Mercyhurst North East on Thursday night, three sets to one to earn their third straight conference victory of the season.

The Lady Cougars extended an early 8-5 first set lead to 11-5 after Karin Davis served to three straight points. Mercyhurst fought back and cut it to four before Genesee pulled away again, winning the first set 25-17.

It was a back-and-forth second set before GCC made a four-point run to turn a 14-14 tie into an 18-14 lead. The Lady Cougars would win the second set 25-19.

Mercyhurst jumped out early in the third set before falling behind 14-11. The Lady Saints battled back and won nine of the final thirteen points to win the third set 25-20.

Genesee closed out the match in the fourth set, withstanding a late Mercyhurst run, to win the final game 25-21.

Carrie Blunt led the way with 19 kills, Davis had 15 digs, Leyinska Quiles-Torres tallied 26 assists and four digs and Michelle Nagle chipped in nine kills and six digs.

With the win, Genesee improves their overall record to 6-8 and will return to action next Thursday when they travel to Erie Community College for a 6pm start.

Monroe handles Genesee

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team had a difficult home test Wednesday afternoon as they fell to arch-rival Monroe Community College by a final score of 4-1. 

The Tribunes dominated play from the outset and out-shot the Cougars 14-9 in the contest.  

(#2 Theo Stamotopolous goes for a header against MCC on Wednesday afternnon)

Dominic Francis scored the lone goal for the Cougars in the first half to cut the MCC lead to 2-1.  Theo Stamotopolus assisted Francis on the marker.  

Seamus Sharkey, Daniel Tesoro (2 goals) and Ngwese Ebangwese all scored for MCC, who moves to 4-0 on the season while the Cougars fall to 1-1. 

Jake O’Leary made 10 saves for Genesee in the losing effort. 

The Cougars return to action on Thursday at 5:00pm on the road against Erie Community College.

Genesee downs Alfred State

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women’s volleyball team notched a victory in their home opener on Tuesday night, defeating the visiting Pioneers from Alfred State College three sets to one.

The Lady Cougars were down early in the first set, trailing 13-8 before winning eight of eleven points to tie the set at 16. Both teams went back and forth and were tied at 20 a piece before Genesee took control and won the opening set 25-22.

GCC trailed early on again in the second set and were unable to dig out of the hole, losing 25-11 and tying the match at one set a piece.

The Lady Cougars responded by earning a 25-18 win in the third set and took control of the fourth set behind strong serving by Leyinska Quiles, who served to the set’s first four points and gave GCC the early lead. Genesee would not trail in the fourth set and won 25-20, defeating Alfred State 3-1 on the night.

(#3 Michelle Nagle goes for the kill in Genesee's win over Alfred State on Tuesday night)

Carrie Blunt had three blocks and nine kills on the night, Quiles tallied 23 assists, Michelle Nagle recorded eight kills and seven digs, Karin Davis had 15 digs and Alexandra Perez added seven digs and seven kills.

The win improves Genesee’s overall record to 5-8 and the Lady Cougars will return to action at home on Thursday night when they host Mercyhurst North East at 6pm.

Results of the Labor Day 5K sponsored by Batavia Area Jaycees

By Howard B. Owens

Here are the results from today's 5K race sponsored by the Batavia Area Jaycees.

For the men:

  • Ty Demmer, age 15, time 17:45
  • Kevin Sheehan, age 50, time 18:05
  • Dave Bateman, age 29, 18:39

Fore the women:

  • Emily Heale, age 22, 23:51
  • Kathryn Bellamy, age 31, 24:13
  • Andrea Ridings, age 28, 25:01

Top time 55 and over was Larry Pelkey, age 55, 21:22.

Top time age 65 and over was Tom Dutton, age 66, 21:54.

Tom Demmer, at age 15, finished in 19:39 and Emma Eastridge, at age 14, finished in 25:44.

Bill White, age 70, finished at 27:23 and Ed Duncan, age 71, finished at 45:39.

Lancers launch 2012 campaign with 40-13 win over Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

On the legs of Zach DuBois and the arm of Zac Gillard, Elba/Byron-Bergen opened the 2012 football season in dominating fashion with a 40-13 win over Alexander.

The Lancers, who advanced as far as a semi-final game last season, look like a contender again this season.

Dubois, coming off an impressive 2011 campaign, picked up where he left off, rushing for 223 yards on 16 carries, running the ball for TDs of 24 yards, 75 yards and three yards.

Gillard had seven completions on 12 attempts for 133 yards, which included TD passes of 40 yards and 35 yards.

"A lot of people had us written off because of what we graduated on our offensive line," said Lancer Head Coach Michael Cintorino. "I think these new guys stepped and filled that position and did a nice job today."

Injuries played a key role in the game for Alexander. Already hammered by the loss for the season of standout Mark Farnsworth, four Trojans were knocked out of Saturday's game, including the team's two tight ends and two linebackers.

"I had my starting quarterback playing outside linebacker," Tim Sawyer said. "He's a free safety and I cringe at that."

Sawyer, who coached the squad from 2000 to 2007, is the Trojan's third head coach in three years.

Still, Alexander scored first and looked strong in the first half, playing physical, disciplined football, and Nelson Burke's two TD passes, including one to Zach Laird, showed the team is not without resources.

Sawyer didn't want to make excuses of injuries, a young team (only six seniors, and three of them are first-year football players), or even the weather. He said the Lancers are a good team and the game was a good learning experience for his players.

"I thought we played hard and we competed hard," Sawyer said. "We need to go to another level now. I think our kids now realize that varsity football is one step tougher. There's more expectations on these kids. We'll get better. It's learning."

Cintorino said Alexander played a tough game and it showed his team also has some learning to do if they're going to compete for a playoff spot in the tough Genesee Region.

There were some defensive mistakes in the first half, Cintorino said, but players stepped it up in the second half and did what they needed to do, which is do their jobs.

"We've been talking this year, just come out and do your job," Cintorino said. "Do your one-eleventh and we'll be OK. In the first half, we were a little bit sleepy. We didn't necessarily do that. We were focused on making the big play."

Of course, with a running back like DuBois, the Lancers are going to play any team tough this season.

"Zach is a special kid," Cintorino said. "He’s a blast to coach. He’s a polite kid, a nice kid, a humble kid, and he runs the ball very, very well. He’s very talented, and he has lot of help from up front."

With traditionally strong teams from Attica, Notre Dame, Pembroke and Holley, and well-coached, rebuilding teams from Alexander and Oakfield-Alabama, the GR league will present another tough challenge in 2012, Cintorino said.

"I always say GR is kind of a hidden gem in Section V," Cintorino said. "We've got some great teams. We've got some great kids in the whole Genesee Region, very good athletes, tough, strong kids, and they do a nice job, and we've got some coaching staffs that really prepare their kids well."

Also in Saturday's game, Kyle Morse had three receptions for 63 yards and one TD.

For Alexander, Burke completed five passes on 10 attempts for 53 yards and two TDs. Laird had two receptions for 25 yards and one TD. Sam Brown had one reception for 23 yards and one TD.

Defensive stats for the Lancers, Andy Underhill had 17 tackles, including three for a loss and one forced fumble. Nate Jonathan had 10 tackles, including three for a loss and two-and-a-half sacks. Garrett Chapell had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Austin Hynes-Fisher had three tackles and half a sack. Kyle Dougherty had five tackles, one sack and one interception.

In other local football this weekend:

  • Attica rolled to a 52-0 win over Oakfield-Alabama.
  • Le Roy crushed Genesee 74-6. Tom Kelso carried the ball three times for three TD and 86 yards total rushing. Jon Pierce had 87 yards rushing on four carries and two touchdowns.
  • Batavia beat Bath 34-24. QB Brett Scheuerlein completed 10 passes on 15 attempts for 201 yards. Justin Washington scored two TDs on two receptions for 55 total yards. Brandon Stevenson carried the ball 14 times for 67 yards and a touchdown.
  • Notre Dame turned a half-time deficit into a 30-29 win over Holley.
  • Pembroke dropped its opener to Finney 30-12. Tyler Brunning and Jacob Patterson both scored for Pembroke.

If you can't view the slide show below, click here. To purchase print copies of these photos, click here.

Section V kicks of 2012 football season tonight

By Howard B. Owens

A new high school football season opens tonight, but if you were hoping to see a game, you'll need to get out of Genesee County to do it.

All three local teams with games this evening -- Batavia, Oakfield-Alabama and Le Roy -- are starting the season on the road.

The only home game this weekend is Elba/Byron-Bergen hosting Alexander. Game time is 1:30 p.m., Saturday.

Tonight, the Batavia Blue Devils open a new era under Head Coach Brennan Briggs, the son of a Section V Hall of Fame head coach who had great success over two seasons as the JV coach at Batavia.

Game time in Bath is 7:30 p.m.

Oakfield-Alabama is in Attica at 7 p.m. and Le Roy's game is at 7:30 p.m. in Geneseo (WBTA will broadcast this game).

Other games tomorrow include Notre Dame at Holley (1:30 p.m.) and Pembroke at Finney (1:30 p.m.).

Coverage note: The Batavian will cover tomorrow's game in Elba. I know there are many Blue Devils fans eager for us to cover BHS, but that won't be possible until week 5. BHS is on the road tonight and next week, and I'll be out of town during weeks three and four. Next week we'll cover O-A at Notre Dame. Week 5, we'll cover Hornell at Batavia. Coverage for weeks 6 and 7 will depend on which games will most likely determine who's going to sectionals.

Genesee ties Mercyhurst North East

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team played to a 1-1 tie to open up the 2012 fall season at home on Thursday afternoon against Mercyhurst North East.

Genesee scored that game's first goal in the 17th minute when Kaeleigh DiSalvo (Oakfield, NY) beat the Lady Saints goalkeeper to put GCC on top 1-0.

Mercyhurst answered just a few minutes later to tie the game at one.

(#2 Denae McGrath leads the charge for the Lady Cougars on Thursday afternoon)

After a scoreless remainder of the first half a 45 scoreless minutes in the second half, both teams played even soccer for two, ten-minute overtime periods, finishing in a tie.

Nicole Patterson (Hilton, NY) made five saves in net for the Lady Cougars.

Genesee (0-0-1) will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Broome Community College at 1pm.

BHS to join growing trend in Section V when boy makes girls volleyball team

By Howard B. Owens

There will likely be seven or eight girls volleyball teams in Section V this season with boys playing right along side the girls, setting, digging and maybe even spiking.

One of those boys may play for Batavia High School.

It's a growing trend, said Ed Stores, executive director for Section V.

"Last year a couple of schools had boys on them and this year there may be seven or eight," Stores said. "It's a concern that it's taking off a little bit. Unless the state education department gives us a little more guidance, there could be more."

State athletic rules allow for girls to play boys sports and boys to play girls sports so long as there is "no significant adverse effect," Stores said.

Right now, Section V interprets the rule to mean no girls are cut from the squad to make room for the boy.

If a boy were 6' 4" or 6' 5", that might fall under "no significant adverse effect," Stores said, but the state hasn't given regional athletic directors enough guidance to know for sure.

There is currently no protocol -- because the issue hasn't come up yet -- on what to do if a boy makes a team and just dominates games. Stores said if that happened, Section V officials would review the situation and determine whether there is a "significant adverse impact."

Mike Bromley, athletic director for BHS, said the boy and his father do not want to be part of any media coverage right now. Since the last step for the boy making the team -- final Section V approval -- won't take place, if it does, until tomorrow, Bromley declined to release the student's name (he anticipates approval, however)

The student was required to go through a review process at the school that determined that he would be able to compete without undue advantage, Bromley said.

"It's not automatic for a boy to be on the team," Bromley said. "If we think it disadvantages the female athletics then we have to look at it differently."

The youth won't be the first boy to compete in a girls sport at BHS, Bromley said. Last year a senior was on the girl's gymnastics team, though he didn't compete for points. He just participated in meets.

"He was really good at floor exercises," Bromley said.

The gymnasts participated, Bromley said, just because he enjoyed the sport. He wasn't trying to prepare himself for a gymnastics career in college.

There have been girls over the years who have played boys hockey, wrestling, lacross and one girl, whose ability was so advanced, played boys tennis.

Bromley described the local male volleyball player as somebody who just really enjoys the sport and wants a chance to participate.

It got a lot of attention from BHS students last year when Pittsford Mendon's volleyball team showed up with a boy on the team.

"They had a kid who was a setter who was pretty good," Bromley said. "The kids who went to the game were, 'wow, boys can do that.' I think that got them thinking about it."

Stores said there's something to seeing other boys play volleyball that helps remove the stigma, which helps encourage them to try out for the team.

In the first season after the summer Olympics, there may also be a heightened interest in volleyball among male athletes.

But there isn't enough interest yet, Bromley said, to create a separate team for boys.

Stores said in this day and age schools simply don't have the money to add more athletic teams.

"I think there are a lot of boys who want to play," Stores said. "But there aren't a lot of schools out there that are going to be adding sports."

Tri-Town football has first home game in 30 years

By Rick Franclemont

Pulling into Alexander on Saturday we were greeted with the sign: "First home game in 30 years!" The Tri-town organization (http://tritowntrojans.com/) has brought back youth football -- and judging by the turn out, it is back to stay.

Four games were played against the Pembroke Dragons during the sunny and hot afternoon. There was a chicken barbecue that ran throughout the day, a concession stand with a large variety of baked goods and 50/50 raffles and a drawing for a game-worn Bills jersey.

The beginners saw Alexander scoring from Connor Scott, Mason Bump and Ricky Townley.

 

Scoring in the minis for Pembroke were: Adam Dulski (no extra point), Owen Mileham with a defensive touchdown, Garrett Totten with two TD's, and Alec Skeet adding an extra point.

The JV game saw touchdowns from Trent Smith, David Colby (2) and Jordan Brown for Pembroke.

The varsity game was a hard-fought battle between two huge teams. There was a little bit of everything in this game, which Pembroke won 20-7. The first score was Pembroke's Mike Natalzia who broke a tackle and took the ball most of the field and into the end zone. Kyle Ludwig kicked the extra point.

Second touchdown was a run by Dakota Dieter of the Dragons. The extra point kick was blocked by Zach Jasen, of Alexander. Alexander's touchdown came next, run in by Zach Jasen, and PJ Brennan added the extra point. Mike Natalzia put the game away in the fourth quarter with his second touchdown of the day. More pictures from the day can be found at Francletography.com

'Gordon' earns title of fastest wiener dog in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

For the second year in a row, Lindsay Ryan’s “Gordon” proved he’s still the fastest dachshund in Western New York, when he won Sunday’s Petco Wiener Dog Races at Batavia Downs.

In front of the largest crowd ever to witness the annual event, 75 dogs squared off in 10 elimination heats with each elimination heat winner returning for the championship final.

The fastest 10 dogs left their handlers and roared by the historic half-mile tracks home stretch and after videotape review it was determined that “Gordon” had indeed narrowly crossed the finish line first.

Tom Grimm’s “Isabella” was a very close second while Christopher Cummings “Max” finished right there in third.

“Gordon’s” accomplishments earned her owner $200 in casino free play. Second and third place was worth $100 and $50 in casino play for their respective owners.   

The wiener dog races are the final event of Family Fun Day at the races held each year on the last Sunday afternoon in August.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Passion for sports leads Oakfield man to open store in Batavia

By Daniel Crofts

Who knew Batavia had a Syracuse Orange dad hanging out behind Pizza Hut?

Kurt Fisher and his family own Fisher Sports NY, at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. His son, Andrew, a graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School, plays football for Syracuse University.

"I trained (Andrew) through the years," Fisher said. "Now I follow him around the country."

Fisher, a 1981 Batavia High School graduate, opened the storelast month to provide a venue for players of various sports to access needed equipment. He felt that was something lacking in our area.

"No one sells quality equipment in Batavia," he said. "There are a couple stores that carry a little, but not the major stuff. (It's been that way) probably since Chuck's Sporting Goods closed (in the 1980s)."

A passion for youth sports is part of what inspired Fisher to open this store. He has assisted with football at Oakfield-Alabama High School and is looking to make more opportunities available locally.

"I'd love to get punting and kicking opportunities for kids," he said, "so that they have the same opportunity as my son."

He encourages anyone interested in such opportunities to contact him, either by phone or by coming to the store.

Making equipment readily available is a big part of his mission to preserve and increase athletic opportunities, and that's where Fisher Sports NY comes in.

"(Business) has been getting better as we go along," he said. "But we're still trying to get our name out and let people know we're here."

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 344-2500.

Photo: Winners of Punt, Pass and Kick competition

By Howard B. Owens

Over the weekend, Genesee County children had the opportunity to compete in the NFL's Punt, Pass and Kick competiton.

Among the girls (by age group), winners were: 6-7, Lily Martin, 32’11”; 8-9, Riley Martin, 99’9”; 12-13, Briana Janes, 164’3”. Boys: 6-7, Jonah Martin, 17’; 8-9, Ethan Taylor, 156’8”; 10-11, Noah Martin, 133’6”.

Winners in each age group may elect to participate in the Sectional Competition, Nov. 11 at the Buffalo Bills practice facility in Orchard Park.

Photo, submitted by Steve Fancher: Front row, left Riley Martin, Lily Martin; back row, left Briana Janes, Ethan Taylor, Noah Martin.

Photos: East Pembroke Mud Races

By Howard B. Owens

Ed Woods attended the Mud Races hosted by the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday and provided us with these photos.

Game Day Opener - Pembroke Dragons host Batavia Bulldawgs

By Rick Franclemont

Saturday marked the opening of the 2012-2013 Football season for many area youth football leagues. 

We visited Pembroke to see the Dragons host the Bulldawgs.

Below is the scoring for the Bulldawgs, we are still waiting for the official names for the Dragons and will update it as it is supplied.

 

For the Bulldagws beginner squad- JaVon McFollins had 2 touchdowns & Mekhi Fortes added another.

 

For the Bulldawgs Mini Squad Zach Gilebarto scored the lone touchdown.

 

And for the Bulldawgs JV Squad Colton Dillon had 4 touchdowns & Ethan Biscaro added 2 touchdowns

 

 

 

More pictures from all four games can be found at Francletography.com

 

 

BHS runner sets new course record in Elba 5K

By Howard B. Owens

Ty Demmer of Batavia High School ran a new course record of 17:32 in the 3rd Annual Elba 5K this morning.

Jackie Moyer of Aquinas High School was the female winner with a time of 22:58.

Full results available by click here.

Photos provided by Dave Bateman.

East Pembroke makes major upgrade to pit for 2012 ATV mud races

By Howard B. Owens

It's going to be a whole new ball game at the East Pembroke Mud Races this year.

After a nearly $10,000 renovation to the mud pit, organizers expect the races to be more fair, more competitive and safer.

The event, sponsored by the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department, has attracted a huge fan base over the years, but last year the old pit was showing some of its flaws, with racers in the left lane usually losing races because of sink holes in that lane.

"This is our biggest event and biggest fundraiser of the year and we want to make it as good as we can so we can keep going with it and keep building on it," said Dale Lewter, who has been helping supervise the changes.

The mud pit is all new for 2012, having been dug out, bedded with large stones, filled with smaller stones, paved with a layer of asphalt and then covered with sifted clay (removing all stones as a safety measure).

"We’re trying to make both lanes as even as can be and right now it looks like it will be that way," Lewter said.

A new water filling and drainage system will also allow officials to keep the mud more consistently mud and less like a pond filled with water.

The race is Saturday, with registration from 10 a.m. to noon. As always, there will be the Mud Queen scramble through the pit and the Outlaw Class race. Spectator admission is $11 or $15 for the pit, and racing registration is $15. Raffle prizes include a 2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 CC, a 2012 Polaris Outlaw 50cc and $3,500 cash.

Lewter asked that we be sure to include the East Pembroke Fire Department's thanks to its sponsors.

Top photo: Dale Lewter with youngest son Jarrett Lewter, and next to him son Mitchell Lewter, along with Julie Waldron and Destin Danser.

Photos: ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship at Batavia Motor Speedway

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, Batavia played host to the 2012 ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series at the Batavia Motor Speedway on Harloff Road.

Hundreds of racers, including some of the top pros in the country, from all over the nation to participate in the event. (For more about the series, click here.)

(I don't have an ID on #16, but #708 is Harold Goodman, who came into the event in second place in pro point standings (no results posted yet for yesterday's event)).

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Batavia Downs is going "Crazy Cheap" for Old Fashioned Night

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY – Old Fashioned Night returns to Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack this Saturday night (August 11) for the first time during the 2012 racing season, but with a twist.

Historically, Old Fashion night prices include 50-cent Sahlen’s hot dogs, sodas and racing programs, however this year the nation’s oldest lighted half-mile harness racetrack is going "Crazy Cheap."

Thanks to sponsorship of the evening by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield, Sahlen’s hot dogs will be just 3 for $1 in the paddock room beginning at 5pm. First race post time is 6:25 p.m.  Guests wanting to take advantage of the reduced price simply need to ask for the “Crazy Cheap Price.”

“We’re proud to be working with the folks at Batavia Downs on the Crazy Cheap night promotion,” Mike Ognibene, owner of Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield said. “We’re looking forward to a great evening at the track.”

“The first Old Fashioned night of the season is usually our biggest night of the year,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Todd Haight.  “Not only does it bring out a great crowd which enhances the on-track excitement but it creates larger betting pools for our racing customers. We want to thank Mike for partnering with us on this promotion.”

One day later another top promotion takes place at the Genesee County oval, Super Seniors Day.  Beginning at 12-noon in the clubhouse and running until 2:30 p.m., all seniors 55 or older that purchase the Sunday lunch buffet at the regular price of $8.95 will receive a racing program and $10 in casino free play. It's like dining for free. Sunday reservations are strongly recommended. To make a clubhouse reservations, please call 585-343-3750.

“It’s a great way to thank all our seniors for their many years of supporting Batavia Downs,” Haight added.

A complete list of all the 2012 racing promotions can be found at www.bataviadownscasino.com 
 

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