Sports

The Genesee Community College Office of Alumni Affairs along with the Athletics Department are pleased to announce the first class of inductees into the newly established Athletic Hall of Fame.

The first class of honorees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a reception at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 in room T119 at the Conable Technology Building, Batavia Campus. This will be part of GCC's inaugural Homecoming celebration. Family and friends of the inductees are welcomed to attend.

The Selection Committee identified six outstanding individuals, as well one team, to be inducted into the inaugural class.

Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is the highest athletic honor that the college bestows on its alumni and supporters, and recognizes the outstanding athletic achievements of individuals and teams of every era who have fostered athletics and sportsmanship at the college.

The six individuals and one team inducted into the 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame are:

Anthony Cory: Athletic Coordinator 1970-1997

Anthony "Tony" Cory coached many sports during his tenure at GCC. He is recognized for his work with the 1971 Bowling Team, which won a national championship. He is the founder and past president of the Penn York Athletic Conference and has won many team and coaching awards in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), including: Region III Regional and National Championships in Wrestling and Cross Country; Region XV Regional and National Championships in Bowling; NJCAA Region XV Coach of the Year 1971; and NJCAA Region XV Man of the Year 1997. Tony earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport and a master's degree from the University of Maryland.

Robert Santini (Class of 1984): Bowling

Robert "Bob" Santini is recognized for his accomplishments in the sport of bowling. He was named Athlete of the Year and named a NJCAA First Team All-American. He is a National Singles Champion and a National All-Event Champion. Throughout his career, he has bowled five 300 games as well as one 800 series. He competed in collegiate level bowling at GCC and Buffalo State College. He currently competes in amateur bowling events at the local, state and national levels. Bob earned an associate's degree from GCC in Business Marketing and a bachelor's degree in Business Studies from Buffalo State College.

Margaret Sisson (Class of 1971): Athlete, Coach, Administrator

Margaret "Peg" Sisson has had a tremendous career while at Genesee. She began here as a student athlete, then returned to coach and teach, and is now the college's Athletic Director. She was a student athlete from 1969-1971, when she played field hockey, volleyball, basketball and softball. She has coached women's basketball and softball while at Genesee. She has coached five All-Americans, 90 All-Region players, 101 All-Conference players, nine Players of the Year and seven 1,000-point scorers. She has led the women's basketball team to six National Championship appearances, has been named NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year six times and been named District C women's basketball National Coach of the Year five times. Peg earned her associate's degree from GCC, a bachelor's degree from Parson's College in Fairfield, Iowa, and a master's degree from SUNY Brockport.

David Spiller: Basketball

"Dave" Spiller was a highly decorated athlete during his tenure at GCC. He went on to coach at many colleges across the United States including D'Youville College, Canisius College, Fordham University, St. Joseph's University, Boston College and Ohio State University. While at GCC he was named 1975 Athlete of the Year and was an All-Region player. He holds 10 records at Genesee including total season points (609) and career points (1,058). His career scoring average was 22.5 and his career field-goal percentage was 53. He was a second-leading scorer in Region III and was awarded several coaching, service and sportsmanship awards. He went on to play at Canisius College where he was the leading scorer in the 1976-1977 season. He currently runs basketball skills training camps for individuals and teams in Columbus, Ohio. He attended Genesee Community College and earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from Canisius College.

Mickey Hyde (Class of 1987): Baseball

While playing baseball at GCC, Mickey Hyde was named to the All-District, All-Region, and a two-time member of the All-Conference teams. He is proud to have been named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year at GCC in 1987, while participating in baseball and bowling. After graduating from GCC, he played five seasons of professional baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, culminating in a call up to Triple A Scranton Wilkes-Barre in 1993. During his caree, he was named the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Player of the Month in April of 1991, the Florida State League Player of the Week, and the Phillies "Outstanding Player of Spring Training" also in 1991. He holds an associate's degree in Business Administration from GCC and a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Delores Chiocco: Coach 1968-1989

Dolores Chiocco began her time at Genesee as a Health and Physical Education instructor in 1968. She coached the 1969-1970 women's basketball team that went undefeated with an 18-0 record. In 1975, she assisted the college in hosting the first New York State Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Field Hockey Tournament.  In the summer of 1978, she helped host the United States Field Hockey Association National Olympic Trials. Also in 1978, she led the women's Field Hockey team to a victory in the NJCAA Region III Field Hockey Tournament. Throughout the 1980s Dolores led the women's Field Hockey and Basketball teams to multiple state, regional and national tournaments. She retired from coaching in 1989 and retired from teaching in 1996 to work part-time at the college as an academic advisor. In 2002, she was inducted into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame. She holds a bachelor's degree from Ithaca College and a master's degree from SUNY Brockport.

1971 Bowling Team

The 1971 Bowling team is the only bowling team in GCC history to win an NJCAA National Championship, beating out 20 teams from as far away as South Texas, including runner-up Erie Community College. Led by coach Tony Cory, the team won by a narrow three-pin margin, 5377-5374, to make history at Genesee Community College. The six- member team included: Joe Macaluso, Gary Nowak, Frank DelPlato, Bob Davis, Bob Kwiecien and Tom Andronico.

"These individuals as well as the team have truly brought honor to the college with their athletic contributions," Cliff Scutella, director of Student Activities and selection committee member said. "This is the college's way of giving back to those who have been great role models for the student-athletes at Genesee Community College today."

For further information, please contact Jackie Christenson, alumni coordinator at 585-343-0055 x6265 or email: <http://jkchristenson@genesee.edu>.

Press Release:

Batavia, NY --- The comeback Kid, Two Twentytwo, made it look easy when he notched his fourth win of the summer-fall meet in the $9,000 Preferred Handicap, Saturday night (Aug-25), at Batavia Downs Casino.

Leaving from post-position four with new pilot Jack Flanigen in the sulky, the 6-year-old chestnut son of Blissful Hall put up all the numbers, :27.4-:56.4-125.3 en route to a much the best two-length score in 1:53.4.

Pro Kid (Ray Fisher, Jr.), leaving from then rail got away second and finished second while former Downs track record holder Michael Scores (Tom Agosti), got away third and finished third.

“He’s a great horse to drive,” reinsman Jack Flanigen commented. “When I asked him for speed he exploded, I felt like I could have gone a lot more if I needed too.”

Two Twentytwo ($2.60) is owned by Dominic Colarusso, Jr. and trained by Richie Mays. Saturday nights win was his 8th of season in only 14 starts; he’s earned over $220,000 lifetime.

Two Twentytwo was a multiple Stakes winning freshman pacer before an injury sidelined him for more than a year.

Kevin Cummings is quickly approaching milestone win 2,000. The 40-year-old Cummings begins the new race week with 1989 career wins. The red-hot catch driver has driven home 11 winners the last four racing nights.

The 64th season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track resumes on Tuesday. Post time is 6:40pm.

 Alexander moved to 6-0 in the league and 7-0-1 overall Friday with a 3-1 win over Elba.  Goals were scored in the final 10 minutes of the 1st half by Julia Pettys (assisted by Megan Schmieder and Abby Shilvock) and Abby Shilvock (assisted by Schmieder).  In the 2nd half Schmieder converted a pass from Shilvock 4 minutes in give Alexander a 3-0 lead.  Elba would break up the shutout in the final minutes to win 3-1.  Hannah Wilson had 6 saves in the win.

Alexander plays Wheatland-Chili at 4:30 at home Tuesday.  Wheatland is 5-0-1 in the league and Alexander is 6-0.

Ken “Doc” Holliday drove the 5,000th winner of his career on Wednesday night (Sept. 22) when he guided CC Dreamer to a nose victory in race 12 at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Holliday’s special evening started early in the program when he set a new track record for older mares with Artistry In Rhythm in the featured $9,000 Mares Open.
 
The 46-year-old Holliday began his driving career in 1982 when he won three times in 46 starts. His best season came in 1998 when he made 466 winner's circle visits. His drives have earned over $20 million in purses throughout his career.
 
Holliday’s milestone win was decided after a long photo finish. He was surrounded by family and friends in the winner's circle.
 
“It’s a great accomplishment,” Holliday said. “I was hoping to hit it quicker but I’ve been banged up the last couple years. I’m happy it came with one of the horses my wife trains. It also helps to have a great set of owners.”
 
Career win 4,999 came in the very first race with the razor-sharp mare Artistry In Rhythm.
 
The 8-year-old Real Artist-Romantic Music distaffer would establish the new mark when she paced to a powerful 1:54 score, lowering the previous record of 1:54.4 set in 2005 by Magic Sugar and equaled by Rakalees N in 2008.
 
Heavy favorite Allamerican Tout was sent right to the front by Kevin Cummings, rolling along to fractions of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25. But “Doc” Holliday was able to make another house call, as Artistry In Rhythm paced right on by down the stretch to pull the 28-1 upset for trainer Sherri Holliday and owner Betty Tauber.
 
The win puts Artistry In Rhythm just shy of $70,000 in seasonal earnings; she's approaching $300,000 in lifetime earnings.
 
“We got down to the half quick and I got a really good trip, she’s just a really good mare, Sherri’s done a great good job with her. I’m happy we set the record with one of Mrs. Tauber's horses,” Holliday commented about the new track record holder.

Here's a news release from Todd Haight at Batavia Downs.

"The Comeback Kid" -- Two Twentytwo --  made it look easy when he notched his fourth win of the summer-fall meet in the $9,000 Preferred Handicap, Saturday night (Sept. 25), at Batavia Downs Casino.

Leaving from post-position four with new pilot Jack Flanigen in the sulky, the 6-year-old chestnut son of Blissful Hall put up all the numbers, :27.4-:56.4-125.3 en route to a much the best two-length score in 1:53.4.

Pro Kid (Ray Fisher Jr.), leaving from then rail got away second and finished second while former Down' track-record holder Michael Scores (Tom Agosti), got away third and finished third.

“He’s a great horse to drive,” reinsman Flanigen commented. “When I asked him for speed he exploded, I felt like I could have gone a lot more if I needed to.”

Two Twentytwo ($2.60) is owned by Dominic Colarusso Jr. and trained by Richie Mays. Saturday nights win was his 8th of season in only 14 starts; he’s earned over $220,000 lifetime.

Two Twentytwo was a multiple Stakes winning freshman pacer before an injury sidelined him for more than a year.

In other harness racing news, Kevin Cummings is quickly approaching milestone win 2,000. The 40-year-old Cummings begins the new race week with 1,989 career wins. The red-hot catch driver has driven home 11 winners the last four racing nights.

The 64th season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted harness track resumes on Tuesday. Post time is 6:40 p.m.

Here's a news release from Todd Haight at Batavia Downs Casino.

Scorpion Moon made his return to Batavia Downs Casino a winning one when he scored a hard-fought victory in the featured $9,000 Preferred trot, Friday night (Sept. 24), at Batavia Downs Casino.
 
Sent off as a prohibitive 1-2 betting favorite, Scorpion Moon, with Josh Marks in town to drive left from his assigned outside post, was able to find the pylons getting away third.
 
Rounding the clubhouse turn on the payoff half, Marks pulled the classy son of Armbro Scorpion first over and they were quickly up to challenge the front running Hello Carlo and Downs' dashing leading reinsman Jack Flanigen.
 
Around the final turn the weekly trotting feature became a match race as Hello Carlo and Scorpion Moon separated themselves from the rest of the field.
 
Down the lane Hello Carlo was gamely digging in but a relentless Scorpion Moon was able to edge on by late to score his 14th win of the season, by a half-length, in 1:57.4. It was 6-lengths back to the third place finisher Fifty Two Finn.
 
The win put the 9-year-old gelding over the $211,000 mark in seasonal earnings for owners Andrew Herzog and Tracy Brainard, who also trains.
 
Stephen Oldford wins Billings
The Billings amateur driving series returned to America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack on Friday night and it Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford who guided Another Traveller to victory.
 
Oldford sent Another Traveller right to the lead when the gates opened and they never had an anxious moment, scoring by 6-lengths over Guest Host with Anthony “the Capo” Verruso, while Rock Hard Ten with “Gentleman Jamie” Marra wound up a fast-closing third.
 
Two Billings trots are slated as non-wagering events at Vernon Downs on Saturday night and will be contested at 6:10 p.m. prior to the betting card getting under way.
 
Racing resumes on Saturday night post time is 6:40pm. The Downs will simulcast the rich New York Night of Champions from Yonkers Raceway. Yonkers programs will be free.
 
Batavia Downs is currently racing Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. The 64th racing season concludes on Dec. 4. For more information please visit <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com/>.

The Batavia Girls Tennis Team lost to Honeye Falls-Lima Thursday afternoon by a score of 2-5.  Even with the loss the doubles teams continue to have success on the courts.

Nicole Guilds and Lisa Ferkinghoff with the teamwork of Michelle Richenberg and Maryssa Peirick respectively, kept their undefeated streaks alive.  The first doubles team of Guilds/Richenberg defeated Kristen Mansfield and Brianna Kaufman 6-0, 6-3. The second doubles team of Ferkinghoff/Peirick defeated Emily Saporito and Bonnie Mauro 6-1, 6-4. Guilds and Ferkinghoff are both 8-0 on the season and have had success at singles and doubles.  Richenberg and Peirick are both an impressive 6-2 on the season.

The team drops to 5-3 while HFL improves to 4-2.  The teams next match is Monday at home vs. Greece Athena.

Alexander improved to 6-0-1 on the season and 5-0 in the Genesee Region with a 5-0 win over Notre Dame at GCC Wednesday afternoon.  Sophomore Abby Shilvock had Alexander's 2 goals in the 1st half as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the break (assists to Senior Tessa Bigelow and Senior Maria Senneset).  In the 2nd half Alexander got goals from Senior Claire Hartl (assist to senior Autumn Atkinson), Atkinson, and Sophomore Gabby Kwiatek (assist to Senneset).

Hannah Wilson need to make only 1 save en route to her 2nd straight shutout and 6th win on the season.

Alexander's next game is Friday in Elba at 4:30.

Press Release:

ROCHESTER…Batavia resident Claire Zickl is participating in the Flower City Super Youth Circuit, a United States Fencing Association National tournament, on Sunday, September 26. The competition begins at 12:30 p.m. Claire, who began fencing earlier this year, attends En Garde: Batavia Fencing Academy.

For those unfamiliar with the fencing tournament rotation Y10 fencers (youths 10 years old or younger) fence in one of 8 Super Youth Circuit tournaments before being allowed to sign up for Nationals at the end of the season. By fencing at this tournament Claire will be allowed to compete in Nationals.

Claire, a 5th grader at John Kennedy Elementary School in Batavia, began taking fencing lessons this summer “but has wanted to take them since she was 6, when her brother started lessons in Rochester,” according to her mother, Rachel Zickl. “She was very excited when En Garde came to town!"

Fencing is an ancient sport with an illustrious history and is only one of four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games, since 1896. It was also an event in the original Olympic Games in Greece. Fencing is conducted on a 14m x 22m strip or “piste”. Competitors win a fencing bout by being the first to score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or 5 points (in preliminary pool play) against their opponent. Or, by having a higher score than their opponent when the time limit expires, usually nine minutes. Claire will compete against 11 other fencers in her age group.

"Fencing has certainly impacted Claire’s self esteem and confidence particularly as she has to fence against boys," Rachel says. Claire also plays soccer so, according to her mother, "fencing has also improved her balance and agility."

The Flower City Super Youth Circuit serves as both a qualifying event for the 2011 Summer National Championships, as well as a national point standing events for Y10, Y12, and Y14. National Points will be awarded to those placing in the top 40% of the competitive field.

For more information about En Garde:Batavia, contact Colin Dentino at 585.409.3993 or email engardebatavia@me.com

 Alexander improved to 5-0-1 on the season with a 7-0 win over Pembroke at home on Saturday morning.  Alexander jumped out to a 5-0 halftime lead with goals from Sophomore Abby Shilvock (7th minute - assisted by Junior Julia Pettys), Senior Megan Schmieder (13th minute, assisted by Senior Morgan Mattice), Pettys (24th minute, unassisted), Senior Kylie Bank (35th minute assisted by Pettys and Sophomore Gabby Kwiatek) and Senior Tessa Bigelow (38th minute assisted by Bank).

Alexander put 2 more goals away win the 2nd half with Kwiatek finding the net in the 7th minute unassisted and Shilvock finding the net for her 2nd in the 14th minute unassisted.  Senior Hannah Wilson had 5 saves in net for her 5th win of the season and her 1st shutout.  Alexander's next game is Wednesday the 22nd @ Notre Dame.

The Batavia Girls Tennis Team improved to 5-2 on the year by defeating Spencerport in a close match 4-3.  Lisa Ferkinghoff, the exchange student from Germany continues to dominate at 3rd singles and remains undefeated.  She easily beat Jackie Moyars 6-2, 6-1. 

Also contributing to the win were:

2nd singles: Michelle Richenberg over Abby Buscaglia 0-6, 6-2, 6-2.

1st doubles: Nicole Guilds and Maryssa Peirick over Kendra Schulkis and Brittany McIntee 6-2, 6-2.

2nd doubles: Robin Clemm and Laura Mullen over Beth Zarpentine and Jennifer Corwin 6-4, 6-2.

The next match is Wednesday at Eastridge.

More pictures from the match:

Here's a news release from Todd Haight at Batavia Downs.

Congratulations to Florence Ferrando, of Churchville, the winner of the Sept. 18 Batavia Downs Casino $1,000 Handicapping Contest.

She bested 312 other contestants with a top score of 47 points to claim the $500 top prize.

Frank Camiola, of East Rochester, took home $250 for finishing second via the tiebreaker over Dan Dickens, of Batavia. Each finished with 46 points but Camiola’s tiebreaker total of $92.40 was well ahead of Dickens, who received $125.

Six contestants finished with 44 points. Once again the tiebreaker -- $2 to win on every winner selected -- helped vault Jeff Grabowski into the fourth place and William Park into fifth. Grabowski’s tiebreaker total of $32.30 was good enough to win $75 while Park’s $27.30 tiebreaker total earned him $50.

All prize money can be picked up beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at Players Club. The final free handicapping contest of the season takes place Oct. 9.

Here's a news release from Todd Haight at Batavia Downs.

The 2010 New York Sire Stakes season ended with a bang on Saturday night with a pair of track records set and another impressive appearance by Jezzy, now a perfect 10 for 10 lifetime.

The evening featured four divisions of 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters and three events for 2-year-old trotting fillies. More than $275,000 in stakes money was offered.

The Credit Winner colt, Stimulus, started the fireworks when he trotted to a new track record for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings in the very first race.

Leaving from the rail, Stimulus with Marcus Johansson in the bike, sat the two-hole until the top of the stretch and roared out of the pocket to a 1:57.3 score, lowering Russell Hill’s record, set last season, by a fifth of a second.

Stimulus is owned by the contingent of Christina Takter, John Fielding and Falkbolagen Ab. Jimmy Takter is the conditioner.

However Stimulus’s name didn’t stay in the record books long, as another son of Credit Winner, Whata Winner, would annihilate that standard later in the evening.

Leaving from the rail with Hall of Famer Jim Doherty in the sulky, Whata Winner was sent right to the front and never looked back, turning back heavily favored Blacktuxwhitesox’s (Jeff Gregory) stretch bid to notch his name in the record books with a 1:56.2 clocking.

His time was just two-fifths of a second off Earl’s all-age record. The fractions were :28-:58-1:26.2. Whata Winner is trained and co-owned by Jim Doherty along with Thomas Dillon and Terrax, Inc. Whata Winner scored his eight win of the campaign and raised his 2010 earnings to more $247,000.

The much heralded trotting sensation Jezzy had no problem remaining unbeaten heading to next Saturday's Yonkers Night of Champion finals for 2-year-old trotting fillies when she cruised to the best 6-1/2 length score in 2:03 for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker. Not that she needed any help, but five early breakers made her appearance basically a training mile.

Ray Schnittker, Jerry Silva, Jeffrey Gural and Theodore Gewertz own the Credit Winner-Ladylind freshman. Gural’s Little E farm bred Jezzy who has earned over $222,000 for her connections.

Dreamy Dawn become the new track record holder for 2-year-old trotting fillies at the Downs when she easily lowered Princess Maddie’s (2:00.4) record by almost two seconds.

Sent right to the top from post-two by reinsman Jeff Gregory, Dreamy Dawn put up all the numbers en route to 4-1/2 length, 1:59 victory to establish the mark. The fractions were :29-:59-1:29. The quickly improving Dream Vacation - Divine Eos juvenile is owned/trained and was bred by Ed Lohmeyer.

“What a fantastic New York Sire Stakes season we’ve had,” Mike Kane, vice president of Live Racing said. “We had six track records set and the fans came out to watch. Our on-track handle was up 16 percent tonight thanks to a great racing card.”
 
The final NYSS late closers of the season take place when racing resumes on Tuesday night. Two-year-old colt and gelding trotters compete in four divisions worth $13,200 each. Two of the late closers will be raced as non-wagering events starting at 6 p.m.
 
Veteran reinsman Ken Holliday starts the new race week just two wins shy of career milestone 5,000. Post time for the first of 12 is 6:40 p.m.