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GCC's men's soccer team wins national championship

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee Community College men's soccer team came from behind to win its first-ever National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association D-III men's soccer national title by beating the reigning champion and top-seed Richland College (Tx.) 2-1 at Herkimer County Community College, Sunday.

It was Genesee's third-overall national title and GCC President James M. Sunser made the sojourn to Herkimer and was on hand when GCC Athletic Director Kristen Schuth was presented the championship plaque.

Iyad Lablack scored the game-winner six minutes into the second half off a Joseph Calvert pass and then the team relied on its defense and tournament most valuable player David Ormiston to do the rest, as the Cougar keeper recorded four saves in the win.

"Dave (Ormiston) had a really great game and the defense stuck to their job," Cougars Head Coach Ken Gavin said immediately after the game.

After James Sasay gave the Thunderducks a 1-0 lead about 10 minutes into the game, Genesee's Charlie Livesey responded 14 minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 after Billy Murphy sent Livesey in alone on goal from the left side.

After Lablack gave the Cougars the second-half lead, the strong defensive team sat back and only allowed one shot the rest of the way, and Genesee successfully defended 16 corner kicks during the contest.

Joining Ormiston with national tournament accolades was Glenn Holmes and Philip Melo -- who were both named to the all-tournament team.

After the Cougars started the season with a 1-2 record, Coach Gavin wondered if his team was as good as he originally thought. The team answered that question by going unbeaten the rest of the campaign that culminated with the national championship win. Genesee ended its season unbeaten in its last 20 games with the last 11 being wins.

"When we were 1-2 we lost to a very good Camden team that we beat in this tournament. I think I was proven right that we weren't as good as we could be. But they started playing the system and buying into it. I think that we've scored 380 goals in three years and there's a reason we scored them. The system works if you buy into it; you can get where you need to be."

The team opened national tournament play with a 3-1 win over the Howard Community College Dragons, Nov. 9. Then followed that win with another 3-1 victory over the Camden Community College  Cougars Nov. 10, before besting Richland's Thunderducks, 2-1 this afternoon. All told, Genesee slew the Dragons, caged the Cougars and stole the thunder from the Ducks, respectively.

Asked to pick an unsung hero or two, Gavin responded, "Everybody on the bench is the unsung heroes. They pushed everybody in practice; others didn't see that. They (bench players) pushed the first-string players where they needed to be."

Photos: Mark Jagord/GCC Athletics 

Quicksilvercandy A wins 20th; Monti takes five at Batavia

By Billie Owens

Quicksilvercandy A with driver Drew Monti.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The $125,000 finals of the Claiming Championship Series (CCS) that highlighted the card at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 11) produced some impressive efforts on the track from both man and beast and one of them now tops the sport once again. 

Quicksilvercandy A who came into the night tied with Safe From Terror for the most wins in North America this year with 19, reclaimed her previously lone spot at the top by winning the $20,000 final for $5,000-$7,500 claiming fillies and mares by a nose over her stablemate Kaitlyn Rae.

Quicksilvercandy A (Drew Monti) took a two-hole trip behind Kaitlyn Rae (Larry Stalbaum) to the top of the stretch when she dropped into the passing lane and out-paced the leader to the wire, winning by a mere nose in 1:57.

It was the 20th win of the year for Quicksilvercandy A ($2.10) and 61st of her stellar career. The winner’s share of the purse pushed her 2017 earnings to $106,694 for owner Larry Stalbaum. North America’s leading percentage trainer Kim Asher trains Quicksilvercandy A.

Monti had a total of five winners on the program including two more legs of the CCS.

Chelseas Chance with driver Drew Monti.

In the $20,000 CCS final for $7,500-$10,000 claiming trotters, Chelseas Chance went wire to wire in impressive style to win easily in 1:59. It was the sixth win of the year for the 6-year-old Kadabra mare that is owned by James Caradori and trained by Carl Monti.

Monti also won the $15,000 CCS final for $4,000 claiming horses and geldings with Donegal Jim who sat third the whole mile before tipping wide off the last turn and pacing by the pace-setting One Chaser (Ray Fisher Jr.) to win by a length in 1:56.4 for owner/trainer Tessa Roland.

Lucky McTrucky (1:54, $20.40) and I’m So Handsome (1:54.1, $11.00) rounded out the quintuple-win night for Monti.

In the $20,000 CCS final for $5,000 to $6,000 pacing horses and geldings, Kings Treasure (Billy Davis Jr.) pulled at the three-quarters and powered home to a one-length victory in 1:56.1. Kings Treasure ($4.30) is owned by the Resilient Racing Stable and is trained by Rose Russo.

The $15,000 CCS final for $4,000 to $5,000 claiming trotters went to Ellen’s Streak (Larry Stalbaum) as she went coast to coast from post one in 2:01.1. Ellen’s Streak (3.70) is owned by her driver and trained by Kim Asher.

Rock The Dream with driver Ray Fisher Jr.

The $20,000 CCS final for $8,000 to $10,000 claiming pacers was won by Rock The Dream (Ray Fisher Jr.) in wire to wire fashion in 1:55.1, with a sparkling :27.3 final quarter. Rock The Dream ($2.40) is owned by Benjamin Ortiz and trained by Frank Mastrodonato.

The last $15,000 CCS final was for $4,000 claiming fillies and mares and it went to Fox Valley Lena (Ray Fisher Jr.) who led at every station before stopping the clock at 1:58.1. It was the 13th win of the year for Fox Valley Lena who is owned by David Bratt and trained by Russell Bratt.

Fireyourguns with driver Mike Caprio.

In the weekly featured $10,000 Open Handicap Pace, Fireyourguns (Mike Caprio) looked in mid-season form for his last start of the year, leading at every station before holding off strong late charges by Focus Power (Drew Monti) and Itsonlyrocknroll A (Larry Stalbaum) to hang on to a head advantage in 1:54.

It was the seventh win of the year and 55th lifetime victory for Fireyourguns ($4.60) and owners Jennifer and Robert Lowe and Terrence Mc Clory, who also trains the winner.  

The Downs dash driving race remains a developing metric with the top spot getting tighter after Saturday’s action. Larry Stalbaum is still in the lead with 103 wins, but on the strength of his five-win performance, Drew Monti is now only one win behind with 102. Ray Fisher Jr. who also had a good night by winning three races, now sits in third with 98 wins.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 15) with post time for the first race set at 5 p.m.

Byron-Bergen/Elba will play for soccer state championship after 4-0 in semifinals

By Howard B. Owens

Four second-half goals propelled the Byron-Bergen/Elba Bees boys soccer team into the state finals as they beat Lake Placid in the Class C semifinals today, 4-0.

The #1 ranked Bees play for the state championship tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in Middleton.

Photos and the following write-up by Rob Swapceinski:

The Byron-Bergen/Elba Bees took on the Lake Placid Bombers for the NYS Class C Semi-Finals in Middletown, NY. The BB/Elba team got off to a strong start with multiple scoring opportunities in the first half.

The Bombers withstood the BB/Elba attackers and the first half remained deadlocked at 0-0. The BB/Elba team continued putting pressure on the Lake Placid defenders early in the second half. The Bees broke through the Bombers defense when Adam Swapceinski fed Kyle Foeller for the games first goal.

But Swapceinski didn’t stop there and, within minutes, scored two goals of his own. Late in the game, Wade Thompson beat multiple defenders before blasting a shot past the Lake Placid goalkeeper to put the Class C Semi-Final game out of reach. Bee’s goalkeeper, Brandon Kropf recorded his sixth shutout, in a row, in postseason play.

The Byron-Bergen/Elba Bees play for the Class C State Championship on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 10:30 a.m. in Middletown, NY.

Empire Earl N is best in Batavia Open

By Billie Owens
Empire Earl N out in front with driver Larry Stalbaum, who also owns the horse.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs 
 
In a career-best outing, Empire Earl N made two moves to victory in the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 10) Empire Earl N left from post three and cleared momentarily before Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) overtook and settled on the lead. Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) who also left, got parked out third and was in for a long night.
 
Osprey Vision took the field to the half in :57.3 with Kahoku outside acting as a prompter. Positions remained unchanged until Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) tipped three deep around a predictably tiring Kahoku, and was advancing towards the leader. When the race entered the stretch it appeared a three-horse finish, but Empire Earl N found the passing lane and shot through like a flash to win by a length in 1:57.1.
 
The winning time was a new lifetime mark for the 9-year-old Empire Earl N.
 
Now boasting $67,040 on the strength of seven wins this year, Empire Earl N ($4.20) is owned by his driver, Larry Stalbaum and trained by North America's leading percentage trainer, Kim Asher.
 
In the $8,000 Open II trot, Hollywoods Thatway (Ray Fisher Jr.) took a two-hole trip after battling Lutetium to the quarter in :27.4, and turned it into a victory over same in 1:57.1 to claim his third straight win at Batavia Downs.
 
Hollywoods Thatway ($7.60) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice and is trained by Maria Rice.
 
The red-Hot Kevin Cummings led all drivers with three wins on the card. Cummings has now won eight races in the last two nights.
 
Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Nov. 11) with seven divisions of the Claiming Championship Series finals going for a total of $125,000. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.

Utica junior and BHS grad named an Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year

By Billie Owens

Press release and submitted photos:

UTICA -- Allison DellaPenna, of Batavia, a junior on the Utica College volleyball team, was named to the Sportswoman of the Year squad, it was announced Tuesday.

The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. One member of each team is selected for displaying these traits as well as having the characteristics that make a good sportswoman.

DellaPenna totaled 65 kills and she also finished second on the team with 41 blocks in 30 matches played this season. In three years with the Pioneers, she has recorded 92 kills and 52 blocks.

Allison is a 2015 graduate of Batavia High School and the daugther of Matt and Ellen DellaPenna.
 
Upon graduating high school, Allison has attended Utica College were she is majoring in Child Life, with the goal of becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist working to provide psychosocial support to children and families in a health-care setting.
 
Throughout high school and now in college Allison has played competitive volleyball. 
 
In addition to excelling on the volleyball court, Allison has been named to the College's Deans List three out of four semesters. Allison is planning to graduate in the spring of 2019.

Kevin Cummings wins half the card at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Photos courtesy of Paul White. Above, Kevin Cummings.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

With much talk about the top three dash drivers at Batavia Downs this year, the man sitting in fourth has been quietly creeping into the picture. Kevin Cummings is a four-time Batavia Downs driving title holder (2009, 2010, 2014 and 2015) and he has been red-hot of late. On Wednesday (Nov. 8) Cummings won five of the 10 races on the program while finishing second and third in two others, giving him a UDR of just under .600 for the night.

Cummings won with Aritzia Hanover (1:57, $10.20), Bad Glamour Girl (1:56.2, $31.20), Elite (1.56.3, $4), Maradona (1:57.1, $5.20) and Voltina, who upset in the nights feature race.

Despite winning the top distaff pace last week at Batavia Downs, Voltina was dismissed by the betting public in the same class this week. But that didn’t dissuade her as she struck for the second straight time in the $9,500 Open Handicap for fillies and mares.

Voltina left from post six and had the lead in the blink of an eye. With the field in single-file fashion behind her for almost a half, they got to that station in a modest :58.1. A weak outer flow started to advance but really gained no momentum. However Rockin Kasbah (Larry Stalbaum) who had been in the garden spot from the very beginning was loaded with pace as the leader came around the last turn. At the top of the stretch Cummings was driving Voltina hard as Rockin Kasbah ducked into the passing lane. Rockin Kasbah made up ground all the way to the wire but Voltina hung onto a nose victory in 1:55.

It was the seventh win of the year for Voltina ($21.80) and topped off her bank account at $62,896 for owner CHS Racing LLC. Tony Cummings trains the winner.

The previously mentioned driver’s race continues to be interesting. Current leader Larry Stalbaum had two winners on Wednesday as did the second place Drew Monti. So at the end of the day it’s Larry Stalbaum with 99 wins, Drew Monti with 95, Ray Fisher Jr. with 93 wins and Kevin Cummings now with 79, is still in the conversation. With 16 nights of racing left it remains a wide-open competition.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs tonight (Nov. 10) with post time at 6 o'clock.

Photo below of Voltina pulling ahead with driver Kevin Cummings.

Lucrative claiming championship finals at Batavia Saturday

By Billie Owens

 

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

The action will be fast and furious among the local horsemen and women this weekend as there will be total purses of $176,600 distributed among the 13 races at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Nov. 11), making it the largest pool of cash to be distributed among the local racing community this year on a non-New York Sire Stake card. 

The reason for the increased purse is the seven final legs of the Claiming Championship Series that have been going on the entire meet.

Since the beginning of the season, mid-level claimers accumulated points throughout the year and those who were highest in their divisions became eligible for championship final purses. Divisions contested included $4,000, $5,000-$6,000 and $8,000-$10,000 claimers on the pace and $4,000-$5,000 and $7,500-$10,000 claimers on the trot. Points were awarded to the top-five finishers of each race and accrued all year.

On Saturday, the $4,000 and $4,000-$5,000 categories will compete for $15,000 in their respective finals and all other categories will vie for $20,000.

The first four finals are carded as races one through four which are four of the five, early Pick-5 wager races. The final three divisions go as races 10 through 13 which include the late Pick-3. There are also eight stable entries within the seven races and that will make the wagering both interesting and challenging.

"This is always a very exciting night of racing in Western New York. It's for the bread and butter of our industry; the claimers" said Joe Zambito, Race Secretary and Race Caller at Batavia Downs. "I'm not sure where you can race $4,000 to $10,000 claimers year round and have the opportunity to race for purses like ours."

Also on Saturday's card are the weekly featured paces comprised of the $10,000 Open, $9,000 Open II and $8,500 Open III. 

Post time for the first race on Saturday is 6 p.m.

PBA World Series of Bowling to yield seven ESPN shows; local tournaments this weekend

By Mike Pettinella

Now in its ninth year, the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling has reached a new level of participation as a record 26 countries are being represented at the 12-day event that got under way on Tuesday at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

Officials of the Go Bowling! PBA Tour (it has a new primary sponsor this season) increased the field from 185 to 195 bowlers – American and international standouts who will be competing in four “animal pattern” tournaments as well as the PBA World Championship, USA vs. the World Team Championship and World Bowling Tour Finals.

The final rounds of all seven of those events take place on Nov. 17-19. ESPN will televise all seven finals starting on Dec. 10 and running through Jan. 7.

Here is the WSOB taping (Pacific time) and ESPN telecast (Eastern time) schedule:

Nov. 17, 6 p.m. – USA vs. The World team competition (ESPN air date Dec. 10, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 18, noon – PBA Chameleon Championship presented by Reno Tahoe USA (ESPN air date, Dec. 17, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 18, 2:30 p.m. – PBA Shark Championship presented by Xtra Frame (ESPN air date Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ET)

Nov. 18, 4:15 p.m. – PBA Cheetah Championship presented by PBA Bowling Challenge Mobile Game (ESPN air date Dec. 24, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 18, 6 p.m. – Pepsi PBA Scorpion Championship presented by GoBowling.com (ESPN air date Dec. 24, 2 p.m.)

Nov. 19, noon – PBA World Championship (ESPN air date Dec. 31, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m. – World Bowling Tour Finals presented by PBA (ESPN air date Jan. 7, 1 p.m. ET)

For those who like watching bowling on their computer or mobile devices, Xtra Frame, the PBA’s online streaming service, will provide around 100 hours of live coverage during the qualifying and match play rounds. For more information about Xtra Frame, go to www.xtraframe.tv.

Some interesting notes about this year’s WSOB:

-- EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind.; Jason Belmonte of Australia, and Rhino Page of Orlando, Fla., will have a chance to add another major title in 2017. Tackett is the defending champion in the PBA World Championship, while Belmonte won the PBA Players Championship and USBC Masters, and Page recently captured the U.S. Open at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool (near Syracuse) on Nov. 1.

-- Tackett and Belmonte each have three tour victories this year and are the favorites for Player of the Year honors heading into the WSOB IX.  But, with multiple events on the schedule, someone else could vault into contention.

-- Five PBA Hall of Famers are among the 195 participants. They are household names Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Amleto Monacelli, Pete Weber, Walter Ray Williams Jr. and the newly-elected Chris Barnes.

All but Barnes (he’s only 47) are active on the PBA50 Tour, which features around 13 tournaments in the spring and summer months.  It’s too bad that the PBA50 Tour can’t latch on to a TV contract as I’m sure that longtime bowling fans, such as myself, would love to see these players in action.

CLICK HERE for the schedule of ESPN telecasts of the PBA Tour.

‘BEAT THE CHAMP’ QUALIFYING SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

Local bowlers have an opportunity to show their talents on TV by entering the “Beat the Champ” qualifiers this weekend at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Seven qualifying squads are scheduled – Friday at 5 and 7 p.m.; Saturday at noon, 2 and 4 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. The top 24 will advance to a roll-off at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, with the top nine from their advancing to the TV show.

Producers from WBBZ-TV (MeTv) have rescheduled the taping of four shows (which will air in December) to Nov. 29 (not Dec. 2 as previously announced).

The first three shows will feature the adult qualifiers vying for prize money; the fourth show will showcase some of the best youth bowlers from the Turnbull Junior League at Mancuso’s.

Entry fee for each qualifying round is $30. To enter, call Mancuso Bowling Center at 343-1319.

GRUSBC SENIOR MASTERS SET FOR SATURDAY

Medina Lanes will host the 12th annual Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters Tournament this Saturday, with qualifying times at 12:30 and 2 p.m. The top 12, including one out of four 60-and-over bowlers, will advance to the finals at 3:30 p.m.

First place, based on 48 entries, is $300 and a free entry into the GRUSBC Masters on Feb. 10-11 at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo.

Open to men and women 50 and over, the scratch singles tournament has an entry fee of $30. To enter, contact Paul Spiotta at 585-202-6458.

Speaking of senior bowling, Joe Trigilio of Attica earned $225 last Saturday by placing in the top 12 at the first NYS Senior Masters Championship at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton.

Trigilio qualified ninth out of 94 entries with 856 for four games, and won his first match in the finals before being eliminated.

Jim Pursel of Batavia cashed for $100, just missing the cut to advance to the finals by one pin.

Ray Textor of the Jamestown area defeated PBA50 competitor Sam Ventura of Norwich for the title and $1,400 first prize. Ventura had advanced with a victory over PBA Hall of Famer Doug Kent.

In senior women’s tournament play last week, bowlers from Albion, Batavia, Pavilion, Mount Morris, Churchville and Silver Springs captured age group titles at the 33rd Gladys Ford Memorial Tournament at Rose Garden Bowl.

Winners were Gail Ward, Albion, Class AA, 75-and-over, 644; Georgene Della Penna, Batavia, Class A, 70-74, 654; Donna Davis, Pavilion, Class B, 65-69, 634; Roselena Smith, Mount Morris, Class C, 60-64, 663; Jackie Gallup, Churchville, Class D, 55-59, 609, and Lisa Granger, Silver Springs, Class E, 50-54, 554.

TRIPLE O MECHANICAL HANDICAP SINGLES IN 10TH YEAR

The 10th annual Triple O Mechanical Singles Handicap Tournament is scheduled for this Sunday at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Qualifying squads (three games) are at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – with the eliminator-style finals to follow. In the finals, the top two scores from each pair will advance to the next round until a champion is determined.

The event, which carries a $30 entry fee, features incentives for women, seniors (55-and-over) and super seniors (65-and-over).

Each squad will have a maximum of 24 bowlers. To reserve a spot in advance, call 585-861-0404 to sign up.

OAK ORCHARD BOWL HOSTING PAWS TRIPLES NO-TAP

The third annual PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament to beneif the Albion PAWS Animal Shelter is scheduled for this Saturday, with qualifying squads at 1, 3, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $75 per team and handicap is based on 80 percent of 220. Basket raffles, prize drawings and other fundraisers will help support the animal shelter.

To reserve a spot, call 585-590-0804 or 585-589-6900.

THIS WEEK’S HIGH ROLLERS: 300 GAMES FOR FOSS, SANTINI

Medina right-hander Curtis Foss and Mount Morris lefty Bob Santini posted 300 games in league play in recent days.

Both top scratch bowlers, Foss posted 300—762 on Nov. 3 in the Friday Mixers League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion and Santini spun a perfect game en route to a 733 series on Nov. 1 in the Wednesday Classic League at his home center.

Other high rollers last week:

-- Gregg Wolff, Batavia, 298 game and 729 series and Steve O’Dell, Oakfield, 759 series in the County Line Stone League at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield.

-- Jason Nickerson, Albion, 297 game and 738 series in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl.

-- Michele Larson, Batavia, 267 game and 732 series in the Synergistic Online Solutions MNF League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Oakfield-Alabama inducts new Hall of Fame members

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Four Oakfield-Alabama graduates were recently inducted into the O-A Alumni Hall of Fame.

Selection for the OA Alumni Hall of Fame is based on achievement after leaving OACS which includes a worthy record in more than one, and exemplary achievement in at least one of the following: job-related achievements; professional honors and awards; professional affiliations; publications; civic or community involvement; personal achievements/accomplishments; and positive impact on the communities in the Oakfield-Alabama School District.

The 2017 inductees are:

Joe Cassidy -- ‘62

After graduating from OACS, Joe served his country in the Vietnam War as a member of the Army Signal Corps. His military service earned him numerous ribbons, awards and medals.

Joe is a member of Hiram G. Luhman Post 626 the American Legion, where he has held several offices, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 273 and is currently the Post Commander, a life member of Chapter 166 Disabled American Veterans, and a member of the Genesee County Joint Veterans Honor Guard.

Joe is a 50-year member of the Alabama Volunteer Fire Department where he been president and fire chief. He is a life member of Western New York Volunteer Fireman’s Association. Joe also served his community as a three-term councilman on the Alabama Town Board, Alabama Town Historian, and president of the Alabama Historical Society, as well as a member of Association of Public Historians of New York State and Government-Appointed Historians of Western NY. 

Joe's passion preserving the history of his beloved hometown of Alabama, New York, included authoring books preserving records of Civil War soldiers, and many aspects of local history such as schools, churches, government, one on early accounts of crime in Alabama and one on recorded tales of “offbeat history.” He has researched and documented the lives of individuals from the town of Alabama who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field.

Joe headed up the acquiring and erection of a Veterans Memorial in the Town of Alabama which was dedicated on Aug. 5th.

Michael Cianfrini -- '92

Michael graduated University of Albany in 1996 with a BA degree, earning his Juris Doctor from University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1999.

He was a practicing attorney in Pittsburgh for five years before moving back to Oakfield in 2004 to enter the general practice of law with his father with the Cianfrini Law Firm LLP.

Michael was elected as Genesee County Clerk in 2013, after serving for 10 years as a councilman on Oakfield's Town Board, including three years as town supervisor. Michael was selected for Cornell Cooperative Extension's Leadership Genesee program in 2017.

In his free time, he coaches T-ball, softball, basketball and football in the Oakfield Youth Programs.

Travis Betters -- ‘94

Travis graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Agriculture Resource Managerial Economics. In 2001, he started his company, Brothers International Food Corporation with just one employee. The company has grown to more than 40 employees and has offices in Rochester, North Carolina, Ecuador and China. 

Brothers International includes an Ingredients Division, one of the largest importers of fruit concentrates and purées in the United States; Brothers All Natural, which makes 100-percent freeze-dried healthy snacks; and Lost Vineyards, which imports ultra-value wines from across the globe.

Brothers International believes in giving back to the community and has donated to several youth, education, religious, and health charities in Genesee County and Western NY, including Wilmot Cancer Center and Golisano Children’s Hospital, home of the Travis and Katharine Betters Sibling Clubhouse, a supervised room for healthy children to enjoy, while their sibling receives care in the Hospital. 

Justin Tretter -- ‘02

Justin majored in molecular biology.at Grove City College, developing a passion for “serving the underserved” after participating in a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. He continued his education at St. George’s University School of Medicine, an international medical school, with students representing nearly 100 nations. Located in Grenada, West Indies, St. George’s gained him exposure to local hospitals of underdeveloped countries.

Justin returned to Western New York to complete his pediatric residency at Strong Hospital in Rochester, then moving to New York City, where he completed a three-year fellowship in pediatric cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Under the mentorship of internationally renowned cardiologists met there, he developed into a “publishing machine” with 19 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals and two textbook chapters. To put his accomplishments into perspective -- most fellows only have one or two publications at this time in their careers.  

Justin chose to move to Cincinnati for the research opportunities their program offered. He is currently working in advanced cardiac imaging and continues collaboration with his UK-based mentors. His career continues to grow with his continued devotion to global health and contributing to the advancement of the cardiovascular and medical imaging fields.

High Rollers: Foss 300, Wolff 298, Nickerson 297, Larsen 732

By Mike Pettinella

Area league bowling scores for the week of Oct. 30 are posted on the Pin Points page (see tab at the top of the home page) -- and there were some big ones, led by a 300 game and 762 series by Curtis Foss of Medina in the Friday Mixers League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Other "high rollers" were Gregg Wolff of Batavia, 298--729 in the County Line Stone League at Scopano's Lanes in Oakfield; Jason Nickerson, 297--738 in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl, and Michele Larson, 267 game and 732 series in the Synergistic Online Solutions Monday Night Football League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Watch for Mike Pettinella's Pin Points bowling column, which will be published this Thursday.

Byron-Bergen/Elba Soccer heading to Final Four ranked #1 in the state

By Howard B. Owens

The Byron-Bergen/Elba boys soccer team is 19-1-1, ranked #1 in the state and on the verge of playing for a Class C state championship.

The captured a Section V title by beating Bishop Kearney in a second overtime period and then went on to win the Far West Regional title.

The Final Four begins at 1:30 p.m., Saturday in Middletown with B-B/Elba taking on Lake Placid. The finals will be played the following day in Middletown at 10:30 a.m.

Info and photos submitted by Robert Swapceinski.

Top photo: Celebration after the sectional title. Adam Swapceinski, Greyson Huntington, Wade Thompson, Adam Drake, Kylar Chambry and Kyle Foeller.

Captain Kylar Chambry, left, Captain Adam Swapceinski and Coach Ken Rogoyski.

Trojans hang tough, but fall short to #1 ranked Clyde-Savannah

By Howard B. Owens

The Alexander Trojans, in their bid to repeat as Class D Section V champions, ran into the state's #1 ranked Class D team and came up just a little short of victory.

The Trojans lost at Alfred University 17-13 to Clyde-Savannah.

Chris McClinic rushed for 102 yards on 20 carries, scoring twice. Dylan Busch was 6-9 passing for 44 yards. Job Smith and Erik Scharlau each had two catches for 16 and 15 yards each. Mitch Gordon had 1.5 tackles, Scharlau, 9.5, and Jake Jasen, 8, along with a sack.

Top photo: Chris McClinic on his way to the end zone on a seven-yard run in the third quarter to give the Trojans a 13-9 lead at that point in the game.

Mitch Gordon picks up more yards after a reception.

McClinic

Job Smith with a tackle.

McClinic saves a safety, getting the ball back over the goal line before hitting the ground on a run attempt.

Job Smith with a run after a catch.

Terrez Smith on defense to break up a potential TD pass.

Smith on a 66-yard kickoff return in the third quarter.

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Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen prevail in tough battle for sectional title

By Howard B. Owens

Cal-Mum/Byron-Bergen beat East Rochester/Ganada yesterday 27-26 at Alfred Univerisity to take the Class C Section V championship.

It's the first championship for the Red Raiders since the two programs consolidated last year.

For the Red Raiders, Bryce Yockel gained 148 yards on 19 carries, scoring a TD. Anthony Maye was 7-13 passing for 104 yards and a TD and two interceptions. Robert Stevens had four catches for 98 yards and a TD. He also gained 51 yards on the ground on 11 carries. Joe Butler had 105 yards on kickoff returns, including one for a touchdown. Josh Platt had nine tackles and Konnor Smith added five.

Top photo: Robert Stevens hauls in a 35-yard pass and converts it into a touchdown (photo below).

Two photos above: Bryce Yockel breaks free and runs for a 95-yard touchdown for the first score of the game.

Joe Butler blocks a Bombers' point-after attempt.

QB Anthony Maye on a run.

Paul McDermott snags the leg on the Bomber's QB to disrupt a run play. McDermott did this on successive plays in the second half. He was named defensive player of the game.

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Photos: Breaking things at martial arts tournament in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

The 5th Annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament was held Saturday at Le Roy High School and at noon, organizers presented a breaking demonstration.

The event was presented by Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell (Borrell’s Karate Academy in Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). 

Kahoku sweeps foes in Batavia Downs Open

By Billie Owens
Photo of Kahoku with driver Kevin Cummings.
 
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs 
 
Kahoku abandoned his usual front-running style to find the winner's circle in the $10,500 Open Handicap Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday night (Nov. 3). 
 
Osprey Vision (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) both left hard and battled for the lead in a two-horse breakaway. When they reached the quarter in :28.1, Osprey Vision had seated Noble Legend while the rest of the field finally caught up. Positions then remained unchanged to the half producing a tepid :30 split. 
 
As the group entered the second circuit, Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) started an outer flow with Kahoku (Kevin Cummings) on his back. By the three-quarter pole Empire Earl N had enough and stalled, prompting Cummings to tip Kahoku three-wide. Kahoku took well to the move and continued to motor after clearing at the head of the lane, eventually sprinting clear by a length of the fast-closing BZ Glide (Mike Caprio) to win in 1:58.2. 
 
It was the 38th lifetime win for Kahoku ($19.80) and it pushed him over the quarter-million dollar mark in lifetime earnings with $253,015 now on his card.
 
Colleen Girdlestone owns Kahoku who is trained by Priscilla "Sis" Mooney. 
 
In the co-featured $8,000 Open II trot, Fox Valley Veto (Billy Davis Jr.) turned a perfect two-hole trip behind Lutetium (Kevin Cummings) into an easy brush to the wire win in 1:58. Fox Valley Veto ($4.40) is owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable and Jack Rice and is trained by Maria Rice. 
 
Larry Stalbaum led all drivers for production on Friday with four wins on the night. 

Voltina ekes out top class victory at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Voltina takes the lead with reinsman Kevin Cummings. Photo courtesy of Paul White.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Voltina went from the agony of defeat to the thrill of victory in a short span in winning the $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 1).

On a rain-soaked night over a deteriorating track, Voltina (Kevin Cummings) got away second behind Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) who shot to the front by the eighth pole. The abbreviated field of five then followed the leader to a pedestrian half of :59.2 before anyone made a move. Who Says That (Ray Fisher Jr.) was the one to pull and challenge past the grandstand but her attempt failed before three-quarters as Voltina upped the tempo to :28.3 and she faded out of the picture.

When the race spiraled off the turn, Classy Lane Rose pulled out and paced alongside Voltina before getting a slight advantage just before the wire. But just as soon as she gained the lead, Classy Lane Rose took a bad step and Monti had to gather her up, and that split-second adjustment allowed Voltina to retake the front right at the finish line and win by a head in 1:56.3.

The sixth win of the year for Voltina ($7.10), along with being 21 out of 39 in the money this year, has put $58,146 in the bank for owner CHS Racing LLC. Anthony Cummings trains the 7-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native.

Larry Stalbaum, Ray Fisher Jr. and Billy Davis Jr. all had driving triples on Wednesday’s card while North America’s leading percentage trainer Kim Asher sent three of her students to the winner’s enclosure.

With the night’s three wins, Stalbaum has now taken the lead in the Batavia Downs dash driving competition with 90 wins for the meet. Previous leader Drew Monti has now slipped to a second place tie with Ray Fisher Jr., both sporting 89 victories. The battle for steering supremacy will continue for 19 more nights of racing before a champion can be crowned.

Racing resumes at Batavia Downs on this evening (Nov. 3) with first post at 6 o'clock.

Pavilion boys volleyball advances to semifinal

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion's boys volleyball team is off to a strong start in sectional play with two wins and a Class B semifinal match against Spencerport at 2 p.m., tomorrow.

Yesterday the Gophers beat Canandaigua three matches to two.

Photo submitted by Sarah Kingdon.

Notre Dame to host 'Play It Forward' Saturday, alumni basketball game for charity in memory of two Batavians

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The community is invited to Notre Dame High School at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, for Play It Forward,a fundraising event in memory of recently deceased Batavians, Christina Volpe and David Swinton.

The evening will feature an alumni basketball game, 50/50 drawing, and more than 75 baskets to be raffled, concessions and lots of family fun. We will also be raffling a prize trip to Topsail, North Carolina, and an overnight golf package for Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Center in Greenville, N.Y. (Catskill region) and an electronic lift chair, as well as Sabres tickets, and a signed Tyrod Taylor jersey.

All money raised -- 100 percent -- will be donated to local causes.  

For further details please contact John or Margaret Volpe at  585-813-1110  or Jane Swinton at 585-548-2898.

Let's get together and "Play It Forward."

Notre Dame is located at 73 Union St. in the City of Batavia.

Batavia Downs offers a $2,500 guaranteed Pick-5 Wednesday

By Billie Owens

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs will offer a $2,500 guaranteed early Pick-5 pool when racing resumes this afternoon (Nov. 1) at the oldest lighted harness track in America. The actual carryover is $1,299.

The Pick-5 is a 50-cent base wager that begins in race one and runs through race five. There is no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners the entire pool (minus takeout) will be carried over to the Late Pick-5 that begins in race seven.

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

GCCs men's soccer team wins regional title

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The No. 3 Genesee Community College men's soccer team is heading back again to the National Junior Athletic Association D-III National Tournament after blanking Cayuga Community College 3-0 Oct. 29 in the Region III District A Championship game.

The region's top-seeded Cougars have now outscored their opponents 53-1 during their current eight-game winning streak. The win also extended the team's unbeaten streak to 17 games.

Current NJCAA D-III Goalie of the Week David Ormiston recorded five saves in the win and was named the tournament's most valuable player in leading the team to its seventh-consecutive shutout and 12th of the season.

Ross White got the game winner almost 30 minutes into the contest and Ben Wattis extended the Cougars' lead to 2-0 about 10 minutes later to round out the first-half scoring.

Charlie Livesey had the lone goal of the second half about 25 minutes into the session to add some insurance to the Cougars' lead.

Cayuga outshot Genesee 11-8 in total shots and shots on net 5-3. Each team had a half dozen corner kicks and the physical game produced eight yellow cards collectively.

Also selected to the all-tournament team from Genesee were Livesey, Wattis, and Glenn Holmes, with the latter assisting on Wattis' goal. Cayuga's Mikel Abando and Santiago Ortega were also selected.

Genesee heads to the NJCAA National Tournament as one of eight teams Nov. 9-12 at Wehrum Stadium. The men's soccer D-III nationals are hosted by Herkimer College, who will join the Cougars from Region III after defeating Onondaga Community College 4-0 in the last regional title game of the night that followed the Cougars' win.

Photo: Curtis Kreutter / GCC Athletics

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