Sports

Batavia Notre Dame United dropped a 5-3 decision tonight to the Portside Royals in Section V hockey action at the Batavia Ice Arena.

BND falls to 2-2 while Portside, a merger of the Brockport and Spencerport programs, improves to 3-1.

The winners scored three goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead and managed to hold off a spirited comeback by the home team.

Forward Vin DiRisio deflected a shot from the point by defenseman Orion Lama with 12 minutes left in the game, and forward Gavin Schrader buried a backhand shot after he stole the puck deep in the Portside zone three minutes later to pull BND within one at 4-3.

The Royals responded a minute later when United turned the puck over in its own end, leading to a goal by Evan Bovee.

“We just dug too deep of a hole in the second period,” BND Coach Marc Staley said. “We had some great scoring chances that we just did not capitalize on.”

With 2 ½ minutes left, Bovee received a major penalty after a blindside hit on DiRisio, giving United a two-man advantage – following a penalty at the 3:38 mark on Joey Mandel.

BND was unable to generate any offense, however, and Portside was able to clear the puck several times.

The home team opened the scoring at 10:47 of the first period on a slapshot from the right point by Andrew Kasmarek. Portside tied it with 4:55 remaining in the period on a goal by Henry Schulz.

Schultz scored a shorthanded goal a minute into the second period to put Portside up 2-1. He added a power play goal with 5:34 remaining and Sal Balbi scored after taking a pass from Ryan Plouffe with 1:44 to play to make it 4-1.

Courtney Schum stopped 27 of 32 shots while Portside goalie Danny Kucmerowski turned away 35 of 38 shots. Schum has replaced sophomore starter Frank Falleti Jr., who is out indefinitely with a leg injury. .

Schrader now has eight goals and DiRisio has six.

Staley said he saw “a lot of good things” from his team, noting that United outshot the Royals, took only two penalties and gave up just three odd man rushes. He also mentioned that he was surprised by the amount of hard checking.

“The game was much more physical than we’ve seen so far this year. It’s certainly not what we are used to seeing in Section V. I thought the kids did a great job adjusting to that and really coming after them in the third period,” he said.

Senior captain Zack Eschberger returns to the team on Monday after being in quarantine, Staley said.

BND travels to Geneva on Tuesday to take on the WFL Panthers. Game time is 7 p.m.

The BBA South rallied in the final event – four-man Baker-style Team – to upset host BBA North, 64-59, in the 27^th annual Karl Marth Cup bowling competition Saturday at Medina Lanes.

The win is the second straight for the South squad, which is comprised mostly of bowlers from the southern portion of the former Batavia Bowling Association. The match did not take place last year due to COVID-19.

Still, the BBA North, consisting of bowlers from the northern part of the former BBA, has the upper hand in the series, 15-12.

The Baker teams of Mike Johnson, Paul Spiotta, Geoff Harloff and Jason Quilliam, and Jim Pursel, Scott Culp, Fred Gravanda and Matt Balduf swept their matches to earn 18 points, while the other Baker team of Ed Doody, Steve O’Dell, Josh Elliott and Rick Underhill managed to take two of seven points as the South came back from a 52-44 deficit.

The South opened with an 13-11 advantage in Doubles, before the North took the Baker Doubles competition, 15-9, and the Singles events, 26-22.

Individually, Jake Rosenbeck of Medina earned the Scott Wright Memorial Award by averaging 259 – including a 299 game – while winning three of his four matches. Teammate Brian Cline averaged a whopping 265 for his matches, but only compiled a 2-2 records as he went against the South’s Scott Culp (238 average) each time.

The South’s Jason Quilliam, making his Marth Cup debut, received the Joe Trigilio Memorial Award by averaging 221 en route to winning three of his four matches.

Submitted photo: Members of the BBA South team are, front from left, Geoff Harloff, Jason Quilliam, Matt Balduf, Steve O'Dell; back, Josh Elliott, Jim Pursel, Mike Johnson, Scott Culp, Ed Doody (captain), Paul Spiotta, Rick Underhill and Fred Gravanda, posing together after win.

Three bowlers cracked the 800 mark -- with two of them recording perfect games as well -- in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action this past week.

On Wednesday, Ray Neuman rolled 300--823 in the Wednesday Community League at Medina Lanes, and Tim Fonte had a pair of 279 games en route to an 806 series in the Wednesday Classic League at Mount Morris Lanes.

On Friday, Tom Baker started with 279 and 300 in an 804 series in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

And this morning, Michael Schepis posted a 300 game in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes. He fell just short of 800 with 797.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Senior winger Gavin Schrader scored four times in an eight-goal third period Saturday afternoon to lead Batavia Notre Dame to a wild 13-8 victory over Potsdam in the finale of the Potsdam ice hockey tournament.

BND United, which split its two games in the tournament, trailed 5-3 late in the second period before Schrader (assisted by Ronin Hofmaster) and winger Vin DiRisio (assisted by Andrew Kasmarek and Schrader) knotted things up entering the final period.

From there, Schrader took over -- scoring to put United up 6-5 just 18 seconds into the third period (assisted by DiRisio and Noah Hudson) and following that up with three more goals as the visitors won going away.

All told, Schrader had five goals and three assists, raising his team-leading totals to seven goals and eight assists after three games.

Freshman Jameson Motyka tallied three goals and two assists, DiRisio had a pair of goals and four assists (to up his season totals to five each) and Hofmaster recorded two goals and three assists. Freshman Brady Johnson chipped in with a goal and an assist, and Gino Falleti registered three assists.

Batavia outshot Potsdam, 48-29, and with three power play goals in six chances.

Goaltender Courtney Schum, playing in place of injured staqrted Frank Falleti Jr., was 21-for-29 in the save department.

Sophomore John Duffy scored four goals and sophomore Tyler Berkman had two goals for Potsdam.

BND, 2-1 overall, resumes Section V competition at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Irondequoit at Lakeshore East rink and hosts Portside Royals at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Batavia Ice Arena.

Batavia Notre Dame United lost, 3-2, in overtime to Canton on Friday night in the first round of the Potsdam boys ice hockey tournament.

Jacob Rosales scored the game winner two minutes and 22 seconds into the extra period for the Golden Bears in their season opener.

BND, 1-1, outshot Canton by a 43-19 margin, but went 0-for-9 on the power play as Canton’s standout senior goaltender Hayden Todd stood tall.

"Their goalie played great," BND Coach Marc Staley said. "These (type of) games, although frustrating, are good for us. There's no losing; only learning."

United opened the scoring at 11:36 of the first period on a goal by senior Vin DiRisio, assisted by senior Gavin Schrader and junior Gino Falleti.

Canton tied it 17 seconds later when Kaden Baxter beat United goalie Courtney Schum, who stopped 16 of 19 shots.

After a scoreless second period, Josh Aldous put Canton on top, 2-1, at 6:22 of the third period, before United responded three seconds later on a goal by Schrader, with an assist from junior Noah Hudson.

The Golden Bears racked up 33 penalty minutes while United was flagged for just 10 penalty minutes.

BND played without its top two centermen (Zack Eschberger, quarantine, and Cooper Hamilton, broken collarbone).

United takes on host Potsdam at 1 this afternoon to conclude its trip to the North Country. Potsdam lost, 10-1, to Saranac last night.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Lifelong Batavian Rich Wagner will share the men's National High Series Award for the 2019-20 season by virtue of the 899 series he recorded on Feb. 11 of this year in the Toyota of Batavia 5-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The United States Bowling Congress issued a press release today to announce award winners in the various categories.

Wagner, a 38-year-old left-hander, and Brent Bowers of Bel Aire, Kansas, each posted 899 series last season.

Bowers, 33, rolled his on Oct. 6, 2020 in the Bud Light Invite League at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan. His games were 299-300-300 and his series is a state record.

Wagner registered 35 consecutive strikes on lanes 23-24 before leaving the 6-pin on his final delivery.

All national leaders will receive an award from the USBC.

In other categories:

Charles Easton of Sylvania, Ohio, has earned the men’s USBC National High Average Award for a second consecutive season after putting together a near-record effort during the 2020-2021 season.

Easton, 30, posted the second-highest average in USBC history in the Toledo New Bath/Sparks Concrete league at Jug’s Bowling Center in Toledo, Ohio, finishing with a 259.56 average for 75 games.

Jeff Carter of Springfield, Illinois, holds the record with a 261.7 average during the 2000-2001 season.

Easton earned the award during the 2019-2020 season after averaging 256.5 in the Oakie Schroyer III Memorial league, also held at Jug’s Bowling Center. His performance during the 2019-2020 season ranked fourth on the all-time list at the time.

Easton averaged 251.48 for 93 games last season in the Oakie Schroyer/Generations Pro Shop league.

Team USA member Jordan Richard of Maumee, Ohio, was the women’s high average winner for the 2020-2021 season, also competing at Jug’s Bowling Center. The two-time Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour champion averaged 242.02 for 69 games in the Florian Insurance Classic league.

Richard, 25, recently helped Team USA win the gold medal in team competition at the International Bowling Federation Super World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Junior Team USA member Spencer Robarge of Springfield, Missouri, and Cassidy Potter of the Rochester suburb of Webster, have earned USBC National High Average Awards in the Youth Male and Youth Female divisions, respectively.

Robarge, 19, recorded a 250.67 average for 78 games in the Junior/Majors league at Springfield’s Sunshine Lanes.

Robarge, the 2015 U12 Junior Gold Championships winner, made headlines earlier in 2021 after advancing to the stepladder finals at the USBC Masters in April, finishing in third place.

Potter, 18, earned her award by averaging 222.06 for 78 games in the Fairview Fri Juniors league at AMF Fairview Lanes in Fairport.

The women’s USBC National High Series Award will go to Brandi Kordelewski of Belleville, Illinois, after she set the women’s state record in Illinois with an 868 series on Nov. 18, 2020.

Kordelewski, 31, was competing in the Wednesday Night Ball league at Belleville’s Bel-Air Bowl when she rolled games of 290, 279 and 299

Jacob Hartman of Camanche, Iowa, and Mikayla Blair of Springfield, Ohio, will take home the Youth Male and Youth Female USBC National High Series Awards, respectively, for the 2020-2021 season.

Hartman, 18, rolled games of 289, 279 and 299 for an 867 series on March 6, 2021, in the Jr. Elite league at Camanche’s Imperial Lanes.

Blair, 18, put together games of 300, 267 and 257 for an 824 set on March 28, 2021, during the Spring 21 Youth/Adult Scholarship Travel league at Bowl 10 in Fairborn, Ohio.

File photo: Rich Wagner, center, receiving his award from the Genesee Region USBC in May for his 899 series. At left is Tommy Kress of Hilton, guest speaker at the association banquet, and at right is Wagner's wife, Jennifer. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

If it’s possible to have a “defining moment” in the first game of the season, Marc Staley, head coach of the Batavia Notre Dame United varsity ice hockey club, said he may have witnessed one during the third period of Tuesday night’s Section V season opener.

In front of a large and energized crowd at the Batavia Ice Arena, United posted a 6-3 victory over visiting Aquinas Institute in its debut following the merger of the Batavia High and Notre Dame programs.

Staley said his team’s ability to control its emotions with the score tied at 3-3 midway through the third period was the difference in the game.

“The kids really gutted it out down the stretch,” he said. “We called a timeout with seven minutes and 40 seconds to go. And all we said was to breathe – everybody reset. This is a big moment."

“It's a 3-3 game. It's an emotional night. Just breathe. Let’s go put the stamp on this thing right now. We have the power play. Let’s go execute the power play.”

Batavia ND did just that, with seniors Andrew Kasmarek, Gavin Schrader and Vin DiRisio working together to produce what proved to be the game winning goal.

Defenseman Kasmarek, who shined in the penalty killing department, was at the top of the power play and “executed it perfectly,” Staley said.

“(Kasmarek and Schrader) got the puck across ice to Vincent, which is what we wanted, and he fired the puck in the net,” Staley said.

DiRisio’s goal at the 9:59 mark put Batavia ND in front, 4-3, and United was able to hold off Aquinas, which pulled its goalie in the final minutes – leading to empty net goals by DiRisio and Schrader.

Staley thinks the team’s response to the timeout could be a rallying point as the players, including some from other Genesee County schools, seek to bond as a unit.

“I hope that was a moment that we're going to be able to call back on already – that we were able to calm down,” he said. “Hockey is played with an active body and a calm mind.  We were able to calm our minds, go back to the task at hand and execute down the stretch.”

The win was a costly one, however, as junior Cooper Hamilton, the team’s second line center, suffered a broken collarbone on the game’s first shift when he fell into the boards. He is expected to be out of action for at least six weeks, Staley said.

Batavia ND also played without its first line center, senior Zack Eschberger, who is quarantined due to an exposure to COVID-19.

“He’s not positive but he’s out for the first two games. We found that out less than 24 hours before the game,” Staley said.

That forced the coaching staff to improvise, putting together different combinations on the front line.

“I mean, our whole game plan and our whole line sequencing was just immediately thrown off. And it was not the easiest situation to coach, when you're thrown curveballs like that to manage the bench and to find combinations, and you really have to just coach on the fly, which is not ideal,” Staley said.

Furthermore, starting goaltender sophomore Frank Falleti injured his leg early in the third period and had to come out of the game. His status for this weekend’s two contests in Potsdam is uncertain, Staley said.

His replacement, senior Courtney Schum, came through with flying colors – giving up only one goal, which was tallied by CJ Mangone, his second of the game.

“Courtney came in and did a tremendous job for us in a really pressure packed moment,” Staley said. “She was coming in cold and did a great job and made some big saves for us down the stretch to help us secure the lead.”

Junior center Ronin Hofmaster and Kasmarek had first-period goals for United, and Hofmaster scored again in the third period to give the home team a 3-2 lead. Schrader had four assists and DiRisio had two.

Going forward, Hofmaster, who Staley credited as having a “phenomenal” game, will anchor the second line with freshman wingers Brady Johnson and Jameson Motyka. Key defensemen include juniors Noah Hudson, Alex Johnson and Bryce Feldman and seniors Kasmarek and Parker Corbelli.

United travels to Potsdam for games against Canton (Friday) and Potsdam (Saturday). Its next home game is at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 against Portside Royals.

The merged program's JV team has won two of its first three games.

Jim Foss, who took over as proprietor of Medina Lanes prior to the 2021-22 season, rolled a 300 game on Sunday morning in the Sunday Rolloffs League at his hometown bowling center.

The right-hander's perfect game came in a 648 series, and that gives him about a dozen 300 games for his career.

Top honors in the league went to Tom Allis, with a 697 series.

Elsewhere around the Genesee Region United States Bowling Congress, Jim Pursel of Batavia set the pace in the County Line Friday Trios at Mancuso Bowling Center with a 746 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Tioga brought to an end a great 2021 run by the Oakfield-Alabama/Elba Aggies on Friday with a 49-6 win in a state semifinal game.

For OAE, Gage Armbrewseter gained 67 yards on 16 carries.  Connor Scott scored a touchdown on two carries for 67 yards. Noah Currier gained 44 yards on seven carries. On defense, he had nine tackles.

" While this one may sting for the time being, we cannot let a single bad night take away from everything these boys were able to accomplish this season," said Head Coach Tyler Winter. "After some tough years early in our merge, and a stint in 8-man football, these boys have put the OAE Aggies on the map at the New York State level.  I could not be more proud of their efforts, their commitment, and the love they had for one another throughout the journey.  The way this group brought two communities together the way that they did is indescribable.  This journey truly was a privilege, one full of memories that they will get to carry with them for the rest of their lives.  Your Class D Sectional and Regional champions.  Two communities.  ONE FAMILY."

Photos by Kristin Smith.  For more, click here.

Mark Roth of Fulton, one of the greatest bowlers in Professional Bowlers Association Tour history and a member of four Halls of Fame, died Friday at the age of 70 due to congestive heart failure and complications following a diagnosis of pneumonia.

A 34-time PBA Tour champion, Roth had been in poor health after suffering a massive stroke in 2009 that left him partially paralyzed on his left side.

Roth, who revolutionized the game in the 1970s and 1980s with his high-revving style, is ranked No. 5 all-time of the PBA’s list of “50 Greatest Players of the Last 50 Years.”

He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987, the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2009, the New York State USBC Hall of Fame in 2010 and the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

The Brooklyn native holds the PBA record with eight titles in a single season (1978) and won four PBA Player of the Year honors -- 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1984.

In 1980, he became the first bowler in history to convert the 7-10 split on a PBA Tour telecast, a feat that only has been accomplished four times since.

Among Roth’s PBA Tour titles were two major victories – the 1984 U.S. Open and PBA Touring Players Championship. He also went on to collect a pair of victories on the PBA50 Tour.

One of Roth’s biggest rivals on the lanes was fellow hall of famer Marshall Holman, but the two also were one of the sport’s most revered doubles teams.

They won three doubles titles together, and the PBA Tour schedule currently includes an event named in their honor – the PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship.

Roth is survived by his wife, Denise.

Photo above: Mark Roth, right, being inducted into the New York State USBC Hall of Fame in 2010 in Niagara Falls. Fran Bax, a director of the state association at the time, is at left. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Brandon Rebert won another local 5K today. This time the Turkey Trot in Oakfield, hosted by the Caryville Inn.  He finished with a time of 18:02.

Kim Mills, also a regular winner of local 5Ks, was the top female runner today.

After struggling through a couple of subpar games in the Saturday Night Mixed League at Mount Morris Lanes last week, Piffard resident Venitha "V.J." Frew knew she had to do something to change the pace.

So, with her sister on hand to watch her bowl, the 46-year-old right-hander decided that they would get on their cell phones and conduct the family’s traditional Christmas present draw.

Little did Frew -- formerly V.J. Ellis prior to her marriage to George Frew in September -- know that Christmas would come early for her in the form of a 300 game.

By rolling 12 consecutive strikes in that third game, Frew became just the second woman to reach perfection at the eight-lane establishment.

Frew, who is employed as the meat and produce team leader at the Geneseo Walmart, opened the session with games of 156 and 113, much lower than her 169 average. A bowler for many years in Hornell, she said she had averaged around 190 in the past and had a 288 high game to her credit.

These days, she’s bowling twice a week at Mount Morris Lanes – on Saturdays on a team with her husband, and Sam and Ashley Repass (George’s daughter) and on Tuesdays on a team with George; her daughter, Courtney McDaniel, and friend, David Lohmer.

Ironically, this past Saturday she was bowling against a team of McDaniel, Lohmer, daughter Mackenzie Towner and son-in-law Corey Towner.

After the 113 game that saw her leave seven splits, Frew said she just "needed to regroup."

"The only changes I made is I just relaxed," she said. "And the funny thing is (which helped her during the third game) I was distracted. My sister, who lives an hour away, had come over that night to the bowling alley. Since we all always do a family Christmas draw, we got my phone and her phone and another phone and kind of like video-chatted all of our children. And we sat there drawing names out for the Christmas draw."

She said she just got up to bowl, set her feet, looked at her mark and let the ball go.

"I didn’t even pay attention. I actually thought I had had a spare in the first or second frame. So, I didn't even know how many strikes I had in a row. After I threw the first strike in the 10th frame, I heard my husband in the background cheering. I said, 'Oh, cool' and looked up at the screen and thought, 'Oh my goodness.'"

That's when the nerves set in, she said.

"I started trembling very badly. And I got up there and I apparently rushed myself, although I didn't feel that I did," she said.

It was then that another bowler, Jamie Watson, got up and made his delivery in attempt to slow Frew down a bit.

Following the 11th strike, she said all she thought about was keeping the ball out of the channel.

"All I kept saying is do not pitch it in the gutter, do not pitch it in the gutter," she said. "So, I let it go and it was a good ball. And I knew even if I only got nine or eight pins, I was going to be more than satisfied because my high game before that was 288."

Frew said she was fortunate in that three of her deliveries crossed over to the Brooklyn side but her 15-pound Roto Grip UFO knocked down all the pins each time.

The previous 300 game by a woman at Mount Morris Lanes was rolled by Amanda Coniglio of Mount Morris on Feb. 23, 2015.

Frew said she is opting for the ring from the USBC, personalized with her initials and Mount Morris Lanes, New York on it. She also will receive a plaque from the Genesee Region USBC.

Submitted photo: VJ Frew reacts after rolling a 300 game last Saturday at Mount Morris Lanes.

Le Roy High School's Section V champion volleyball team was presented with certificates from the Board of Education at the start of Tuesday's meeting honoring their accomplishment.

Photo submitted by Tim McArdle.

While they say that everyone can be replaced, finding someone with the compassion, knowledge and personality of physical education teacher Carmen Del Plato certainly will be a tall order for the Batavia City School District.

Del Plato, who grew up as part of a large and close-knit Italian-American family on Batavia’s southside, retired on Tuesday after 23 years with the district – 13 at Jackson Primary and the last 10 at John Kennedy Intermediate.

About 100 friends, family and colleagues celebrated his career last night at Eli Fish Brewing Company on Main Street.

JK Principal Brian Sutton said the Vine Street school won’t be the same without the energetic and resourceful Del Plato in the classroom.

“Mr. Del Plato is borderline irreplaceable. He's one of a kind,” Sutton said. “There is nothing that Mr. Del Plato wouldn't do for the kids here at John Kennedy.

“I tell everyone he almost flies under the radar because he does all the little things. He walks through the cafeteria, helps kids with their lunch. He talks to students about more than just PE (physical education) when they're in the gymnasium. He really connects with the kids and holds them to a high expectation and high standard -- and they meet it.”

Sutton, in his second year as principal, said he leaned on Del Plato and admired his approach to teaching.

“Mr. Del Plato has a wealth of experience in Batavia and knowledge … I really turned to him a lot to get a feel for the building and things that he's seen and tried to learn from his experiences, while also just observing him and the way he conducts himself as a professional,” he offered. “It’s really unfortunate (he’s retiring) although I'm very happy for him that he has taken this next step and he will definitely be missed.”

Fellow physical education teacher Dan Geiger, who worked with Del Plato for the past decade, called him “a tremendous assets to our district and our community.”

“Carmen can still name all the families in the neighborhoods from the time he grew up and it is just going to be a huge loss for the district,” Geiger said. “He’s got such great connection to the kids and to the families. The excitement he brings -- the great level of discipline and respect that kids have for him. It's just a sad day for our district, but I can't be more happy for him.”

Del Plato, in acknowledging his well-wishers, revealed a spirit of thankfulness as he looked back on his time with the school district – recalling the inauspicious beginning that almost didn’t happen.

“I have a lot to be thankful for. First of all, I am thankful for my job,” he said. “Back in 1998, I was coaching three sports and Pep Johnson was retiring and Buddy (Brasky) was moving from Jackson to the high school and a job came open. And I applied for the job. And I'm was at the blind school (New York State School for the Blind) doing summer school, and I called to see if they were calling for interviews.”

Del Plato said he was told that calls for interviews were made, but his phone wasn't ringing.

“I didn't even get a call for an interview. And I was so distraught. I mean, I was coaching three sports. I was kissing everybody's butt. And I didn't get an interview,” he said, drawing a big laugh. “That very same day (former Athletic Director) Nancy Viola called my wife and said, ‘Why didn't Carm apply for the job?’

“And my wife (Debra, a teacher at Williamson Middle School) said, ‘He did apply for the job; he hand delivered the application.’ She (Viola) goes, ‘I’ll call you right back.’ So, Nancy did some of her magic and I get an interview, I think the next day. Thank goodness, Skip Bonacquisti was on the interviewing committee and I got hired. It was that close, and I might not have gotten the job. I’ll never forget that. Thank you, Nancy Viola.”

Del Plato said he was thankful that his first job was at Jackson school – a block away from his home – and that he was able to work with one of his buddies, Val Zinni, a longtime custodian in the district.

He mentioned that it was a thrill to see the kids grow from kindergarten to fifth grade. Included in that group were his son and daughter.

“I got the chance to teach my son, Joey, and my daughter, Marcella, and I didn’t give anybody any extra special treatment,” he said. “If I had your son or daughter, they had to be able to tow the line, especially my kids. They couldn’t call me daddy at work.”

He shared that one day his son forgot his sneakers and had to sit in timeout.

“I sent his mother a nasty letter,” he joked, again to the delight of his audience. “And my daughter knew the rule that she couldn’t call me daddy. One day … she was at the end of the line and as she was walking out, she whispered, ‘Hi daddy.’ I said get out of here.”

Del Plato thanked his aides and spoke about his “partner in crime” Geiger.

“Dan likes to take risks. I don't like to take risks. So, when I want to do balloons with the kids, he wanted to do dog sled racing with the kids. When I want to do ribbons with the kids, he wanted to put a zip line across the gym. But I think we both made each other better teachers,” he said.

Geiger said he learned a lot from Del Plato, including how to pronounce every vowel (in the names) of Batavia’s southside residents.

“I learned a lot about the Italian background,” Geiger said. “I do know a few Italian words but I’m not sure if I should say them because he really never tells me the true (meaning), so I could get in trouble. But I can't thank Carm enough for all the time spent together. He's really helped me develop as a teacher and as a person.”

Del Plato actually has 35 years in the New York State retirement system, starting in 1986 at Genesee Valley BOCES' alternative education program and moving to the NYSSB in 1988, where he served for five years as a childcare and teachers' assistant. He worked at Geneseo Central School, Geneseo State College and St. Anthony's School in Batavia from 1993 to 1998.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Physical education teacher Dan Geiger presents Del Plato with a gift.

Mike Bromley, Batavia City School District director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, gives Del Plato a special ball that he ordered for his gym classes.

Bromley recognizes Del Plato's contributions with a Blue Devil Forever plaque. "In grateful appreciation of your outstanding dedication and mentoring and nurturing the many, many students in the Batavia City School District from 1998 to 2021."

Del Plato and Val Zinni performing as Elwood and Jake -- The Blues Brothers, which has been a hit in Batavia for many years. 

Albion’s Reid Cole stepped into the Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters Tournament winner’s circle for the first time Saturday, topping LeRoyan John Lowe, 179-138, in the title match at Perry Bowling Center.

The 62-year-old right-hander was at or near the top of the standings throughout the scratch singles event’s four rounds, averaging 214 for his seven games. He earned $300, a free entry into the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament and a plaque for his efforts.

Only three other bowlers averaged 200 or better on the challenging lane conditions – Lowe (200), who won $160; Mike Johnson of Batavia (203), who placed third for $120, and Don Parrott of Warsaw (211), who finished fourth for $90.

Lowe defeated Johnson, 175-166, in the opening game of the three-bowler stepladder finals to earn the right to face Cole.

Cole was the third-high qualifier with 669 for three games, and then posted 393 in the two-game semifinals to reach the top six. From there, he rolled a 257 game to claim the top spot in the finals.

Lowe recorded 706 in qualifying – second to Parrott’s 709 – and went on to roll 386 for two games in the second round and 197 in the third round to advance. Johnson qualified seventh with 637 before posting 417 in the second round and 202 in the third round.

Bill Logan of Albion and two-time defending champion Mickey Hyde placed fifth and sixth, respectively, each winning $90.

Other cashers, all for $70, were Brett Van Duser of Perry, Duane Barrett of Warsaw, Scott Shields of Batavia, Fred Walters of Perry, Paul Spiotta of Batavia and Matt Balduf of South Byron. Steve Krna of Alexander cashed for $50.

The tournament drew 42 entries – 24 from the ages of 50-59, 12 from 60-69 and six in the 70 and over bracket.

FIFTEEN CASH IN WOMEN’S EVENT

Forty women competed in the 36th Gladys Ford Memorial Women's Senior Singles Tournament earlier this month at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Cashers in the six age classifications are as follows:

75-and-Up -- Frances Matthews, 738, $86; Dawn Bertrand, 701, $75; Grace Bogle, 662, $50.

70-74 -- Georgene Della Penna, 654, $85; Margie Page, 613, $65; Kathy Pacino, 608, $45.

65-69 -- Arlene Underhill, 608, $85; Patricia Gilbertson, 569, $55.

60-64 -- Chris Bovee, 735, $100; Dawn Luckenbach, 614, $85; Linda Johnson, 607, $75; Karen Moran, 604, $60.

55-59 -- Terry Gilman, 603, $80; Pam Jenks, 592, $60.

50-54 -- Becky Arft, 580, $55.

Photo: Reid Cole, left, and John Lowe, champion and runner-up, respectively, of the Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters on Saturday at Perry Bowling Center. Submitted photo.