Sports

Two local girls and a coach, all from Batavia, will be attending their first-ever competition in Florida with Dynamic Elite Athletics, Batavia resident Robin Cook says.

They will be attending the Summit cheer and dance Championship at Walt Disney World Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex beginning Thursday through May 1.  

Kayla Gangarossa, a Batavia High School graduate, is the coach of the Level 2 ICE team, and her daughter, Payton Spikes, will be going with Level One Junior D1amonds, Cook said in an email to The Batavian. 

Payton is a fifth-grader at Batavia Middle School. Her mom Kayla was a coach for Batavia Bulldawgs cheerleading, and Payton and her Batavia school peer Hailey Armison were Bulldawgs cheerleaders. Both Payton and Hailey will be participating in the Florida event. Dynamic Elite Athletics is a cheer and tumbling center based in Rochester. 

"This will be our first-ever D2 Summit, as well as our first-ever world finals for our open level 6 team Legacy,” Gangarossa said. “We will be kicking off our decade of purple and teal and celebrating 10 years of Dynamic Elite Athletics the week after we return from the summit."

The Summit Championship, founded by Varsity All-Star in 2013, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2022 and will showcase more than 1,500 teams and 24,000 competitors from around the globe. The Summit Championship is promoted as a way to provide a unique experience for athletes to compete against the best of the best across all levels of competition. 

Top photos of Payton Spikes and Hailey Armison; the girls' cheersport team and Coach Kayla Gangarossa and Payton, her daughter. Photos submitted by Robin Cook.

Flower City Union, a professional soccer team in Rochester playing its inaugural season, is coming to Batavia on May at 7:30 p.m. for a game against California United Strikers.

The teams are part of the National Independent Soccer Association, a third division professional soccer league.  The team is partly fan-owned.

"This is very cool to have this game in Batavia," said Michael Bromley, athletic director for Batavia City Schools.

The game will be played at Van Detta Stadium.

The price of the game is $10. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.flowercityunion.com.

Press release:

Batavia residents Jacklyn (Borrelli) Pratt and Nicole Borrelli co-coach together for a competitive cheerleading program, New York Icons. The sister coaching duo is honored to have their team, Celebrities, representing their program at the upcoming Summit Championship in Orlando, Florida. The Borrelli sisters have been coaching cheerleading for over 10 years and have been co-coaching their Allstar team together for the past three seasons. These sisters have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with within the cheerleading community.

New York Icons, a local Allstar cheerleading and tumbling training facility, in Rochester is proud to announce that Celebrities will be attending The Summit Championship on a PAID bid in the Small Junior Level Two Division to compete at one of the nation’s most prestigious cheerleading competitions produced by Varsity All-Star. Varsity All-Star is a division of Varsity Spirit – the global leader in cheerleading.

The Summit Championship, held at Walt Disney World® Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from April 28 to May 1, is the season-capping goal for many competitive all-star teams. The Summit Championship, founded by Varsity All-Star in 2013, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2022 and will showcase more than 1,500 teams and 24,000 competitors from around the globe. The Summit Championship provides a unique experience for athletes to compete against the best of the best across all levels of competition. The Summit Championship and The Dance Summit Championship continue to grow offering multiple paths for teams to have a competitive, prestigious, and celebratory end to their seasons.

The Borrelli sisters and their team have worked extremely hard this season, especially coming off the pandemic and the challenges they faced last season. “We could not have asked for more from our athletes this season,” says the Borrelli sisters. “They have consistently scored the highest overall score throughout our in-season competitions, and we are very proud.” They are heading down to Florida as the TOP Northeast Region Team on the Varsity Leaderboard. 

Jacklyn is a Special Education Teacher at Gates Chili Middle School and the Program Assistant for Gates Chili’s Cheerleading Program. In addition, she has worked with several Genesee Region High School Cheerleading Programs over the last several years and has worked closely with Attica High School. Most importantly, her number one role is being a mom to her one-year-old, Jackson. Nicole is an office manager in Rochester and is the JV Cheerleading Coach for Gates Chili High School along with her other coaching duties and apparel coordinator at New York Icons.

Le Roy Little League opened its 70th season on Saturday.

Board President Jeremy Warner said Le Roy is the last league in GLOW still affiliated with Little League based in Williamsport, Pa.

Photos by Ed Henry.

Notre Dame beat Oakfield-Alabama in high school baseball at Dwyer Stadium today, 8-4.

The winning pitcher was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who worked all seven innings giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out 11.

For the Irish, Colin McCulley, Gavin Schrader, and Fitzpatrick all had two hits each and Fitzpatrick knocked in three runs while scoring twice.

For the Hornets, Bodie Hyde and Gaige Armbrewster each had two hits.  Hyde drove in four runs. He was also the starting pitcher and took the loss.

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here,

Little League opening day in Le Roy commenced with a parade for players and coaches down Main Street.

We'll have more coverage of opening day later.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Curtis Foss of Medina closed out the Sneezys Monday Night League season at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion on a high note last week by rolling an 808 series -- his seventh 800 in league play since last October.

The right-hander's games were 260-290-258.

In the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Josh Elliott posted 258--733 and Frank Jarkiewicz shot 278--723.

In league play at Medina Lanes, Amy Allis rolled 279--717 on April 4 and followed that up with 256--735 on Thursday night.  A solid 10-pin in the 10th frame of the 279 cost her a chance at a perfect game.

ROCHESTER BOWLER TRIUMPHS

Nicholas Manioci of Rochester claimed the $750 first prize in the Hop Between Singles Handicap Tournament at Medina Lanes, defeating Hayden Allis of Medina, 206-204, in the title match. Allis earned $500.

Rounding out the top five were Derek Leach of Batavia ($350), Teagan Miller of Albion ($250) and Chris Foss of Medina ($175).

Eighteen of the tournament's 60 bowlers cashed.

Mancuso Bowling Center will be hosting a three-person handicap no-tap tournament on April 30, with squad times at noon and 2 p.m. The entry fee is $75 per team and first place, based on 40 entries, is $750. Call 716-474-7960 to enter.

Three longtime Genesee Region USBC members will be inducted into the bowling association’s Hall of Fame at its annual banquet at 6 p.m. May 14 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.

In the Meritorious Service category, Tom Fluker of Batavia and William VanAlst of Stafford, will be enshrined while in the Outstanding Achievement Veteran category, Tim Fonte of Dansville will be honored.

TOM FLUKER, BATAVIA

Fluker made his mark as a GRUSBC director and officer for 12 years – including six years as president – and also as a United States Bowling Congress Level I bowling instructor. He was instrumental in creating numerous adult and youth tournaments in the association and oversaw the growth of the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

He served as president of the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center for 14 years and previously was an officer of adult leagues at Mancuso’s. Fluker also had a lead role in creating the GRUSBC’s website and creating the association’s awards program, which is one of the strongest in New York State.

On the lanes, Fluker, 51, has recorded 11 300 games and has high league averages of 225 and 221. He also placed first in the GRUSBC Bracket Challenge tournament in 2019 and inthe association scratch singles event in 2017.

WILLIAM VANALST, STAFFORD

VanAlst, 71, has been an association member for 48 straight years – all with the Tuesday Night League at Le Roy Legion Lanes, where he has served as secretary-treasurer since 1977.

He also was director and coach of the Legion Lanes junior bowling program and Le Roy Junior Travel League from 1987-2001, coaching more than 160 young bowlers over that time.

Prior to the formation of the GRUSBC, VanAlst was secretary-treasurer for 10 years of the Genesee Valley Young American Bowling Alliance that included programs from nine bowling centers – Le Roy, Oakfield, Caledonia, Livingston, Mount Morris, Perry, Letchworth, Bennington and Dansville.

TIM FONTE, DANSVILLE

Fonte is one of Mount Morris Lanes’ most consistent bowlers over his 47 years as a member of the Perry Bowling Association and GRUSBC – averaging over 190 for many years before the era of high scores and over 200 for nine of the past 10 seasons.

He rolled a 300 game in 1997, 299 in 1998 and recorded another milestone – an 806 series – on Dec. 1, 2021 at the age of 73. Fonte has excelled in tournament competition as well, cashing in the Lilac City Tournament in Rochester and the Wild Irish Rose Tournament in Canandaigua, as well as in local association events.

Off the lanes, he worked at the pro shop at Mount Morris Lanes for 18 years, serving as manager from 1994-2003. He also coached youth bowlers there for 15 years.

Alexis Patterson of Dansville, a bowler in the Mount Morris Youth League and GR Youth Travel League, will receive a $750 scholarship given annually to graduating seniors.

The guest speaker for the evening will be Ramon “Ray” DiSanto Sr., a member of three Halls of Fame in New York State – GRUSBC (1976), Rochester NY USBC (1978) and NYS USBC (1995). DiSanto recently retired after many years as owner-operator of Bowlers World pro shop in Henrietta.

The event also will serve to honor tournament champions and individual season leaders.

The cost of the dinner is $30, with the following exceptions:

• NO CHARGE -- GRUSBC directors, Hall of Fame inductee(s) and one guest, adult tournament champions (limit one tournament only), youth tournament champions and one guest (limit one tournament only), guest speaker if applicable, scholarship recipient(s) and one guest.

• HALF PRICE -- Past GRUSBC Hall of Famers, league secretary or representative (limit one per league).

The deadline for reservations is May 5. No reservations will be taken after that date and no one will be allowed to "walk in" on May 14. Seating is limited, so ask fast.

Open to all GRUSBC members and guests, the banquet also will include a brief memorial service and election of officers and directors.

RSVP by May 5 by sending an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or by calling 585-343-3736.

Batavian James Townsend notched his second 300 game of the bowling season last week, starting with a perfect game en route to a 730 series in the Tuesday Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 24-year-old high-revving right-hander also rolled a perfect game on Oct. 12, 2021, as well as a 299 on Nov. 18, 2021 and a 298 on Jan. 1, 2022.

Other high series for the week included Josh Elliott's 769 and Ron Lawrence's 748 in the Wednesday Men's Handicap and Thursday Owls leagues, respectively, at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, and Mike DeVay Jr.'s 750 and Jeremy Vallance's 743 in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles and Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man leagues, respectively, at Mancuso's.

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

TWO LOCALS CASH

Two Genesee Region USBC members -- Reid Cole of Albion and Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls -- cashed at the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour event at Pleasure Lanes in Hilton last week.

Cole rolled a 700 series in qualifying and made it to the second round of the eliminator finals, earning $100. Gray qualified with 681 before being eliminated in the first round, winning $70.

John Danielwicz of the Buffalo area placed first, earning $330.

The final tournament of the season is set for 11 a.m. May 1 at Sunset Lanes in Rochester.

The #6 David McCarthy wore when he played hockey for Batavia will be retired in a ceremony at the David McCarthy Memorial Tournament in December, it was announced last night at the BND United Awards Banquet. 

A banner will be raised in McCarthy's honor at the game in the recently renamed David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in Batavia.

McCarthy died in a motor vehicle accident in November 2006 at the age of 29.  He was a 1995 graduate of Batavia High School, where he excelled in baseball and hockey.

Photo and information submitted by Guy Pellegrino.

Batavian Jeremy Vallance came oh so close to his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center. 

The 44-year-old right-hander posted games of 257-259-279 for a 795 series. A 4-pin in the ninth frame of the third game stopped him from the 800 and also from a chance at a 300 game.

Lefty Mike Johnson of Batavia was next for the night with a 742 series.

In other Genesee Region USBC league action, Keith Czamara rolled a 746 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

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

MEDINA HOSTING TOURNAMENT SATURDAY

Medina Lanes will be running the Hop Between Singles Handicap Tournament next weekend with qualifying squads (three games) at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Finals are scheduled for noon Sunday. The top 18 bowlers will advance to the eliminator finals, where half the field advances each game.

The top two places are guaranteed -- $750 for first and $500 for second. The entry fee is $55.

To enter, call 585-318-4474.

A quartet featuring two longtime standout Batavia runners shattered the American record in the 65-69 age group, 4x800-meter relay at the USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships in New York City.

The national competition took place from March 18-20 at the New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory in Manhattan.

Competing for the Genesee Valley Harriers club, Batavians Frank Gioia and Bill McMullen teamed with Tim McMullen of Chili and Joseph Chimino of Bergen for a time of 12 minutes, 30.38 seconds – nearly 2 ½ minutes faster than the previous record of 14:57.49.

Gioia led things off, running his leg in 3:06, and Bill McMullen followed at 3:31. Tim McMullen (no relation) took the baton and ran a 2:54 split before handing off to Chimino, who closed things out with a time of 2:57.

It was the first time the four combined to run the relay, Gioia said, but plans are to enter the same competition next year at Lexington, Ky.

“By that time, all of us will have turned 70, so we’ll be racing in the 70-74 age group,” he said.

And, undoubtedly, they’ll have their sights set on another U.S. record.

Submitted photo. From left, Tim McMullen, Joseph Chimino, Bill McMullen, Frank Gioia.

Press release:

A high-scoring 15^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia came to a close on Sunday with the JAMM team of Batavia taking over the top spot in the Open Team division and Ricky Daniels of Albion jumping into the lead in the Open Singles division.

In unofficial standings released today, the squad of Jason Quilliam, AJ Allenbrandt, Mike Lambert and Mike Johnson posted a 3,061 score – 2,886 scratch – to move past Balduf’s, which had been leading the tournament at 2,920.

Allenbrandt led the way with 757, his best series ever, while Lambert shot 729, Johnson 702 and Quilliam 698.

First place in the Open Team event is $1,000.

O’Dell’s is in third place at 2,902, with Trigger Tribute II in fourth at 2,852.

In Open Singles, Daniels found the line for 233-245-279—757 scratch. Adding his 81 pins handicap based on a 195 average, he finished with 838 to go ahead of previous leader Matt Bourg, who had 780 – 537 scratch plus 243 pins handicap based on his 135 average.

Batavian Mike Pettinella rolled 232-288-250--770 to place third and claim the scratch singles title.

In Open Doubles, last week’s 1,504 (1,456 scratch) by Geoff Harloff and Ed Doody was challenged but remains in the top spot.

Lambert and Quilliam combined for 1,497 on Saturday – with Quilliam posting a 279 game and 791 series – to move into second, with Harloff and Rick Underhill in third with 1,482 and Johnson and Allenbrandt next at 1,472. Underhill had a 289 game in the doubles event.

Brian Cline leads in Open All-Events with 2,295 – all scratch – with Allenbrandt in second at 2,264 and Shayne Herold in third at 2,249. Daniels finished at 2,204 and Brian Green tallied 2,201, including a 300 game in singles competition on Saturday.

Green also had an 802 series in the team event, second in the tournament behind Harloff’s 814.

In the Women’s Team event, PBC Women held on with 2,339 edging Wendy’s Girls by 22 pins.

Members of the Perry team are Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Rachel Huntz and Katy Bzduch.

In Women’s Doubles, Christine Bovee and Karen Henry, bowling out of Mount Morris Lanes, is in first with 1,276, with Batavians Donna Wolff and Wendy Morse next at 1,259.

Wolff’s 690 (488 scratch) leads in Women’s Singles, with Morse next at 648 (522 scratch), and Wolff also leads in Women’s All-Events with 1,997, with Bonnie Wass of Warsaw in second with 1,837.

The tournament drew 43 teams (four more than last year) and 62 doubles sets (13 more than last year).  There were two 800 series, 41 700 series and 13 games of 279 or better.

At least one in five will cash. The Genesee Region USBC has 30 days to pay the prize list.

BATAVIANS CASH IN ROCHESTER

Three Batavia bowlers cashed at the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop at Bowl-A-Roll Lanes in Rochester on March 20.

Mike Pettinella and Fred Gravanda made it to the Round of 8, earning $100 apiece, while Bill Neubert earned $75 for making it to the Round of 16. Neubert was the high qualifier with a 696 three-game series. Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls also qualified in the top 16, taking home $75.

Mike Fiola of Rochester captured his second title of the season, winning $320 with a 248 game in the finals.

The next tour event is at 11 a.m. April 3 at Pleasure Lanes in Hilton.

Curtis Foss of Medina added to his long list of honor scores this week by rolling an 814 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 34-year-old right-hander had games of 278, 257 and 279 for the big series -- his second 800 in 10 days at Oak Orchard Bowl.

On March 18, he rolled 300-279-231--810 in the Rick & Morty Doubles League.

Elsewhere around the Genesee Region USBC, Chris Bailey of Batavia posted 258-265-258--781 in the Turnbull Heating Triples League and Fred Gravanda of Batavia finished with 276 in a 765 series in the Toyota of Batavia 5-Man League, both at Mancuso Bowling Center.

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

Elba Central School hosted  “Heroes and Hoops” Friday night in the high school gymnasium.  The game was a fundraiser for the senior scholarship fund.  The senior basketball athletes played against local service members.

Photos by Debra Reily. For more, click here.

Press release:

Elba Central School is excited to host “Heroes and Hoops” tonight at 6:30 pm.  This showcase game benefits the senior scholarship fund.  The senior basketball athletes will complete for bragging rights against local service members.  The guest coach for the Elba athletes is our very own Tyler Winter, who is also a championship Aggie football coach, while the coach for the Heroes team is renowned girls’ basketball coach, Kenzie Bezon.  Leah Bezon, former Lancer basketball all-star, will join Coach Kenzie Bezon.

There will be a three-point contest at halftime, along with a basket raffle and concessions.  Tickets are $5 each and are on sale in the Elba Central District office.  Seating is limited, so get your tickets now!  American flags will be given to the first 50 entrants to the game; doors open at 6:00.  

Press release:

On March 2nd, 2022, the Le Roy Wrestling Club took home the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League Championship!

Team Le Roy entered the Western Division with a 6-0 record, once again allowing the Le Roy team to display their athletic skills amongst the best of the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League (GRYWL).   

In dominant fashion, Le Roy exhibited their extensive skills versus Hilton, Brockport, and Greece in three separate battles, allowing the team to advance.  Their opponent in the championship semi-finals was Webster Thomas.   

Le Roy won 40-17 over Webster Thomas to advance to the final championship bracket vs. HFL.

HFL was a tough team, but fell short as Le Roy won 47-18 for its first of many anticipated future GRYWL championships!

Le Roy’s success is attributed to a unified village collaborating for the greater good of developing youth wrestling.   A huge thank you to Sean Valdez and D&R Depot for their amazing facility and support.    Jonathan Lauricella (coach), Troy Ireland (coach), Zach Condidorio (coach), Matthew Wojtaszczyk (coach), Cory Beardsley (coach), Rob Stiles (coach) and several parents have assisted as well in every capacity from coaching, managing concessions, and caring for one another throughout the season.   Congratulations to the Le Roy Wrestling Club!

Photos by Mary Winseman

The opening weekend of the 15^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center produced honor scores by Batavians Geoff Harloff and Brian Green and a remarkable All-Events score by Middleport resident Brian Cline.

Harloff rolled an 814 series in Doubles competition – ending with a pair of 279 games – while teammate Ed Doody of Pavilion added 642 to move into first place with a handicap score of 1,504.

Harloff (691) and Doody (676) also sit in the top spot in the Team event as members of the Team Spatula squad that posted 2,902 with handicap. Steve O’Dell of Oakfield led the way with 723 while Matt Templeton of Dansville chipped in with 655.

Green recorded an 802 series to lead the Trigger Tribute II team to a 2,852 score, good for second place heading into the final weekend. His games were 287-256-259.

Cline found the line early and never lost it – posting 770 in the Team event, 789 in Doubles and 736 in Singles for an All-Events total of 2,295, a 255 average.

In Open Singles, Shawn Hurlburt of Freedom moved past Cline into the top spot by rolling 749 scratch – 757 with handicap.

On the women’s side, the Nuttie Buddies team of Batavians Mary Ann Stone, Kathie Pacino, Arlene Underhill and Cindy Linderman are in first with 2,305, while Bonnie Wass of Warsaw and Grace Bogle of Perry lead in Doubles with 1,242, Carol Sonnleitner of Hunt leads in Singles with 621 and Wass is first in All-Events with 1,837.

The tournament concludes with squads this Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. The paid entry deadline is tonight. To enter, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-861-0404.

Genesee Region Hall of Famer Fred Gravanda added to his long list of honor scores on Friday night by rolling a pair of 300 games en route to an 836 series in the County Line Stone Trio's League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 71-year-old right-hander opened with a perfect game, posted eight strikes in a 236 and then rolled another 300 game for the big series, which is his 14th USBC-certified 800 (matching his career high). He said he didn't know how many 300 games he has, thinking more than 30.

Jason Quilliam came close to the 800 mark with games of 255-264-268 for 787 and Geoff Harloff posted a high game of 267 in a 761 effort.

In the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League on Monday night, Brian Green stayed red hot, rolling 255-269-290--814. This come on the heels of a 300 game the previous week for the left-hander, who owns Striking Effects Pro Shop in Batavia.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Dennis Meyer just missed the 800 mark, spinning 279-259-258--796 in the Thursday Owls League.

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