It was a sectional semifinal game but the battle was decided early as Batavia scored 50 points in the first half on the way to a 56-6 win over East Rochester Prep on Friday night.
Stats:
Bronx Bucholz, 7-11 passing for 83 yards and three touchdowns.
Zailen Griffin, 73 yards on nine carries
Jameson Motyka, 33 yards and two TDs on three receptions, plus a fumble recover TD
Carter Mullen, one reception for six yards and for a TD plus a 69 yard punt return for a TD
Maggio Bucholz, seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery
Luke Gutman, seven tackles
Batavia gets a shot a block on Saturday at SUNY Brockport. The Class B title game is at noon.
When 1978 Batavia High School grad Phil Zickl Jr. becomes part of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame later this month, he knows his late grandfather Robert E. Noonan (1907-1965) would be proud and cheering him on if he could.
Noonan was an avid football fan and player who aspired to get into the NFL. Despite a chain of missteps, including a twice-broken leg, he never made it. He had been a strong supporter of his grandson, who went on to play football into his sixties, scoring big at 64 this year when he and his team, the Syracuse Express, were named to the Hall of Fame.
“My mother and my aunt, and both are deceased now, but they used to talk about how family-oriented he was and how supportive he was. And so my initial thought is how supportive he would be of this happening, especially because he was so athletic, and he wasn't just successful in football, even though football was his first love … but he would be very positive and very supportive of just the induction,” Zickl said during an interview with The Batavian. “I remember when I first heard, one of my former teammates called me and left a voicemail. But the voicemail, it was hard to hear everything, it kind of crackled a little but I heard him say something about Hall of Fame, and I thought he was calling to tell me that he got inducted to his high school Hall of Fame. So I called him back, got his voice mail, and I said, ‘Hey, Mike, congratulations; I didn't hear the message completely, but it sounded like you said something that you were inducted to your high school hall of fame.’
“So, he called me back and said, 'No, no, Zick, it’s our team, the Syracuse Express.' it's a big deal. It's not that high school Hall of Fames are not a big deal, every Hall of Fame is a big deal as far as I'm concerned. This is the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame. We’re being inducted as one of the teams of honor,” Zickl said. “And I’ve got to say that it caught me off guard. It's one of those things you don't expect somebody to call you on the phone and tell you that. I'm not going to forget that night any time soon.”
His team will be honored during an awards dinner Nov. 11 in Syracuse. The GP/Syracuse Express went 36/6 across the 1985-86-87 seasons and won a pair of Minor Professional League championships in 1985 and 1987.
There were 15 former Orangemen who helped the Express to football glory during those title years. They included Ray Seals — the former Hotel Syracuse doorman who, as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, would later sack Dallas’ Troy Aikman in Super Bowl XXX, and Dave Jacobs and Chuck Cassidy.
It was an athletic combination that defeated the Chicago Cowboys (7-3 at muddy Griffin Field in 1985) and the San Jose Bandits (17-10 in glitzy Las Vegas in 1987) for their crowns, a worthy choice for one of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame’s “Teams of Honor” for 2024. Listed on a program titled “Welcome to ‘Express’ Football” is #65 Phil Zickl with fellow Outstanding Syracuse Players teammates.
The Express competed in the Empire Football League. The team was owned by Greg Portzline, coached by Tom Anthony, and cheered by supportive crowds at old Griffin Field in Liverpool. This year, it’s being recognized as a Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame Team of Honor for the excellence it demonstrated from 1985 to 1987.
Ever since high school, where he was named Most Outstanding Lineman in his senior year, Zickl played minor league football for 25 years, being named to the American Football Association’s semi-pro records for Most Years of Service, which at the time it was compiled was 20 years. His age when listed as Most Aged Player was 55, having played for the Syracuse Express, Batavia Bandits, Hornell Dragons, Batavia Titans and Buffalo Gladiators.
After graduating BHS, Zikl went on to University at Buffalo and was briefly profiled as an alumnus for his athletic and professional achievements per the following:
“Zickl has continued playing semipro football well into his fifties after a successful playing career at UB as an offensive guard and defensive end in the 1980s. Since 2018, Phil has expanded his health and wellness business (Total Personal Wellness) to include education on American football. He is an American Football specialist and has participated in the sport for more than 40 years as both player and coach.”
Before branching out with his own business, Zickl worked in education as a social worker at Batavia Middle School while also still playing ball in Syracuse. He was able to arrange a schedule of driving to only one weekday practice, followed by a second one on Friday that included an overnight stay, and he would then play the weekend game. He was definitely hooked on the sport.
While he loved the game of football, he also enjoyed the ambition taken on by the group of athletes, he said.
“You’re all trying to work for the same goal. You’re everybody’s teammate, just being on a team working toward a common goal,” he said.
Zickl established his wellness business in 2017, making presentations on various related topics of maintaining and regaining good health; however, the pandemic shut down those in-person activities. The business, as he puts it, “went into hibernation.” He also has a penchant for song lyrics, having written at least 100 sets of parodies that he has licensed, with no certain path for what he’s going to do with them all other than using one as a team warm-up rap song.
He is rethinking the scope of his speaking topics and wants to circle back to what he perhaps knows and loves best: football and the history of American football, dating back to 1869. He has learned plenty of other lessons, though, while immersing himself in the sport, including while with the Express.
“It was a real city of Syracuse team, and the majority of the players were African American, and so I was a minority. And I was a minority for months at a time. And it really made me think that every human being who is capable of understanding being a minority situation should have that experience. Because to me, I think it allows you, I mean, this is aside from what I said before about the team all pulls together, but it also allows you to feel, like, 'walk a mile in my shoes,' type of thing,” he said. “It gives you that opportunity to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, especially because I'm European American, so I don't remember any other times when I was a minority, but I remember early on, you know, first, second year on the team, I remember thinking, this is a really good experience.”
For more information about the Hall of Fame and upcoming event, go HERE.
Phil Zickl, second row from top, far left, with his Syracuse GP Express teammates. Submitted Photo
A Batavia High School legend, died Wednesday in Atlanta at age 88.
Bossler, a fullback, played seven seasons with the Washington Redskins, amassing 3,112 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Redskins in the ninth pick of the first round of the 1957 draft.
He was heavily recruited coming out of Batavia HS and was a four-year starter at the University of Miami. In his senior year, MIami finished 8-1-1 and the team was ranked sixth in the nation. He is a member Batavia High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
He rushed for 1,642 yards at Miami. He was a first team all-American in 1956 (Jim Brown and Johnny Majors were also in that backfield) and was named MVP of the Senior Bowl when he ran for 187 yards.
While at Miami, one sports writer referred to him as "The Batavia Bulldozer."
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Pal-Mac 4-3 on Tuesday in an exciting sectional matchup.
Batavia was down 1-3 and rallied with three unanswered goals in the second half to secure the win.
The win was highlighted by a goal by Trevor Tryon (#8), assisted by Troy Hawley (#5), goal by Rylan Bohn (#24) assisted by Finn Halpin (#2), game-tying goal by Finn Halpin (#2), assisted by Hezekiah Doane (#22), and the game-winner scored by Troy Hawley (#5), assisted by Finn Halpin (#2).
It was a total team effort with all players stepping up to give 100%. Batavia moves on to the quarterfinals where they will face Pittsford Mendon at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Batavia High School's 2024 Hall of Fame inductees: Top row left to right: George Galliford, Ryan Darch, Robert Darch, Anthony Kasmarek Bottom row, left to right: Melissa Thurston, Nancy Arras (wife of late Peter Arras), Tricia Lewandowski, and Jennifer Adams Schuster. Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia High School inducted its Hall of Fame members for 2024 at Batavia Down on Saturday evening.
The 2003 hockey team: Top row, Jesse Catino, Paul Barton, Brennan Briggs, Kevin Zola, Charlie O’Geen, Nick Priolo, Kevin Wigton, Justin Kocent, Dave Martinez; Bottom row, John Kirkwood, Nate Korzelius, Tim Lutey, Matt Lutey. Photo by Howard Owens
Batavia's Jameson Motyka strips the ball in the first half from Vertus and makes a big defensive play on senior night. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The Batavia Blue Devils dominated under the lights of Van Detta Stadium on Friday night as the beat the Vertus Warriors 33-8.
Bronx Bucholz was 14-23 passing for 128 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for 54 yards on nine carries, scoring twice.
Da'Van Gallo-Williams had two receptions for 22 yards and a TD. Lakoda Mruczek had five receptions for 43 yards and a TD. He had seven tackles on defense. Carter Mullen, five catches for 69 yards and a TD. Maggio Bucholz, 14 tackles and a fumble recovery.
After doing her part of fill a school supplies bag at the NYS School for the Blind in Batavia, Cassndra Kesler flashes a peace sign for the camera while LIsa Robinson helps Andy Burton finish the bag. Kesler and Burton are both seniors at Batavia High School. On Friday, the Class of 2025 participated in Make a Difference Day, a day of volunteering at avarious locations in Batavia and elsewhere in Genesee County. Photo by Howard Owens.
Batavia High School's Class of 2025 was out in force in the community on Friday, helping to make a difference in the lives of community members and the organizations that serve them.
This was the 25th year BHS seniors participated in Make A Difference Day.
"Make A Difference Day is something we look forward to every year," said Superintendent Jason Smith. "It's amazing to see our seniors rolling up their sleeves and helping out all over our community. It shows our students that they can make a real difference right here at home, and it also gives them a sense of community pride and an appreciation for all the wonderful places that make Batavia special. It also sets a great example for our younger students to see these seniors pitching in. It's all about building a stronger community together and teaching our students that giving back isn't just important, it's rewarding too."
The organizations this year were:
All Babies Cherished
Batavia Cemeteries
Batavia Community Garden
Batavia Peace Garden
City of Batavia Maintenance - starting at the bike trail on Route 33
Crossroads House
First United Methodist Church
Genesee County Parks
Genesee Co Youth Bureau
Gen-Orleans Arts Council
Holland Land Museum
Main St. 56 Theatre
Mercy Flight
NYS School for the Blind
Salvation Army
The Manor House
YMCA
London Graham and Jaydah Williams were having a lot of fun checking out the infant jumpers in the storage room, while helping to straighten it up, at All Babies Cherished. Photo by Howard Owens.
Taelynn Bragg and Gabriella Hamill get instructions from Rev. Wayne Mort, pastor at Batavia United Methodist Church, on preparing this Sunday's church bulletin. Photo by Howard Owens.
Quarterback Bronx Bucholtz on the move to gain yards in a running game because of high winds last evening at VanDetta stadium. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Strong wind gusts on Batavia's homecoming night at Van Detta Stadium played havoc with offensive schemes leading to a scoreless first half and only one touchdown over the full four quarters.
The Blue Devils beat the Eastridge Lancers 7-0.
Bronx Buchholz was 9-17 passing for 60 yards and one TD. He was intercepted twice. He gained 61 yards on 17 carries.
Maggio Buchholz had five receptions for 23 yards and a TD.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team triumphed over Midlakes/Red Jacket with a decisive 7-1 victory on Saturday evening at Van Detta Stadium.
This match was part of Batavia's Super Soccer Saturday event, which featured boys and girls JV and Varsity games, an alumni match, and senior recognition.
The standout performance was particularly meaningful as all five senior players—Jeremiah Childs (#15), Will Fulton (#6), Trevor Tryon (#8), Gavynn Trippany (#3), and Matt Wittmeyer (#7)—each scored. Additionally, Troy Hawley (#5) contributed a goal and assists came from Devin Hughes (#20), Trey Tryon (#16), and Troy Hawley (#5).
Batavia Lady Devils Seniors prepare for the third annual PINK night volleyball fundraiser Photo by Steve Ognibene
On Tuesday evening at Batavia High School, the Lady Devils volleyball team held its Third Annual Pink Game to raise funds for Genesee Cancer Assistance.
In total, the even raised $2,300, with more funds expected to come in on Friday.
Dr Kevin Mudd, board president, spoke about the community’s help and appreciation to support this annual fundraiser.
Head coach Jeremy Mettler said, "I am really glad they added this event to the Volleyball program. It was great to see all the teachers, administrators, students, family members and other community members show up in pink. But I want to give a special thank you to all the players' family members who organized and ran the event."
Batavia lost to Honeoye Falls-Lima three sets to one.
Batavia’s stats
Sofia Branche 10 kills 4 Blocks
Violet Lopez 4 aces 22 assists
Lilly Gray 8 kills 18 digs
Mollie Banford 30 digs
Ava Anderson & Karizma Wescott 7 kills 3 aces
The next game is home against Geneva at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Greece Odyssey 6-1 on Friday evening at Van Detta Stadium. The decisive victory was highlighted with two goals by Troy Hawley (#5), both assisted by Devin Hughes (#20), one goal by Jaziah Ayala (#20), assisted by Hezekiah Doane (#22), one goal by Rylan Bohn (#24), assisted by Trevor Tryon (#8), one goal by Hezekiah Doane (#22), assisted by Aiden Reimer (#14), and finally, one goal by Trevor Tryon (#8), assisted by his brother, Trey Tryon (#16). Odyssey were limited to one goal thanks to the outstanding effort of Batavia's defensive line of Brandon Currier (#10), Will Fulton (#6), Jeremiah Childs (#15), Teddy Cswaykus (#18), and Brody Ditzel (#9), as well as goalkeepers Harry Mellander and Ben Morton.
Batavia girls tennis lost to Hilton by a score of 4-3. Notable wins for Batavia include Kelsey Kirkwood who had a long three set match coming back to win the third set 6-2 decidedly. Rahmeto Reinhardt and Drew Stevens also represented well, winning at first doubles against a talented Hilton team. This was a very competitive match vs. Hilton all around, and I'm proud of the girls for battling.
Singles
1-Kelsey Kirkwood defeated Sarah Lissow 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Zailen Griffin runs an opening drive to the endzone and the Blue Devils kept the momentum going through each quarter on Friday evening at VanDetta stadium. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia put together an impressive air and ground game for its home opener on Friday, beating Rochester Prep 46-6.
Zailen Griffing ran for 105 yards and two TDs on 11 attempts. Isaac Varland threw for 106 yards and a TD, going 3-6, while Bronx Bucholz was 2-3 passing for 50 yards and a TD.
Carter Mullin had two receptions for 50 yards and a TD. Grayson Fix had two receptions for 96 yards. Maggio Buchholz had a rushing TD.
On defense, Lakoda Mruczek had seven tackles, and Da'Von Gallo-Williams had four tackles. Maggio Buchholz had six tackles and a tackle. Will Stevens had an interception. Jameson Motyka had two tackles and a sack.
Also in football on Friday,
Alexander beat York/Pavilion 55-0. The Trojans compiled 400 total yards. QB Brody Heckman was 4-4 for 70 yards passing with 3 TDs. RB Ryder Reichert carried 11 times for 167 yards and 2 TDs. WR Kaden Torres had 2 TD Catches for a total of 39 yards. TE/FB Damien Hale added 2 TDs on a run and on a reception. RB Kingston Woods and JR RB Duke Snyder each scored TDs. Defensively Free Safety Duke Snyder had two interceptions for the Trojans, who have defensively posted back-to-back shutouts. Melissa Sawyer added the PATs in the kicking game. Seven different Trojan defenders recorded a QB sack or tackles for loss. The Trojans are 3-0 and will face undefeated Avon on Friday.
Batavia girls tennis team celebrates sophmore Eliana Cossitt's deciding match to bring them to victory in Brockport. Photo by Steve Ognibene
It was the battle of the Blue Devils as Batavia took on Brockport late Thursday afternoon in Monroe County tennis action in Brockport.
Batavia took all three singles matches and the first doubles contest to improve to 3-1 on the season. The deciding point came down to the third singles match as Batavia’s Eliana Cossitt won in three sets.
After winning the first set 6-1, Cossitt lost in a second set tiebreak 4-7 to set up a thrilling third set. After falling behind 0-2 to Brockport’s Alex Salcido, Cossitt took control and gave Batavia the point they needed with a brilliant 6-3, third set victory.
Batavia got wins from first singles player Kelsey Kirkwood 6-1, 6-3 and second singles player Ally Debo, who was equally impressive with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph.
The first doubles tandem of Drew Stevens and Rahmeto Reinhardt remained unbeaten on the season, with a 6-3, 6-2 win. Batavia will hit the road again Friday at Penfield.
Information provided by Batavia Head Coach Jim Fazio.
Senior Ava Anderson going for a kill versus Eastridge. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Girls volleyball squad played Eastridge Thursday evening for a close back and forth matchup. In the first set Batavia came back to edge a deficit 26-24.
Eastridge won the next two sets 25-22 and 25-19.
In the fourth Batavia didn’t give up hope and maintained a small lead to win 25-21. In the fifth and deciding set Eastridge scored some points off the serve to keep the game flowing for them to win 15-8.
For Batavia, Sofia Branch had 5 kills and 16 digs, Julia Plath 10 digs, Ava Anderson 21 digs and 4 kills, 7 Aces.
For Eastridge, Josslyn Siembor had 13 kills and Isabella Nelson 22 digs.
Bulldawgs #45 Z. Truesdale scores to win the game for his team late in the fourth quarter Wednesday versus the Blue Devils. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Bulldawgs edged the Batavia Blue Devils by a score of 31-26 to keep the Bulldawgs' streak going during a game at VanDetta Stadium Wednesday evening in Batavia.
Bulldawgs opened up the first quarter, scoring with seven minutes left on a run by Avari Lee to the endzone, with the extra point no good. Bulldawgs led 6-0. The Devils bounced back minutes later to tie 6-6 by Carter Mullen.
In the second quarter, Bulldawgs quarterback Heath Wilson did a reversal sneak to escape the entire Blue Devils defense with some fancy moves and score, regaining the lead 12-6.
A minute later, Maggio Bucholtz received a pass from brother Bronx to tie it at 12 a piece. However, the extra point was good, and the Blue Devils led at the half 13-12.
In the third quarter, the Bulldawgs bounced back, with Z. Truesdale scoring on a 50-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldawgs an 18-13 lead. Will Stevens got the Devils' lead back seconds later and added another before the end of the third, 26-18.
Although things looked tough, the Bulldawgs scored early in the fourth to come within two points on a score by Josiah Williams, 26-24. Then, on a possession change, the Blue Devils fumbled with under four minutes left to give the Bulldawgs another chance. With a minute and 30 seconds left, Truesdale tallied his second touchdown of the game to win it for the Bulldawgs, 31-26.
Truesdale, Number 45 for the Bulldawgs, was happy about his team's performance.
“They did a good job,” Truesdale said.
Wilson said that his offense did a pretty good job ”getting the ball down there to score for you,” and the defense likewise also came through for the team.
“They did very good,” he said, adding a note about how the future looks for the ‘Dawgs. “It’s looking very good.”
Track and Field Coach Nick Burk and multi-sports star Anna Varland Photo by Howard Owens.
Burk and state wrestling champion Casper Stewart. Photo by Howard Owens.
Anna Varland and Casper Stewart were honored on Wednesday evening at the Athletes of the Year by the Batavia Coaches Association at Batavia High School's annual Athletic Awards program.
Varland was a standout in soccer, flag football, basketball and softball.
Stewart won the school's first-ever state championship in wrestling and has been accepted into West Point.
Athletic Director Ryan Winchip provided the following list of awards and winners:
Batavia Coaches Assoc. Outstanding Achievement Award: This award is presented to student-athletes who won an individual sectional championship, competed at states as an individual or were an all-greater Rochester selection.
Ava Anderson Indoor Track & Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track & Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Jadyn Boyce Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Mallory Boyce Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Kylee Brennan Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Mekhi Fortes All-Greater Rochester - Football
Grant Gahagan Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cameron Garofalo Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cole Grazioplene All-Greater Rochester - Football; Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Jenna Higgins Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Cooper Konieczny Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champ; Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Jameson Motyka All-Greater Rochester - Ice Hockey
Adyson O'Donnell Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Parris Price Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Ella Radley Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Campbell Riley All-Greater Rochester - Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field; Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Izzy Scott Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Ella Shamp Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Sheldon Siverling All-Greater Rochester - Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field; Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor; Outdoor Track and Field State Champion - Shot put
Madeline Smith Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; All Greater Rochester - Outdoor Track and Field; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Harrison Southall Swimming and Diving Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Helaina Staley Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion
Casper Stewart Sectional Champion and Wrestling State Champion 145 pound weight class
Jessa Stewart States - Outdoor Track and Field
Nevaeh Thomas States - Outdoor Track and field
Anna Varland Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Isaac Varland Outdoor Track and Field State Competitor
Karizma Wescott Indoor Track and Field Sectional Champion; Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
Ava Wierda Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Sectional Champion and State Competitor
The James Pacino Memorial Scholarship Recognizing a graduating senior from Batavia High School carrying a minimal final average of 85 and who has had successful involvement with the Wrestling program at BHS. ($500 & certificate)
Casper Stewart
Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Track and Community Service: This award recognizes a graduating senior from Batavia High School who has a minimal final average of 85 and has had successful involvement with the track program at BHS. Furthermore, the applicant should be involved in serving their community through projects in school or outside of school. ($300 & certificate)
Donavin Solis
Burk Family Scholarship for Excellence in Football and Community Service This award recognizes a graduating senior from Batavia High School who has a minimal final average of 85 and has had successful involvement with the football program at BHS. Furthermore, the applicant should be involved in serving their community through projects in school or outside of school. ($300 & certificate)
Brock Warren
Thomas Ricci Memorial Scholarship This award is presented to a BHS graduate who, in the estimation of the nominating committee, best exemplifies the attributes of Coach Thomas J. Ricci, Sr., insofar as sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and dedication to excellence in the sports of cross country and track and field. The recipient may not necessarily be the best athlete, but will have worked hard to improve and succeed. The recipient must have a clear goal for the future. ($500 & certificate)
Jadyn Boyce
Daniel VanDetta Memorial Scholarship This award is presented to a BHS graduate participating in football and baseball and exemplifies qualities of dedication, leadership and team spirit ($200 & certificate)
Mekhi Fortes
Outstanding Physical Education Student Award This award is presented to one male and one female student from the senior class who demonstrates 100% effort all of the time, who demonstrates sportsmanship, understands the value of being active, is a leader in their environment and maintains an A average in Physical Education. These students are also active in the community through community service and/or club participation. (Certificate)
Male – Hunter Mileham
Female – Prudence Favaloro
United States Air Force Scholar Athlete This award is presented to one male and one female student who have excelled in both academics and athletics. (Certificate)
Male – Quintin Cummings
Female – Grace Parker
United States Army Reserve National Scholar-Athlete: This award is presented to a senior girl and boy who have excelled in both academics and athletics. (Certificate)
Male – Owen Halpin
Female – Julia Preston
United States Navy Outstanding Athlete Award This award is presented to male and female varsity-level athletes who demonstrate honor, courage, and commitment and are positive role models within their peer groups. Award recipients are the most inspirational and demonstrate these values both on and off the athletic field. (Certificate)
Male – Harrison Southall
Female – Giana Mruczek
United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: This award is given to a male and female 9th-12th grade student-athlete who participates in a varsity sport, are exemplary young citizens and role models for younger students, and best exhibit the personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence and leadership. They need not be your most outstanding athlete, but one who has exhibited this unique combination of qualities while performing in high school sports.
Male – Noah Whitcombe
Female –Lily Jo Wagner
Varsity Club Award: This award is in recognition of Batavia High School senior athletes who have demonstrated a high level of athletic proficiency, sportsmanship and dedication. Please hold your applause until all recipients have been called. (Certificate)
Ethan Bradley, Josh Budzinack, Brian Calderon, Ryan Cox, Julia Clark, Dane Dombrowski, Caleb Henning, Aleeza Idrees, Orion Lama, Tymothey Murrell, Ryan Plath, Parris Price, Emmanuel Richardson, Anna Stevens, Quinn Woeller
The Maddy Bartz Memorial Cheer Scholarship This award is given to a graduating Varsity Cheerleader who best represents a passion for cheerleading and an exemplary care and dedication to fellow teammates. ($500 & plaque)
Sophia Antonucci
Jason “Joy-a” Gioia Memorial Scholarship This award is given in memory of Jason Gioia. The recipient has been active and shown dedication to school activities and the community. ($500 & certificate)
Cole Grazioplene
Dr. Pierce Sportsmanship Award This award is presented to a deserving male and female senior student athlete who in the opinion of coaches best exemplifies the true spirit of good sportsmanship in competition. (plaque)
Male–Patrick Suozzi
Female – Sophia Moore
Batavia Coaches Assoc. Scholar-Athlete Award: This award is presented to a senior boy and girl who has a 90 or above cumulative average, participates in one or more sports and who values outstanding achievement in academics and athletics. (plaque)
Male - Nick Martinucci
Female – Aleeza Idrees
Batavia Lions Club Athletic Award This award is presented to a deserving senior who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability, citizenship and scholastic ability – (certificate)
Isabella Walsh
Project Play WNY Multisport Athletic Award This award is given to a male and female senior who has demonstrated a commitment to their teams through a willingness to help, teach and assist their teammates and coaches and served as a positive and relatable role model through positive sportsmanship and great attitude on and off the court or field. Succeeded in the classroom by maintaining academic eligibility throughout their high school career. Made a positive difference to the lives of youth at their school or in the wider community. Showed resilience and determination during challenging situations. (Certificate)
Male – Ben Stone
Female – Kaelee Kelso
1947 Club Athletics Award This award is presented to a deserving male and female senior demonstrating outstanding participation, effort and ability in interscholastic athletics. (plaques)
Male – Cole Grazioplene
Female - Ella Radley
Awards of Excellence: Presented to seniors who have participated in a sport for the Fall, Winter and Spring sports seasons during the course of their senior school year. Plaque
Jadyn Boyce, Brian Calderon, Ryan Cox, Mekhi Fortes, Cole Grazioplene, Caleb Henning, Aleeza Idrees, Kaelee Kelso, Nicholas Martinucci, Sophia Moore, Tymothey Murrell, Ryan Plath, Julia Preston, Parris Price, Ella Radley, Emmanuel Richardson, Donavin Solis, Benjamin Stone, Patrick Suozzi, Anna Varland, Isabella Walsh, Brock Warren, Noah Whitcombe
Batavia Coaches Association Athlete of the Year To a senior girl and boy for outstanding leadership, sportsmanship and athletic performance. (Plaque and $50 from Coaches Association)
Male – Casper Stewart
Female – Anna Varland
Aleeza Idrees, Scholar-Athlete of the Year Photo by Howard Owens.
Isabella Walsh, Lions Club Award Photo by Howard Owens.
Cole Grazioplene, "47" Club Outstanding Athlete Photo by Howard Owens.
Ella Radley, "47" Club Outstanding AThlete Photo by Howard Owens.
Ryan Cox Photo by Howard Owens.
Tymothey Murrell, who was just accepted into the wrestling program at SUNY Cortland. Photo by Howard Owens.
On Tuesday, members of the City of Batavia Police Department, alongside members of the City of Batavia Fire Department, Town of Batavia Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, the Genesee County Coroner, H.E. Turner's Funeral Services and the Genesee County DA's Office conducted a mock DWI fatal accident simulation for juniors and seniors of the Batavia City School District to raise awareness regarding the consequences of impaired driving.
Members of the BCSD drama club played the roles of victims, the "drunken driver," and the distraught parent in the scenario.
The demonstration showed the very real consequences of impaired driving, including the extraction and treatment of "victims" by the Fire Departments and Mercy EMS, and the landing of a Mercy Flight helicopter to transport a seriously injured patient.
The simulation also showed the processing and "arrest" of the suspected drunken driver by City Police Officers along with documentation, collection of evidence and photographs of the scene by members of the Police Department's Detective Bureau.
The Genesee County Coroner was on hand to demonstrate the role of the Coroner's Office, and H.E. Turner's Funeral Services was on hand to remove the "deceased."
Students also heard from District Attorney Kevin Finnell on the legal consequences of the decision to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while impaired.
The Department wishes to thank the Batavia City School District for hosting this event. We also want to recognize the work of Officer Connor Borchert, School Resource Officer for the Batavia High School, in coordinating the simulation and all departments involved.
