Batavia HS

The Batavia High School volleyball team held their first "pink game" this season, raising $1,100 for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

"We just wanted to do this because it's something that stays in Genesee County, and it's really good to just have the money stay here and benefit our community," said team captain Olivia Shell.

Head Coach James Patric said he expects pink games to become annual events to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance. There will be more advance planning next season, he said, with a goal of raising $3,000 to $3,500.

"It's amazing to have them want to reach out and do this for us," said Nickie Fazio. "This money is going to be so beneficial to our patients. We're just very grateful. And if they want to do this next year, we're more than happy to help them."

The Batavia Lady Devils soccer team ended its sectional run Tuesday evening in Brockport against Aquinas in a semi-final matchup with a 3-0 loss. 

Aquinas had 15 shots on goal, Batavia five. 

Julia Petry had 15 saves for Batavia.  Aquinas had 3 corners, with goals scored twice by Emily Silverstein and one by Mya Kotsch.

Batavia finishes the year 11-3-4.

"This team worked for each other and played with their hearts," said Head Coach Roger Hume. "It was a hard finish to a fantastic season.  We congratulate our seniors on a job well done and are looking forward to the future."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

In a season in which no opponent has even come close to beating Batavia, for the fourth time in seven games the Blue Devils held a challenger to fewer than seven points.

This time it was Newark/Marion that Batavia dominated for a convincing 54-6 win.

Scoring: 

• Ja'vin McFollins 30-yard pass to Aidan Anderson.
• Cam McClinic, six-yard run.
• McFollins 6-yard pass to Brendan Burgess.
• Anderson, 3-yard run.
• McFollins 15-yard pass to Carter McFollins
• Anderson, 6-yard run.
• Newark scores on a kickoff return.
• Bronx Buchholz 30-yard run.
• Devan Flanagan, 7-yard run.

McFollins was 10-11 passing for 141 and the three TDs.

Mekhi Fortes gained 67 yards on six carries. McClinic, 54 yards and a TD on six carries. Anderson 34 yards and two TDs on five carries.  Bucholz, 45 yards and a TD on three carries.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Batavia Blue Devils boys soccer team won its first-round sectional game in Class B on Tuesday, beating Geneva 2-0.

Batavia came into the game as the #9 seed and Geneva was the #8 seed.

Goals were scored by Alex Bartz, assisted by Owen Halpin, and by Quintin Cummings, unassisted.

Submitted photo.

Next up: #1 seeded Hornell at Hornell on Saturday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

The Batavia Blue Devils girls volleyball team beat Eastridge for the second time this season Tuesday evening, with scores of 25-11, 25-22, 25-23.

Olivia Shell led the Devils with nine kills, seven digs, and four aces.

Ella Bromsted had two kills, 18 assists, and three aces. 

Clara Wood had two kills, six digs, and two aces.

Emma Bigsby had four kills, four digs and two aces.

Ava Anderson had six kills, seven digs and four aces. 

"This team has taken the necessary steps to improve overall as a program and has been competitive all year," said Coach James Patric. "Our seniors and returning players set the goals for the team at the start of the season to compete for a Class B sectional championship.  We have been playing well in our recent games and have been peaking at the right time heading into sectionals.

The Blue Devils play their final regular season game tonight at home against HFL. Game time is 6:30 p.m. The game includes a first-ever teacher appreciation night.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

After a 35-20 win on the road against Honeoye Falls-Lima on Friday night, the Batavia Blue Devils, at 7-0, are a lock on first place in the Class B division of Section V football for 2022.

Late in the first quarter, HFL pulled within a touchdown of Batavia but the Blue Devils tacked on one last score at the close of the game on a 43-yard pass from Ja'vin McFollins to Cole Grazioplene.

The scoring started with McFollins dashing into the end zone on a 3-yard run. Batavia scored again on a McFollins pass of 64 yards to Vincent Arroyo, and then Aiden Anderson scored on a 2-yard run late in the second quarter for 21 unanswered posts at the half for the Blue Devils.

HFL scored twice in the third quarter, then Batavia increased its lead on a short run by Aiden Anderson.

McFollins was 6-8 passing or 95 yards and two TDs. Anderson rushed for 124 yards and two TDs on 29 carries. Grazioplene caught three passes, including the TD, for 61 yards.

Avion Bethel had seven tackles to lead the Batavia defense.

HFL is now 5-2 on the season.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

From the start, the Batavia Blue Devils easily handled another opponent, cruising to a 41-20 win over Dansville/Wayland-Cohocton on Friday night.

Carter McFollins opened the scoring with a 90-yard kickoff return.

Batavia scored again on the first quarter on a 19-yard pass from Ja'vin McFollins to Cole Grazioplene.

In the second quarter,  Aiden Anderson on runs of 3 yards and 8 yards. 

In the second half, Mekhi Fortes scored on an 8-yard run, and Zay Griffin scored on a 65-yard run.

Wayland scored three times in the second-half.

For Batavia, Julia Petry connected on five of six point-after attempts.

For the game, Anderson ran for 109 yards on 14 attempts and Griffin 82 yards on three attempts.

Ja'vin McFollins was 7-11 passing for 121 yards.

Carter McFollins had two receptions for 55 yards.

On defense, Garret Schmidt had 10 tackles.

Press release:

Three Batavia City School District students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These National Recognition Programs grant underrepresented students with academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country to stand out during the admissions process. Only 62,000 students across the country have received this recognition.

• Jack Pickard, Senior: National Rural and Small Town Award
• Lauren Reimer, Senior: National Rural and Small Town Award
• Nathan Canale, Senior: National Rural and Small Town Award

“We couldn’t be more proud of Jack, Lauren, and Nathan for receiving this tremendous honor,” said Superintendent Jason Smith. “Their hard work throughout their time at BCSD has certainly paid off. I know this recognition will help bolster their college applications and make them truly stand out.”

“Bravo to these three exceptional BHS students,” said to Batavia High School Principal Paul Kesler. “Jack, Lauren, and Nathan exemplify the values and work ethic that we strive for at BHS, and we congratulate them on this wonderful achievement.” 

Eligible students have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams. Award categories include: National African American Recognition Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Indigenous Recognition Program, and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program.

Students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior year and, after determining eligibility, will be awarded at the beginning of the next school year. Students will receive their awards in time to include them on their college and scholarship applications. 

Batavia High School honored some of its outstanding Blue Devils of athletic seasons past at the Athletic Department's annual Hall of Fame induction dinner, held this year at Batavia Downs.

Inducted were:

• Benjamin Martino (1959): Football, Wrestling
• Paul Blossom (1968): Football, Swimming, Track & Field
• Richard Saunders (1971):Athlete: Swimming, Football, Baseball, Bowling; Coach: Swimming, Wrestling, Baseball
• Sandy (Samiec) Reeg (1979): Tennis
• Kristie (DuRei) DeFreze (2005): Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Track & Field
• Michael Chmielowiec (2005): Basketball
• Boys Basketball Team (2005): State Semi-Finalist
• Jermaine Henderson (2006): Football, Track & Field

Photos by Howard Owens.  Top photo: Sandy (Semiec) Reeg, Rick Saunders, back, Michael Chmielowiec, front Benny Martino, Kritstie (DeRei) DeFreze, Jermaine Henderson, Paul Blossom.

The 2005 Boys basketball team: Dan Kines, Justin Williams, Adam Brasky, Michael Chmielowiec, Kevin Saunders, Ballard Maye, Jon Tretter, Buddy Brasky.

The Blue Devils scored six unanswered touchdowns on their way to a 42-0 rout of Pal-Mac at home on Friday night.

Vincent Arroyo scored three times and Cam McClinic, twice --  Arroyo on receptions of 12 and 58 yards and a 79-yard kickoff return and McClinic on runs of seven and three yards.

QB Javin McFollins was 7-11 passing for 134 yards, two TDs and one interception.

McClinic rushed 14 times for 92 yards. Arroyo had three receptions for 86 yards.

On defense, Garrett Schmidt had 11 tackles, Meki Fortes, six, and Cooper Fix and Carrier McFollins, five each, with both Fix and McFollins snagging pickoffs.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Members of the 2022 batavia Athletic Hall of Fame Class will be inducted tonight and was recognized at halftime

The Senior Class of 2023 won the Homecoming Spirit stick award

Javin McFolins completed nine of 11 pass attempts for 206 yards and two TDs to lead Batavia to a 49-20 win over Bishop Kearney on Saturday afternoon.

McFollins also gained 43 yards on the ground on four attempts and scored a touchdown.

Aavion Bethel ran nine times for 41 yards and a TD and Cam McClinic gained 43 yards on five carries.

Vincent Arroyo caught four passes for 107 yards and a TD.  

On defense, Cooper Fix had seven tackles.

The Batavia Blue Devils improved to 3-0 on the 2022 season with a 28-6 win at home on Thursday night against Monroe.

Javin McFollins was 7-10 behind center for 88 yards and a TD.

Cole Grazioplane made that 27-yard TD reception.

Cam McClinic scored once on 10 carries for 73 yards.

Garret Schmidt had 10 tackles.

To view or purchase prints, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The Byron-Bergen Bees beat the Batavia Blue Devils at Van Detta Stadium in boys soccer on Saturday, 4-2.

Goals for Byron-Bergen: 

• Gianni Ferrara to Jack Farner
• Colin Martin
• Jack Farner to Colin Martin
• Colin Martin to Jack Farner

Goals for Batavia: 

• Owen Halpin assisted by Quintin Cummings
• Matt Wittmeyer

Photos by Kristin Smith. For more, click here.

Batavia dominated long-time rival Livonia in their home opener at Van Detta Stadium on Friday night, beating the Bulldogs 42-6.

The Blue Devils are now 2-0 in the young season.

Batavia scored midway through the first quarter on Javin McFollins' quarterback sneak.

The score was 14-0 at the end of the opening quarter after Carter McFollins snagged a touchdown pass tossed by Javin McFollins  

Just before the half, Livonia made it 14-6 on a Kyle Wetterings run (the two-point conversion attempt failed).

After the kickoff by Livonia to start the second half, Carter McFollins took the ball on the first play from scrimmage and dashed 65 yards to score the Blue Devils third touchdown.

Minutes later, Javin McFoolins hits Cole Grazioplene for a 31-yard TD.  The half ends 28-6  

Late in the third quarter Mehki Fortes made an interception to give the ball back to Batavia with three minutes left in the quarter.  Cam McCliniic scored on a 9-yard run to increase the lead 35-6.

on a 4-yard run, Aavion Bethel scores Batavia’s sixth touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Julia Petry was 6 for 6 on extra point coversions.

Javin McFollins was 5-6 passing for 118 yards and two TDS  Cam McClinic rushed for 62 yards and a TD on seven Carrie's   Carter NcFollins gained 73 yards and scored on three carries. He also had 63 yards and a TD on two receptions.    Aiden Anderson gained 72 yards on five carries.

in addition to the interception, Mekhi Fortes had seven tackles.

Batavia's next game is home against Monroe next Thursday night at VanDetta, with kickoff 6 p.m.  

Photos by Steve Ognibene

To view or purchase photos, click here.

The Batavia boys soccer team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 5-0 win on Wednesday over East/LAFYM/SWN/NE N Douglass.

Owen Halpin led the way with a hat trick with Alex Bartz and Dima Havens also scoring.

Both of Batavia's wins have been shutouts led by goalkeeper Jack Pickard and the defensive line of Ryan Dillon, Hunter Mileham, Rashawd Christie, and Trevor Tryon. 

Photo and info submitted by Graham Halpin, Batavia Boys Soccer Varsity Coach

On Thursday, August 25, 2022, the Batavia City School District will host the official dedication ceremony for the Frank E. Owen Auditorium at Batavia High School. 

The ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm in the auditorium and will include an official ribbon cutting, and performances by Batavia High School music students, alumni, staff, and community members.  

The evening will feature remarks from Superintendent Jason Smith, Batavia High School Principal Paul Kesler, and Batavia High School Music Department Chair Jane Haggett. The ceremony will also include an appearance by Frank E. Owen’s son, Jim Owen.

On May 5, 2022, the Batavia City School District Board of Education officially approved the renaming of the Batavia High School auditorium to the “Frank E. Owen Auditorium.” 

Frank E. Owen started his career with the Batavia City School District in 1927, where he directed the orchestra and was appointed the head of the music department. Owen was responsible for many musical “firsts” across the district: the first BCSD band was formed in 1930, and he founded the Batavia High School Choristers in 1935. He directed the first school musical in 1937 and formed the first jazz/swing choir in the 1960s. Owen retired in 1964, completing a career that spanned 37 years of dedication to the students of Batavia. He passed away on July 9, 1978, in Batavia, and shortly after, a scholarship was set up in his name and is awarded each year to a student pursuing a career in music education.

For anyone who is interested in joining the performance in celebration of Frank E. Owen, more information can be found here.

Admission to the event is free. The Frank E. Auditorium is located at Batavia High School, 260 State Street, Batavia, New York.