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Taylor Chaffee attempts a tag at first base during action at the July 9-11 tourney in Binghamton, and watches one of her home runs soar toward the fence in Newark, NJ in a July 13-14 qualifying tournament. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WG's Chaffee competes in softball tourneys

NEWARK, New Jersey, July 15 -- Watkins Glen sports standout Taylor Chaffee competed recently in two softball tournaments for the TC Tremors Gold 18U team-- in Binghamton and in Newark, New Jersey.

The first tournament, held in Binghamton July 9-11, was the NFCA/STOP-DWI Tournament of Champions. The second tourney was a Gold Regional Qualifier in Newark on July 13-14 -- at which she hit four homers.

The new Watkins Glen High School football coaching staff, from left: Lou Condon, assistant coach; Mike Stephens, assistant coach; Mike Johnston Sr., head coach; and Claude Treusdell,
volunteer assistant. (Photo provided)

Johnston Sr. is new WG football coach

Assistants named; O'Donnell re-elected School Board president

WATKINS GLEN, July 8 -- Mike Johnston, Sr., former Notre Dame football and basketball coach, former Horseheads and Notre Dame Athletic Director, and former Odessa-Montour High School principal, was appointed Wednesday by the Watkins Glen School Board as the new WGHS varsity football coach.

The appointment was the culmination of a search that followed the decision by former Coach Ward Brower not to seek reappointment. Brower had submitted his name, but his appointment was delayed when the School Board said it wanted a full list of assistants before it would take action. He later decided not to pursue the position.

The Johnston appointment came at a meeting at which Brian J. O'Donnell was reappointed as School Board president for a second one-year term, with Mike Myers reappointed as board vice president.

Appointed with Johnston -- an Odessa resident -- were the following: Claude Treusdell and Michael Stephens as assistant varsity football coaches, and Louis Condon Jr. as Modified football coach. Other sports appointments included Brian Gardner as Modified girls' soccer coach, and Ralph Diliberto as Volunteer Strength Coach.

Classroom hires included Mary Mack as Middle School Special Education teacher, and Elizabeth Hogan as High School Math teacher.

Resignations came from Jack Telech as Middle School Math teacher, and Jolene Miller as teaching assistant.

A background of the football coaching staff was provided by the district, as follows:

Head Coach: Michael Johnston

1971-1975 and 1980: Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Elmira
1982-1983: Notre Dame JV Head Football Coach, Elmira
1973-1988: Notre Dame Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Elmira
2008-2009: JV Head Football Coach, Corning West

Other:
1977-1988: Athletic Director, Notre Dame High School, Elmira
1989-1999: Principal, Odessa-Montour High Schoolhool
1999-2008: Athletic Director, Horseheads Central School District

Assistant Coach: Claude Treusdell

1987-1991: JV Head Football Coach, Corning West
2005-2010: JV Assistant Football Coach, Corning West
1991-2005: Head Lacrosse Coach, Horseheads High
2005-2010: JV Lacrosse Coach, Corning West

Assistant Coach: Michael Stephens

2003-2008: Assist Varsity Football Coach, Corning West
1979-1985: JV Head Football Coach, Elmira Southside
1979-1985: Head Wrestling Coach, Elmira Southside

Modified Coach: Louis Condon Jr.

2003-2009: Assist Varsity (Volunteer) Football Coach, Corning West

See full School Board meeting summary here.

From left: Watkins Glen International president Michael Printup introduces Hideki Mutoh, Vitor Meira, and Helio Castroneves to a group of patients in the Long-Term Care Unit. The drivers took a few minutes to provide some background about themselves and their thoughts on racing at WGI before mingling with the patients. (Photo provided)

IndyCar drivers visit hospital patients

Castroneves, Meira, Mutoh stop at Arnot Ogden

Special to The Odessa File

ELMIRA, July 2 -- Three IZOD IndyCar Series drivers made a pit stop at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center to help raise the spirits of some of the patients Thursday afternoon.

Helio Castroneves, three-time Indianapolis 500 champion and three-time Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen pole winner, visited along with drivers Vitor Meira and Hideki Mutoh. They stopped in to see Pediatric and Long-Term Care patients for meet-and-greets, autographs, and pictures.

The trio were able to bring smiles to the faces of two children and their parents during their stop at the pediatric unit, and then conducted a group Q&A session with about 10 patients in the Long-Term Care Unit.

The three drivers and the rest of the IZOD IndyCar Series drivers will compete on the twists and turns of the Watkins Glen International racetrack this weekend.

Driver Quotes regarding the hospital visit:

Helio Castroneves – “Being associated with a hospital in Miami, Florida has shown me the importance of doing events like this. It is really great to bring something to fans who can’t make it to the race and make them feel special by doing things like signing autographs or taking pictures with them.”

Vitor Meira – “I think that when we are racing we think of the fans who are at the track, but the ones who really need our help can’t make it. I am very glad to be able to bring them some happiness."

Hideki Mutoh – “I’m glad to be here. I can see how happy they get and I hope that this gives them some happiness. Doing this really gives me a lot of energy, and I’m really charged up to go racing this weekend.”

Photos in text:

Top: Hideki Mutoh (center) and Helio Castroneves (right) talk sports and life experiences with a couple of the Long-Term Care patients at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center.

Bottom: (From left) Helio Castroneves, Vitor Meira and Hideki Mutoh pose with a young patient after signing autographs, discussing some of their own experiences in the hospital, and giving a little insight into driving a race car at over 220 mph. (Photos provided)

Trailer homes and other vehicles populated the field off Morrell Road.

Cycles visit hill near Cayuta as part of national Observed Trials competition

CAYUTA, June 28 -- The trailer homes and cars and pickups moved in, and so did a food stand. They filled a portion of an open field on the hill south of Cayuta, off Morrell Road.

Among all the vehicles and tents and food were bikes -- many caked in mud from the riding they had done on trails in the woods surrounding the field.

The bikes and the trails were part of a skills competition organized by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) District 4 Trials Committee -- and these two days of competition, on June 26-27, were Rounds 5 and 6 of the AMA/NATC (North American Trials Council) National Championship Trials Series 2010.

More than 100 riders were scattered about, testing their skills aboard their motorcycles as they negotiated muddy trails, steep hills and obstructions such as boulders at various numbered sections around the area. At each section, judges would observe their performances and grade them accordingly.

According to the NATC website, the AMA "is the primary sanctioning body for motorcycle sports in the U.S.," while the NATC itself "is in effect the trials arm of the AMA" with a mission to "establish and administer a U.S. national Motorcyle Trials Championship series that will produce a U.S. National Observed Trials Champion."

An observed trial is, according to the AMA website, "a motorcyle competition held on private land in the woods, and is based on skill rather than speed. The object is to ride in balance and control, through marked sections consisting of tight turns, hill climbs, rocks and logs. Each time a rider uses his feet to regain his balance, or stops with his foot down, penalty points are assessed by an observer. Therefore, low score wins." Riders are classified by ability: rookie, novice, intermediate, advanced and expert.

Spectators wander the course -- often on a track used by competitors in the woods -- and jump aside when a rider comes along. They serve, in a sense, as another obstruction. (One rider Sunday encountered a family on a rising trail and did a nifty maneuver to the right, up and to the left as he avoided them.)

The site off Morrell Road has been used for this competition in the past. It is wild terrain, with all of the necessary skills tests built in.

The first two stops in the 2010 national series had been at Tishomingo, Oklahoma in early May and Exeter, Rhode Island a week before the Cayuta stop. Upcoming in late July: Howard, Colorado and Donner Ski Ranch, California.

Photos in text: Riders negotiate the latter portion of the three-mile loop that had taken them to farflung judged sections. The track, as seen in the bottom photo, was muddy.

Tagging out the runner

Watkins Glen High School softball All-Star catcher Taylor Chaffee, playing for the TC Tremors Gold 18U team, tags out a runner at home plate during the TCS Rising Stars tournament June 23-25 at the Diamond Nation Complex in Flemington, New Jersey. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Fisher is golf tourney Honorary Chair

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN- Shawn Fisher has been named the honorary chair of The Arc of Schuyler's 10th Annual Golf Tournament.

Fisher, 33, resides in Big Flats, and is an employee of Glen Industries, the vocational division of The Arc of Schuyler. He has also held positions as Vice-President and Sergeant at Arms of The Self Advocates of Schuyler County, an organization of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who attend state and national conferences to learn about legislative processes and seek to influence necessary changes in governmental and organizational policies regarding individuals with disabilities.

According to Arc officials, Fisher enjoys volunteering in various capacities in the community. He has painted sets and helped backstage at The Clemens Center and annually volunteers at The Arc of Schuyler’s golf tournament. He is interested in music, singing, theatrical performances, exercising, and fishing, and is a fan of NASCAR races and various team sports. He aspires to one day live on his own and hold a community-based job closer to his Big Flats home.

Fisher is already known by many of the golfers participating in The Arc's Tournament due to his volunteer activities. This year he also will greet tournament players along with tournament chair Dave Dalrymple at The Arc's 10th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, August 20 at the Watkins Glen Golf Course.

Dalrymple says having an Honorary Chair helps to focus the participants and sponsors on what this tournament is all about. "Shawn is a great choice. He's been involved, he knows everyone and brings a lot of happiness and good sportsmanship to the event," said Dalrymple.

The annual golf tournament is one of The Arc's largest fund-raising events, raising thousands of dollars to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Schuyler County and the surrounding community.

For more information on the organization or The Arc of Schuyler’s golf tournament, visit www.arcofschuyler.org or call 607-535-6934.

Photo in text: Shawn Fisher, left, and Dave Dalrymple (Photo provided)

Our Schuyler Spring MVPs: WG's Olafson, OM's Markley

ODESSA, June 14 -- For the first time, we're awarding The Odessa File seasonal Schuyler MVP Award to two high school standouts instead of one.

The spring honorees are Watkins Glen high jumper Shelby Olafson and Odessa-Montour track standout Joe Markley.

Olafson -- winner of this spring award in each of the past two years after reaching States both times, and the school High Jump record holder -- becomes the first three-time winner for pulling off an improbable achievement: making the New York State High School Track & Field Championships on a leg with a break in it.

The stress fracture -- which bothered her throughout the fall soccer season and sidelined her during basketball -- had her on crutches for three months that carried beyond the start of the track season. It wasn't a sure thing that doctors would even let her participate.

The injury healed roughly halfway, and she got clearance, as long as she wasn't entered in running events and knew enough to forgo an event if the pain warranted it. And so what did she do? She went out and won High Jump competition after High Jump competition -- throwing in wins in the Shot Put (a new event for her) for good measure.

She faltered at the IAC tournament when her good leg acted up, but surged ahead to win the Section IV, Class C crown and finish second in Divison 2 at the State Qualifier at Vestal.

That she had a bad day at States is one of those things. Maybe it was the heavy air, maybe it was the injury, maybe it was something else. But it doesn't detract, in this corner, from an astonishing accomplishment: States on a broken leg. Go figure.

Markley, meanwhile, was unbelievable in another way. He set school individual and relay records seemingly every week down the stretch of the track season -- culminating in an 800 run at the State Qualfier that was the first ever by an O-M athlete under 2 minutes.

A strong case could be made that in doing all of this -- setting a standard that the entire Odessa team seemed to embrace and emulate -- he carried the team to its IAC Small Schools South Division championship. That is especially easy to argue when you consider that two of the team's victories were by a single point.

The Indians were, thereby, champions by the narrowest of margins -- an improbably wonderful season that had its share of heroes: Phil Smith, Morgan Shutter, Martin Eccleston, Sam Capozzi, Dakota Simpson.

But chief among them was the remarkable Markley. He accomplished this:

--School records in the 800 Meters, 3200, 4x400, 4x800, 4x1600 and Distance Medley Relay.

--Led the team in points, was a team captain, was an IAC All Star in the 800 Meters, 4x800 Relay and 4x400 Relay, and was named a Section IV Class D All Star in those three events and the 1600 Meters (where he posted the second-fastest time in school history).

--Was named MVP of the O-M track team at the recent Sports Awards Banquet.

Note: The Fall MVP was swimmer Haleigh Wixson of Watkins Glen, and the Winter MVP was basketball standout Michelle Melanson of Odessa-Montour.

A trio of cars moves up the main straightaway during Sunday afternoon's initial race.

Rain, fog bedevil the Legends

WATKINS GLEN, June 14 -- Morning rain drenched the track, and then a stubborn fog settled in on the Schuyler County hillsides. It was questionable whether the Legends of Motorsports would get racing in on its signature Sunday.

But the rain stopped, the track dried and the fog, while lifting and falling and swirling around, did not keep the cars from engaging the famed WGI road course and each other.

A group of cars took off a little later than scheduled for the F5000 Feature Race, with a fanfare highlighted by scantily clad lovelies holding umbrellas over the open-cockpit drivers, nearby photographers' cameras clicking.

The racing, as might be expected, was aggressive. These were, generally speaking, drivers and cars with experience. Two other races, with different classes of cars, were scheduled for later in the afternoon.

The point of the weekend was to showcase the past, from the race cars to the lifestyle to the music: vintage '70s at two weekend entertainments. The face on all of it was racing legend Bobby Rahal, who was visible at area events and on the course -- including some races. He and fellow racing notables Vic Elford (the Legends Grand Marshal) and Tony Adamowicz were also signing autographs in the WGI garage while awaiting Sunday's racing.

The weekend was the second of four on the Legends of Motorsports' inaugural season tour. It started with a stop in Alabama last month, and moves on to Quebec next month and to Sebring, Florida later in the year.

Photo in text: The fog was thicker above the track, obscuring the grandstands.

From left: Autograph signers Vic Elford, Bobby Rahal and Tony Adamowicz.

Olafson comes up short

Clears 5 feet, can't top 5'2" at State tourney in Vestal

VESTAL, June 14 -- Watkins Glen athlete Shelby Olafson -- school record holder in the High Jump -- had a bad day Saturday at the New York State High School Track and Field Championships.

Olafson, who last week cleared 5'4" on the same athletic field -- Vestal High School's Dick Hoover Stadium -- struggled at her first height Saturday, 5'0", missing it once before clearing the bar. Then came the effort at 5'2".

On the first try, when she knocked the bar down, she looked perturbed, but seemed unfazed after a second miss at the same height. Her mother, Jane, watching from beyond the track fence -- far from where her daughter could hear her -- was urging positive thoughts on the third attempt: "Positive thoughts, positive thoughts," she and a friend chanted softly.

Shelby's younger sister Michaela, herself a track standout at WGHS, sounded more assured. "She'll be fine," she said. "She'll do it."

But on the third try, Shelby hit the bar again on the downward slope, knocking it to the mat -- and the nearby officials lifted their yellow flags, signaling a miss and, in this case, the end to Olafson's improbable track season.

Shelby -- whose right leg still has a stress fracture, partially healed when she stayed off of it (and on crutches) for three months leading to track season -- was an unknown quantity at the season's beginning.

She had been to States the previous two years, and had set the school record on three occasions along the way, topping out at 5'5". But at the beginning of this season, doctors hadn't weighed in yet with a verdict on whether she could compete. They ultimately cleared her, but said she couldn't participate in running events -- and so she adopted a new, non-running event as a second competition: the Shot Put. And she did extremely well at it, winning a couple of times and placing strongly at the IAC tournament.

But the High Jump continued to be her strong suit, and she won it consistently.

It was at the IACs that her good leg -- her left -- caused some problems, cramping up as she favored the right, and she lost the league title to a Waverly jumper. But she came back to win the Section IV, Class C crown and then, at the State Qualifier, topped 5'4" to edge out that same Waverly jumper for one of the two coveted Division 2 spots in States.

She was seeded eighth among 38 competitors Saturday, and even higher than that among Division 2 jumpers, but it turned out not to be her day.

High Jumping -- like much of track -- is unforgiving. If you're off even a little, it can mean a lot.

And now ... now, say her parents, Shelby will stay off the leg for the summer, and bypass a fall sport in the hope that she's healed and ready for basketball in her upcoming senior year -- and ready after that, once again, for track.

Photos in text:

Top: Shelby Olafson goes up on her second try at 5'0", which she cleared.

Bottom: Shelby Olafson's cheering section: from left, mom Jane, Travis Waite, dad Craig and coach Abby Tormey. Also present were coaches Beth Hogan and Kelsey Wood.

Olafson clears the bar at 5'0" on her second try Saturday.

From left: Former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, Penske Corp. Executive Vice President Walter Czarnecki and racing legend Bobby Rahal, president of the Road Racing Drivers Club.

Research Center receives NASCAR car from Penske

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 11 -- The International Motor Racing Research Center has taken possession of an important donation item: a NASCAR Nextel Cup Car from Penske Racing.

In addition, it has been provided the Road Racing Drivers Club archive collection, presented by racing legend Bobby Rahal.

On hand for the donation ceremonies Thursday at the Racing Research Center were Rahal and former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, along with Penske Corporation Executive Vice President Walter Czarnecki.

The car, on display now until September in the Center, 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, was presented by Czarnecki to the Center as a donation to its permanent collections.

At the end of its racing life, the car was prepared by Penske Racing as a tribute to the retired Wallace for presentation to the Research Center, where Wallace serves on the Drivers Advisory Council. It is identical to the short-track car Wallace raced in 2005 before his retirement at the end of that season.

In its racing history, the car was driven by Kurt Busch, who most notably placed it on the pole position for the Martinsville NASCAR Cup race on October 26, 2006.

Wallace, asked if he could still climb into such a vehicle, gamely did so, posing as he was halfway in and then settling into the seat and attaching the steering wheel.

"How does it feel?" he was asked.

"It's a little tighter than I remember," he answered.

Thursday's donation ceremony also saw Rahal -- who had an illustrious racing career, primarily in the CART series, and who is now president of the prestigious Road Racing Drivers Club -- present the archives of the club to the Center.

The collection includes photographs, records, and member biographical information dating back to the club’s founding in the early 1950s. Rahal, who was the 1986 Indy 500 winner, is a member of the Racing Research Center’s Governing Council.

In order to attend the ceremony, Rahal took a break from his responsibilities at the inaugural Legends of Motorsports, a Bobby Rahal Signature Event, this weekend's attraction at Watkins Glen International. Legends starts today (June 11) and runs through Sunday.

He drove to and from the Center in one of his vintage race cars -- a Brabham Formula Ford. He was accompanied by a police escort -- Schuyler County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Bianco.

Photos in text:

From top: The car on display in the Research Center; Rusty Wallace about to climb into the vehicle; and Bobby Rahal speaks during the donation ceremony.

Left: Brothers J.C. Argetsinger (left, president of the Research Center) and Michael Argetsinger of Chicago (a member of the Center's board who, says his brother, was instrumental in helping arrange the NASCAR vehicle donation). Right: Penske Corp. Executive Vice President Walter Czarnecki, who presented the vehicle to the Center.

Rahal, Czarnecki and Wallace all signed the Center's guestbook, which has signatures dating back to 1999.

Bobby Rahal pulls away from the Center on Decatur Street, heading back to the track.

Twins Rebecca (left) and Whitney Ayers shared the Female Athlete of the Year Award.

O-M names Ayers twins, Stephens Athletes of Year

A full list of the evening's winners can be found here.

ODESSA, June 10 -- Three-sport All-Star Dan Stephens and two-sport standouts Rebecca and Whitney Ayers were named winners Wednesday night of the Odessa-Montour High School Harold Lynch Athlete of the Year Awards.

The honors were announced at the end of the 42nd annual Sports Boosters Banquet at the school. The awards are given each year to outstanding senior athletes at the school.

Stephens was a key player in soccer, basketball and tennis. The Ayers twins culminated a record-setting career in soccer and basketball.

Other key awards presented Wednesday included the James Anagnost Memorial Award, which was presented to Stephanie Letteer by James' father, Nick Anagnost. It is named after a former O-M student-athlete and reflects characteristics of perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship.

The Charles Martin Memorial Sportsmanship Awards were presented to Trevor Carey and Stephanie Collins.

A full list of the evening's winners can be found here.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour Male Athlete of the Year Dan Stephens.

Charles Martin Memorial Sportsmanship Award winners Trevor Carey and Stephanie Collins

Stephanie Letteer receives the James Anagnost Memorial Award from Nick Anagnost.

2 Glen teams earn Scholar Athlete honors

WATKINS GLEN, June 8 -- Two Watkins Glen High School spring varsity teams have received Scholar Athlete recognition from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

The following are the teams and students recognized:

Tennis:
Jessica Brogdon, Elise Groll, Sarah Hazlitt, Marguerite Kellogg, Phillip Kellogg, Chelsea Kennard, Sarah LaMascus, Elena Likoudis, Margaret Myers, Rachel St. Julian, Katrina Swarthout

Softball:
Kirsten Burge, Taylor Chaffee, Cassaundra Cole, Erika Hoad, Samantha Riley, Jessica Stansfield

Watkins Glen bestows sports awards

WATKINS GLEN, June 9 -- Outstanding Watkins Glen High School athletes were honored with Sportsmanship, Most Improved and Most Valuable Player awards Tuesday night at the annual Athletic Awards Night in the school auditorium.

Also honored were Ron Pierce, who is retiring after a long coaching career; Jason Bond, the boys varsity swim coach, as Coach of the Year; and Don Romeo as Fan of the Year.

For the complete list of honorees, click here.

Photo at right: Retiring coach Ron Pierce

VanAmburg throws no-hitter overseas

Special to The Odessa File

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- High School sophomore Ashley VanAmburg, granddaughter of Joseph VanAmburg and Patricia VanAmburg of Watkins Glen, recently pitched for the Kaiserslautern American High School Varsity Lady Raiders softball team -- registering a no-hitter along the way.

Ashley was the team's starting pitcher, winning seven games with only one loss. One of those wins, in a rainy home game against SHAPE, Belgium, was the no-hitter in a 15-0 victory -- her first no-hitter in fast-pitch softball. She struck out six, with no walks.

Ashley also had the game-ending hit when she blasted a single to right field, driving in two runs to halt the game in the 4th inning under a "mercy rule."

Kaiserslautern, with an overall record of 13-5, finished 3rd this year in the Division 1, DoDDs European Softball Tournament.

Ashley will be moving at the end of this year with her father Steve (active duty Air Force), mother Lisa and brother Joey back to the United States. Steve says they are headed for Florida.

Photo in text: Ashley VanAmburg (Photo provided)

The Pruett-Rojas TELMEX car leads the way around the first turn at the beginning of Saturday's Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen.

Pruett-Rojas win Sahlen's race again

Espenlaub, Putman recover from spin to capture Continental

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 6 -- Five days after a three-race Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series winning streak ended in a first-lap crash, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas turned in a solid performance and started a new streak Saturday in the No. 01 TELMEX BMW Riley by scoring their third consecutive victory in the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen.

Pruett led the final 30 of 191 laps on the 3.4-mile Watkins Glen International long circuit, beating Max Angelelli to the checkered flag by 1.623 seconds. On Monday, the Chip Ganassi team finished last in the Daytona Prototype field after Rojas went off in Turn 1 at Lime Rock Park.

"I love coming to Watkins Glen and I love racing here," said Pruett, who has now won a record four times in the six-hour Glen event. "Getting my little piece of history here is an honor. It was a little scary today when the rain started coming down early in the race on part of the course -- that always adds some extra drama."

Pruett and Rojas won their fourth race of 2010, extending their lead in the Daytona Prototype championship to 18 points (190-172) over Ryan Dalziel, who finished seventh Saturday in the No. 8 Corsa Car Care BMW Riley.

It was Angelelli's fifth consecutive top-three finish in the event, co-driving the No. 10 SunTrust Ford Dallara with Ricky Taylor. The two won Monday's race at the Connecticut circuit.

The Ganassi team's biggest rival throughout the race was the No. 99 GAINSCO Chevrolet Riley of Jon Fogarty, Alex Gurney and four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The two teams combined to lead 179 laps. Gurney was running third when he spun in Turn 7 with 15 minutes remaining, resulting in a sixth-place finish.

"This was probably the best the GAINSCO Auto Insurance car ever has been at Watkins Glen," said Fogarty, who drove the opening three hours, seven minutes of the race before turning the car over to Johnson. The reigning NASCAR champion ran second behind Rojas for his entire hour behind the wheel.

Antonio Garcia and Buddy Rice finished third in the No. 90 Porsche/Coyote, giving the Spirit of Daytona Racing its first Daytona Prototype podium finish.

The race was slowed by four caution periods, with the most serious incident occurring in the final hour. The No. 6 CAP & Associates Ford Riley of Michael Valiante caught fire on the course, and Valiante, who co-drove with Brian Frisselle and Mark Patterson, nursed the car to the entrance of pit lane. He managed to escape from the car before it was engulfed in flames.

In the race's GT competition, Andy Lally, Spencer Pumpelly and Bob Doyle came from last in the 29-car field to win.

Continental Tire 150: Charles Espenlaub and Charles Putman recovered from a first-lap spin in Saturday’s Continental Tire 150, the sixth round of the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season, to win the Grand Sport (GS) race and give Fall-Line Motorsports its first series victory.

Photos in text:

Top: The No. 34 Next Generation Motorsports BMW switches drivers during the Continental Tire 150. The drivers: Peter London and Squeak Kennedy.

Middle: NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson studies the computer screens in the Gainsco pit area. He later drove an hour of the Sahlen's race for that team.

Bottom: Continental Tire 150 winners Charles Espenlaub, left, and Charles Putman celebrate their victory.

Barbara Hubbell sings The National Anthem before the start of the 6-hour race.

Workers remove the Continental Tire 150 sign after the end of that race, and replace it with a Sahlen's sign -- representing the weekend's main event, the Six Hours of The Glen..

The Kinetic Motorsports Kia Forte Koup, foreground, passes a Matt Connolly Motorsports Mazda MX-5 on the front straightaway in the Continental Tire 150 race.

Haywood is newest Legend of the Glen

Racer has more WGI victories than anyone else

WATKINS GLEN, June 4 -- Hurley Haywood was inducted Friday into the Legends of the Glen, a Hall of Fame of Watkins Glen drivers, executives and others who have played influential roles in the history of The Glen.

The induction was announced, with Haywood present, by Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup in the WGI Media Center. Haywood -- winner of seven races at The Glen -- is the first inductee announced for the Class of 2010.

In a ceremony in front of media and representatives of the Brumos Racing Team -- with which Haywood has long been connected -- Printup presented Haywood with a hand-blown glass vase made by Vitrix Glass of Corning.

“Hurley Haywood is truly one of the great names in all of racing, so it is our honor to induct him into the Legends of The Glen,” said Printup. “His accomplishments both at WGI and across the world will likely never be matched. Hurley made the first start of his incredible career during our Six Hours event, so it makes perfect sense to recognize him during the 29th Running of the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.”

"I have a love affair with this track," said Haywood. "The Glen and Daytona (International Speedway) are my favorite tracks in this country. One of the greatest things for a racing driver is to be recognized by his group. I’m so honored to have such a long relationship with Brumos and at the same time have such a long relationship with Porsche. I certainly could have not have won all the races that I have won without Porsche, and to be recognized for those accomplishments is a real honor for me.”

Haywood is a 5-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, a 3-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and was the first driver to win the 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year. He announced his retirement from racing following the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona and is now the vice-president of Brumos Racing.

The Legends of The Glen was started in 2008 as part of the 60th anniversary of racing in Watkins Glen. So far nine people have been inducted. More information can be found at www.TheGlen.com.

Photo in text: Hurley Haywood, left, holds up the vase signifying his induction into the Legends of the Glen. The vase was presented by WGI president Michael Printup, right.

Driver Alex Gurney shows the WGES kids a racing helmet as part of Thursday's program.

Kids get tour, meet drivers at WGI

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, June 4 -- The students of Watkins Glen Elementary School celebrated the conclusion of their Read for Speed program with a trip to Watkins Glen International Thursday.

About 100 students visited the track as a reward for being part of one of the “fastest” classes during the three-month program. The trip was headlined by a meet-and-greet with Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney, drivers of the No. 99 Gainsco/Bob Stallings Daytona Prototype, and a “behind the scenes” look at the Gainsco race preparations.

“My wife is a kindergarten teacher so I have been around young schools kids before and it is always neat to see their eyes light up and how excited they get,” said Gurney. “They were really interested in my helmet and all of the extra gizmos we have on them for sports car racing. We read to some of these same kids at their school two years ago, and it was cool that some of them earned the field trip to visit the track this year.”

The visit to WGI kicked-off with a meet-and-greet with both Gainsco drivers and a “behind the scenes” look at their car and transporter. Fogarty talked about his racing background, the steps the team is taking to prepare for this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, and explained the process of replacing the engine in the No. 99. Gurney shared stories of his racing experiences and discussed the many uses the team has for the transporter-- including how their car is stored in the upper half, with the workshop and storage on the lower half. Both drivers then autographed hero cards for the students.

“It’s great these kids get rewarded for reading so well and reading so many books,” said Fogarty. “It is also good to see Watkins Glen International support their local schools year in and year out, and we are always happy at Gainsco to help out with this program whenever we are asked. This was a great way to start what is going to be a good weekend at the Sahlen’s Six Hours.”

After the autographs, the students hopped back onto their buses to take a lap around the 3.4-mile Grand Prix Course behind the Toyota Camry pace car before heading over to the FrontStretch Grandstands. They then watched the beginning of the promoter test day featuring the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and Ford Racing Mustang Challenge while eating their lunch and enjoying ice-cream bars provided by Perry’s Ice Cream.

“I really want to thank WGI, the guys from Gainsco, and all of the sponsors for helping us have another successful year as the kids read over 20,000 books,” said Rod Weeden, principal of Watkins Glen Elementary School. “We were not expecting Jon and Alex to sign autographs for all of our kids, so that was a bonus. The kids have a blast each time they come up to the track and always have a very memorable experience.”

The WGI season kicks-off with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen this weekend, featuring the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, and Ford Racing Mustang Challenge.

Photos in text:

Top: Driver Jon Fogarty listens to a question from one of the WGES students.

Bottom: Fogarty has student Gaetono Williams handle a steering wheel from the vehicle being prepared by the Gainsco team for the weekend Sahlen's Six Hours at the Glen. Williams, who is blind, was accompanied to the car by fellow kindergartener Kara Sheesley, who teacher Linda Gregory says is usually at his side in school.

Watkins Glen's Jenna Swarthout sends her drive on its way on the 9th hole.

Marathon wins IAC crown; Glen 3rd

Jenna Swarthout places 3rd and Sarah Wickham 5th

WATKINS GLEN, June 3 -- Marathon edged Waverly Wednesday to claim the Interscholastic Athletic Conference girls golf championship in competition on the Watkins Glen Golf Course.

Waverly's Molly Walker took medalist honors with a 48, while Southern Cayuga's Stephanie Morse shot a 49 and Watkins Glen's Jenna Swarthout a 50. Watkins Glen's Sarah Wickham was fifth with a 54, and teammate Haleigh Wixson was close behind with a 57.

Awards were presented to the top five finishers.

Marathon posted a 221 score in the 9-hole tourney, while Waverly registered a total of 223. Watkins Glen was third with 232, followed by Lansing and Moravia.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Sarah Wickham tees off.

Left: Marathon's Lindsay Peri hits an approach shot on No. 8. Right: Watkins Glen's Jenna Swarthout chips onto the ninth green.

Southern Cayuga's Stephanie Morse.

Left: Watkins' Haleigh Wixson makes a point. Right: Waverly's Molly Walker putts on No. 9.

McCarthy, Chaffee are IAC All-Stars

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 30 -- The Watkins Glen softball pitching-catching combination of Taylor McCarthy and Taylor Chaffee have been named IAC Large School South Division First Team All-Stars by division coaches.

For the complete list of IAC Softball All-Stars, click here.

O-M girls win Class D title

Victory is 7th in 8 years at Sectional meet; Bryington wins 400 Hurdles

DELHI, May 28 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity track team won the Section IV, Class D championship Thursday -- for the seventh time in the past eight years.

The Indians, who finished third last year, notched 105 points to easily outdistance runnerup Elmira Notre Dame, which had 73.

Following them were Cherry Valley (52), Edmeston (44), Schenevus-Worchester (43), Candor (42), Stamford (40), Milford (38), Morris (29), Southern Cayuga (26), Gilbertsville-Mount Upton (16), Harpursville (14), Laurens (12), Charlotte Valley (8), Downsville (6), Franklin (3), Jefferson (0), and Andes (0).

O-M's Ashley Bryington and the Indians' 4x800 and 4x100 Relay teams won events, Bryington capturing the 400 Hurdles in 1:10; the 4x800 relay squad (Beth Smith, Malissa Richards, Erin Terry and Brittany VanAmburg) placing first in 10:36.8; and the 4x100 unit (Rebecca Zafonte, Bryington, Bekki Lauper and Terry) finishing in 53.0..

Second places went to Michelle Melanson in the 200 (27.9), Beth Smith in the 800 (2:32.6), the 4x400 Relay team (Melanson, Terry, Smith and Bryington), and VanAmburg in the Pole Vault (7'6").

Third-place finishes were posted by Bryington in the 100 Hurdles (17.7); Richards in the 800 Meters (2:37), and Taylor Carey in the Pole Vault (7'6").

Finishing fourth were Zafonte in the 100 Meters (13.3), Melanson in the 400 Meters (1:02.9), and Alyssa Bleiler in the 400 Hurdles (1:16.4).

Fifth places went to Zafonte in the 200 Meters, Carey in the Long Jump (with a personal best of 14'9" that far exceeded her previous best of 13'3"), and Allison Stamp in the High Jump (4'8").

Sixth-place finishes were registered by Hailie Searles in the 3000 Meters (12:24), and by Carey in the High Jump (4'7").

"The Odessa girls," said O-M Coach Burton Brewster, "always step up at these Class meets."

Photo in text: Ashley Bryington clears a hurdle (File photo)

Rappleye, Bailey named IAC All-Stars

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, May 26 -- Watkins Glen's all-purpose fielder and dependable hitter Jesse Rappleye and Odessa-Montour catcher Kyle Bailey have been named Interscholastic Athletic Conference Baseball All Stars for 2010.

The list of All-Stars, selected by IAC coaches, can be found here.

5 O-M teams win scholar-athlete honors

Special to The Odessa File

ODESSA, May 19 -- The Odessa-Montour High School varsity tennis, girls track, boys track, softball and golf teams received the New York State Scholar-Athlete team award this spring.

The teams are being recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for having a team average of 90 or above.

The tennis team had an average of 92.50, the girls track team had an average of 92.71, the boys track team had an average of 90.03, the softball team had an average of 90.32, and the golf team had an average of 93.34. Each member of the Scholar-Athlete Teams will receive a commemorative pin for their honor.

Tim Anderson coaches the tennis team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are: Breonna Bates, Alicia Brace, Trevor Carey, Stephanie Collins, Megan Cook, Anthony Curren, Samantha Gavich, Nate Kemmerer, Dan Stephens, Dale VanWormer and Taylor Wade.

Burton Brewster coaches the girls track team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are: Alyssa Bleiler, Ashley Bryington, Taylor Carey, Tiffany Kelly, Bekki Lauper, Margaret Lucero, Danielle MacDougall, Michelle Melanson, Denna Page, Malissa Richards, Dana Roberts, Itka Safir, Hailie Searles, Mon’e Simpson, Bethany Smith, Ashton Stadelmaier, Allison Stamp, Erin Terry, Brittany VanAmburg, Amanda Williams and Rebecca Zafonte.

Skip Strobel coaches the boys track team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are: Matt Bleiler, Sam Capozzi, Martin Eccleston, Adam Gardner, Mike Hughey, Joe Markley, Tom Peckham, Morgan Shutter, Dakota Simpson, Phil Smith, Joe Thompson and James Williams.

Jessica Santobianco coaches the softball team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are: Allyson Hancock, Stephanie Letteer, Ashley McLean, Jessica Niedermaier, Katie Ray, Jessica Rhodes, Mallory Richards, Melody Stadelmaier, Taylor Thoman, Aubrey Tomassi and Chelsey Wilson.

Greg Gavich coaches the golf team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are: Brandon Evans, Tyler Goossen, Phillip Humphries, Matt Kautz, Dustin Letteer, Tim Markley and Adam Mitchell.

Boeheim is Zippo 200 Grand Marshal

Famed racer Bill Milliken (left) was on hand April 17 as the Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen honored him with a party marking his 99th birthday. For the complete story and photos, see Milliken.