Click here or on the ad above to reach the Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development website

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Click here or on the ad above to reach a Chamber of Commerce website.

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Do you want to make a difference in Schuyler County? Join SCCUDD today!ti

See website here.

Did you know that kids whose parents disapprove of underage alcohol and substance abuse are less likely to regularly use alcohol or drugs? Please talk to youth early and often about the dangers of underage alcohol and drug use so they can develop into happy, healthy adults.

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Watkins Glen
Family Dentistry
and Implant Center

703 S. Decatur St.
Watkins Glen
(607) 535-4666

Accepting new patients

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Mechanics Club

Serving the youth of our area since 1932. Click here for details.

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We are open:
Tuesday-Friday 8-8
Saturday 8-2

Simply Your Best

Hair - Skin - Nails. JoAnna Sindone's salon at 4588 Route 224, west of Odessa, offers a variety of services:

Phone: 607-594-2811.

To reach the Simply Your Best website, click here.

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To visit the Schuyler Little League Facebook page, click here or on logo above.

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Mechanics Club - Serving the youth of our area since 1932 - click here for details.

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Dealer/collector looking to buy groups of pre-1970 paper memorabilia: cards, magazines, posters, programs etc. Call Charlie Haeffner at 742-2772.

To reach the Watkins Glen School District website, click here

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Click on the ad below, and go to the H.L. Stephens website

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To go to Jim Guild's
Famous Brands website, click on the drawing above or here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the ad below for more information.

Click on the ad below to reach the NY Connects website.

Mace places 3rd at State Qualifier tourney

WAVERLY, Feb. 15, 2025 -- Odessa-Montour High School senior Jackie Mace finished in third place Saturday at the Section IV State Qualifier Tournament held at Waverly High School.

Mace, wrestling at 132 pounds, narrowly missed qualifying for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Wrestling Championships, scheduled for Feb. 27 in Albany. Only the champion and runnerup in each weight class advance from the Qualifier.

Mace finished the tournament with a 3-1 record, including two pinfall victories. In the semifinals, she lost to eventual champion Nora Bartholomew of Deposit-Hancock but bounced back with a pinfall over Brooke Williams of Oxford-Greene in the consolation semifinals and then ended with a pinfall over Kinnley Wightman of Oneonta for third place.

Mace, team captain and the lone female wrestler on the Schuyler Storm squad (which includes O-M and Watkins Glen High School wrestlers), finishes the season with a 23-10 record with fourth-, third-, and third-place finishes in Section IV Girls Championship meets.

She plans to pursue a post-secondary education in either Environmental Science or Agricultural Education.

Photo in text: Jackie Mace on the podium at Saturday's tournament. (Provided)

Glen girls to play for IAC Large School title

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 15, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team will play Whitney Point at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at Tompkins Cortland Community College for the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large School championship.

Watkins Glen, 16-2 overall, finished atop the IAC Large School South Division with a 14-0 league record, ahead of Newark Valley (12-2, 15-4), Notre Dame (8-5, 11-7) and Edison (2-12, 4-16).

Whitney Point finished first in the IAC Large School North Division with a 7-7 league record (and 9-9 overall), just ahead of runnerup Lansing (6-8, 8-11). Dryden was third and Trumansburg fourth.

Watkins Glen defeated Whitney Point twice during the regular season, 51-35 on Dec. 17 at Whitney Point, and 44-22 on Jan. 23 in the WGHS Field House.

The IAC Small School championship game between Candor and Moravia will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 at TC3. Candor (9-2, 14-3) won the Small School South Division, finishing ahead of Odessa-Montour (5-6, 11-9), Spencer-Van Etten and Newfield. Moravia (10-2, 14-3) won the Small School North Division, finishing ahead of Union Springs, Southern Cayuga, Marathon and Groton.

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Playoffs

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 15, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball continued Saturday, with the first round of the Walter "Red" Matthews Memorial Play-offs.

2nd-3rd Grade Results

Sporting Goods 23, Famous Brands 2.
Sporting Goods scoring: Lucas Bianco 13, Jayvon Payne 8, Bryson VanHorn 2.
Famous Brands scoring: Arlo Walker 2.

Curly's 8, Maguire's 4.
Curly's scoring: Jack Myers 4, Hector Cardenas 2, Easton Rekczis 2.
Maguire's scoring: Lincoln Smith 4.

Play-off Championship Weekend Schedule: 2/22/25 at 8:30 a.m.
--Watkins Sporting Goods vs. Curly's Family Restaurant (Championship Game)
--Maguire's vs. Famous Brands (Consolation Game)

4th-6th Grade Results

Schamel Brothers 26, Watkins Glen Supply 12
Schamel Brothers scoring: Hank Titus 16, Zane Cross 4, Logan Saks 4, Finn Schamel 2.
Watkins Glen Supply scoring: Cameron Gee 4, Cate Caslin 4, Bryce Walker 2, Kingston Tomlinson 2.

Capt. Bill's 45, Watkins Motel 25.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Morgan Bubb 22, Luke Hicks 13, Zion Tomlinson 8, Derrick Westervelt 2.
Watkins Motel scoring: Landon Bianco 9, Garrett Bubb 6, Adriana Colunio 4, Jacob Martens 2, Michael Kessler 2, Camden Janowski 2.

Play-off Championship Weekend Schedule: 2/22/25 at 9:45 a.m.
--Capt. Bill's vs. Schamel Brothers (Championship Game)
--Watkins Motel vs. Watkins Glen Supply (Consolation Game)

Watkins girls roll past Dryden, 71-23

DRYDEN, Feb. 14, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by Addie Coolican's 20 points -- defeated Dryden 71-23 Friday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Dryden gym.

The Lake Hawks led 19-5 after one quarter, 37-17 at halftime, and 57-23 entering the fourth quarter.

In addition to Coolican, Watkins Glen got points from Olivia King (12), Brianna Hatch (8), Michaela Wheaton (8), Rachel Vickio (8), Natalee Oliver (7), Grace Underdown (4), Olivia VanSkiver (2), and Zade Gomez-Fitzsimmons (2). Hatch led in rebounds (8) and assists (10), and had 5 steals. Oliver led in steals with 6. King grabbed 6 rebounds and had 4 steals. The team converted 10 of 13 free throws.

"The girls played well tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They moved the ball well and played great defense. I was very proud of them."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Dryden 49-22, lifting its season mark to 10-6.

Left: Watkins Glen's Sam Caslin shoots from the corner. Right: The Lake Hawks' Jude Santos takes aim in traffic.

Watkins boys upset state-ranked Dryden

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 14, 2025 -- It almost seemed as though there was magic in the air Friday night at the Watkins Glen Field House.

After a stirring pre-game tribute to the 50 years of coaching offered local youths by Jim Scott (see story below), the Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team entered battle against the visiting 16-2, No. 8 Class B ranked Dryden -- and overcame a double digit deficit to post an unexpected victory over the Purple Lions, 60-50.

The Lake Hawks, entering the game 6-9, were minus three of their 10 players due to illness. But despite a thin bench, a sub-.500 record and seemingly no chance to take down Dryden, they did just that. Watkins had an early six-point lead, closing the first quarter up 18-12. But Dryden pulled ahead in the second quarter and entered halftime up 35-29.

The Lions increased their lead to double digits in the third period, leading 46-33 with 3:52 remaining in the quarter. The Lake Hawks closed to within 46-39 by the end of the period, and to 46-41 at the 7:48 mark before Dryden made it 48-41 with 6:33 to go. It was 48-43 at 6:16, and 50-43 when Dryden scored with 5:34 to play. Those were the Lions' last points as they missed a series of one-shot efforts rebounded by Watkins, mostly by Jude Santos.

Watkins Glen's Sam Caslin sank two free throws at 5:24 to pull the Hawks within five points, 50-45, and then sank a basket at 4:13 to make it 50-47. Santos scored on a putback at 3:13 and then another basket at 2:42 to put Watkins ahead 51-50 before Caleb Bresett hit a 3-pointer at 2:03 for a 54-50 Lake Hawks lead.

Dryden started fouling after that, with Santos hitting one of two free throws at 58.3, Caslin one of two at 39.1, Santos two free throws at 31.6, and then Santos two more foul shots at 22.9 for the final 10-point margin of victory.

Santos finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Bresett scored 22 points with 5 rebounds. Bryce Bockelkamp added 6 points (with 5 rebounds), Caslin 7 points (with 5 assists), and Brady Bockelkamp 2 points (with 5 rebounds).

"Tonight was an incredible team win," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "It's daunting going into a game against a very talented team ranked eighth in the state in our class, but the boys played with tremendous heart, stuck to the game plan, played together and left everything on the court. I know how badly they wanted to win on the night we honored Coach Scott. He means so much to so many people in the community, and that certainly includes the boys who have played for him for so long.

"Caleb Bresett was phenomenal tonight. He was everywhere, making big plays on both ends of the court! Jude Santos had another double-double and an outstanding game all around. It's easy to forget he's just a sophomore. I can't say enough about senior captain Sam Caslin and the poise and leadership he brings. He impacts the game in so many ways that don't always show up in a stat sheet. Brady and Bryce Bockelkamp had a very challenging assignment tonight in trying to contain the Dryden post players. Dryden is easily the biggest team in the league and very talented inside. To watch Brady and Bryce both battle those much bigger players all night for position to prevent easy baskets was impressive, to say the least. Again, work like that doesn't always show up in stat sheets but was definitely a difference in the game.

"It's always nice to get a big win, but we will have to get right back to work if we want to be ready for sectionals. It won't get any easier moving forward, but I'm so proud of the boys and the game they played tonight!"

The Lake Hawks will see action before sectionals, playing Tioga at home Tuesday and Candor on the road Wednesday.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Dryden 52-18. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 20 points, while Isaak Willett and Johnny Sisana scored 8 points apiece, Jax Decker 6, Nolan Reynolds 5, Brodie O'Connell-Campbell 3, and Leon Lagramada 2.

**********

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Caleb Bresett maneuvers around a Dryden defender for a shot.
Second: Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse checks the scoreboard as he meets with his team during a timeout with 1:12 left.
Third: The Lake Hawks' Brady Bockelkamp sends up a shot .
Bottom: Watkins Glen's Bryce Bockelkamp moves past a Dryden defender.

Honoree Jim Scott (facing away from camera) receives a hug from retired WGHS coach John Fazzary.

Jim Scott honored for 50 years of coaching

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 14, 2025 -- Longtime youth and high school coach Jim Scott was honored for his 50 years of service to local basketball in a ceremony Friday night held before the Watkins Glen-Dryden varsity basketball game in the WGHS Field House.

The ceremony, a surprise to Scott, brought scores of his former and current players --from the Saturday morning youth basketball league, which he's operated for 40 of his 50 coaching years, and from high school -- onto the court to congratulate him and pose with him at the south end of the gym.

The event began with a speech by WGHS Athletic Director Erich Kramer, who lauded Scott's "passion to coach teams and shape minds, a passion that extended beyond just his love for the game. For many, the passion fades over time, but not for Coach Scott. His evolved into a deep commitment -- not only to athletics, but to the development of the young men and women he coached. This community -- and communities worldwide -- are filled with individuals who treasure and still hold true the lessons they learned from Coach Scott's teams."

Scott, hugged by many of those former players durirng the ceremony, said the event had caught him completely off-guard. And when asked how he was feeling after his first 50 years of coaching, he laughed. "First 50 years?" he said. "I don't know ... I don't know if I have another 50 in me."

Photo in text: Fifty-year Coach Jim Scott poses with one of his greatest youth league and JV basketball players, Todd Lincoln, who starred on the WGHS varsity until his 2003 graduation, and then at Keuka College. Lincoln was among scores of former and current players on hand Friday night to honor the coach.

Jim Scott's former and current basketball players and former colleagues pose with him in the WGHS Field House.

O-M girls fall to Candor; sectionals next

CANDOR, Feb. 13, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team completed its regular season with a loss Thursday night, falling to Candor 56-41 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Candor gym.

Leah Antes led the Grizzlies with 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Brooklynn Thompson scored 10 points and Evvie Zinger 9 on three 3-pointers. The team converted 1 of 6 free throws, while Candor sank 9 of 17.

O-M trailed 16-10 after one quarter, led 26-23 at halftime, and was ahead 33-31 entering the fourth quarter.

"Three games in four days and a back-to-back situation got to us," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We ran out of gas in that fourth quarter, but we were in it most of the way and the game was far more competitive than that final score shows. Considering the circumstances, I'm pretty proud and happy with how we played."

The Grizzlies, who finished the regular season with an 11-9 record, will play next in sectionals, the schedule for which has yet to be announced. Candor is 14-3. 

Photo in text: O-M's Leah Antes (File photo)

Left: O-M's Connor Foggie at the free-throw line. Right: The Grizzlies' Drew Parmenter is fouled as he drives to the basket.

O-M boys lose to Groton in season finale

ODESSA, Feb. 13, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team closed its season with a 72-49 loss Thursday night to Groton in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Grizzlies -- who finished with a 4-16 record -- trailed 22-7 after one quarter, 37-22 at halftime, and 56-36 entering the fourth quarter.

Gavin Lohmeyer led O-M with 21 points, while Drew Parmenter scored 8 points, Hunter Mowry 6, Connor Foggie 4, Moe Zinger 3, Dev Patel 3, Mike Hines 2, and Caleb Malnoske 2. The team converted 11 of 20 free throws.

Groton was led by Lane Darling's 20 points. The team sank 2 of 6 free throws.

Junior Varsity: There was no JV contest.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Gavin Lohmeyer drives past a Groton defender.

From left: Odessa-Montour's Hunter Mowry, Caleb Malnoske and Mike Hines.

Odessa-Montour's Vanessa Wood drives to the hoop for two of her 15 points.

O-M girls top Newfield, improve to 11-8

ODESSA, Feb. 12, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team -- behind a double-double by Leah Antes and 15 points by Vanessa Wood -- defeated Newfield 51-31 Wednesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Antes scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and also dished out 5 assists. Wood, whose 15 points were a career high, also grabbed 5 rebounds. Other points came from Evvie Zinger (8), Brooklynn Thompson (5, with 4 assists), Olivia Rivera (2), and McKenzie Landon (2). The team converted 7 of 13 free throws, while Newfield was 2-for-6.

The Grizzlies (now 11-8) opened with a 14-0 run that carried them to a 17-4 lead after one period and a 26-12 advantage at halftime. They increased the lead from there, with a 40-21 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

"We came out and played some really good basketball right out of the gate in that first quarter, which was good to see with a nice crowd on hand for our final home game and Senior Night," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich.

The victory guaranteed O-M a winning record, which Gavich said "is a great accomplishment" for "such a young team."

The Grizzlies conclude their regular season Thursday night at Candor.

Senior Night: The team's lone senior, Maggie Pentz, was honored at a pre-game Senior Night ceremony. She has been inactive this season, recovering from a knee injury.

Junior Varsity: Newfield defeated O-M 43-39 in a game that took two hours to complete. Odessa lost one player to injury in the first half, and four more of its eight players left the game in the second half with five fouls each. By the final 1:06, O-M had just three players on the court against Newfield's five.

Alannah Rounds scored 11 points for Odessa, while Hannah Albertsman and Ella Kramer scored 9 each. The Grizzlies converted 9 of 18 free throws, while Newfield sank 13 of 37.

Photos in text:

Top: Odessa-Montour's Leah Antes takes aim. She scored 19 points.
Bottom left: O-M's Olivia Barr shoots.
Bottom right: The Grizzlies' Brooklynn Thompson prepares to shoot.

From left: Odessa-Montour's Evvie Zinger at the free-throw line; senior Maggie Pentz being honored at Senior Night; and Olivia Rivera shooting from the corner.

And in the JV game:

Odessa-Montour's Emma Bailey races upcourt with a posse in pursuit.

Watkins boys fall to Trumansburg, 59-42

TRUMANSBURG, Feb. 11, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 6-9 Tuesday night when the Lake Hawks dropped a 59-42 decision to Trumansburg in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the T-burg High School gym.

Christopher Simiele led Watkins scorers with 14 points, while Jude Santos scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Other points came from Brady Bockelkamp (5, with 8 rebounds), Sam Caslin (3, with 3 rebounds), Caleb Bresett (3, with 3 rebounds), Isaiah Rudy (2), and Nick Ritter (2). Simiele led in steals with 4.

"It was a challenging game," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "The boys worked hard, but we fell short. We played well at times, but just lacked a bit of consistency tonight."

Junior Varsity: Trumansburg defeated Watkins Glen, 53-23. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 19 points.

Watkins Glen's Rachel Vickio (left photo) and Addie Coolican (right photo) shoot.

Watkins girls roll past T-burg, 62-24

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 11, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by Addie Coolican's 20 points -- cruised past Trumansburg 62-24 Tuesday evening in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The Lake Hawks, now 15-2, led 24-5 after one quarter, 35-8 at halftime, and 49-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Coolican was joined in the scoring column by Michaela Wheaton (15 points), Brianna Hatch (10), Olivia King (8), Rachel Vickio (3), Grace Roney (2), Natalee Oliver (2), and Zade Gomez-Fitzsimmons (2).

King led in rebounds with 7, while Hatch grabbed 5, Wheaton 3, and Coolican 3. Hatch led in steals with 4, while Coolican and King had 3 each. Hatch led in assists with 5, while King had 4.

"It was fun to watch the girls play as a team," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They moved the ball well and played hard."

Junior Varsity: There was no JV game because Trumansburg does not have such a squad.

Senior Night: The two seniors on the Watkins Glen Indoor Track & Field team were honored in a pre-game Senior Night ceremony. They are Aiden Nichols and Henry Smith.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Michaela Wheaton takes aim after maneuvering past a Trumansburg defender. She scored 15 points.

Bottom left: The Lake Hawks' Grace Underdown shoots.

Bottom right: The two seniors on the Watkins Glen Indoor Track & Field team -- Henry Smith (left) and Aiden Nichols -- were honored in a pre-game Senior Night ceremony.

From left: Watkins Glen's Grace Roney, Brianna Hatch and Zade Gomez-Fitzsimmons.

Watkins Glen's Natalee Oliver (left photo) and Olivia King (right photo) take aim.

Odessa-Montour boys fall to Newfield

NEWFIELD, Feb. 11, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 66-34 deccision Tuesday night to Newfield in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Newfield gym.

Drew Parmenter led the Grizzlies (now 4-15) with 14 points, while Gavin Lohmeyer scored 9 points, Caleb Malnoske 3, Moe Zinger 3, Aaron Sutton 2, Hunter Mowry 2 and Mason Dupay 1. The team converted 5 of 16 free throws.

O-M returns to action Thursday night at home against Groton.

Junior Varsity: Newfield defeated O-M, 35-34. Jaden Bailor led the Grizzlies in scoring with 13 points, while Daniel Phillips scored 11, Kayden Garrabrant 6 and Jacob Carnes 4. The team converted 6 of 16 free throws.

O-M boys top Edison; Sutton scores 32

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, Feb. 10, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team -- led by Aaron Sutton's 32 points -- defeated Edison 49-31 Monday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

Sutton, who hit six 3-pointers and was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, was joined in the scoring column by Drew Parmenter (8 points), Hunter Mowry (3), Moe Zinger (3), James Halpin (2) and Gavin Lohmeyer (1). O-M (now 4-14) converted 14 of 20 free throws.

Edison was led by Zach Piper and Kaden Bennett, who each scored 12 points. The team sank 9 of 16 free throws.

O-M returns to action at Newfield Tuesday night, and hosts Groton on Thursday.

Odessa-Montour girls defeat Edison

ELMIRA HEIGHT, Feb. 10, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 10-8 Monday night with a 46-42 victory over Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

Leah Antes led the Grizzlies with 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Evvie Zinger scored 6 points, Brooklynn Thompson 5 (with 7 rebounds), Vanessa Wood 5, and Olivia Rivera 2. The team converted 13 of 23 free throws, while Edison sank 7 of 13.

O-M led 16-12 after one quarter, trailed 26-23 at halftime, and went on a 9-0 third-quarter run to enter the final period ahead 32-26.

"We led by as many as 10 in the fourth," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We led 43-34 with three minutes left, and they made a run at us to get it to 43-42.

"Brooklynn hit one of two free throws after a steal with 13.6 seconds left to put us up 44-42. Then after another steal on an inbounds pass by Vanessa Wood, Leah hit two free throws with 9 seconds left to ice it."

The Grizzlies return to action Wednesday at home against Newfield (on Senior Night), and then play at Candor on Thursday. After that: the sectional tournament.

6 Storm wrestlers advance to sectionals

UNADILLA VALLEY, Feb. 8, 2025 -- Six of the 13 Schuyler Storm wrestlers competing Saturday in the Section IV Qualifier B Tournament at Unadilla Valley High School advanced to the Section IV State Qualifier Tournament next weekend at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton. The top six in each weight class advanced.

The Storm -- a combined squad of Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen High School athletes -- placed 6th out of 13 teams Saturday, behind Owego, Waverly, Walton-Delware Academy, Unatego-Unadilla Valley-Franklin, and Champions Deposit Hancock.

Lucas Hoffman led the team with a first-place finish at 124 pounds with a 3-0 record, winning by technical fall over Evan Johnson of Deposit-Hancock in the finals. Patrick Croft (2-1) also found himself in the finals at 215 pounds, but lost a hard-fought match to Unatego-Unadilla Valley-Franklin's Nolan Boyles in overtime. Hunter Barrett and Jared Watson placed third at 145 pounds and 152 pounds, respectively, with 2-1 records. Nick D'Alleva and Dana Guild finished in fourth place at 170 pounds and 215 pounds, respectively.

OM/WG's Jackie Mace will also be competing in the Section IV Girls State Qualifier -- to be held on Saturday at Waverly High School.

The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team: Champions of the IAC.

Storm swimmers dominate IAC meet

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 8, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team repeated as champion Saturday by dominating at the Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Watkins Glen High School pool.

The Storm -- a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- totaled 530 points to runnerup Lansing's 389. Dryden earned 338.5 points, and Southern Cayuga 240.5.

While Lansing's Connor Lajza won the meet MVP award (for two individual wins -- the 50 Free and 100 Fly), Storm senior Liam Smith had, in the words of Coach Jason Westervelt, "a fantastic last IAC Championship meet, winning both of his individual races and as a member of two winning relays."

Smith won the 200 Free and 500 Free, and was on the winning 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay.

In addition, Westervelt said, "Drew Popovich also performed above and beyond, winning the IAC Diving Championship as an 8th grader!"

The Storm posted wins in the following events:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Grayson Robertson, Carson Thaete , Andre Wixson, 1:45.30.
200 Free: 1st, Liam Smith 1:56.29.
100 Free: 1st, Andre Wixson 52.52.
Diving: 1st, Drew Popovich
500 Free: 1st, Liam Smith 5:30.45.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Alex Walters, Carson Thaete, Liam Smith 1:35.73.
100 Back: 1st, Ryan Dean 58.76.
400 Free Relay: 1st, Liam Smith, Alex Walters, Grayson Robertson, Andre Wixson 3:42.01.

The Storm also took second in the 200 Free and 100 Free (both by Alex Walters), the 200 IM and 100 Fly (both by Carson Thaete), the 50 Free (Ryan Dean), the 100 Back (Evan Clarkson) and the 100 Breaststroke (Grayson Robertson).

"All the boys worked hard for this title," said Coach Westervelt, "and are looking forward to the Sectional Championships in a couple of weeks."

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Liam Smith on the way to victory in the 500 Free.

Middle: A trio of Storm swimmers who made the podium in the 100 Back. From left: Evan Clarkson (who placed 2nd), Ryan Dean (1st) and David Heichel (5th).

Bottom: The Storm's Grayson Robertson on the way to 2nd place in the 100 Breaststroke.

Left: The Storm's Ricky Bitter competes in the 500 Free. He placed 8th. Right: The Storm's Enric Lin hits the water at start of the 500 Free.

Left: The Storm's Liam Smith, left, and Alex Walters with the team's championship plaque. Right: Storm diver Drew Popovich with his plaque for winning the IAC diving championship. (Photo by Erich Kramer)

Several from Watkins Glen advance at Section IV Track Class Championships

ITHACA, Feb. 8, 2025 -- Several members of the Watkins Glen High School indoor track team qualified Saturday for the upcoming Section IV State Qualifier by placing in the top six of their events at Saturday's Section IV Class Championships at Cornell University.

Senior Aiden Nichols placed fifth in the Shot Put, breaking his own school record with a toss of 39' 1.25". He had set the record last weekend with a throw of 38' 7.50".

Also finishing in the top six were Madison Tuttle, second in the 1500 Meter Racewalk in 8:10.88; Kassitie Clugstone, fourth in the 1500 Meter Racewalk in 9:25.12; Isaac Hendrickson, fourth in the 1600 Meter Run in 5:13.30; and the 4x800 Meter Relay team of Zach Brusso, Ben Henry, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Hendrickson, fifth in 10:54.60.

There were a number of personal records, too, as follows:

--Henry Smith was 12th in the 600 (in 1:37.36) and 17th in the 300 (in 41.98).
--Ben Henry was 10th in the 3200 Meter Run (in 12.37.84).
--Zach Brusso was 17th in the 1600 Meter Run (in 6:00.99).
--Ellery Thaete was 18th at 600 meters (in 2:01.10) and 19th at 300 meters (in 51.76).
--Sam Hohle was 13th at 55 meters (in 7.22) and 11th at 300 meters (in 40.72).
--Emmett Perko was 25th at 55 meters (in 7.53).
--Emmanuel Rodriguez was 26th at 1000 meters (in 3:30.10).

"It was another great showing for our team," said Watkins Glen Coach Kelly Sterner. "Hard work and dedication has proven to be successful."

Photo in text: The Watkins Glen indoor track team. From left: Henry Smith, Sam Hohle, Ethan Stevenson, Emmett Perko, Zach Brusso, Isaac Hendrickson, Aiden Nichols, Andrew Champion, Ben Henry, Ellery Thaete, Madison Tuttle, and Emmanuel Rodriguez. (Photo provided)

Bowling: Watkins Glen boys 5th at IACs

WAVERLY, Feb. 8, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team placed fifth Saturday among nine schools at the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Championships at the Valley Bowling Center.

Brett Cullen-Pike, who rolled a 300 in his team's final regular-season meet Tuesday at Harborside Lanes in Watkins Glen, led the team Saturday with a 203-193-232=628 series. Mykel Cody registered a 572 that included a 203, while Kamden Miller posted a 523, Kristofer Burke a 499, and Mark Fabrizi a 470 as the Lake Hawks totaled 2692.

Candor took first place with a 3189 total, with Union Springs/Port Byron second at 2992. Tioga was third, Lansing fourth, and Watkins Glen fifth, followed by Newark Valley, Odessa-Montour, Groton and Edison.

Cullen-Pike was named an IAC Second Team All-Star for his 190 season average. His 628 series was 9th highest at Saturday's tourney.

"The team is really bowling well right now," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "They seemed to have found a good flow and have been feeding off of the positive energy on the team. Our next event is the Section IV tournament in two weeks."

Odessa-Montour: The Grizzlies boys team placed 7th among nine teams, posting a 2414 total led by Breyden Seamon's 578 series. Ronald Wilson added a 532 that included a 211, while Alex Campbell rolled a 430, Braidyne Wilson a 419, and Ryan McCann a 408.

The O-M girls squad, with just three bowlers, placed last among nine teams. Abbey Grady rolled a 403, MayLynn Hourihan a 400, and Odessa Arrance a 311.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brett Cullen-Pike. (File photo)

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Week 6

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 8, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball continued Saturday, with the following Week 6 results. It was the final week of league play. The next two weekends will be the Walter "Red" Matthews Play-Offs.

2nd and 3rd Grades:

Sporting Goods 13, Curly's 6.
Sporting Goods scoring: Lucas Bianco 11, Jayvon Payne 2
Curly's scoring: Hector Cardenas 4, Easton Rekczis 2.

Maguire's 14, Famous Brands 8.
Maguire's scoring: Lincoln Smith 10, Greyson Geuder 2, Luca Purpura 2.
Famous Brands scoring: Briar Karius 6, Isaac Johnson 2

Standings:
Watkins Sporting Goods 5-1 (League Champions)
Maguire's 4-2
Curly's Family Restaurant 3-3
Famous Brands 0-6

4th-6th Grades:

Capt. Bill's 27, Schamel Brothers 21.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Morgan Bubb 14, Zion Tomlinson 10, Luke Hicks 2, Jax Fields 1.
Schamel Brothers scoring: Cole Desrochers 6, Logan Saks 5, Hank Titus 4, Zane Cross 4, Waylon Gee 2.

WG Supply 35, Watkins Motel 32.
WG Supply scoring: Isidore Gomez Fitzsimmons 15, Kingston Tomlinson 9, Bryce Walker 4, Callum McKeon 4, Spencer Frew 2, Cameron Gee 1.
Watkins Motel scoring: Landon Bianco 12, Mason Bellivigna 6, TaMya VanOrden-Jones 4, Garrett Bubb 4, Austin Burt 4, Hunter Perry 2.

Standings:
Watkins Glen Supply 5-1 (League Champions)
Watkins Motel 3-3
Capt.Bill's 3-3
Schamel Brothers 1-5

Schedule for 2/15/25 - Walter"Red" Matthews Memorial Play-offs.

2nd-3rd Grade:
Maguire's vs. Curly's
Sporting Goods vs. Famous Brands

4th-6th Grade:
Watkins Motel vs. Capt. Bill's
WG Supply vs. Schamel Brothers

Gavich honored for 2023-24 hoop season

ODESSA, Feb. 7, 2025 -- Odessa-Montour High School graduate Gina Gavich has been listed as a Class D, 5th Team All-State pick for the 2023-24 basketball season by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

The long-delayed honor announcement included 29 female players from Section IV across six classes.

Gavich, who enrolled this past fall at Elmira College, was named O-M Female Athlete of the Year in the spring of 2024 by the school at the conclusion of her high school career.

O-M's Drew Parmenter (left photo) and Gavin Lohmeyer (right) look for shots in traffic.

Odessa-Montour boys fall to Candor

ODESSA, Feb. 7, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 70-47 decision Friday night to Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Grizzlies (3-14) trailed 25-10 after one period, 43-22 at halftime, and 52-34 entering the fourth quarter.

Aaron Sutton led O-M in scoring with 16 points, while Drew Parmenter scored 14 points, Gavin Lohmeyer 11, Michael Hines 3, Moe Zinger 2, and James Halpin 1. The team converted 16 of 20 free throws. Candor sank 7 of 12 free throws.

The Grizzlies will conclude their season Monday night at Edison.

Senior Night: The team's four seniors, along with four cheerleaders, were honored in a pre-game Senior Night ceremony. The players are Drew Parmenter, Tyler Malnoske, Gavin Lohmeyer and Michael Hines. The cheerleaders are Paisley Jeziorski, Maya Moser, Cassie Allen and Hailey Waterman.

Junior Varsity: Candor defeaed O-M, 39-35. Daniel Phillips scored 12 points for the Grizzlies, while Jaden Bailor scored 11 and Kayden Garrabrant 10.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Aaron Sutton drives to the hoop.

Senior Night honorees. From left, Odessa-Montour basketball players Michael Hines, Gavin Lohmeyer, Tyler Malnoske and Drew Parmenter, and cheerleaders Hailey Waterman, Maya Moser, Paisley Jeziorski and Cassie Allen.

Watkins Glen boys defeat Edison, 53-41

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, Feb. 7, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team improved to 6-8 Friday with a 53-41 victory over Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

Christopher Simiele led the Lake Hawks in scoring with 19 points, while Jude Santos scored 14, Brady Bockelkamp 9, Sam Caslin 5, Caleb Bresett 4, and Bryce Bockelkamp 2. Santos led in rebounds with 12, while Simiele grabbed 8. Simiele led in assists with 6, and in steals with 4.

"We played hard tonight and got the win," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "We have a couple more regular season games and then sectionals."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen beat TAE, 65-54. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 29 points, while Leon Lagramada scored 19, Austin Preuninger 7, Jax Decker 7, Nicolai Holmes 2, and Nolan Reynolds 1. Leon Lagramada led in rebounds with 14, and Caydin Lagramada and Holmes in steals with 4 each.

Watkins Glen's Brianna Hatch (left photo) and Natalee Oliver (right) shoot in traffic.

Watkins girls roll past Edison, 46-26

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 7, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 14-2 Friday night with a 46-26 victory over Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The Lake Hawks led 21-7 after one period, 35-9 at halftime, and 37-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Brianna Hatch led Watkins in scoring with 10 points. Other points came from Olivia VanSkiver (7), Michaela Wheaton (6), Rachel Vickio (5), Grace Roney (4), Natalee Oliver (4), Olivia King (4), Emma Cady (2), Zade Gomez-Fitsimmons (2), and Grace Underdown (2).

Hatch and King led in steals wih 4 each, while Wheaton had 3, and Roney, Addie Coolican, Underdown, Vickio and Cady 2 apiece.

Seniors Addie Coolican and Olivia VanSkiver were honored in a pre-game Senior Night ceremony.

"Senior night is always emotional for the team, families and fans and tonight was no exception," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "Our seniors Addie Coolican and Olivia VanSkiver played a great game. Everyone on the team was able to contribute to the win. This group of girls are a wonderful, fun-loving group. It was nice to hear the cheers on and off the court. Our seniors will certainly be missed next year."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Edison 37-22 to improve to 9-6. Lizzi Fitzwater led the Lake Hawks with 17 points, while Amy Field scored 9.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Emma Cady is fouled as she drives to the basket.
Bottom: Senior Night honorees Olivia VanSkiver, left, and Addie Coolican. (Provided)

Bowling: Odessa boys defeat US/PB, 3-1

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 7, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team concluded its regular season with a 3-1 victory Friday over Union Springs/Port Byron in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

Boys: The Grizzlies lost the first game but won the next two and total pinfall, 2378-2322. Breyden Seamon led O-M with a 577 series that included a 209 game. Ryan McCann added a 531.

Girls: O-M's three-bowler team lost all three games and total pinfall to US/PB's full five-person squad, 2089-1103. Abbey Grady led the Grizzlies with a 406, while MayLynn Hourihan posted a 389 (including a career-best 205), and Odessa Arrance a 308.

Senior Night: MayLynn Hourihan, the lone senior on the O-M bowling squad, was honored in a pre-match Senior Night ceremony.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Breyden Seamon sends the ball on its way.

Left: O-M bowling coach Tom Strong with Senior Night honoree MayLynn Hourihan.
Right: The Grizzlies' Odessa Arrance eyes a spare.

Vickio honored for 2023-24 hoop season

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 7, 2025 -- Watkins Glen High School junior Rachel Vickio has been listed as a Class C, 7th Team All-State pick for the 2023-24 basketball season by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

The long-delayed honor announcement included 29 female players from Section IV across six classes.

Vickio, who was a sopohomore in 2023-24, has been either sidelined or limited in action this season by two leg injuries. Watkins Glen is now in Class B.

O-M boys fall to Hammondsport, 50-43

HAMMONDSPORT, Feb. 5, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 50-43 decision Wednesday to Hammondsport in a non-league road game.

The Grizzlies (3-13) trailed 15-14 after one quarter, 28-25 at halftime, and 43-34 entering the fourth quarter.

Drew Parmenter led O-M with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, while Gavin Lohmeyer scored 8 points, James Halpin 7, Aaron Sutton 5, Hunter Mowry 2, Connor Foggie 2, and Moe Zinger 1. The team converted 10 of 29 free throws.

Hammondsport was led by Henry Morrison's 23 points. The team sank 15 of 26 free throws.

Watkins Glen High School's Brett Cullen-Pike sends the ball on its way (left) and watches as it hits the pocket in his quest for a 12th straight strike and a 300.

Left: Cullen-Pike watches as the last pin, the 10 pin, falls backward. Right: He raises his arms in celebration at his first, and his school's first, 300 game.

Cullen-Pike rolls a 300 game

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 4, 2025 -- Watkins Glen High School's Brett Cullen-Pike rolled a 300 game Tuesday to lead the Lake Hawks varsity bowling team to a 4-0 victory over Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

The two seniors on the team -- Mykel Cody and Dominic Gublo -- were honored in a pre-match Senior Night ceremony, but the sophomore Cullen-Pike stole the show with the first perfect game in WGHS competition history, breaking the old school mark of 298 set by Anthony Teed in 2006.

The 300 -- 12 strikes in a row -- came in the first of three games. Cullen-Pike, son of Scott Pike and Shelley Cullen, followed it with a 235 and a 190 for a 725 series. Cullen-Pike, in his third varsity year, had rolled his previous best of 278 earlier this season at the Valley Bowling Center in Waverly.

After registering the first 11 strikes Tuesday, he had to wait a short time as the pin setter malfunctioned, loading the wrong number of pins. When it was reset, he wasted no time in rolling the ball, bringing it into the 1-3 pocket and watching as the pins scattered -- except for the 10 pin, which stood for a moment before falling.

Cullen-Pike, when told he had looked cool under pressure, shook his head and smiled. "No," he said. And when asked what he was thinking when his last shot was delayed for that reset, he answered: "Nothing, really. I was just breathing."

And was he concerned when that 10 pin didn't fall immediately? "A little bit," he said with a smile. "A little bit."

But fall it did, and the audience throughout the alley -- well attuned to what was happening -- applauded, several of them rushing to shake Cullen-Pike's hand.

Cullen-Pike, who also bowls in a Saturday morning Youth League at Harborside Lanes, was assisted in Tuesday's victory over Lansing by Kristofer Burke's 495 series, Kamden Miller's 433, Mykel Cody's 422, Mark Fabrizi's 407, and Dominic Gublo's 371.

The atmosphere in the bowling alley was described by Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson as follows:

"The atmosphere at Harborside Lanes slowly built to a steady quiet as more and more fans realized what was happening. I noticed that Brett started bowling well with strikes in the first three frames. I checked back in at his table at the 5th frame and saw more strikes. He has done this before -- a few weeks ago when he finished with a 278 -- and this game looked like it was going in that same direction. When I saw that he still had all strikes in the 8th frame, I really didn't want to bother him and disrupt his flow.

"He looked calm and focused through the whole game and it seemed like just another day bowling for him. Later he told me that he was feeling the pressure. At the start of the 10th frame the crowd was really focused on Brett, but he handled the pressure and was able to roll three more strikes. The additional drama with the pins needing a reset on the very last roll just added to the tension in the air, but he was able to maintain his composure and finish with his first perfect game.

"Brett is the type of person who seems to go with the flow, never getting too upset or overly happy with his performances -- but tonight when he threw his hands in the air in celebration, I knew he was super proud, as was everyone else in the room."

Photos in text:

Top: Brett Cullen-Pike celebrates his 300 game with his father, Scott Pike.
Bottom: The WGHS team's two seniors -- Dominic Gublo, left, and Mykel Cody -- were honored in a pre-match Senior Night ceremony. (Photo provided)

The scoresheet tells the tale: 12 straight strikes by Brett Cullen-Pike.

Watkins girls defeat Notre Dame, 59-39

SOUTHPORT, Feb. 4, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 13-2 Tuesday night with a 59-39 victory over Elmira Notre Dame in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the ND gym.

The Lake Hawks led 14-3 after one period, 35-9 at halftime, and 45-29 entering the fourth quarter.

Three Watkins Glen players scored in double figures: Olivia King with 13 points, Emma Cady with 12, and Addie Coolican with 11. Other points came from Brianna Hatch (7), Natalee Oliver (6), Rachel Vickio (5), Olivia VanSkiver (3), and Grace Roney (2). Hatch led in rebounds with 8, while King grabbed 6, Oliver 5, and Cady 4. Hatch also led in steals with 6, while King had 5. Oliver led in assists with 6.

"I loved how the girls played tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They played hard and together. We played a great first half, holding Notre Dame to 9 points."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen lost 32-29 as its record slipped to 8-6.

Left: Watkins Glen's Jude Santos attempts a twisting layup. Right: The Lake Hawks' Sam Caslin eyes the basket.

Watkins boys fall to Notre Dame, 59-52

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 4, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 5-8 Tuesday night when the Lake Hawks dropped a 59-52 decision to Elmira Notre Dame in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Watkins Glen trailed 18-15 after one period and 34-28 at halftime, but stayed close until late in the fourth quarter, when the Crusaders pulled away for the win.

Christopher Simiele led the Lake Hawks with 19 points, while Jude Santos scored 14 and grabbed 11 rebounds. Other points came from Sam Caslin (9), Brady Bockelkamp (5), Jaydon Scholtisek (3), and Caleb Bresett (2).

"It was a good game that went back and forth all night," said Watkins Glen Coch Scott Morse.

"We definitely played well enough to win, but shot just 8 for 21 from the foul line, and that was the difference in the game. I'm proud of the effort and the fight the boys put forth and hopefully we can carry that into the remainder of the season."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Elmira Notre Dame 52-34. Caydin Lagramada led the team with 17 points, while Leon Lagramada scored 14 and Austin Preuninger 9.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Christopher Simiele drives to the basket in traffic.
Bottom: The Lake Hawks' Jaydon Scholtisek takes aim at the basket.

Odessa boys fall to Marathon, 54-19

ODESSA, Feb. 4, 2025 -- The Odesssa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 3-12 Tuesday night when the Grizzlies dropped a 54-19 decision to Marathon in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

O-M, minus two players out with injuries, fell behind early and trailed 25-9 at halftime and 38-13 entering the fourth period.

Drew Parmenter led the Grizzlies with 9 points, while Aaron Sutton scored 4 points, Moe Zinger 4, and Hunter Mowry 2.

Odessa-Montour returns to action Friday night at home against Candor. The team's seniors will be honored.

Junior Varsity: Marathon defeated Odessa-Montour 26-22.

***
***

Photo: O-M's Moe Zinger drives to the basket.

Odessa girls lose to Marathon, 40-28

MARATHON, Feb. 4, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team dropped a 40-28 decision Tuesday night to Marathon in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Marathon gym.

Leah Antes led the Grizzlies with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Brooklynn Thompson added 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Evvie Zinger scored 5 points,and Vanessa Wood 3.

O-M trailed 10-5 after one quarter and 14-11 at halftime, but led 25-24 entering the fourth quarter.

"We led 27-24 early in the 4th and then just hit a wall from the back-to-back games," O-M Coach Greg Gavich said, referring to a loss Monday night to Union Springs. "They had fresher legs down the stretch and we wound up fouling and the final score was not indicative of the game.

"We played really well defensively for three-and-a-half quarters, but had nothing left in the tank at the end. We battled but were running on fumes."

The Grizzlies, now 9-8, play at Candor on Thursday in an IAC Small School South Division game. Candor won Tuesday night, clinching the division title.

Bowling: O-M boys, girls fall to Tioga

WAVERLY, Feb. 4, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High school boys and girls varsity bowling teams dropped 4-0 decisions Tuesday to Tioga in Interscholastic Athletic Conferencce matches at the Valley Bowling Center.

Boys: O-M dropped all three games by a combined 2795-2450. The Grizzlies were led by Perry Navestad's career-high 550 series, while Breyden Seamon posted a 499, Braidyne Wilson 479 (including a 200), Ronald Wilson 472, and Alex Campbell 434.

Girls: Odessa's three-person squad lost all three games to Tioga's full squad by a combined 2355-1149. Abbey Grady led the Grizzlies with a 400, while MayLynn Hourihan rolled a 384 and Odessa Arrance a 365.

Left: O-M's Evvie Zinger shoots. Right: The Grizzlies' Olivia Rivera passes the ball.

O-M girls fall to Union Springs, 69-31

ODESSA, Feb. 3, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team's five-game winning streak ended Monday night with a 69-31 loss to Union Springs in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Grizzlies trailed 16-3 after one quarter, and 39-14 at halftime.

Leah Antes led O-M with 13 points, while Vanessa Wood scored 6 points, Olivia Rivera 6, Brooklynn Thompson 3, and Evvie Zinger 3.

The team converted 9 of 13 free throws, while Union Springs sank 12 of 15.

"We ran into a buzzsaw tonight," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich.

"They played a very impressive game and I felt we played okay on offense but just didn't make shots. But I'm not sure it would have mattered. And there's no time to dwell on it, because we're back in action tomorrow at Marathon."

Union Springs is now 12-3, including 8-1 in league play. O-M is 9-7 and 4-4.

Junior Varsity: Union Springs defeated O-M 29-19. Jaden Jarrell led the Grizzlies with 7 points, while Alannah Rounds scored 6.

*****

Photos in text:

Top: O-M's Leah Antes is fouled as she drives to the hoop.
Bottom: The Grizzlies' Vanessa Wood at the free-throw line.

Left: O-M's Olivia Barr looks to pass the ball. Right: Brooklynn Thompson shoots.

And in the JV game:

Left: O-M's Alannah Rounds. Right: The Grizzlies' Jaden Jarrell is fouled as she shoots.

Bowling: Odessa-Montour falls to USPB

AUBURN, Feb. 3, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys and girls varsity bowling teams dropped 4-0 decisions Monday to Union Springs/Port Byron in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Starlite Lanes.

Boys: The Grizzlies lost all three games by a combined 2927-2212. Breyden Seamon led O-M with a 505 series, while Perry Navestad posted a 485, and Braidyne Wilson a 414.

Girls: The three-person Grizzlies dropped all three games to the full USPB squad by a 2187-1074 margin. Abbey Grady led O-M with a 427 series.

Nichols sets new WGHS Shot Put mark

CORTLAND, Feb. 1, 2025 -- Watkins Glen High School senior Aiden Nichols set a new Indoor School Record in the Shot Put Saturday with a throw of 38' 7.50" at the Section IV Add-On Invitational at SUNY Cortland.

Nichols, who finished in third place, broke the old indoor mark of 38' 2" set in 2009 by Jared Karius.

Meanwhile, WGHS junior Madison Tuttle, on the mend from her second knee injury (she entered racewalking following her first such injury two years ago), won the 1500 Meter Racewalk in a time of 8:07.05. Teammate Kassitie Clugstone was fourth in 10:05.29, dropping a minute from her last meet.

Personal bests included:

--Isaac Hendrickson, 1600 Meters, 5.02.62
--Zach Brusso, 1000 Meters, 3:31.0
--Ethan Stevenson, 55 Meters, 7.81
--Leighann Landers, 55 Meters. 8.83
--Henry Smith, 600 Meters, 1:39.9
--Emmett Perko, 300 Meters, 45.89

"It's always great to see improvements," said Watkins Glen Coach Kelly Sterner. "We're gearing up for the Championship season. The Class Meet is Saturday at Cornell University."

Photo in text: WGHS senior Aiden Nichols (Photo provided)

Mace 5th at Lady Legacy Invitational

HOMER, Feb. 1, 2025 -- Schuyler Storm varsity wrestler Jackie Mace placed fifth at 132 pounds Saturday at the Lady Legacy Invitational held at Homer High School.

Mace -- an Odessa-Montour High School senior -- finished the tournament with a 3-1 record.

Her lone loss came by way of a 6-1 decision to eventual champion Brielle Nils of Homer, which dropped her into the consolation rounds. Mace then racked up three pins in a row to secure the fifth-place finish.

Photo at right: Jackie Mace (File photo)

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Week 5

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 1, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball continued Saturday, with the following Week 5 results.

2nd and 3rd Grades:

Sporting Goods 20, Famous Brands 10.
Sporting Goods scoring: Jayvon Payne 8, Lucas Bianco 6, Paige Waite 4, and Connor Holland 2.
Famous Brands scoring: Darren Mcllroy 4, Briar Karius 4, Tyson Ventra 2.

Maguire's 10, Curly's 7.
Maguire's scoring: Jaxson Bellavigna 4, Lincoln Smith 4, Greyson Geuder 2.
Curly's scoring: Jacob Lynch 5, Henry Ullrich 2.

Standings:
Watkins Sporting Goods 4-1
Curly's Family Restaurant 3-2
Maguire's 3-2
Famous Brands 0-5

4th-6th Grades:

Watkins Motel 28, Capt. Bill's 27.
Watkins Motel scoring: Garrett Bubb 8, Camden Janowski 6, TaMya VanOrden-Jones 4, Sydney Fields 2, Mason Bellavigna 2, Michael Kessler 2, Austin Burt 2, Owen Canzler 2.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Zion Tomlinson 10, Morgan Bubb 9, Derrick Westervelt 6, Luke Hicks 2.

Schamel Brothers 30, WG Supply 14.
Schamel Brothers scoring: Hank Titus 10, Zane Cross 8, Morgan Saks 4, Waylon Gee 4, Logan Saks 4.
WG Supply scoring: Cate Caslin 4, Callum McKeon 4, Kingston Tomlinson 4, Spencer Frew 2.

Standings:
Watkins Glen Supply 4-1
Watkins Motel 3-2
Capt. Bill's 2-3
Schamel Brothers 1-4

O-M 3rd and 4th Grade Basketball

ODESSA, Feb. 1, 2025 -- The following are the results of Saturday's Week 2 action at Odessa-Montour 3rd and 4th Grade Basketball at the school.

Glider City Powersports 24, Stewart P. Wilson 11
Glider City: Colton Thomson 14, Ari Sangprakarn 5, Brooke McCray 3, Teigen Aldrich 2.
Stewart P. Wilson: Ava Bradley 6, Brantley Gossett 5.

Vedders-Scott & Zinger 12, Watkins Supply 9
Vedder-Scott & Zinger: Jayce Taylor 10, Brighton Jake 2.
Watkins Supply: Levi Small 6, Julie Preczewski 2, Tyler May 1.

Overall Standings:
Glider City 2-0
Watkins Supply 1-1
Vedder-Scott & Zinger 1-1
Stewart P. Wilson 0-2

Watkins Glen girls defeat NV, 51-38

NEWARK VALLEY, Jan. 31, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 12-2 Friday night by defeating Newark Valley 51-38 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the NV gym.

The Lake Hawks trailed 15-13 after one quarter, but led 27-18 at halftime and 39-28 entering the fourth quarter.

Watkins Glen had three players score in double figures: Addie Coolican with 12 points, Natalee Oliver with 11, and Brianna Hatch with 10. Other points came from Emma Cady (7), Olivia King (6), Rachel Vickio (3), and Michaela Wheaton (2).

Hatch led in rebounds with 17, while King grabbed 7 and Wheaton 4. Hatch also led in assists with 4 and blocks with 2.

"The girls played a great game," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "It was an exciting game to coach, and I am very proud of the girls."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen's record slipped to 8-5 as it lost 35-28.

Left: O-M's Olivia Rivera is fouled as she drives to the hoop. Right: The Grizzlies' Evvie Zinger prepares to shoot in traffic.

Odessa-Montour girls top Addison, 50-30

ODESSA, Jan. 31, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 9-6 Friday night with its fifth straight win, a 50-30 victory over Addison in a non-league game in the O-M gym.

The Grizzlies, who had lost to Addison 31-30 at the Addison Christmas Tournament, was led by Leah Antes' 14 points and 8 rebounds. Other points came from Evvie Zinger (9, with 4 assists), Brooklynn Thompson (8, with 10 rebounds), Olivia Rivera (8, with 5 rebounds), Vanessa Wood (7, with 7 rebounds), and Olivia Barr (4).

O-M led 12-5 after one quarter, 25-12 at halftime, and 39-24 entering the fourth period.

"We had kind of a disjointed week with a cancellation and dealing with some illness," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, "but we came out and played with far more energy and enthusiasm than the last time we played them over there.

"It was good to get some balance in the scorebook and have everyone see the ball go through the hoop."

The Grizzlies face 11-3 Union Springs at home on Monday before traveling to Marathon on Tuesday and Candor on Thursday. O-M trails Candor in the IAC Small School South Division standings. Candor is 6-2 and O-M is 4-3.

Photo in text: O-M's Leah Antes takes aim.

Odessa-Montour boys fall to Tioga, 68-55

TIOGA CENTER, Jan. 31, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 68-55 decision Friday night to Tioga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Tioga gym.

Gavin Lohmeyer led the Grizzlies (3-11) with 24 points, while Aaron Sutton scored 10 points, Drew Parmenter 9, and Hunter Mowry 9. The team converted 13 of 18 free throws.

Junior Varsity: Odessa-Montour defeated Tioga 41-34. Daniel Phillips led the Grizzlies with 21 points, while Jaden Bailor scored 14. The team converted 11 of 28 free throws.

Left: Watkins Glen's Jude Santos sends up a shot. Right: The Lake Hawks' Brady Bockelkamp drives to the basket in first-quarter action.

Watkins Glen boys defeat Newark Valley

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 31, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team improved to 5-7 Friday night with a 60-53 victory over Newark Valley in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Christopher Simiele led the Lake Hawks with 20 points, while Jude Santos scored 11, Brady Bockelkamp 10, Sam Caslin 8, Jaydon Scholtisek 5, Bryce Bockelkamp 4, and Caleb Bresett 2.

Caslin led in rebounds with 15, while Santos grabbed 10, Scholtisek 7, and Brady Bockelkamp 5. Santos and Scholtisek each had 3 steals, and Simiele 2. Caslin led in assists with 4, while Simiele had 3.

"We struggled for stretches tonight but a lot of guys stepped up and helped us get the win in a back and forth game," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "Christopher Simiele continued his hot shooting, especially in the first half to keep us in the game early. Sam Caslin had an outstanding 15 rebounds. That's impressive for anyone, but especially a smaller guard. He showed tremendous heart attacking the boards tonight.

"Brady Bockelkamp was everywhere hustling after the ball and playing solid defense. I thought it was one of his best games this season. Jaydon Scholtisek came in and played excellent defense in some critical points in the game. He is such a talented athlete who hasn't had the opportunity to show how good he is. As a sophomore, he's got a very bright future. Jude Santos got a little banged up in the game but had a strong second half as we made a run to regain the lead. As a team, we were really good down the stretch when it mattered and got a win we really needed."

It was Senior Night, with the team's four seniors -- Caslin, Brady Bockelkamp, Nicholas Ritter and Isaiah Rudy -- honored in a pre-game ceremony.

"Senior Night," said Morse, "is always emotional for the team, families and fans and tonight was no different. All of our four seniors are good athletes but even better people. They work hard every day and are excellent teammates. I'm grateful for their leadership and commitment and I know they will all do amazing things in the future."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Newark Valley 57-45. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 18 points, while Leon Lagramada scored 12 points and had 5 assists. Other points came from Aden Rekczis (10), Austin Preuninger (8, with 12 rebounds), Jax Decker (6), and Nicolai Holmes (3, with 6 rebounds).

Photos in text: Watkins Glen's Christopher Simiele (top photo) and Caleb Bresett (bottom photo) take aim at the basket.

Watkins Glen seniors were honored in a pre-game ceremony. From left, varsity basketball players Sam Caslin, Brady Bockelkamp, Nick Ritter and Isaiah Rudy, and varsity cheerleader Madaline Bryerton.

Bowling: Watkins boys top Groton, 3-1

GROTON, Jan. 31, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team defeated Groton 3-1 Friday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Memory Lanes.

The Lake Hawks dropped the first game but won the second and third games along with total pinfall, 2279-2159. Mykel Cody led Watkins with a 487 series, while Brett Cullen-Pike posted a 485. Four other Hawks scored between 402 and 423.

"It was a great effort by all the team tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "Everyone came through at the right time to get the win."

Bowling: Watkins boys defeat NV, 3-1

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 30, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team posted a 3-1 victory Thursday over Newark Valley in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

Watkins won the first two games and total pinfall, 2387-2137. Brett Cullen-Pike led the Lake Hawks with a 553 series, while Mykel Cody rolled a 512, Kristofer Burke 469, Kamden Miller 438, and Mark Fabrizi 415.

The Schuyler Storm's Liam Smith swims the Butterfly leg of the 200 Medley Relay.

Storm swimmers top Southern Cayuga

ODESSA, Jan. 30, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team defeated Southern Cayuga 58-30 Thursday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Odessa-Montour High School pool.

"We had a great meet tonight," said Storm Coach Jason Westervelt. "A lot of our kids were swimming in events they haven't competed in this season. It was great to see them step up and get the points we needed to win the meet."

The Storm, a combined squad of O-M and Watkins Glen High School athletes, registered first-place finishes in the following events:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Carson Thaete, Grayson Robertson, Liam Smith, Jack Hayden, 1:55.71.
200 Free: 1st, Hudson Westervelt, 2:15.81.
200 Individual Medley: 1st, Grayson Robertson, 2:26.71.
50 Free: 1st, Ryan Dean, 24.03.
100 Fly: 1st, Evan Clarkson, 1:05.54.
100 Free: 1st, Andre Wixson, 54.44.
500 Free: 1st, Hudson Westervelt, 6:08.66.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Liam Smith, Andre Wixson, Ryan Dean, Carson Thaete, 1:39.10.

Individual second-place finishes were posted by David Heichel in the 200 Free, Grayson Robertson in the 100 Fly, Kyler Eriksen in the 200 IM and 500 Free, and Liam Smith in the 50 Free and 100 Free.

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Grayson Robertson en route to victory in the 200 IM.
Bottom: The Storm's Enric Lin competes in the 200 Free.

Left: WG/OM's Carson Thaete swims the backstroke leg of the 200 Medley Relay.
Right: The Storm's Jack Hayden dives at start of the final leg of the 200 Medley Relay.

Bowling: O-M boys fall to Candor, 3-1

OWEGO, Jan. 30, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team dropped a 3-1 decision Thursday to Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Owego Bowl.

The Grizzlies won the first game but dropped the second and third games and total pinfall, 2553-2206. Breyden Seamon led O-M with a 572 series while Alex Campbell posted a 423, Ronald Wilson 403, and Perry Navestad 400.

Girls: O-M, with three bowlers, fell to Candor's full team, 4-0, Candor outscoring the Grizzlies 2322-1048. Abbey Grady led O-M with a 423 series.

The Schuyler Storm's Patrick Croft pins an opponent at the IAC Championships.

Storm wrestlers place 3rd at IAC tourney

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 25, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team finished in third place at the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Championships held Saturday in the Watkins Glen High School Field House.

The Storm, a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes, totaled 144 points, finishing behind team champion Newark Valley's 191.5 points, and second-place Tioga's 183. Finishing in fourth place was Moravia with 119.5 points, while fifth went to Spencer-Van Etten/Candor (118.5), sixth to Marathon (112), seventh to Thomas Edison (91), eighth to Lansing (89.5), ninth to Dryden (35.5), tenth to Trumansburg (34.5), eleventh to Whitney Point (27.5), and twelfth to Groton (17).

A total of 20 OM/WG wrestlers competed, with 11 finishing on the podium.

Daniel Coston (138 pounds) and Jared Watson (152 pounds) finished as runners-up, both with records of 3-1 -- as did Jackie Mace, wrestling at 126 pounds in the girls division and finishing 2-2. Lucas Hoffman (125 pounds), Balan Ault (152 pounds), and Patrick Croft (215 pounds) finished in third place with records of 4-1.

Hunter Barret (145 pounds) and Nick D'Alleva (170) finished in fourth place with records of 3-2. Bradley Cantineri (131) finished in fifth place with a record of 3-2. Dylan Senecal (138), Jotham Lynch (145) and Ean Walsh (160) finished in sixth place. Other OM/WG wrestlers competing, but not finishing on the podium, included Caden Hall (101 pounds), Liam Knight (116), Gabe Crane (138), Eli Kastenhuber (152), Joey Chamberlin (190), Trenton Knapp (190), Tek Chokngoen (190), and Declan Barry (285).

Before the final round of wrestling, the Schuyler Storm squad was presented with the IAC Large School Division Championship Plaque, which the team won by defeating Dryden, SVEC, TAE, Lansing, and Whitney Point in dual meets earlier in the season.

The OM/WG team will compete on the road Tuesday against Chenango Valley in its last dual meet before post-season competition. Wrestling is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Lucas Hoffman battles at 125 pounds at the IAC Championships.
Bottom: WG/OM's Liam Knight (on top) wrestles at the IACs at 116 pounds.

Left: OM/WG's Jackie Mace on the podium after going 2-2 in the girls division.
Right: The Storm's Jotham Lynch, right, battles at 145 pounds. He won this bout.

The Schuyler Storm wrestling team poses after being prssented the IAC Large School Division championship plaque earned earlier in the season. (Photo provided)

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Week 4

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 25, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball continued Saturday, with the following Week 4 results.

2nd and 3rd Grades:

Sporting Goods 14, Maguire's 12.
Sporting Goods scoring: Jayvon Payne 8, Bryson VanHorn 4, Lucas Bianco 2.
Maguire's scoring: Greyson Geuder 4, Lincoln Smith 4, Novalee Quail 2, Luca Purpura 2.

Curly's 17, Famous Brands 14.
Curly's scoring: Easton Rekczis 7, Jack Myers 4, Jacob Lynch 2, Rhoda Pendergast 2, Hector Cardenas 2.
Famous Brands scoring: Briar Karius 6, Isaac Johnson 4, Darren Mcllroy 2, Tyson Ventra 2.

Standings:
Curly's Family Restaurant 3-1
Watkins Sporting Goods 3-1
Maguire's 2-2
Famous Brands 0-4

4th-6th Grades:

Watkins Motel 33, Schamel Brothers 18.
Watkins Motel scoring: Landon Bianco 11, TaMya VanOrden-Jones 8, Mason Bellavigna 4, Garrett Bubb 4, Sydney Fields 2, Austin Burt 2, Camden Janowski 2.
Schamel Brothers scoring: Finn Schamel 6, Logan Saks 6, Zane Cross 2, Cole Desrochers 2, Bryan West 2,

WG Supply 35, Capt. Bill's 32.
WG Supply scoring: Isidore Gomez Fitzsimmons 14, Cate Caslin 7, Kingston Tomlinson 6, Cameron Gee 5, AJ Stansfield 3.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Derrick Westervelt 10, Zion Tomlinson 10, Morgan Bubb 8, Gavin Blauvelt 2, Natalie Westervelt 2.

Standings:
Watkins Glen Supply 4-0
Capt. Bill's 2-2
Watkins Motel 2-2
Schamel Brothers 0-4

O-M 3rd and 4th Grade Basketball

ODESSA, Jan. 25, 2025 -- The following are the results of Saturday's action at Odessa-Montour 3rd and 4th Grade Basketball at the school.

Watkins Glen Supply 27, Glider City Powersports 19
WG Supply: Levi Smalt 19, Julie Preczewski 6, Zoey Hopper 2
Glider City: Colton Thomson 10, Abram Bassett 6, Ari Sangprkarn 3

Stewart P. Wilson 7, Vedders-Scott & Zinger 7
Stewart P. Wilson: Thomas Pound 3, Brantlee Gossett 2, Owen Carey 1, and Parker Williams 1
Vedder-Scott & Zinger: Brighton Janke 4, Jayce Taylor 3

Watkins boys fall to Whitney Point, 55-45

WHITNEY POINT, Jan. 24, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team saw its record slip to 4-7 Friday night when the Lake Hawks dropped a 55-45 decision to Whitney Point in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road game.

Christopher Simiele led Watkins Glen in scoring with 13 points, with 6 assists and 6 steals. Other points came from Brady Bockelkamp (10, with 3 rebounds), Jude Santos (8, with 10 rebounds and 3 steals), Sam Caslin (7, with 3 assists and 4 steals), Caleb Bresett (4, with 3 rebounds and 2 assists), and Jaydon Scholtisek (3).

"We came out of the gate working hard and playing together," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "Christopher Simiele started out on fire with 10 first-half points and some terrific passing. He and Sam Caslin put a lot of pressure on their guards and got some easy baskets because of it. Our defense was, overall, solid throughout the game.

"The story of the game for us was turnovers at critical moments and our lack of rebounding. Jude Santos has been very good on the boards all season, and was solid once again tonight with 10 rebounds. As a team, however, we managed just 20 rebounds for the game. At our size, we have to commit to consistently crashing the boards against much bigger teams if we want to be in a position to win. Everyone played hard and never quit and we will work on things and try to get the next one!"

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen lost to Whitney Point, 49-31, to fall to 7-4. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks in scoring with 11 points, while Dominic Lewis registered 10 points with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Left: Odessa-Montour's Gavin Lohmeyer puts up a shot. Right: The Grizzlies' Aaron Sutton is fouled as he shoots.

Odessa-Montour boys top S-VE, 52-36

ODESSA, Jan. 24, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team improved to 3-10 Friday night with a 52-36 victory over Spencer-Van Etten in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Tyler Malnoske led the Grizzlies wih 20 points, while Drew Parmenter scored 10, Gavin Lohmeyer 8, Aaron Sutton 5, Hunter Mowry 3, Caleb Malnoske 3, Moe Zinger 2, and James Halpin 1.

The Grizzlies raced out to a 23-4 first-quarter lead that reached 30-4 before S-VE, with the Odessa full-court press off, started hitting some shots. The score at halftime was 35-12, and it was 47-30 entering the fourth quarter.

O-M Coach Aaron Thomson said he called off the press rather than "break it open," and played younger players who don't often see much court time during games.

Junior Varsity: O-M's Jaden Bailor sank five free throws in the final 41 seconds to break a 34-34 tie and send the Grizzlies to a 39-34 victory over Spencer-Van Etten. Bailor scored 14 points, while Daniel Phillips scored 10, Kayden Garrabrant 10, and Zach Smith 5.

Photo in text: O-M's Tyler Malnoske drives to the basket. He scored 20 points.

Left: O-M's James Halpin (20) passes to teammate Tyler Malnoske. Right: The Grizzlies' Moe Zinger prepares to shoot from the corner.

Left: O-M's Drew Parmenter goes to the hoop. Right: In the JV game, Jaden Bailor shoots the free throw that broke a 34-34 tie. He soon sank four more as O-M won 39-34.

O-M girls defeat Spencer-Van Etten, 40-35

SPENCER, Jan. 24, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 8-6 Friday night when the Grizzlies topped Spencer-Van Etten 40-35 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road game.

Freshman Leah Antes led O-M with 27 points -- her third straight game with 25 or more points -- while grabbing 11 rebounds. Evvie Zinger added 6 points, McKenzie Landon 3 points, Vanessa Wood 2 points, and Brooklynn Thompson 2 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

The victory, O-M Coach Greg Gavich noted, qualified O-M for the Section IV tournament.

The Grizzlies led 9-6 after one quarter, 20-17 at halftime and 27-21 entering the fourth quarter.

"S-VE went on a 12-0 run to take a 31-29 lead in the 4th," said Gavich. "But we answered back with a 10-0 run of our own." Eight of those points came from Antes, and two on free throws by Wood.

"It was a war and we found a way to win it," Gavich said. "I'm extremely proud of this team. I don't think anyone had us qualifying for sectionals when the season began, but here we are at 8-6 and in the post-season!"

O-M returns to action Tuesday at Marathon.

Bowling: Watkins boys defeat TAE, 4-0

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 24, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team posted a 4-0 victory Friday over Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

Brett Cullen-Pike led the Lake Hawks with a 512 series as they won all three games by a combined 2337-2067 margin. Mykel Cody added a 501, Mark Fabrizi 438, Kamden Miller 432, and Kristofer Burke 432.

Girls: Watkins Glen, with lone bowler Callieondra Tohafjian, fell to a full Edison team 1903-213.

Watkins Glen's Natalee Oliver eyes the basket beyond a Whitney Point defender.

Watkins girls roll past Whitney Point

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 23, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 11-2 Thursday night by defeating Whitney Point 44-22 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Addie Coolican led the Lake Hawks with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Other points came from Olivia King (9, with 5 rebounds and 5 steals), Michaela Wheaton (6, with 5 rebounds and 2 steals), Natalee Oliver (6, with 4 rebounds and 2 steals), Brianna Hatch (4, with 4 rebounds and 4 assists), and Grace Underdown (1, with 1 rebound and 1 steal).

The Lake Hawks led 13-6 after one quarter, 25-13 at halftime, and 39-17 entering the fourth quarter.

"The girls played well tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They were focused and determined."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 8-4 by defeating Whitney Point 38-28. Lizzi Fitzwater scored 12 points, while Amy Field scored 10.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Addie Coolican drives to the basket.

Left: Watkins' Michaela Wheaton takes aim from 3-point range. Right: The Lake Hawks' Brianna Hatch goes up for a shot in traffic.

And in the JV game:

Watkins Glen's Lizzi Fitzwater (left photo) and Amy Field (right photo) shoot.

The Storm's Ryan Dean launches himself backwards at start of the 200 Medley Relay.

Storm swimmers defeat Lansing, 113-71

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 23, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team cruised to a 113-71 victory Thursday over Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Watkins Glen High School pool.

The Storm -- a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- got victories in the following events:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Liam Smith, Carson Thaete, Alex Walters, 1:48.66.
200 Individual Medley: 1st, Carson Thaete, 2:11.46.
50 Free: 1st, Ryan Dean, 23.92.
Diving: 1st, Drew Popovich, 192.55.
500 Free: 1st, Carson Thaete, 5:11.15.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Liam Smith, Alex Walters, Carson Thaete, 1:39.97.

The Storm also had the following second-place finishes:

200 Free and 100 Free: 2nd, Hudson Westervelt.
50 Free and 100 Breaststroke: 2nd, Grayson Robertson.
100 Fly: 2nd, Alex Walters.
500 Free: 2nd, Evan Clarkson.
100 Back: 2nd, Ryan Dean.
200 Free Relay: 2nd, Hudson Westervelt, Andre Wixson, Grayson Robetson, Ayden Allen
400 Free Relay: 2nd, Hudson Westervelt, Andre Wixson, Evan Clarkson, Grayson Robertson.

Senior Night: The Storm's lone senior, Liam Smith, was honored in a pre-meet Senior Night ceremony.

Photos in text:
Top:
The Storm's Carson Thaete dives during the 200 Medley Relay.
Bottom: The Storm's lone senior, Liam Smith, enters the Senior Night ceremony under the outstretched arms of his teammates.

The Storm's Hudson Westervelt competes in the 200 Free. He placed second.

Bowling: Watkins boys top O-M, 3-1

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 23, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team -- led by Brett Cullen-Pike's 662 series -- defeated Odessa-Montour 3-1 Thursday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

Cullen-Pike rolled games of 202, 224 and 236 as the Lake Hawks won the first and third games and total pinfall, 2570-2330. Teammate Mykel Cody registered a 553 (including a 238), Kamden Miller a 477, Kristofer Burke a 450, and Dominic Gublo a 427.

O-M was led by Breyden Seamon's 583 (including a 246). Ronald Wilson added a 461, Perry Navestad a 414, and Alex Campbell a 411.

Girls: Odessa-Montour (with three bowlers) defeated Watkins Glen (with one bowler), 4-0. Abbey Grady led the Grizzlies with a 414, while Maylynn Hourihan posted a 394, and Odessa Arrance a 341. Watkins Glen's Callieondra Tohafjian rolled a 290.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brett Cullen-Pike connects for a strike.

The Storm's Balan Ault, top, nears victory by fall in the 152-pound match.

Storm wrestlers defeat Moravia, 47-20

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 22, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team raised its season record to 12-0 Wednesday night by defeating Moravia 47-20 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match in the Watkins Glen High School Modified Gym.

The Storm, a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes, honored four seniors in a pre-match Senior Night ceremony: Balan Ault, Tek Chokngoen, Nick D'Alleva and Bradley Cantineri. The first three are WGHS students, while Cantineri attends Odessa-Montour.

Results of the evening's matches:
145 lbs - Trever Wells (Mor) Won by Technical Fall (WTF) over Dylan Senecal (OM/WG), 15-7
152 lbs - Balan Ault (OM/WG) Won by Fall (WBF) over Levi McDonald (Mor) at 1:56
160 lbs - Ean Walsh (OM/WG) WBF over Anthony Endres (Mor) at 0:18
170 lbs - Nicholas Plue (Mor) WTF over Nick D'Alleva (OM/WG), 22-6
190 lbs - Joey Chamberlin (OM/WG) WBF over Jake Bushey (Mor) at 0:43
215 lbs - Patrick Croft (OM/WG) Won by Forfeit (FFT)
285 lbs - Johnny Hanville (OM/WG) Won by FFT
101 lbs - Double FFT
108 lbs - Nicky Sorce (OM/WG) Won by FFT
116 lbs - Clayton Wells (Mor) WBF over Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) at 1:20
124 lbs - Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) WTF over Jacob Endres (Mor), 22-5
131 lbs - Hunter Boynton (Mor) WTF over Brad Cantineri (OM/WG), 15-0
138 lbs - Gabe Crane (OM/WG) WBF over Thomas Harriger (Mor) at 3:24

Exhibitiion Matches:
152 lbs - Brayden Perreault (Mor) WBF over Jotham Lynch (OM/WG) at 3:49
160 lbs - Eli Kastenhuber (OM/WG) WBF over Colten Leonard (Mor) at 2:27
190 lbs - Tek Chokngoen (OM/WG) WBF over Jake Bushey (Mor) at 3:49

OM/WG wrestling hosts the IAC Championships on Saturday in the WGHS Field House. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Ean Walsh nears victory at 160 pounds. He won by fall in 0:18.
Middle: WG/OM's Nick D'Alleva, right, sends his opponent to the mat at 170 pounds.
Bottom: The Storm's Gabe Crane, top, on the way to victory by fall at 138 pounds.

Schuyler Storm seniors were honored in a pre-match Senior Night ceremony. From left: Bradley Cantineri, Nick D'Alleva, Tek Chokngoen, and Balan Ault.

Left: The Storm's Lucas Hoffman hurls his opponent at 124 pounds. He won by tech fall.
Right: WG/OM's Dylan Senecal, top, has the advantage temporarily at 145 pounds.

The Storm's Joey Chamberlin, top, nears victory by fall in the 190-pound bout.

Watkins girls fall to Susquehanna Valley

CONKLIN, Jan. 21, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 10-2 Tuesday night when the Lake Hawks dropped a 54-45 decision to Susquehanna Valley in a non-league road game.

Watkins trailed 14-10 after one period, 27-21 at halftime, and 46-39 entering the fourth quarter.

Brianna Hatch led Watkins with 18 points, while Addie Coolican scored 14, Rachel Vickio 5, Olivia King 5, Michaela Wheaton 2, and Natalee Oliver 1. King led in rebounds with 14, while Hatch grabbed 7, and Coolican and Vickio 5 apiece.The team converted 15 of 26 free throws. Sus Valley sank 8 of 19 free throws.

"Tonight, we got in some early foul trouble and made some mental mistakes," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "However, the girls played hard and gave it their all."

The Lake Hawks return to action Thursday night at home against Whitney Point.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen's record slipped to 7-4 as it lost to Susquehanna Valley.

O-M girls defeat Twin Tiers Christian

BREESPORT, Jan. 21, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by a career high 27 points from Leah Antes -- improved to 7-6 Tuesday night with a 50-35 victory over Twin Tiers Christian Academy in a non-league road game.

Antes, who scored 25 points in the Grizzlies' preceding game, also grabbed 7 rebounds. Other points came from Evvie Zinger (13, with three 3-pointers and 4 steals), Brooklynn Thompson (5, with 5 assists and 6 rebounds), McKenzie Landon (3, with 4 rebounds), and Olivia Barr (2).

O-M led 16-11 after one period, 25-19 at halftime, and 34-29 entering the fourth quarter.

"This was the biggest team we've faced all year and their size gave us problems for the first three quarters of the game," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We finally got rolling in the fourth and created problems for them with our defense."

The Grizzlies return to action Friday at Spencer-Van Etten.

Storm swimmers top Union-Endicott

ENDICOTT, Jan. 21, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team posted a 60-38 victory Tuesday over Union-Endicott in a non-league meet in the U-E pool.

"It was a great meet," said Storm Coach Jason Westervelt, whose squad is composed of Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour high school athletes. "Our boys stepped up and swam very competitively against a very fast U-E team.

"Carson Thaete had two big wins, in the 200 and 500 Free. Our relays did a fantastic job, taking 1st and 3rd in the 200 Medley and 200 Free Relay, which has a huge impact in a 4-lane pool.

"Our Butterfliers (Ryan Dean and Evan Clarkson) along with our Breaststroke team (Grayson Robertson and Liam Smith) sealed the victory with a 1-2 finish in both events."

First-place finishes for the Storm included:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Grayson Robertson, Carson Thaete, Alex Walters, 1:48.90.
200 Free: 1st, Carson Thaete, 1:55.24.
Diving: 1st, Drew Popovich, 139.60
100 Fly: 1st, Ryan Dean, 1:01.60.
500 Free: 1st, Carson Thaete, 5:05.33.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Liam Smith, Carson Thaete, Alex Walters, 1:39.38.
100 Breaststroke: 1st, Grayson Robertson, 1:14.53.

Second-place finishes were posted by Grayson Robertson in the 200 IM, Alex Walters in the 50 Free, Liam Smith in the 100 Free and 100 Breaststroke, Evan Clarkson in the 100 Fly, Ryan Dean in the 100 Back, and by a 400 Free Relay squad.

Third-places were posted by Evan Clarkson in the 200 IM, Hudson Westervelt in the 50 Free, Alex Walters in the 100 Free, Andre Wixson in the 200 and 500 Free, and by a 200 Free Relay squad.

Bowling: O-M boys split with N. Valley

NEWARK VALLEY, Jan. 21, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team tied Newark Valley 2-2 Tuesday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Cardinal Lanes.

The Grizzlies won the first two games, but lost the third and total pinfall, 2308-2293. Breyden Seamon led O-M with a 523 series, while Alex Campbell rolled a 487, Braidyne Wilson 451, Perry Navestad 420, and Ronald Wilson 412.

Girls: O-M's two girls lost to Newark Valley's full squad, dropping the three games by a combined 2226-719. Abbey Grady posted a 378 for the Grizzlies, and Odessa Arrance 341.

O-M returns to action Thursday against Watkins Glen at Harborside Lanes.

Mace finishes 3rd at Windsor Invitational

WINDSOR, Jan. 20, 2025 -- Schuyler Storm wrestler Jackie Mace placed third Monday at 126 pounds at the Windsor Lady Knights Wrestling Invitational.

Mace, a senior at Odessa-Montour High School, finished with a 4-1 record on the day, including two pinfall victories and a technical fall victory. Mace's lone loss came at the hands of West Genesee's Riley Butler in the Championship Semi-Finals with a score of 10-0.

In the third-place match, Mace defeated Akaylah Christian of Canisteo-Greenwood 5-0.

Schuyler Storm (combined O-M and Watkins Glen High School) wrestling returns to action at 6:30 p.m Wednesday, January 22 against Moravia in the WGHS Modified Gym. Seniors on the Storm squad from WGHS will be honored beforehand.

Photo in text: Schuyler Storm wrestler Jackie Mace. (File photo)

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Week 3

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 18, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball continued Saturday, with the following Week 3 results.

2nd and 3rd Grades:

Maguire's 10, Curly's 9.
Maguire's scoring: Jaxson Bellavigna 8, Lincoln Smith 2.
Curly's scoring: Hector Cardenas 4, Easton Rekczis 3, Jacob Lynch 2.

Sporting Goods 18, Famous Brands 8.
Sporting Goods scoring: Lucas Bianco 10, Jayvon Payne 6, Paige Waite 2.
Famous Brands scoring: Tyson Ventra 4, Isaac Johnson 2, Darren McIIroy 2.

Standings:
Curly's Family Restaurant 2-1
Watkins Sporting Goods 2-1
Maguire's 2-1
Famous Brands 0-3

4th-6th Grades:

WG Supply 24, Watkins Motel 18.
WG Supply scoring: Cate Caslin 8, Kingston Tomlinson 8, Isidore Gomez Fitzsimmons 4, Cameron Gee 4.
Watkins Motel scoring: Mason Bellavigna 6, Garrett Bubb 6, Jacob Martens 4, Camden Janowski 2.

Capt. Bill's 29, Schamel Brothers 24 - OT.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Morgan Bubb 15, Zion Tomlinson 10, Derrick Westervelt 4.
Schamel Brother's scoring: Hank Titus 8, Finn Schamel 8, Zane Cross 4, Cole Desrochers 4.

Standings:
Watkins Glen Supply 3-0
Capt. Bill's 2-1
Watkins Motel 1-2
Schamel Brothers 0-3

Bowling: O-M boys defeat Edison, 4-0

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team -- led by Breyden Seamon's 601 series -- defeated Thomas A. Edison 4-0 Friday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

Seamon, with a 235 and 207 in his 601, led the Grizzlies to a 2289-1963 victory as they won each of the three games handily, 753-609, 808-721, and 728-633.

Alex Campbell posted a 439 for O-M, while Braidyne Wilson rolled a 423, Ryan McCann 416, and Ronald Wilson 405.

Girls: O-M's three bowlers fell to Edison's five bowlers, 4-0, dropping the three games by an 1881-968 total. Odessa Arrance led the Grizzlies with a 330, while Abbey Grady rolled a 328 and Maylynn Hourihan a 310.

The Grizzlies return to action Tuesday at Newark Valley.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Alex Campbell reacts after registering a strike.

Left: O-M's Tyler Malnoske at the free-throw line. Right: The Grizzlies' Drew Parmenter takes the ball to the basket.

Odessa-Montour boys fall to Newfield

ODESSA, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 63-52 decision to Newfield Friday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Grizzlies (now 2-10) led early, building a 15-8 first-quarter lead and an 18-10 advantage early in the second quarter before the Trojans went on a 10-1 run and entered intermission up 25-22. Newfield led 46-41 after three periods, and then outscored O-M 17-11 down the stretch.

Aaron Sutton led O-M with 22 points, while Drew Parmenter scored 14, Tyler Malnoske 8, Gavin Lohmeyer 6, and James Halpin 2. The team converted 11 of 18 free throws. Newfield converted 11 of 21 free throws.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Aaron Sutton shoots. he scored 22 points.

Watkins Glen's Addie Coolican drives to the basket. She scored 11 points.

Watkins girls roll past Lansing, 55-22

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 10-1 Friday night by rolling past Lansing 55-22 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The Lake Hawks, ranked 17th among Class B schools in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association poll, were led by the tandem of Olivia King and Brianna Hatch, who scored 17 and 14 points, respectively. Addie Coolican was also in double figures with 11 points.

Also scoring: Michaela Wheaton with 7 points, Rachel Vickio with 3, and Natalee Oliver with 3.

Hatch led in rebounds with 13, while King grabbed 10 and Coolican 4. Hatch and King each blocked two shots, and Coolican led in assists with 4.

Watkins Glen led 19-6 after one quarter, 34-13 at halftime, and 44-19 entering the fourth quarter.

"I was very proud of my girls tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They came ready to play and left it all on the court. I loved the energy I saw on the court as well as the bench."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 7-3 with a 31-10 victory over Lansing. The Lake Hawks were led in scoring by Lizzi Fitzwater (10 points) and Paige Ells (8).

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Olivia King prepares to shoot. Teammate Brianna Hatch is at right.
Bottom: The Lake Hawks' Brianna Hatch battles two Lansing players for the ball.

From left: Watkins Glen's Natalee Oliver, Michaela Wheaton and Rachel Vickio.

The Watkins track team. From left: Emmett Perko, Sam Hohle, Ethan Stevenson, Henry Smith, Zach Brusso, Isaac Hendrickson, Aiden Nichols, Ellery Thaete, Maddie Tuttle, Andrew Champion, Ben Henry, Marcus Delong, Emmanuel Rodriguez. (Provided)

Watkins track team: some PRs at Quinney

ITHACA, Jan. 17, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School varsity indoor track team competed Friday in the Quinney Invitational at the Ithaca College Events Center.

A highlight: Race walker Maddie Tuttle, sidelined by a knee injury sustained during the soccer season, competed in her first meet of the track season, placing fourth in the 1500 Meter Racewalk.

"The kids keep improving each week," said Watkins Glen Coach Kelly Sterner. "There were again lots of personal bests." Among the PRs:

3200 Meters: Andrew Champion and Ben Henry
1600 Meters: Emmanuel Rodrigues and Zach Brusso
600 Meters: Henry Smith, Marcus Delong and Ellery Thaete
300 Meters: Ellery Thaete and Leighann Landers
Long Jump: Ellery Thaete
Shot Put: Aiden Nichols

O-M girls top Newfield: Antes nets 25

NEWFIELD, Jan. 16, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by a career-high 25 points from Leah Antes -- defeated Newfield 46-30 Thursday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Newfield gym.

Antes, who also grabbed 15 rebounds and registered 5 steals, was joined in the scoring column by Evvie Zinger (10 points, with 4 steals), Vanessa Wood (5 points, with 7 rebounds), Brooklynn Thompson (2 points), McKenzie Landon (2 points), Olivia Rivera (1 point, with 5 rebounds), and Olivia Barr (1 point, with 6 rebounds).

The Grizzlies, now 6-6, led 11-8 after one quarter, 24-15 at halftime, and 38-23 entering the fourth quarter.

"Newfield cut it to 24-20 in the first minute of the third quarter, and then we did a nice job of putting the game away after that," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We had a lot of great contributions from everyone that don't always show up on the stat sheet, and rebounded the ball very well."

Junior Varsity: Odessa-Montour posted its first win of the season, defeating Newfield 31-27. The Grizzlies were led by Alannah Rounds' 10 points.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Leah Antes (File photo)

Storm wrestlers top Seton Catholic, 51-18

BINGHAMTON, Jan. 16, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team defeated Binghamton Seton Catholic 51-18 Thursday night in a non-league match at Binghamton High School.

The Storm, a squad of Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen High School athletes, improved to 11-0. The results:

108- Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) Won by Forfeit (FFT)
116- Rasheed Scott (Bing) Won by Fall (WBF) over Nicky Sorce (OM/WG) at 0:58
124- Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) Won by FFT
131- Riley Yaw (OM/WG) Won 12-6 over Dominick Becker (Bing)
138- Dylan Senecal (OM/WG) WBF over Ty McLaughlin (Bing) at 1:44
145- Cornelius Gehring (Bing) WBF over Hunter Barrett (OM/WG) at 3:30
152- Balan Ault (OM/WG) WBF over Adam Al-Zamarekt (Bing) at 3:15
160- Raquel Vaughn (Bing) WBF over Ean Walsh (OM/WG) at 5:05
170- Double Forfeit
190- Nick D'Alleva (OM/WG) WBF over Abdus Jabriy (Bing) at 5:05
215- Joey Chamberlin (OM/WG) WBF over Antonio Gardner (Bing) at 5:27
285- Dana Guild (OM/WG) WBF over Mateo Horn (Bing) at 0:54
101- Caden Hall (OM/WG) WBF over Michael Karim (Bing) at 0:16

Exhibition Matches
124- Mamas Gehring (Bing) Won 10-1 over Jackie Mace (OM/WG)
138- Gabe Crane (OM/WG) WBF over Tqwel Williams (Bing) at 3:01
152- Eli Kastenhuber (OM/WG) WBF over Francisco Peguero (Bing) at 1:28
215- Trenton Knapp (OM/WG) WBF over Ozair Wali (Bing) at 3:21
285- Corey Heineman (Bing) Won 6-0 over Johnny Hanville (OM/WG)
285- Declan Barry (OM/WG) WBF over Derrick Brown (Bing) at 4:25

OM/WG wrestling returns to action with a Girls Tournament in Windsor on Monday, January 20th. Wrestling is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

Storm swimmers top Dryden, 103-62

DRYDEN, Jan. 16, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team posted a 103-62 victory Thursday over Dryden in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Dryden pool.

The Storm, a combined squad of Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High School athletes, posted first-place finishes in the following events:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Grayson Robertson, Hudson Westervelt, Andre Wixson, 1:59.07.
200 Free: 1st, Andre Wixson, 2:02.58.
200 Individual Medley: 1st, Ryan Dean, 2:20.00.
50 Free: 1st, Carson Thaete, 24.59.
Diving: 1st, Andrew Popovich, 146.20.
100 Fly: 1st, Ryan Dean, 1:01.10.
100 Free: 1st, Hudson Westervelt, 1:02.41.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Alex Walters, Evan Clarkson, Carson Thaete, Andre Wixson, 1:43.53.
100 Back: 1st, Alex Walters, 1:08.97.

Second-place finishes included: Alex Walters in the 200 Free, Evan Clarkson in the 200 IM and the 100 Back, Sawyer Amadeo in the Diving, and Grayson Robertson in the 500 Free.

Bowling: Odessa boys defeat Groton, 3-1

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 16, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team posted a 3-1 victory Thursday over Groton in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 549 series as they won the first two games and total pinfall, 2205-2125. Braidyne Wilson added a 429, and Ryan McCann a 417.

Girls: O-M's three bowlers fell 4-0 to Groton's four bowlers, losing all three games by a combined 1414-876. Odessa Arrance led the Grizzlies with a 318 series.

O-M returns to action Friday at home against Edison.

Odessa-Montour boys fall to Candor

CANDOR, Jan. 15, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 75-47 decision Wednesday night to Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Candor gym.

The Grizzlies (2-9) trailed 25-14 after one period, 43-31 at halftime, and 65-36 entering the fourth quarter.

Drew Parmenter led O-M with 12 points, while Tyler Malnoske scored 9, Gavin Lohmeyer 7, Moe Zinger 6, Hunter Mowry 5, Mason Dupay 4, Connor Foggie 2, and Aaron Sutton 2.

The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team poses after winning the division title.

Storm wrestlers clinch division crown

ODESSA, Jan. 15, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team defeated Whitney Point 39-31 Wednesday night to clinch the championship of the Interscholastic Athletic Conference's Large Schools Division (Division I).

The victory, in Odessa-Montour High School's Jack Davis gym, lifted the Storm -- a combined squad of O-M and Watkins Glen High School athletes -- to a 10-0 overall season mark.

The Storm previously defeated Dryden (72-6), SVEC (52-14), Thomas Edison (51-23), and Lansing (60-18) in order to claim the division championship.

The Storm trailed throughout the match until winning the three highest weight classes (190, 215 and 285) by forfeit, catapulting them from a 31-21 deficit to the victory.

They managed, along the way, wins at 108 (Isaac Rumsey with a pin), at 131 (Lucas Hoffman by a pin), at 145 (Hunter Barrett by decision), and at 152 (Jared Watson by forfeit).

The lone O-M senior on the squad, Jackie Mace, was honored in a Senior Night ceremony before the match. Watkins Glen seniors will be honored at a meet next week at WGHS.

With both teams battling sickness, the chess-match of matchups began at 101 pounds. Results are found below:

101 lbs - Gabriel Smith (WP) Won by Fall (WBF) over Caden Hall (OM/WG) at 3:26
108 lbs - Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) WBF over Joshua Sabin (WP) at 3:27
116 lbs - Joseph Card (WP) Won by Forfeit (FFT)
124 lbs - Gavin Baxter (WP) Won by Technical Fall (WTF) 19-2 over Jackie Mace (OM/WG)
131 lbs - Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) WBF over Elijah King (WP) at 1:39
138 lbs - Mason Baxter (WP) WBF over Dylan Senecal (OM/WG) at 3:27
145 lbs - Hunter Barrett (OM/WG) Won 13-10 over Elijah Baker (WP)
152 lbs - Jared Watson (OM/WG) Won by FFT
160 lbs - Douglas Ballard (WP) Won 13-8 over Balan Ault (OM/WG)
170 lbs - Jonathan McCall (WP) WTF 21-3 over Nick D'Alleva (OM/WG)
190 lbs - Ean Walsh (OM/WG) Won by FFT
215 lbs - Joey Chamberlin (OM/WG) Won by FFT
285 lbs - Dana Guild (OM/WG) Won by FFT

Exhibition Match:
145 lbs - Jotham Lynch (OM/WG) WBF over Asa Dougherty (WP) at 1:25

OM/WG Wrestling returns to action Thursday night when the squad travels to Binghamton and takes on Binghamton-Seton Catholic. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

*******

Photos in text: From top: The Storm's Balan Ault, left, takes down his opponent at 160; Isaac Rumsey, top, nears victory at 108; Hunter Barrett balances on his hands at 145; and Dylan Senecal, right, battles at 138.

Odessa-Montour senior Jackie Mace is flanked by her parents and by coaches Dan Batchelder, left, and Bill Lindsley, right, at Senior Night ceremony.

Left: Friends of Jackie Mace were on hand to support her on Senior Night. Right: The Storm's Nick D'Alleva lifts his Whitney Point opponent at 170 pounds.

The Storm's Lucas Hoffman, top, nears victory by fall in the 131-pound bout.

Bowling: Watkins boys lose to USPB

AUBURN, Jan. 15, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team fell 4-0 Wednesday to Union Springs/Port Byron in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Starlite Lanes in Auburn.

The Lake Hawks dropped all three games by a combined 3005-2431. Brett Cullen-Pike led Watkins with a 553 series, while Mykel Cody posted a 526, Kamden Miller 511, and Kristofer Burke 456.

Watkins Glen boys fall to Dryden, 77-47

DRYDEN, Jan. 14, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 4-6 Tuesday night when the Lake Hawks dropped a 77-47 decision to Dryden in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Dryden gym.

Jude Santos led Watkins with 19 points, while Christopher Simiele scored 13, Sam Caslin 8, Jaydon Scholtisek 3, Bryce Bockelkamp 2, and Caleb Bresett 2.

"Tonight just wasn't our night against a very big, talented Dryden team," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "Their size made it a matchup problem for us from the start. We had stretches of playing pretty well, only for Dryden to go on big runs and extend the lead back out. We had a lot of hustle and the boys never quit, which I am proud of them for."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Dryden 61-28 to improve to 7-3. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 18 points, while Leon Lagramada scored 11 and Johnny Sisana 9.

Left: O-M's Leah Antes drives toward the basket. Right: The Grizzlies' Vanessa Wood.

Odessa girls hold off Candor, 49-43

ODESSA, Jan. 14, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by Evvie Zinger and Leah Antes -- defeated Candor 49-43 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Zinger scored 19 points and registered 7 steals, while Antes had a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Other points came from Vanessa Wood (5, with 6 rebounds), Broolynn Thompson (5, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists), and Olivia Rivera (2).

The Grizzlies never trailed, building an early 7-0 lead that led to a 17-11 advantage after one quarter, a 29-17 edge at halftime, and a 36-26 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Candor (now 8-2), which had trailed by 15 points, 36-21, late in the third quarter, closed to within three points in the final period, 45-42, with just under two minutes to play. But O-M held them off, with key baskets by Antes with 30 seconds left and Zinger with 22 seconds remaining securing the victory.

"I can't say enough about how we played tonight," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "They came in 8-1 and beat a couple of teams that had beaten us pretty badly, but we believed and executed our game plan very well, then hung on at the end.

"Olivia Rivera and Olivia Barr did a fantastic job defensively on Emma Makie and we really took care of the ball and executed on the offensive end, especially in that first half.

"Evvie made a huge 3 to give us some breathing room, and Brooklynn threw a couple of great long passes to get layups to seal the deal.

"It was a big win for us to get back on track."

The Grizzlies, now 5-6, return to action Thursday at Newfield.

Photo in text: O-M's Evvie Zinger prepares to shoot near the end of the game. She made the basket.

Left: O-M's Brooklynn Thompson shoots. Right: The Grizzlies' Olivia Rivera sends a shot on its way. It found the net for two points.

Watkins' Addie Coolican drives to the basket against Dryden. She scored 18 points.

Watkins girls roll past Dryden, 51-28

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 14, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 9-1 Tuesday night with a 51-28 victory over Dryden in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Addie Coolican led the Lake Hawks with 18 points, while Brianna Hatch scored 13, Olivia King 12, Michaela Wheaton 6, and Natalee Oliver 2. Hatch and King grabbed 10 rebounds each, while Hatch led in assists (7), steals (4) and blocks (4).

The Lake Hawks led 7-4 after one quarter, 26-14 at halftime, and 40-22 entering the fourth period.

"It was a slow, rough start in the first half," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "Thankfully the girls were able to turn it around in the second half. I was proud of their second-half play."

Watkins Glen returns to action Friday at home against Lansing.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Dryden 34-19 to improved to 6-2. The Lake Hawks were led by 8 points each from Paige Ells, Lizzi Fitzwater and Allyson Oliver.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brianna Hatch shoots in traffic.

Watkins Glen's Michaela Wheaton, left, takes the ball to the basket for two points.

Bowling: Watkins boys lose to Tioga

WAVERLY, Jan. 14, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team dropped a 4-0 decision Tuesday to Tioga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at the Valley Bowling Center, Waverly.

The Lake Hawks' Brett Cullen-Pike posted a career high game and series, rolling 213-279-182=674 as Watkins dropped all three games by a combined 3052-2598. Watkins' Mykel Cody added a 540, while Mark Fabrizi bowled a career high 192 in a 492 series.

Bowling: O-M boys, girls fall to Lansing

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 14, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys and girls varsity bowling teams lost to Lansing Tuesday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Harborside Lanes.

Boys: O-M dropped a 3-1 decision, winning the third game but dropping the first two and total pinfall, 2340-2166. Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 469 series, while Ronald Wilson posted a 440, Ryan McCann 429, and Braidyne Wilson 403.

Girls: The Grizzlies' three-bowler team lost 4-0, dropping all three games and total pinfall, 1762-1010. Maylynn Hourihan led O-M with a 394 series.

O-M boys fall to Dundee/Bradford, 53-39

DUNDEE, Jan. 13, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 2-8 Monday when the Grizzlies dropped a 53-39 decision to Dundee/Bradford in a non-league game in the Dundee gym.

The Grizzlies trailed 9-6 after one quarter, led 20-19 at halftime, and trailed 32-30 entering the fourth quarter before the BraveScots outscored them 21-9 down the stretch.

Tyler Malnoske led O-M with 12 points, while Drew Parmenter scored 10, Aaron Sutton 7, Moe Zinger 4, Gavin Lohmeyer 4, and James Halpin 2. The team converted 1 of 3 free throws.

Dundee/Bradford was led by Jeremy Stiles's 22 points, including six 3-pointers. The team sank 9 of 12 free throws.

Junior Varsity: Odessa-Montour lost to Dundee/Bradford, 49-34. Jaden Bailor led the Grizzlies with 19 points, including five 3-pointers.

Storm swimmers top S. Cayuga, 56-35

AURORA, Jan. 13, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team posted a 56-35 victory Monday over Southern Cayuga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Southern Cayuga pool.

Winners for the Storm -- a combined squad of Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- included:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Hudson Westervelt, Alex Walters, Andre Wixson, 1:57.69.
200 Free: 1st, Grayson Robertson, 2:10.25.
200 Individual Medley: 1st, Hudson Westervelt, 2:34.61.
50 Free: 1st, Ryan Dean, 24.47.
100 Fly: 1st, Evan Clarkson, 1:07.29.
100 Free: 1st, Andre Wixson, 55.61.
500 Free: 1st, Ryan Dean, 5:31.08.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Carson Thaete, Evan Clarkson, Alex Walters, Grayson Robertson, 1:46.67.
100 Back: 1st, Hudson Westervelt, 1:11.90.
100 Breaststroke: 1st, Grayson Robertson, 1:13.34.
400 Free Relay: 1st, Carson Thaete, Kyler Eriksen, Hudson Westervelt, Ryan Dean, 3:56.01.

Second-place finishes for the Storm were posted by Evan Clarkson in the 200 Free (2:13.69), Enric Lin in the 100 Fly (1:21.88). and Kyler Eriksen in the 500 Free (6:51.32).

"It was a great meet for the boys," said Storm Coach Jason Westervelt. "There were several guys who won their first varsity event(s) (Evan Clarkson, Andre Wixson, and Hudson Westervelt), and there was lots of team spirit along the way."

Storm wrestlers place in 2 tournaments

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 11, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour/Watkins Glen Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team had wrestlers place in two separate tournaments this weekend: The Southern Tier Memorial held at the LECOM Arena in Elmira and the Riverhawk Round Robin in Owego.

Lucas Hoffman (124 pounds) and Jackie Mace (120 pounds) both found themselves on the podium at the Southern Tier Memorial, where forty-plus teams competed from several sections of New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Hoffman placed third in his weight class, finishing with a record of 6-1. He began the tournament on Friday with a 4-0 record, then dropped a hard-fought 11-7 decision in the semifinals to returning NYS place-finisher Logan Bellis of Tioga. Hoffman bounced back with a technical fall in the consolation semifinals before pinning Zaine Campbell of Athens, PA to earn third place.

Mace finished in eighth place with a 2-3 record. In the 7th place match she was beaten due to tie-breaker criteria by Anna Aldrich of Homer.

Also competing in the Southern Tier Memorial were the Storm's Jared Watson at 152 pounds, where he finished with a 1-2 record; Daniel Coston at 138 pounds, where he finished with a 1-2 record; Brad Cantineri at 131 pounds, where he finished with an 0-2 record; and Balan Ault at 152 pounds, where he finished with an 0-2 record.

Nine other OM/WG wrestlers competed at the Riverhawk Round Robin. Nick D'Alleva led the team at Owego, finishing in fourth place at 170 pounds with a 3-2 record. Joey Chamberlin finished in fifth place at 190 pounds with a 4-1 record. Ean Walsh also finished at fifth place with a 3-2 record. Isaac Rumsey and Declan Barry placed eighth at 108 pounds and 285 pounds, respectively. Other wrestlers competing but not placing included Dylan Senecal at 138 pounds, Gabe Crane at 138 pounds, Jotham Lynch at 145 pounds, and Johnny Hanville at 285 pounds.

OM/WG wrestling returns to action Wednesday in the Odessa-Montour High School's Jack Davis Gym at 6:30 pm. against Whitney Point. O-M seniors will be honored before wrestling begins.

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Week 2

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 11, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball continued Saturday, with the following Week 2 results.

2nd and 3rd Grades:

Maguire's 10, Famous Brands 2.
Maguire's scoring: Greyson Geuder 4, Lincoln Smith 4, Luca Purpura 2.
Famous Brands scoring: Frankie Hohenwarter 2.

Curly's 15, Sporting Goods 6.
Curly's scoring: Easton Rekczis 7, Jacob Lynch 4, Hector Cardenas 4.
Sporting Goods scoring: Jayvon Payne 4, Connor Holland 2.

Standings:

Curly's Family Restaurant 2-0
Watkins Sporting Goods 1-1
Maguire's 1-1
Famous Brands 0-2

4th-6th Grades:

Capt. Bill's 22, Watkins Motel 21.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Zion Tomlinson 10, Morgan Bubb 10, Derrick Westervelt 2.
Watkins Motel scoring: TaMya VanOrden-Jones 6, Mason Bellavigna 6, Garrett Bubb 6, Sydney Fields 2, Landen Bianco 1.

WG Supply 24, Schamel Brothers 13.
WG Supply scoring: Cameron Gee 6, Kingston Tomlinson 6, Isidore Gomez Fitzsimmons 4, Spencer Frew 4, Haiden Brant 2, Cate Caslin 2.
Schamel Brothers scoring: Morgan Saks 5, Finn Schamel 4, Cole Desrochers 2, Logan Saks 2.

Standings:

Watkins Glen Supply 2-0
Watkins Motel 1-1
Capt. Bill's 1-1
Schamel Brothers 0-2

The Watkins team. From left: Maddie Tuttle, Kassitie Clugstone, Henry Smith, Ellery Theate, Leighann Landers, Andrew Champion, Zach Brusso, Isaac Hendrickson, Sam Hohle, Aiden Nichols, Ben Henry, and Emmanuel Rodriguez. The blond boy in the back is not identified. "He just popped up in our picture," said Coach Kelly Sterner. (Photo provided)

Hendrickson leads Hawks at Cortland

CORTLAND, Jan. 10, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School varsity indoor track team competed Friday in the Winter Classic at SUNY Cortland.

Top finisher for the Lake Hawks was Isaac Hendrickson in the 800 Meters. He placed 5th among 50 runners in a time of 2:11.52.

Sam Hohle was 11th among 43 runners in the 55 Meter Dash in 7.22.

The Watkins team travels next weekend to Ithaca College to compete at the Quinney Invitational.

Watkins Glen girls top Tburg, 55-31

TRUMANSBURG, Jan. 10, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 8-1 Friday night with a 55-31 victory over Trumansburg in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Tburg gym.

The Lake Hawks led 20-6 after one quarter, 26-14 at halftime, and 41-19 entering the fourth quarter.

Brianna Hatch led Watkins Glen with 17 points, while Addie Coolican scored 13, Natalee Oliver 9, Olivia King 7, Grace Underdown 4, Grace Roney 3, and Michaela Wheaton 2. The team converted 8 of 20 free throws.

Hatch led in rebounds with 8, while King grabbed 6, Wheaton 4, Oliver 4, and Roney 4. King led in steals with 5, while Hatch had 3.

"The girls played well tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "It was nice to see everyone was able to contribute to our win."

Watkins Glen boys fall to Tburg, 60-45

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 10, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 4-5 Friday night when the Lake Hawks lost 60-45 to state-ranked Trumansburg in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The Lake Hawks stayed with the Raiders in the first half, falling behind 24-22 in the final seconds. But Tburg scored the first seven points of the third quarter, and pulled away in the final period.

Jude Santos led Watkins Glen with 15 points, while Christopher Simiele scored 9 points, Caleb Bresett 9, Sam Caslin 7, Jaydon Scholtisek 3, and Brady Bockelkamp 2. Bryce Bockelkamp and Santos each grabbed 8 rebounds, and Caslin 5. Simiele led in steals wth 3.

"I thought the boys did an excellent job against a very talented state-ranked team," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse.

"We led throughout the entire first half and came out in the second half playing hard and competing but hit a short stretch where we didn't execute as well as we had been in the first half. Once we lost the lead, it was harder playing from behind, but we competed and never quit.

"I'm proud of the boys for keeping their composure and focus in the face of adversity tonight. It doesn't get easier for us from here, with a game next week against another incredibly talented state-ranked team in Dryden. So, we will have to get back to work and prepare."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 6-3 with a 52-40 win over Trumansburg. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 28 points, while Austin Preuninger scored 9 points, Leon Lagramada 7, and Jax Decker 4. Leon Lagramada led in rebounds with 13, and Caydin Lagramada in steals with 6.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Christopher Simiele drives to the basket.
Bottom: The Lake Hawks' Sam Caslin prepares to shoot in traffic.

Left: Watkins Glen's Jude Santos is fouled as he shoots. Right: The Lake Hawks' Caleb Bresett, right, launches a shot in traffic.

Left: Watkins Glen's Brady Bockelkamp looks to shoot. Right: In the junior varsity game, the Lake Hawks' Caydin Lagramada drives to the hoop.

O-M boys fall to Union Springs, 71-46

UNION SPRINGS, Jan. 10, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 2-7 Friday night when the Grizzlies dropped a 71-46 decision to Union Springs in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road game.

The Grizzlies trailed 13-12 after one quarter and 33-21 at halftime before entering the fourth quarter down 50-40. Union Springs outscored them 21-6 down the stretch.

Aaron Sutton led O-M in scoring with 13 points, while Gavin Lohmeyer scored 8, Moe Zinger 7, Tyler Malnoske 6, Drew Parmenter 6, Hunter Mowry 2, James Halpin 2, and Connor Foggie 2.

Union Springs had four players with 13 or more points.

"This was a much more spirited effort from the guys," said O-M Coach Aaron Thomson. "They played well tonight on the road. The game was far closer than the final score indicates. We were down just eight near the end of the third period."

Junior Varsity: Union Springs defeated Odessa-Montour.

Bowling: Odessa-Montour loses to Tioga

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 10, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys and girls varsity bowling teams dropped 4-0 decisions Friday to Tioga in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Harborside Lanes.

Boys: O-M lost all three games by a combined 2518-2025. Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 549 series, while Braidyne Wilson rolled a 417.

Girls: O-M, with just three bowlers, lost all three games by a combined 1716-1100. Abbey Grady led the Grizzlies with a 396 series, while Odessa Arrance posted a 375, and Maylynn Hourihan a 330.

Odessa-Montour returns to action Tuesday at home against Lansing.

Photo in text: O-M's Breyden Seamon converts a spare.

Bowling: Watkins boys lose to Candor

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 9, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling tean dropped a 4-0 decision Thursday to Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

The Lake Hawks dropped all three games by a combined score of 2612-2323. Brett Cullen-Pike led Watkins with a 582 series, while Mykel Cody rolled a 530 and Mark Fabrizi registered a 436.

Left: Odessa-Montour's Olivia Rivera, center, fights for possession of the ball.
Right: The Grizzlies' Evvie Zinger sends a shot on its way.

Odessa-Montour girls fall to Moravia

ODESSA, Jan. 8, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team dropped a 52-36 decision Wednesday night to Moravia in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Grizzlies trailed 15-8 after one period and 27-9 at halftime before rallying with a 15-point third quarter that left them behind 49-24 entering the fourth quarter.

They then outscored the 6-2 Blue Devils 12-3 down the stretch.

Leah Antes led O-M with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Vanessa Wood scored 9 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Evvie Zinger scored 9 points and registered 3 steals. Brooklynn Thompson scored 3 points and dished out 3 assists, while Olivia Rivera grabbed 5 rebounds.

"This was a much better performance than we had the previous three games," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, whose squad is now 4-6. "We came out with enthusiasm and energy and did a lot of good things. And when the ball didn't go in much in that second quarter, we made progress and didn't hang our heads about it and kept playing.

"All in all I'm proud of how we played tonight, and we can build on this."

The Grizzlies' scheduled game Thursday night at home against Union Springs has been postponed to Feb. 3. Union Springs is 7-2 and leads the IAC's North Small School Division.

Junior Varsity: Odessa-Montour lost to Moravia 30-21. Jaden Jarrell led the Grizzlies with 10 points, Hannah Albertsman scored 4, Lillianne Bond 4, and Alannah Rounds 3.

Photos in text:

Top: O-M's Leah Antes prepares to shoot over the arm of a Moravia defender.
Bottom: The Grizzlies' Brooklynn Thompson drives between two Moravia players.

Left: Odessa-Montour's Olivia Barr looks for a shot. Right: The Grizzlies' Vanessa Wood at the free-throw line.

And in the JV game:

Odessa-Montour's Jaden Jarrell (left photo) and Hannah Albertsman shoot.

Odessa-Montour boys lose to Moravia

MORAVIA, Jan. 8, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped an 80-37 decision Wednesday night to Moravia in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Moravia gym.

The Grizzlies, who fell to 2-6, were led by Aaron Sutton's 11 points. Drew Parmenter and Tyler Malnoske each scored 7 points.

O-M returns to action Friday night on the road against Union Springs.

Junior Varsity: Moravia defeated Odessa-Montour 64-27. Daniel Phillips led the Grizzlies with 11 points, while Jaden Bailor scored 8.

Storm wrestlers top short-handed Lansing

LANSING, Jan. 8, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team defeated an outnumbered Lansing squad Wednesday night, 60-18, in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Lansing gym.

Lansing had only five eligible wrestlers. Results are found below:

101- Caden Hall (OM/WG) won by Forfeit (FFT)
108 - Nicky Sorce (OM/WG) won by FFT
116 - Aaden McMillen (Lansing) Won By Fall (WBF) over Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) at 1:11
124 - Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) WBF over Evan Sheils (Lansing) at 5:28
131 - Riley Yaw (OM/WG) won by FFT
138 - Owen Clark (Lansing) WBF over Daniel Coston (OM/WG) at 1:05
145 - Gavin Marsit (Lansing) WBF over Dylan Senecal (OM/WG) at 1:00
152 - Jared Watson (OM/WG) won by FFT
160 - Balan Ault (OM/WG) won by FFT
170 - Ean Walsh (OM/WG) won by FFT
190 - Joey Chamberlin (OM/WG) won by FFT
215 - Patrick Croft (OM/WG) WBF over Maximus Little (Lansing) at 1:17
285 - Dana Guild (OM/WG) won by FFT

The Storm -- a combined squad of Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen High School athletes -- returns to action this weekend, with some wrestlers participating in the Southern Tier Memorial Tournament on Friday and Saturday at the LECOM Arena in Elmira (wrestling starts at 3 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday) and others participating in the Owego Round Robin Tournament on Saturday (wrestling starts at 9 a.m.).

Honrath, Oliver earn All-State soccer berths

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 7, 2025 -- Watkins Glen High School girls soccer standouts Skye Honrath and Natalee Oliver have been named to the All-State Team announced by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports.

Honrath, a senior who set a new school and county career goal-scoring record with 93, was named to the Class B Second Team, while Oliver -- a speedy defensive specialist -- was named to the Class B Fourth Team. She is a junior.

The Watkins Glen team finished the season with a 12-4 record -- falling in the Class B Sectionals after winning two straight sectional titles in Class C.

Watkins Glen's Jude Santos, left, goes up for shot as TAE's Talon LaPlante defends.

Watkins boys roll past Edison, 54-37

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 7, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team improved to 4-4 Tuesday night with a 54-37 victory over Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Jude Santos led the Lake Hawks with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Other points came from Sam Caslin (9, on three 3-pointers, along with 5 assists), Caleb Bresett (8), Christopher Simiele (8), Jaydon Scholtisek (4), Bryce Bockelkamp (2), Lucas Hoffman (2), and Nick Ritter (2). The team converted 4 of 8 free throws.

The Lake Hawks broke the game open with a 19-2 second quarter after a 9-9 first period. They led 45-22 entering the fourth quarter.

"It's always good to get a win and I thought the boys played well tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "We showed a little bit more patience than we have recently. We have a very tough stretch of games coming up, with the next two against state-ranked teams."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Edison 52-33 to improve to 5-3. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 20 points, while Austin Preuninger scored 11, Leon Lagramada 10, Aden Rekczis 7, and Jax Decker 4. Leon Lagramada led in rebounds with 10.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Sam Caslin drives toward the basket.

Left: Watkins' Bryce Bockelkamp shoots. Right: The Lake Hawks' Brady Bockelkamp looks to pass the ball.

From left: Watkins Glen's Jaydon Scholtisek, Caleb Bresett and Christopher Simiele.

And in the JV game:

Left: Watkins Glen's Jax Decker looks to shoot. Right: The Lake Hawks' Austin Preuninger prepares to shoot from the corner.

Watkins Glen girls defeat Edison, 54-31

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, Jan. 7, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by Emma Cady's 18 points -- improved to 7-1 Tuesday night with a 54-31 victory over Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

Cady connected on eight field goals, including two from 3-point range, while grabbing four rebounds and registering three steals.

Other points came from Addie Coolican (13, with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals), Olivia King (10, with 5 rebounds and 4 assists), Brianna Hatch (9, with 6 rebounds and 4 assists), and Natalee Oliver (4, with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals).

The Lake Hawks led 15-5 after one quarter, 34-14 at halftime, and 46-20 entering the fourth quarter.

"We came out a little slow tonight but were able to pick it up," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "The girls had some nice passes and defensive stops. I am proud of how they played."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Edison 39-19 to improve to 5-2.

Bowling: Watkins boys fall to Lansing, 4-0

LANSING, Jan. 7, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team dropped a 4-0 decision Tuesday to Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

Brett Cullen-Pike led the Lake Hawks with a 236-214-182=632 series, but Watkins dropped all three games by a combined 2651-2408.

Other scores for the Lake Hawks included a 469 by Mykel Cody, 450 by Kamden Miller, and 416 by Kristofer Burke.

The Storm's Noah Wright, top, on his way to a victory against Dundee/Bradford.

Storm wrestlers win OM Duals title

ODESSA, Jan. 4, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team was undefeated as it won the annual OM Duals held Saturday in the Odessa-Montour High School gym.

The Storm -- a combined squad of O-M and Watkins Glen High School wrestlers -- earned a 5-0 record on the day to claim the team title.

The Storm defeated Dundee/Bradford 54-22 in Round 1, topped Ithaca 52-24 in Round 2, and routed Marathon 69-4 in Round 3 to win their pool, and then beat Whitney Point 51-23 and Horseheads 42-35 in rounds 4 and 5 -- the Championship Crossover Duals.

Most Outstanding Wrestler (MOW) Awards were given out in each weight class on a vote of coaches. OM/WG had MOWs at 124 pounds with Lucas Hoffman, 138 pounds with Daniel Coston, 152 pounds with Jared Watson, 160 pounds with Balan Ault, and 285 pounds with Dana Guild.

Schuyler Storm wrestling returns to action on Wednesday, January 8th at Lansing. Starting time is 6 p.m.

Photos in text:

Top: WG/OM's Nick D'Alleva on his way to victory by a pin over a Dundee/Bradford wrestler.
Bottom: The Storm's Patrick Croft has the advantage in a 215-pound bout.

The Storm's Dana Guild has the upper hand en route to a victory at 285 pounds against Dundee/Bradford.

The Storm's Ryan Dean on the way to 11th place in the 100 Yard Butterfly.

Storm swimmers place 5th at Invitational

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 4, 2025 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team finished in 5th place Saturday at the 14-team 2025 Invitational in the Glen, held in the Watkins Glen High School pool.

Shenendehowa placed 1st with 496 points, followed by Corning-Painted Post (379), Maine-Endwell (359), Horseheads (248), and The Storm (186). Other competing schools included Southern Cayuga, Lansing, Sweet Home, Owego Free, Union Endicott, Ithaca, Valley Central, Vestal, and Elmira.

Carson Thaete led the Storm -- -- a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- with a 3rd-place finish in the 500 Free (5:06.69), a 5th in the 200 Free (1:53.29), and a pair of 4th-place finishes in relays -- the 200 Medley Relay and the 400 Free Relay with Ryan Dean, Liam Smith and Alex Walters.

Dean also placed 5th in the 100 Back (59.73) and 11th in the 100 Fly. Smith was 8th in the 200 Individual Medley and 11th in the 100 Free. Walters was 13th in the 50 Free and 16th in the 100 Free.

Also for WG/OM: Andre Wixson was 13th in the 200 Free and 14th in the 100 Breaststroke; Grayson Robertson was 10th in the 100 Breaststroke and 20th in the 200 IM; Evan Clarkson was 20th in the 100 Fly and 21st in the 200 IM; Jack Hayden and Hudson Westervelt were 20th and 24th, respectively, in the 100 Breaststroke; and Jeremiah Desrochers and Drew Popovich were 8th and 10th, respectively, in the Diving.

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Evan Clarkson competes in the 100 Fly.
Bottom: WG/OM's Alex Walters dives at start of the 50 Free.

Left: The Storm's Liam Smith dives at start of the 200 IM. Right: WG/OM's Carson Thaete en route to 3rd place in the 500 Free.

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Week 1

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 4, 2025 -- The 40th season of Watkins Glen Youth Basketball got under way Saturday, with the following results.

2nd and 3rd Grades:

Curly's Family Restaurant 12, Famous Brands 0.
Curly's scoring: Easton Rekczis 6, Jacob Lynch 4, Jack Myers 2

Sporting Goods 18, Maquire's 8.
Sporting Goods scoring: Lucas Bianco 10, Jayvon Payne 8.
Maquire's scoring: Jaxson Bellavigna 6, Luca Purpura 2.

Standings:
Curly's Family Restaurant -- 1-0
Sporting Goods -- 1-0
Famous Brands -- 0-1
Schamel Brothers -- 0-1

4-6th Grades:

Watkins Glen Supply 21, Capt. Bill's 20.
WG Supply scoring: Isidore Gomez Fitzsimmons 8, Callum McKeon 4, Cate Caslin 3, Bryce Walker 2, Kingston Tomlinson 2, AJ Stansfield 2.
Capt. Bill's scoring: Derrick Westervelt 7, Morgan Bubb 6, Zion Tomlinson 3, Breanna Taylor 2, Rory Yaw 2.

Watkins Motel 22, Schamel Brothers 17.

Watkins Motel scoring: TaMya VanOrden Jones 4, Mason Bellavigna 4, Landon Bianco 4, Garrett Bubb 4, Jacob Martens 2, Sydney Fields 2, Camden Janowski 2.
Schamel Brothers scoring: Hank Titus 10, Morgan Saks 4, Logan Saks 2, Cole Desrochers 1.

Standings:
Watkins Motel -- 1-0
Watkins Glen Supply -- 1-0
Capt. Bill's -- 0-1
Schamel Brothers -- 0-1

Tuttle named to Weightlifting Hall of Fame

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 4, 2025 -- Watkins Glen High School junior Madison Tuttle has been inducted into the Lake Hawks Weightlifting Hall of Fame by Hall founder Ralph Diliberto, who said:

"I met Madison when she was in 6th grade and worked out with us in the Fitness Center in the morning, 5:45 to 6:30 four days a week. She would also work out during our soccer clinics during the summer. She had a great understanding of sport specific strength training. She loved playing soccer, but unfortunately sustained a knee injury in 2022 and was sidelined. She worked her way back through PT and strength training and contributed to the 2023 soccer season, her team winning the Section 4 title.

"As a member of Coach Sterner’s indoor track team, she specialized in the Racewalk and did something that has never been done in the history of this school district. On January 27, 2024, she won a Section 4 Championship -- Class C/D -- with a time of 7:45.97, and on March 17, 2024, she became a national champion by finishing first at the Adidas Indoor Nationals with a time of 8:09.62.

"Madison utilized the WGHS Fitness Center diligently to achieve all these things. For the above reasons she is selected to be a member of the Lake Hawks Weightlifting Hall of Fame."

Photo in text: Madison Tuttle -- holding her Lake Hawks Weightlifting Hall of Fame plaque -- poses next to Hall founder Ralph Diliberto, (Photo provided)

Watkins Glen track team sets many PRs

ITHACA, Jan. 3, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School varsity indoor track team competed Friday in its second meet of the season, this one at Ithaca College.

"Coming back from break we did well," said Coach Kelly Sterner, whose squad produced "lots of PRs" (personal records). The team returns to action Friday, Jan. 10 at Cortland.

Among Friday's events, PRs were posted by:

-- Leighann Landers in the 55 Meter Dash (8.98), the 300 Meter Run (55.24) and the Shot Put (19' 9.25").
-- Samuel Hohle in the 55 Meters (7.10) and 300 Meters (40.97).
-- Ethan Stevenson in the 55 Meters (8.10).
-- Ellery Thaete in the 600 Meter Run (2:12.07), the 300 Meter Run (52.90) and the Long Jump (11' 11").
-- Zachary Brusso in the 1600 Meter Run (6:08.35).
-- Aiden Nichols in the Shot Put (36' 10.25").

Watkins boys fall to Notre Dame, 65-34

SOUTHPORT, Jan. 3, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 3-4 Friday night when the Lake Hawks dropped a 65-34 decision to Elmira Notre Dame in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Notre Dame gym.

"There's not too much to say about tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "We lacked energy from the start and didn't compete to the level we are capable of. We got decent looks, but couldn't buy a basket, and got out-hustled and out-rebounded badly.

"Sometimes you have nights where you struggle to score, but I think we let that affect our energy and effort levels on the defensive end. Every game, win or lose, provides an opportunity for growth and improvement, and the character these boys have will definitely lead to improvement. Notre Dame played fast, aggressive, and shot lights out, so credit to them for playing a very good game."

Jude Santos led Watkins Glen in scoring with 15 points, while Christopher Simiele scored 4, Bryce Bockelkamp 4, Brady Bockelkamp 4, Caleb Bresett 4, and Sam Caslin 3. Caslin led in rebounds with 8, and Simiele in steals with 4.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Notre Dame 65-44, led by Caydin Lagramada's 28 points. Other points came from Leon Lagramada (14), Austin Preuninger (11), Nolan Reynolds (7), Dominic Lewis (3), and Jax Decker (2). Leon Lagramada grabbed 12 rebounds, Preuninger 10, and Reynolds 9. Caydin Lagramada led in steals with 5.

Watkins' Natalee Oliver drives between two Notre Dame players on the way to the basket.

Glen girls roll past Notre Dame, 54-30

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 3, 2025 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team raced out to a 19-4 first-quarter lead en route to a 54-30 victory Friday night over Elmira Notre Dame in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The 6-1 Lake Hawks, up 29-14 at halftime and 44-23 entering the fourth quarter, were led by Brianna Hatch's 16 points and 14 from Olivia King. Other points came from Natalee Oliver (8), Addie Coolican (8), Michaela Wheaton (7), and Emma Cady (1). The team converted 7 of 19 free throws.

Cady led in rebounds with 8, while Hatch, Oliver and Wheaton each grabbed 5, and King and Grace Underdown 3 apiece. King led in assists with 5, while Oliver had 4 and Hatch 3. King also led in blocks with 3, while Oliver led in steals with 5.

"The girls played tough tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They showed determination and heart. I am proud of how they played."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen overcame an opening 12-4 deficit to defeat Notre Dame 54-36. Lizzi Fitzwater led the 4-2 Lake Hawks with 18 points, while Amy Field scored 13, Isabella Bellavigna 10, Emma Lewis 7, and Emily Emerson 6.

Photo in text: The Lake Hawks' Emma Cady tries to drive between two ND defenders.

Left: Watkins Glen's Brianna Hatch shoots. Right: The Lake Hawks' Olivia King looks for a shot.

From left: Watkins Glen's Michaela Wheaton, Grace Underdown, and Addie Coolican.

And in the JVgame:

From left: Isabella Bellavigna, Emma Lewis, Amy Field and Lizzi Fitzwater.

Odessa girls lose to Southern Cayuga

AURORA, Jan. 3, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 4-5 Friday night when the Grizzlies dropped a 71-27 decision to Southern Cayuga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the SC gym.

O-M trailed 20-4 after one quarter, and 33-7 at halftime.

Leah Antes led Odessa scorers with 11 points, and grabbed 7 rebounds. Evvie Zinger added 9 points on three 3-pointers, while Vanessa Wood scored 3 points (with 3 steals and 5 rebounds), Olivia Barr 2 points, and Olivia Rivera 2 points.

Charli Bennett led Southern Cayuga (now 6-2) with 27 points.

The Grizzlies return to action Tuesday at home against defending state champion Moravia.

Glen Invitational kicks off with prelims

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 3, 2025 -- Swimmers from more than a dozen schools around the state competed Friday for spots in Saturday's finals and consolation finals of the 2025 Boys Invitational in the Glen, held in the Watkins Glen High School pool.

Competing schools included Southern Cayuga, Maine-Endwell, Lansing, Horseheads, Sweet Home, Shenendehowa, Corning-Painted Post, Owego Free, Union Endicott, Ithaca, Valley Central, Vestal, Elmira and The Schuyler Storm -- the last a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes.

The top eight in each race advanced to Saturday's finals, and the 9th through 16th and 17th through 24th to consolation finals.

Top performances for The Storm included third places by Carson Thaete in the 200 Free and 500 Free (where he posted a 5:02, just .65 off the school record), and a third by Ryan Dean in the 100 Back. The Storm had two fourth-place finishes in relays: the 200 Medley and the 400 Free, while Liam Smith was seventh in the 200 Individual Medley.

Dean was 10th in the 100 Fly, Smith 10th in the 100 Free, Grayson Robertson 11th in the 100 Breaststroke, Alex Walters 12th in the 100 Free and 16th in the 50 Free, and Andre Wixson 16th in the 100 Breaststroke.

Photos in text:

Top: The Schuyler Storm's Alex Walters dives at start of the 50 Free.
Bottom: The Storm's Liam Smith on the way to 7th place in the 200 IM prelim.

Odessa-Montour's Aaron Sutton drives between two defenders on his way to the basket.

O-M boys fall as S. Cayuga rallies, 66-59

ODESSA, Jan. 2, 2025 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team rode a flurry of early 3-point baskets to a 12-point lead Thursday night against Southern Cayuga before the visitors rallied with a 29-point fourth quarter, handing the Grizzlies a 66-59 Interscholastic Athletic Conference defeat in the O-M gym.

Southern Cayuga's Isaac Brozon proved to be too much down the stretch for O-M's defenders, registering 24 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter, including 13-for-16 from the free-throw line.

The Grizzlies, who had built an 18-14 first-quarter advantage, extended their lead to 31-19 in the second quarter before SC tallied the last 8 points of the period. O-M had built its edge on seven 3-pointers by the middle of the second quarter -- three by Drew Parmenter and two each by Tyler Malnoske and Aaron Sutton.

The Grizzlies surged again after intermission, leading by as many as 11 (up 39-28), and entered the fourth quarter ahead 45-37.

But Southern Cayuga caught fire, scoring 11 points before two minutes had gone by for a 48-45 lead. O-M never saw the lead again, staying close (55-53) before SC pulled away by converting 8 of its final 9 free throws.

Parmenter led the Grizzlies with 17 points, while Malnoske and Sutton scored 14 each, Gavin Lohmeyer 10, and James Halpin 4.

The loss dropped O-M's season mark to 2-5 heading into a game Tuesday at Moravia.

"Every game feels like it's taking years off my life," said O-M Coach Aaron Thomson, whose squad has played two other notably close games, losing 51-48 to Groton and 49-48 to Tioga.

"But I'm happy overall with our performance tonight," he added. "Southern Cayuga (now 6-1) is a very good team, and we played them tough. It shows my guys are starting to click."

Photo in text:

Top: Odessa-Montour's Drew Parmenter drives to the hoop.
Bottom: The Grizzlies' Gavin Lohmeyer is fouled as he attempts a shot.

Left: O-M's Tyler Malnoske shoots. Right: The Grizzlies' Moe Zinger takes aim.

O-M boys ride 3-pointers to 77-50 win

ADDISON, Dec. 30, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team sank 14 three-point shots Monday en route to a 77-50 victory over Cowanesque Valley in the consolation game of the Addison Holiday Tournament.

Aaron Sutton registered six of those long-range baskets and 24 points as the Grizzlies improved to 2-4 heading into a home game Thursday night against Southern Cayuga.

Tyler Malnoske added 23 points (with three 3-pointers), and Drew Parmenter 12 points (with two 3-pointers). Other points came from Moe Zinger (5), James Halpin (5), Hunter Mowry (3), Connor Foggie (3), and Gavin Lohmeyer (2). Zinger, Mowry, and Foggie each connected on one 3-pointer.

O-M led 21-6 after one quarter, 35-21 at halftime, and 60-34 entering the fourth quarter. The 77 points was a turnaround from the tourney opening-round game that O-M lost to Arkport, 48-33.

The tourney champions pose. From left: Grace Underdown, Rachel Vickio, Zade Gomez-Fitzsimmons, Michaela Wheaton, Natalee Oliver, Brianna Hatch, Olivia King, Emma Cady, Addie Coolican, Olivia VanSkiver and Grace Roney.

Watkins girls roll to tourney title, 55-13

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 29, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by Addie Coolican's 21 points -- posted a 55-13 victory Sunday over Spencer-Van Etten in the championship game of the annual Melissa B. Wilson Memorial Tournament in the WGHS Field House.

The tourney -- in memory of a WGHS graduate (and basketball player) who died in an auto accident in 1996 at the age of 19 -- saw the Lake Hawks hold the Panthers scoreless in the first and third periods, and to two points in the fourth quarter.

Coolican, who also registered 3 steals and 3 assists, was joined in the scoring column by Natalee Oliver (9 points, wtih 3 steals and 6 assists), Olivia King (8 points, with 3 rebounds and 2 assists), Emma Cady (7 points, with 3 rebounds and 2 steals), Brianna Hatch (6 points, with 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 assists), and Olivia VanSkiver (4 points). Michaela Wheaton grabbed 5 rebounds, and Grace Underdown 3.

The Lake Hawks led 18-0 after one quarter and 22-0 before S-VE scored. The halftime advantage was 27-11, and Watkins was up 44-11 entering the fourth period.

"I was very pleased with how the girls played tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They worked hard both on offense and defense. The girls are really starting to come together."

Missing from the lineup was standout Rachel Vickio, who injured her right ankle in Saturday's semifinal victory over Mynderse. Initial indication is a severe sprain, although further medical examination is planned.

Consolation Game: Mynderse 60, South Seneca 26.

Tournament MVP: Addie Coolican of Watkins Glen.
Tournament All-Stars: Olivia King of Watkins Glen, Kaidince Root of S-VE, and Chelsea Korzeniewski of Mynderse.
3-Point Contest Winner: Emma Cady of Watkins Glen.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Addie Coolican is fouled as she drives to the basket.
Bottom: The Lake Hawks' Grace Underdown, left, tries to keep the ball from going out of bounds.

Watkins Glen's Olivia King, left, and Emma Cady, right, prepare to shoot.

Left: Watkins Glen's Olivia VanSkiver shoots. Right: The Lake Hawks' Michaela Wheaton, left, takes aim at the basket.

Left: Watkins Glen's Natalee Oliver launches a shot. Right: The Lake Hawks' Addie Coolican, left, holds her MVP trophy and is congratulated by the JV team's Emma Lewis.

In the JV game: Watkins Glen's Amy Field (12) passes the ball to Lizzi Fitzwater.

Junior Varsity: Glen girls capture title

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 29, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls junior varsity basketball team -- led by Amy Field's 18 points and 13 by Lizzi Fitzwater -- pulled away late in the game Sunday to defeat Spencer-Van Etten 41-29 in the JV championship game of the annual Melissa B. Wilson Memorial Tournament in the WGHS Field House.

Field and Fitzwater combined for 15 of their team's 17 fourth-quarter points as the Lake Hawks broke a 26-26 tie with an 11-0 run that put them up 37-26 with just one minute left in the game. Field hit four baskets in that quarter, while Fitzwater sank two shots from the field and three from the foul line.

Other points in the game came from Isabella Bellavigna (6), Paige Ells (2) and Allyson Oliver (2). The victory lifted the Lake Hawks' record to 3-2.

JV Consolation Game: Mynderse 39, South Seneca 13.

Photo in text: The JV champions pose. Front from left, Isabella Yaw, Amy Field, Isabella Bellavigna, Emma Lewis and Allyson Oliver. Standing from left: Coach Rachael Wilson, Emily Emerson, Ella Decker, Aubrey Klemann, Lizzi Fitzwater and Paige Ells.

Left: Watkins Glen's Paige Ells (20) passes the ball. Center: The Lake Hawks' Allyson Oliver shoots. Right: Watkins' Lizzi Fitzwater sends a free throw on its way.

O-M girls fall to Addison in consolation

ADDISON, Dec. 28, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 4-4 Saturday when the Grizzlies dropped a 31-30 decision to Addison in the consolation game of the Addison Holiday Tournament.

Leah Antes led O-M with 13 points, and was named to the all-tournament team. Other points came from Evvie Zinger (8), Brooklynn Thompson (5), Vanessa Wood (2) and Olivia Barr (2).

O-M led 9-8 after one period, 18-15 at halftime, and 24-20 entering the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies' biggest lead: 18-10 in the second quarter.

"Marley Atherton's old fashioned three-point play when it was 30-28 with 6.6 seconds left was the difference," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "It was the third shot of the possession for them. We missed two free throws up 30-28 with 13.9 left.

"We did everything you could possibly do to give this one away and missed countless layups and open shots and got outhustled consistently for loose balls. We failed to make the plays we needed to to put the game away, and got burned at the end because of it."

The Grizzlies return to action on Jan. 3 at Southern Cayuga.

Left: Watkins Glen's Rachel Vickio shoots. Right: The Lake Hawks' Brianna Hatch passes the ball to teammate Michaela Wheaton.

Watkins girls top Mynderse, reach finale

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 28, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team defeated Mynderse Academy 52-44 Saturday in the opening round of the annual Melissa B. Wilson Memorial Tournament at the WGHS Field House.

The victory moves the Lake Hawks (now 4-1) into Sunday's title game against Spencer-Van Etten, which topped South Seneca 45-26 in the other semifinal. The championship game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., following a consolation contest.

Watkins Glen led 18-11 after one quarter, 29-21 at halftime, and -- after Mynderse had trimmed the lead to five points at one point in the third period -- 42-30 entering the fourth quarter.

Brianna Hatch led the Lake Hawks with 13 points, while Addie Coolican scored 10, Olivia King 8, Rachel Vickio 6, Michaela Wheaton 5, Emma Cady 5, and Natalee Oliver 5. The team converted 9 of 16 free throws.

Mynderse Academy was led by Chelsea Korzeniewski's 18 points. The Blue Devils sank 5 of 6 free throws.

Hatch and King led Watkins Glen in rebounds with 9 and 8, respectively. They also registered two blocks apiece.

Note: The joy of victory was tempered by an injury in the fourth quarter to junior Rachel Vickio, who was helped from the court after sustaining a right-ankle injury under the Mynderse basket. She was provided with crutches and taken to Schuyler Hospital for X-rays.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Mynderse Academy 31-16 to advance to Sunday's JV title game against Spencer-Van Etten, which defeated South Seneca 50-13 in the other semifinal.

Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., following a noon consolation contest.

The Lake Hawks (2-2) were led by Lizzi Fitzwater's 11 points, and 6 by Emma Lewis. Other points came from Paige Ells (4), Allyson Oliver (3), Aubrey Klemann (2), Amy Field (2), Isabella Bellavigna (2), and Emily Emerson (1).

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Olivia King takes aim at the basket.
Middle: The Lake Hawks' Addie Coolican drives to the hoop.

From left: Watkins Glen's Emma Cady, Michaela Wheaton and Natalee Oliver.

In the JV game:

Left: Watkins Glen's Lizzi Fitzwater prepares to shoot. Right: The Lake Hawks' Amy Field takes aim at the basket.

Watkins Glen's Isabella Bellavigna, left, and Emma Lewis drive to the basket.

Storm wrestlers compete in 2 tourneys

WINDSOR and COOPERSTOWN, NY, Dec. 28, 2024 -- Several members of the Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team competed this weekend in tournaments -- in Coopertown and Windsor.

Lucas Hoffman participated in the Windsor Christmas Tournament, which hosted 41 teams from various sections of New York, as well as teams from Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Hoffman, competing at 124 pounds, went 2-2. He opened the tournament with two victories by fall -- over Kolt Murdie of Gouvernour and Zakk LaRue of Copenhagen -- before dropping a 5-4 decision to Long Island standout and eventual runner-up Will Russell, followed by a 5-2 sudden victory loss in the consolation round to Marco Provenzano of Fairport.

Nine fellow wrestlers from the Storm, a combined squad of Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen athletes, traveled to Cooperstown, where teams from Sections Two, Three, Four, Five, and Nine were represented.

Dana Guild led the pack at 285 pounds by placing third and finishing with a 4-1 record. Guild's lone loss came by way of a 5-0 decision to eventual Champion Mason Naple of Victor. Hunter Barrett and Patrick Croft both finished in fourth place with 3-2 records at 145 and 215 pounds, respectively. Daniel Coston (138 pounds) and Jared Watson (152) both placed fifth with 4-1 and 3-2 records, respectively. Ean Walsh placed seventh at 160 pounds with a 2-3 record. Dylan Senecal and Joey Chamberlin both finished with 2-3 records to place eighth at 138 and 190 pounds, respectively. Bradley Cantineri placed ninth with a 3-2 record at 131 pounds.

Storm wrestling returns to action on Saturday, January 4th with the annual OM Duals at Odessa-Montour. Wrestling is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

Watkins Glen's Sam Caslin drives to the basket in traffic during the second half.

Glen boys fall to S. Seneca in title game

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 27, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team took an early lead before falling to unbeaten South Seneca 54-43 in Friday's champiionship game of the Holiday Hoops tournament in the WGHS Field House.

The Lake Hawks (now 3-3) took control early, riding a 12-0 run to a 16-5 lead late in the first quarter. But South Seneca scored the final three points of that period and the first 14 of the second quarter to go ahead 22-16 on the way to a 27-19 halftime advantage.

The Falcons held off Watkins Glen the rest of the way. South Seneca led 38-26 entering the final period and then withstood a Lake Hawks rally that trimmed the difference to five points, 48-43, with 1:49 left to play. The victors scored the final six points to secure the tourney title.

Christopher Simiele led the Lake Hawks with 14 points, while Jude Santos scored 10, Sam Caslin 9, Brady Bockelkamp 6, Bryce Bockelkamp 2, and Jaydon Scholtisek 2. The team converted 10 of 15 free throws.

Simiele led the team in steals with 4. He and Caslin each registered 3 assists. Santos and Bryce Bockelkamp each grabbed 5 rebounds, and Brady Bockelkamp 4.

South Seneca, 6-0 and ranked 11th in the state among Class C teams by the NYS Sportswriters Association, was led by Taj Amisano's 18 points, and 15 by Kenny Halsey. The Falcons sank 3 of 6 free throws.

South Seneca's Halsey was named the tournament MVP. Watkins Glen's Simiele and Caslin were named tourney All-Stars.

"Congratulations to South Seneca on winning the tournament," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "They are a very talented team who are having a great season, and I am grateful for their entering our tournament. We built a pretty good lead in the first quarter but were unable to keep it. The second quarter was disastrous as we failed to secure defensive rebounds, which led to many second-chance points. That was the turning point, and we were playing from behind after that.

"We made runs to get back close but couldn't get back to the lead. The boys have shown flashes of being really good, so a big focus will be on consistency for four quarters. We tend to play well in spurts, only to make mistakes that hurt us in close games.

"I'm appreciative of the effort and positive attitudes the boys bring to practice every day. Win or lose, they give it their all and I think we have the potential to string together some wins this season. That said, there is much to work on, and we will get back at it as we have some really tough league games over the next few weeks."

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Christopher Simiele goes up for a jump shot.
Middle: The Lake Hawks' Jaydon Scholtisek takes aim at the basket.
Bottom: Watkins Glen's Christopher Simiele, left, and Sam Caslin were named tournament All-Stars.

Left: Watkins Glen's Brady Bockelkamp (24) prepares to shoot. Right: The Lake Hawks' Jude Santos (13) leaps high for the tipoff.

The WGHS junior varsity basketball team poses after winning the tournament title.

Junior Varsity: Watkins rolls to title

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 27, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys junior varsity basketball team -- led by Caydin Lagramada's 33 points -- defeated South Seneca 58-35 Friday in the JV championship game of the Holiday Hoops tournament in the WGHS Field House.

The Lake Hawks built a 34-14 lead in the first half, led by Lagramada's first 17 points, and cruised from there to a victory that lifted their season record to 3-3.

Scoring in addition to Lagramada (who also led the team in steals with 7) were Austin Preuninger with 9 points, Leon Lagramada with 7, Aden Rekczis with 5, Jax Decker with 2, and Nolan Reynolds with 2.

Caydin Lagramada was named the tourney MVP, while Rekczis and Leon Lagramada were named tourney All-Stars.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Caydin Lagramada (2) scored 33 points, earning the tournament MVP Award.

Glen boys to face S. Seneca in title game

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 26, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team will face unbeaten South Seneca in the final Friday of the Holiday Hoops tournament at the WGHS Field House.

The tourney field, reduced to three teams when Newfield pulled out, saw South Seneca and Spencer-Van Etten compete in the lone semifinal -- a game dominated by South Seneca 82-28. The Falcons are 5-0 and ranked 11th among Class C schools by the New York State Sportswriters Association. Watkins Glen is 3-2 and unranked in Class B.

The varsity championship is scheduled to start at 3 p.m., following a 1 p.m. junior varsity title game between Watkins Glen and South Seneca, the latter a 59-34 victor over S-VE on Thursday.

South Seneca's varsity opened with a 22-2 first quarter against S-VE, led 39-13 at halftime, and was up 59-22 entering the fourth quarter.

3-Point Shooting contest: Watkins Glen's Sam Caslin became the only two-time winner of this annual event, winning in pool play and sinking 10 shots in the final, where he defeated Kenny Halsey of South Seneca, 10-7.

*****

Photos in text:

Top: South Seneca's Logan Laverack takes the ball to the hoop against S-VE.
Bottom: Watkins Glen's Sam Caslin after winning the 3-Point Shooting contest.

O-M girls lose in tourney's opening round

ADDISON, Dec. 26, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 4-3 Thursday when the Grizzlies dropped a 50-19 decision to Dundee-Bradford in the opening round of the Addison holiday tournament.

O-M trailed 16-4 after one quarter, 25-13 at halftime, and 39-16 entering the fourth period.

Evvie Zinger led the Grizzlies with 8 points, while Leah Antes scored 3 points, Olivia Barr 3, Brooklynn Thompson 3, and Vanessa Wood 2.

Dundee/Bradford, now 5-1, was led by Kendall Parker's 13 points.

"We were never in it, which was very disappointing," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "A young team will have its 'not so good moments' and this most certainly was one of them. We will go back to the drawing board and get ready for Saturday."

O-M will face Addison in the tourney consolation game at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Odessa-Montour's Leah Antes takes aim on a drive to the basket.

Odessa-Montour girls fall to Groton

ODESSA, Dec. 20, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 4-2 Friday night when the Grizzlies sustained a 53-49 loss to Groton in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

O-M, down 14-9 after one quarter and 25-15 at halftime, pulled within three points twice in the third quarter and within one point with six minutes remaining, 42-41. But they failed to catch up.

The Grizzlies, down by three after a Leah Antes 3-pointer with 1:58 to go, "had a good look to tie in the final 30 seconds," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich -- with two shots that "just didn't fall."

Groton converted a free throw for a 4-point lead with 8.8 seconds remaining, and O-M had no time left for a clean final shot. It was Groton's first victory of the year (1-4).

Antes led the Grizzlies with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists. Evvie Zinger added 20 points, (including four 3-pointers) and 6 rebounds. Other points came from Olivia Barr (3) and Brooklynn Thompson (3). The team converted 7 of 12 free throws, while Groton sank 3 of 7.

"I'm proud of our effort," said Gavich. "We showed a lot of guts in that second half and got up off the floor after getting punched in the face in that first half with their aggressiveness and our turnovers. We just dug too deep of a hole with the turnovers in the first half.

"Groton is much better than their record," he added. "They lost to Union Springs, Candor, and Moravia, who are three very, very good teams. We showed a lot of perseverance for such a young team that could have very easily folded up the tent.

"We will learn from this and keep working to get better. We have a very tough stretch of games coming up that will test us for sure."

The Grizzlies will play Dundee/Bradford at an Addison tournament on Dec. 26, followed by the second game of that tourney. Subsequent games will be at Southern Cayuga, and home against Moravia, Union Springs and Candor.

Photo in text:

Top: Odesssa-Montour's Evvie Zinger drives to the basket. She scored 20 points.
Bottom: The Grizzlies' Olivia Barr shoots a free throw.

Left: O-M's Brooklynn Thompson reaches for a rebound. Right: The Grizzlies' Olivia Rivera moves past a Groton defender.

Watkins Glen boys defeat Newark Valley

NEWARK VALLEY, Dec. 20, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team improved to 3-2 Friday night with a 65-45 victory over Newark Valley in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the NV gym.

The Lake Hawks were led by Jude Santos's 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Other points came from Sam Caslin (10, with 8 assists and 5 steals), Caleb Bresett (10, with 3 rebounds), Christopher Simiele (8, with 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 rebounds), Bryce Bockelkamp (4, with 7 rebounds and 2 steals), Lucas Hoffman (4, with 3 rebounds), Jaydon Scholtisek (3), Brady Bockelkamp (3), and Nick Ritter (2).

"Tonight was a true team effort!" said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "I'm incredibly proud of the way the boys played defense tonight. We managed to put a lot of pressure on the ball throughout, and communicated well. We are almost always the much smaller team, so the effort has to be there defensively for us to have a chance to win every night, and the guys are improving every day with keeping up that intensity. Offensively, I thought our guards did a tremendous job moving the ball and finding our post players inside. We talk a lot about getting our assist numbers up, and tonight we passed the ball very well to set up teammates to score. It's always nice to go on the road and get a win, and hopefully we can continue to improve in a very challenging league."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Newark Valley 50-33. Austin Preuninger scored 14 points, Caydin Lagramada 13, and Nolan Reynolds 12. Leon Lagramada led in rebounds with 9, while Reynolds grabbed 7.

Watkins Glen's Emma Cady, left, and Natalee Oliver, right, take the ball to the basket.

Watkins girls top Newark Valley, 60-45

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 20, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 3-1 Friday night with a 60-45 victory over Newark Valley in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Watkins Glen led 11-9 after one quarter, 22-14 at halftime, and 42-30 entering the fourth quarter.

Rachel Vickio and Olivia King each scored 16 points for the Lake Hawks, while Brianna Hatch scored 9, Natalee Oliver 7, Addie Coolican 6, Michaela Wheaton 4, and Emma Cady 2. The team converted 4 of 10 free throws.

Hatch grabbbed 6 rebounds, while Vickio registered 5, Oliver 5, Coolican 4, King 3, Cady 3, and Wheaton 2. Hatch and King had two blocks apiece, while Vickio had 3 steals and Coolican 2. Coolican led in assists with 5.

"The girls played really well tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "I was proud of the hustle and heart they had. Each girl did their part to get this win."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen lost to Newark Valley, 36-19. The Lake Hawks are 1-2.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Rachel Vickio drives to the hoop in traffic.

Left: Watkins Glen's Michaela Wheaton, right, moves past a Newark Valley defender. Right: The Lake Hawks' Olivia King goes up for a shot.

Left: Watkins Glen's Addie Coolican shoots. She was fouled on the play. Right: The Lake Hawks' Brianna Hatch looks for a shot.

Odessa-Montour boys fall to Groton, 51-48

GROTON, Dec. 19, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 51-48 decision Thursday night to Groton in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Groton gym.

The Grizzlies (now 1-3) led 13-8 after one quarter and 28-24 at halftime, but entered the fourth quarter trailing 38-33.

Tyler Malnoske led O-M with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Other points came from Gavin Lohmeyer (7), Drew Parmenter (5), Aaron Sutton (5), Moe Zinger (5), Hunter Mowry (4), and James Halpin (4).

The Grizzlies converted 5 of 11 free throws, while Groton was 6-for-15 from the foul line.

The Storm's Balan Ault almost pins his opponent on the way to a 12-9 victory.

Storm wrestlers defeat Edison, 51-23

ODESSA, Dec. 19, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team posted a 51-23 victory Thursday night over Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Odessa-Montour High School's Jack Davis Gym.

The Storm, a team composed of O-M and Watkins Glen High School athletes, got victories by fall from Nicky Sorce at 108 pounds, Riley Yaw at 131, and Jared Watson at 152, a come-from-behind 12-9 decision by Balan Ault at 160, and forfeit wins at 101, 124, 138, 145 and 285.

Exhibition Match:

170 lbs - Tek Chokngoen (OM/WG) Won By Fall (WBF) over Cameron Richard (TAE) at 1:21.

Varsity Duals:

101 lbs - Caden Hall (OM/WG) Won by Forfeit (FFT).
108 lbs - Nicky Sorce (OM/WG) WBF over Cameron Southard (TAE) at 1:01.
116 lbs - Austin Donahue (TAE) WBF over Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) at 2:47.
124 lbs - Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) Won by FFT.
131 lbs - Riley Yaw (OM/WG) WBF over Liam Connor (TAE) at 0:29.
138 lbs - Daniel Coston (OM/WG) Won by FFT.
145 lbs - Hunter Barrett (OM/WG) Won by FFT.
152 lbs - Jared Watson (OM/WG) WBF over Daniel Cruz (TAE) at 0:25.
160 lbs - Balan Ault (OM/WG) Won by Decision over Jace Schiller (TAE) 12-9.
170 lbs - Greg Golden (TAE) Won by Technical Fall over Ean Walsh (OM/WG) 17-1.
190 lbs - Caden Southard (TAE) WBF over Joey Chamberlin (OM/WG) at 0:31.
215 lbs - Paxton Hoover (TAE) WBF over Patrick Croft (OM/WG) at 4:47.
285 lbs - Johnny Hanville (OM/WG) Won by FFT.

OM/WG wrestling returns to action Saturday, hosting the OM/WG JV Dual Qual with Elmira, Ithaca, and Trumansburg at Odessa-Montour. Wrestling starts at 10 a.m.

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Patrick Croft takes down his opponent at 215, but later lost by fall.
Bottom: OM/WG's Riley Yaw pins his opponent at 131 pounds.

Left: The Storm's Caden Hall is declared the winner by forfeit at 101. Right: OM/WG's Nicky Sorce, facing camera, on the way to victory by fall at 108.

Storm swimmers defeat Lansing, 100-75

LANSING, Dec. 19, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team posted a 100-75 victory Thursday over Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Lansing pool.

The Storm -- a combined squad of Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- won the following:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Ryan Dean, Grayson Robertson, Liam Smith, Alex Walters 1:50.77.
200 Free: 1st, Liam Smith 2:02.38.
200 Individual Medley: 1st, Carson Thaete 2:11.86.
Diving: 1st, Max Ricca 171.80.
100 Free: 1st, Ryan Dean 53.26.
500 Free: 1st, Liam Smith 5:48.53.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Alex Walters, Andre Wixson, Carson Thaete, Liam Smith 1:39.71.

Second-place finishes were posted for the Storm by Alex Walters in the 200 Free and 100 Free; Hudson Westervelt in the 50 Free; Carson Thaete in the 100 Fly; Grayson Robertson in the 500 Free; Ryan Dean in the 100 Back; and Westervelt, Jeremiah Desrochers, Evan Clarkson and Max Ricca in the 200 Free Relay.

O-M's Maylynn Hourihan watches the pins scatter as she registers a strike.

Bowling: O-M boys fall to Candor, 3-1

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 19, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team won the first game before dropping a 3-1 decision to Candor Thursday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

O-M won the first game 816-771, but lost 889-743 and 857-767 in the second and third games -- and dropped total pinfall, 2517-2326.

Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 522 series, while Alex Campbell posted a 488, Ronald Wilson 467, Ryan McCann 426, and Braidyne Wilson 423. Candor was led by Cody Floyd's 614.

Girls: O-M, with three bowlers, fell 4-0 to Candor's four bowlers, 1819-905. Odessa Arrance rolled a 393 for the Grizzlies, while Abbey Grady posted a 263, and Maylynn Hourihan a 259.

O-M won't return to action until January 7th.

Photo in text: O-M's Perry Navestad reacts after leaving a split.

Bowling: Glen boys top Newark Valley

NEWARK VALLEY, Dec. 19, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team posted a 3-1 victory Thursday over Newark Valley in an Interscholastic Athletic Confernce road match.

Brett Cullen-Pike led the Lake Hawks with a 603 series that included a 212 and a 238, and Kristofer Burke posted a 567 that included a 243. Mykel Cody followed with a 534, while Dominic Gublo rolled 471, Kamden Miller 424, and newcomer Mark Fabrizi 396.

"The team bowled well and everyone played a part in the win," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson.

Watkins Glen's Mykel Cody reacts after leaving the dreaded 7-10 split.

Bowling: Watkins boys top Groton, 3-1

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 17, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team posted a 3-1 victory Tuesday over Groton in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

The Lake Hawks, after losing the first game 729-727, easily outpointed Groton in the second and third games to win total pinfall 2353-1941.

Brett Cullen-Pike led Watkins with a 525 series that included a 209 game, while Mykel Cody posted a 482, Kristofer Burke 471, Kamden Miller 460, and Dominic Gublo 405.

The Lake Hawks return to action Thursday at Newark Valley.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brett Cullen-Pike converts a spare.

Odessa-Montour's Drew Parmenter takes aim from the corner.

O-M boys lose to Tioga at the wire, 49-48

ODESSA, Dec. 17, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 1-2 Tuesday night with a 49-48 loss to Tioga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The game saw Tioga up 10-5 after one quarter and 20-16 at halftime, but then the lead changed several times in the third quarter, which ended with O-M ahead 31-30.

The final period saw Tioga build a seven-point lead before the Grizlies rallied, drawing within a point at 42-41, falling back to 46-41, and then catching the Tigers 48-48 on a Tyler Malnoske 3-pointer with 10.5 seconds left.

O-M got the ball back on an inbounding miscue by Tioga, but a shot from the corner was long, and a foul was called on the Grizzlies in a battle for the ball with 2.7 seconds remaining. Tioga sank the second of two free throws to break the tie, and a half-court heave by Malnoske was just off the mark as time expired.

Malnoske led the Grizzlies with 19 points, while Aaron Sutton scored 16, Moe Zinger 7, Drew Parmenter 5, and Gavin Lohmeyer 1. The team sank 9 of 19 free throws.

Tioga was led by Jackson Bombard's 15 points, and 14 by Dominic Palmer. The team converted 10 of 22 free throws.

Junior Varsity: O-M defeated Tioga 41-32. Daniel Phillips led the Grizzlies with 16 points,while Dominic Wood scored 9 and Zach Smith 8.

Photo in text: O-M's Moe Zinger drives to the hoop late in the game.

Left: O-M's Aaron Sutton shoots. Right: The Grizzlies' Tyler Malnoske prepares to shoot.

The ball squirts loose in the Watkins Glen-WhitneyPoint game after a battle for it at midcourt in the first quarter.

Watkins boys defeat Whitney Point, 42-29

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 17, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team improved to 2-2 Tuesday night by defeating Whitney Point 42-29 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Christopher Simiele scored 13 points for the Lake Hawks, while Jude Santos scored 12, Sam Caslin 7, Caleb Bresett 6, Nick Ritter 3, and Bryce Bockelkamp 1. Santos led in rebounds wtih 11, while Brady Bockelkamp grabbed 6, Bryce Bockelkamp 5, Simiele 5, and Bresett 4. Simiele led in steals with 4, while Jaydon Scholtisek had 3.

"I liked our defense for most of the game tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "We continue to struggle to score, but I like the hustle and energy the team commits to playing defense. We are still getting a lot of good looks at the basket, but not finishing. I believe that will improve as we settle into the season.

"It was another strong night for Jude Santos, who has been a reliable scorer and rebounder, averaging a double/double early in the season. I thought our guard trio of Christopher Simiele, Sam Caslin and Jaydon Scholtisek put tremendous pressure on the ball throughout the game. We lack size for certain, but the pressure we put on the ball helps alleviate that at times. We will keep working and hope to improve."

Junior Varsity: Whitney Point defeated Watkins Glen 60-28. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 12 points.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Jude Santos drives to the basket.

Watkins Glen's Bryce Bockelkamp (left photo) and Christopher Simiele (right photo) attempt shots in traffic.

Watkins girls top Whitney Point, 51-35

WHITNEY POINT, Dec. 17, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team -- led by Rachel Vickio's 26 points -- improved to 2-1 Tuesday night by defeating Whitney Point 51-35 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Whitney Point gym.

The Lake Hawks led 17-14 after one quarter, but trailed 23-22 at halftime. They then outscored Whitney Point 13-8 in the third quarter and 16-4 in the fourth.

Vickio, who connected on five 3-pointers, also grabbed 7 rebounds and registered 9 steals. Other points came from Olivia King (9, with 9 rebounds and 3 assists), Brianna Hatch (8, with 8 rebounds and 3 assists), Emma Cady (5, with 3 steals), and Natalee Oliver (3, with 3 assists). Michaela Wheaton and Addie Coolican each had 3 rebounds.

"We started off a little slow but were able to turn it up in the second half," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "The girls battled and stepped it up when needed."

Junior Varsity: Whitney Point defeated Watkins 30-21. The Lake Hawks are now 1-1.

Left: O-M's Brooklynn Thompson maneuvers around a Campbell-Savona defender.
Right: The Grizzlies' Leah Antes sends a free throw on its way.

O-M girls top Campbell-Savona, 58-31

ODESSA, Dec. 16, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 4-1 Monday night with a 58-31 victory over Campbell-Savona in a non-league game in the O-M gym.

Evvie Zinger led the Grizzlies with 19 points while registering 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Leah Antes scored 18 points and dished out 3 assists. Also in double figures: Brooklynn Thompson with 11 points (with 4 assists).

Other points came from Vanessa Wood (6, with 7 rebounds), Olivia Rivera (2), and McKenzie Landon (2).

The Grizzlies, who sank six 3-pointers (three each by Zinger and Thompson), were 2-for-6 from the foul line. Campbell-Savona (now 1-5) was 0-for-3 from the line.

The game was tied after one quarter, 9-9, but O-M pulled away in the second period, building a 25-15 halftime lead. After leading 34-25 in the third quarter, the Grizzlies went on a 13-0 run, and cruised from there.

"We were a little sluggish in the early portions of the game," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, "but better ball movement created some good shot opportunities over the final three quarters. And we played with more energy in the second half."

The Grizzlies return to action Friday night at home against Groton.

Photo in text: O-M's Evvie Zinger prepares to shoot in traffic.

Left: O-M's Olivia Rivera looks to pass the ball in traffic. Right: The Grizzlies' Vanessa Wood launches a long-distance shot.

From left: Odessa-Montour's Ella Kramer battles for the ball; Olivia Barr sends a long shot on its way; and McKenzie Landon shoots from beside the basket.

Mace places 2nd at U-E wrestling tourney

ENDICOTT, Dec. 14, 2024 -- Schuyler Storm wrestler Jackie Mace -- competing Saturday at the Union-Endicott Girls Tradesman Tournament in the U-E High School gym -- placed second overall in the 132-pound class with a 4-1 record.

Mace, with six girls in her weight class, registered two tech falls and two pins, losing only to Brielle Nels from Homer, 7-4. Among her victories was a pin of Horseheads' Lily Vesek -- who in turn beat Nels, creating a three-way tie for first place.

The tie-breaker was based on who had the most pins, then the most tech falls. Vesek had 3 pins, Mace had 2 Pins and 2 tech falls, and Nels (who placed third) had 2 pins and 1 tech fall.

Hoffman 2nd at Buck Tourney in Elmira

ELMIRA, Dec. 14, 2024 -- Schuyler Storm wrestler Lucas Hoffman placed second at 124 pounds Saturday at the Dave Buck Memorial Tournament held in the Elmira High School gym.

Marcellus High School won the tourney title with 225 points, with Central Square second at 202. The Storm was 7th among the 12 competing schools with 79.5 points.

Hoffman finished the day with a 3-1 record. Other competing members of the Storm -- a combined team of Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen High School wrestlers -- included the following:

Bradley Cantineri (1-3 for the day); Riley Yaw (2-2); Jared Watson (5th with a 4-1 record); Balan Ault (3-2); Ean Walsh (6th with a 2-2 record); Joey Chamberlain (6th with a 2-2 record); and Dana Guild (3rd with a 4-1 record).

Storm swimmers set bests at Shen Invite

CLIFTON PARK, Dec. 14, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team placed 9th out of 17 teams Saturday at the annual Shenendehowa Invitational.

That, said Storm Coach Jason Westervelt -- whose squad is composed of Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- "is the highest finish we have ever had at this meet. We had numerous season best and lifetime bests. The boys did a great job at a very competitive meet."

The Storm had two relays place in the top 8 -- the 200 Medley (with Ryan Dean, Liam Smith, Carson Thaete and Alex Walters 6th in 1:47.09) and the 400 Free Relay (with Thaete, Walters, Dean and Smith 8th in 3:33.59).

Dean also took a top 8 finish in the 100 Backstroke (6th in 58.03), and Thaete placed in the top 8 in both of his individual events -- "narrowly missing Sasha Kuznezov's school record in both," said Westervelt.

One of those was the 200 Free, where Thaete placed 4th in 1:51.03. The school record is 1:50.95. The other was the 500 Free, where Thaete was 8th in 5:02.33. The record is 5:02.00.

Host Shenendehowa won the meet with 426 points. The Storm totaled 107 points.

Front from left: Emmett Perko, Ethan Stevenson. Back from left: Coach Sterner, Emmanuel Rodriguez. Zach Brusso, Andrew Champion, Ben Henry, Aiden Nichols, Isaac Hendrickson, Leighann Landers, Ellery Theate, Kassitie Clugstone, Maddie Tuttle.

Watkins Glen opens indoor track season

CORTLAND, Dec. 14, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School varsity indoor track team opened its season Saturday at the annual 607 Invitational Meet at SUNY Cortland.

"It was a great first meet of the season," said Watkins Coach Kelly Sterner. "Lots to improve upon. We will continue to put the hard work in."

The results:
3200 meters: Ben Henry 13:02.74, 15th.
1000 meters: Isaac Hendrickson 2:57.44, 9th; Andrew Champion 3:24.77, 24th, PR.
55 meters: Emmett Perko 7.69, 31st; Ethan Stevenson 8.23, 42nd; Leighann Landers 9.14, 33rd.
600 meters: Ellery Thaete 2:16.97, 26th; Isaac Hendrickson 1:41.75, 20th, PR.
1600 meters: Emmanuel Rodriguez 5:51.95, 18th; Zach Brusso 6:10.77, 23rd.
300 meters: Emmett Perko 46.12, 27th; Leighann Landers 55.79, 25th; Ellery Theate 56.59, 28th.
4x200 Boys Relay: 1:56.22, 10th, Champion, Perko, Stevenson, Hendrickson.
4x800 Boys Relay: 11:19.55, 6th, Brusso, Rodriguez, Henry, Champion.
Shot Put: Aiden Nichols, 35-4, 11th.

Photo in text: The Watkins Glen track team's Aiden Nichols. (Photos provided)

Left: O-M's Evvie Zinger at the free-throw line. Right: O-M's McKenzie Landon shoots.

O-M girls hold off S-VE, advance to 3-1

ODESSA, Dec. 13, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team improved to 3-1 Friday night by turning back Spencer-Van Etten 44-36 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Leah Antes led the Grizzlies with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Brooklynn Thompson scored 13 points -- including four 3-pointers. Other points came from Evvie Zinger (7, with 5 steals and 7 rebounds), Olivia Rivera (4, with 2 assists), Vanessa Wood (4), and Olivia Barr (2).

O-M led 13-4 after one quarter, and built a 25-8 lead in the second period before S-VE scored the final nine points prior to intermission. The Panthers pulled within four points in the third period, and within three in the fourth quarter, at 32-29.

But baskets by Antes and Wood gave the Grizzlies an 8-point edge, and they nailed down the victory.

"It wasn't our best performance by any means, but a good win nonetheless," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We had to battle and they forced us to play the game at their pace after that first quarter. They cut it to three points there in the 4th and Olivia Rivera made a big play for us, a hustle save that turned into a layup for Leah. Then Vanessa hit a 10-footer on the next possession to give us a little cushion."

"Six-for-eight at the line in the final minute helped too. We're pretty happy with the 3-1 record, but we will have to keep working to improve."

Junior Varsity: Spencer-Van Etten defeated Odessa-Montour 26-23.

Photo in text: O-M's Leah Antes drives to the basket.

Left: O-M's Brooklynn Thompson shoots. Right: O-M's Vanessa Wood at the foul line.

Watkins Glen girls defeat Lansing 51-28

LANSING, Dec. 13, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team evened its record at 1-1 Friday night by defeating Lansing 51-28 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Lansing gym.

The Lake Hawks led 16-8 after one period, 29-15 at halftime, and 38-23 entering the fourth quarter.

Watkins Glen got balanced scoring, with Rachel Vickio notching 10 points, Brianna Hatch 9, Olivia King 8, and Natalee Oliver 8. Other points came from Addie Coolican (6), Michaela Wheaton (5), Emma Cady (3), and Grace Underdown (2).

Vickio grabbed 8 rebounds, while Hatch and King had 7 each, Grace Roney 4, and Oliver and Wheaton 3 each. Vickio, Wheaton and Hatch led in steals with 4, while King had 3. Oliver and Hatch each registered 3 assists.

"I was very proud of the girls tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "They worked hard on defense and did some nice things as a team."

Left: Watkins Glen's Bryce Bockelkamp goes up for a shot. Right: The Lake Hawks' Sam Caslin drives to the basket.

Watkins Glen boys lose to Lansing, 55-45

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 13, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team's record slipped to 1-2 Friday night with a 55-45 loss to Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The game was tied 10-10 after one quarter, but Lansing surged in the second period for a 32-22 halftime lead. Watkins pulled within four at 42-38 entering the fourth period, but the Bobcats outscored the Lake Hawks 13-7 down the stretch.

Jude Santos led Watkins Glen with 15 points, while grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists. Christopher Simiele added 12 points, with 9 rebounds and 5 steals. Other points came from Bryce Bockelkamp (9, with 5 rebounds), Caleb Bresett (7, with 2 steals), and Sam Caslin (2, with 4 rebounds and 2 assists).

"It was a tough loss tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "It was a very inconsistent effort on our part. The boys certainly played hard, but we struggled to score again tonight. I will just have to do a better job helping them find ways to score. It's early in the season, so there are a lot of opportunities for us to improve."

Junior Varsity: Lansing defeated Watkins Glen in a seesaw overtime battle, 68-66. Caydin Lagramada scored 31 points and had 6 rebounds and 9 steals for the Lake Hawks. Leon Lagramada added 18 points and 5 steals. Other points came from Austin Preuninger (10, with 9 rebounds), Nolan Reynolds (6, with 5 rebounds), and Aden Rekczis (1).

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Christopher Simiele attempts a shot in traffic.
Bottom: The Lake Hawks' Jude Santos goes high for a first-quarter shot.

Bowling: Watkins Glen falls to USPB

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 13, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team dropped a 4-0 decision Friday to Union Springs/Port Byron in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

"Despite the loss," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson, "we had some great individual performances. Mykel Cody's individual 264 game is a high for him this season. Brett Cullen Pike's two 200 games (221 and 200) is a step in the right direction, and Mark Fabrizi had a new match game high score of 159. Great individual performances."

USPB won the three games with a total pinfall of 2768 to the Lake Hawks' 2502.

Cullen-Pike led Watkins with a 599 series, while Cody posted a 577, Kristofer Burke 465, Fabrizi 419, and Kamden Miller 404.

Odessa-Montour boys top S-VE, 47-36

SPENCER, Dec. 12, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team, led by Tyler Malnoske's 25 points, defeated Spencer-Van Etten 47-36 Thursday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the S-VE High School gym.

The Grizzlies, now 1-1, led 14-10 after one quarter, 25-18 at halftime, and 32-26 entering the fourth period.

In addition to Malnoske, O-M got points from Drew Parmenter (10), Moe Zinger (8), James Halpin (2), and Gavin Lohmeyer (2). The team was 4-for-8 from the foul line.

O-M Coach Aaron Thomson said his team still hasn't found its shooting range.

"We're not doing great," he said. "We're still trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. But I'm happy with the win."

The Grizzlies return to action Tuesday at home against Tioga.

Junior Varsity: S-VE defeated Odessa-Montour 40-38.

The Storm's Isaac Rumsey (top) en route to victory at 108 pounds. He pinned his opponent.

Storm wrestlers defeat SVEC, 52-14

ODESSA, Dec. 12, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team posted a 52-14 victory Thursday night over Spencer-Van Etten/Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference divisional meet in Odessa-Montour High School's Jack Davis Gym.

The 2-0 Storm, a combined squad of O-M and Watkins Glen High School athletes, took the lead early and pulled away, benefiting only once -- at 285 pounds -- from a forfeit. The night started with four exhibition matches before the varsity dual meet and ended with a celebration of Thursday's 100th career varsity win by OM/WG's Lucas Hoffman.

The evening's results, by weight class:

Exhibition Matches:

145 lbs - Jotham Lynch (OM/WG) Won By Fall (WBF) over Noah Banks (SVEC) at 3:54
152 lbs - Eli Kastenhuber (OM/WG) WBF over Bentley Swimelar (SVEC) at 0:30
190 lbs - Tek Chogngoen (OM/WG) WBF over Korbin Brenza (SVEC) at 3:01
190 lbs - Nick D'Alleva (OM/WG) WBF over Patrick Keir (SVEC) at 3:08

Varsity Dual:

116 lbs - Nicky Sorce (OM/WG) WBF over Dante Davis (SVEC) at 1:05.
124 lbs - Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) Won by Technical Fall (WTF) over Brennan Zimmer 17-4.
131 lbs - Rodney Vaow (SVEC) WBF over Riley Yaw (OM/WG) at 3:06. *SVEC lost a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.
138 lbs - Kamren Westbrook (SVEC) WBF over Daniel Coston (OM/WG) at 3:47.
145 lbs - Hunter Barrett (OM/WG) WBF over Gabriel Benjamin (SVEC) at 1:54.
152 lbs - Jared Watson (OM/WG) WTF over Kaden Jameson (SVEC) 20-5.
160 lbs - Cooper Zufall (SVEC) Won by Decision over Balan Ault (OM/WG) 9-4.
170 lbs - Ean Walsh (OM/WG) WBF over Dane Hul (SVEC) at 0:24.
190 lbs - Joey Chamberlin (OM/WG) WBF over Kaden Sims (SVEC) at 2:35.
215 lbs - Patrick Croft (OM/WG) WBF over Jak Smith (SVEC) at 3:05.
285 lbs - Dana Guild (OM/WG) Won by Forfeit.
101 lbs - Double Forfeit.
108 lbs - Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) WBF over John-Michael Bohling (SVEC) at 1:43.

OM/WG Wrestling returns to action Friday night with the Union-Endicott Girls Tournament, followed by the Dave Buck Memorial Tournament at Elmira High School for Varsity Boys on Saturday morning.

Photos in text:

Top to bottom: The Storm's Patrick Croft, right, en route to victory at 215; WG/OM's Joey Chamberlin (foreground) on the way to a win at 190; and The Storm's Lucas Hoffman poses with his coaches celebrating his 100th career victory.

Left: OM/WG's Jared Watson (top) on his way to victory by Technical Fall at 152 pounds. Right: The Storm's Daniel Coston, left, competes at 138 pounds. He lost by a pin.

Odessa-Montour/Watkins Glen's Hunter Barrett pins his SVEC opponent at 145 pounds.

Bowling: O-M, Watkins deadlock at 2-2

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 12, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling teams tied 2-2 Thursday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

O-M won the first two games, 746-718 and 812-756, but lost the third game 795-698. That gave Watkins the total pinfall advantage, 2269-2256.

Breyden Seamon led Odessa-Montour with a 549 series, while Alex Campbell posted a 456 and Ronald Wilson a 444. Mykel Cody led Watkins Glen with a 519 series, while Brett Cullen-Pike rolled a 487 and Kamden Miller 480.

Girls: O-M's two bowlers, Odessa Arrance and Abbey Grady, rolled a 364 and 325, respectively. Watkins Glen has no girls team.

Bowling: O-M boys, girls fall to Edison

SOUTHPORT, Dec. 11, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys and girls varsity bowling teams lost to Elmira Heights Edison Wednesday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Dixie Lanes.

Boys: O-M fell 3-1, winning the second game but dropping the first and third games and total pinfall, 2367-2289. Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 593 series that included a 259 game, while Ronald Wilson rolled a 447, Alex Campbell a 427, and Ryan McCann a 413.

Girls: O-M, with just two bowlers, lost 4-0 to TAE, 1937-745. Abbey Grady rolled a 416 for the Grizzlies, and Odessa Arrance a 329.

O-M returns to action Thursday against Watkins Glen at Harborside Lanes.

Odessa-Montour girls top Lansing, 54-42

LANSING, Dec. 10, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team, led by sophomore Evvie Zinger's career-high 24 points, defeated Lansing 54-42 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Lansing gym.

The Grizzlies, now 2-1, took a 16-7 first-quarter lead, trailed 20-19 at halftime, and were up 37-33 entering the fourth quarter. They outscored the Bobcats 17-9 down the stretch.

Zinger, who sank four 3-pointers and grabbed 8 rebounds, scored 11 of her points in the fourth quarter, including three of her 3-pointers. She was joined in double figures by freshman Leah Antes, who scored 13 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and registered 3 assists.

Sophomore Brooklynn Thompson scored 8 points (with 8 rebounds and 4 assists), while sophomore Vanessa Wood scored 6 points (with 7 rebounds), junior Olivia Barr 2 points, and junior McKenzie Landon 1 point. Junior Olivia Rivera registered 7 rebounds.

"This was a wild one, up and down the floor at a frenetic pace, and we did a good job adjusting to that as the game went on," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich.

"It was a very good gut-check win for our young team on the road against a team that played very hard." Lansing is now 1-1.

O-M returns to action Friday at home against Spencer-Van Etten.

Junior Varsity: Odessa-Montour lost 31-13.

O-M's Abbey Grady, left, and Breyden Seamon in action against Newark Valley.

Bowling: O-M boys top Newark Valley

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 10, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team improved its record to 2-1 Tuesday with a 4-0 victory over Newark Valley in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes.

The Grizzlies won the three games by scores of 763-704, 818-699 and 746-680, and total pinfall by a 2327-2083 margin.

Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 571 series that included a 214 game. Alex Campbell added a 487, Ronald Wilson 465, Perry Navestad 402, and Ryan McCann 401.

Girls: O-M, with two bowlers, fell to Newark Valley 4-0. Odessa Arrance posted a 306, and Abbey Grady a 301.

The Grizzlies return to action at Edison on Wednesday before facing Watkins Glen at Harborside Lanes on Thursday.

Photo in text: O-M's Alex Campbell reacts after posting a strike.

The Schuyler Storm's Alex Walters dives at start of the 50 Free, which he won.

Storm swimmers top Dryden in opener

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 9, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm boys varsity swim team started its season on a winning note Monday, defeating Dryden 113-63 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Watkins Glen High School pool.

"It was a great start to our season," said Storm Coach Jason Westervelt, whose squad -- the defending IAC and Section IV, Class C champion -- is composed of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes. "Some of these guys have worked very hard in the off season and our new athletes showed up today, unintimidated, and did a fantastic job."

The Storm won the first 10 events before exhibitioning in the final two. The victories:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Alex Walters, Liam Smith, Evan Clarkson, Carson Thaete, 1:57.96.
200 Free: 1st, Carson Thaete, 1:53.80.
200 Individual Medley: 1st, Ryan Dean, 2:17.77.
50 Free: 1st, Alex Walters, 24.42.
Diving: 1st, Max Ricca, 150.35.
100 Fly: 1st, Ryan Dean, 1:01.51.
100 Free: 1st, Liam Smith, 54.63.
500 Free: 1st, Carson Thaete, 5:08.65.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Evan Clarkson, Alex Walters, Ryan Dean, Max Ricca, 1:45.23.
100 Back: Alex Walters, 1:08.32.

The Storm also took second place in the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay, 200 Free (Andre Wixson), Diving (Jeremiah Desrochers) and 500 Free (Grayson Robertson).

Photos in text:

Top: The Storm's Carson Thaete en route to winning the 200 Free.
Bottom: WG/OM's Andre Wixson on the way to second place in the 200.

Left: The Storm's Jeremiah Desrochers on the way to second place in the Diving.
Right:
The Storm's Ryan Dean en route to winning the 200 Individual Medley.

The Storm's Evan Clarkson dives at start of the 200 Individual Medley. He placed 4th.

Watkins Glen boys defeat Greene, 46-30

LANSING, Dec. 7, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team evened its record at 1-1 Saturday by defeating Greene 46-30 in the consolation game of a Tip-Off Tournament at Lansing High School.

Jude Santos led the Lake Hawks with 15 points, while Brady Bockelkamp scored 8, Bryce Bockelkamp 7, Christopher Simiele 5, Samuel Caslin 5, Caleb Bresett 5, and Nick Ritter 1. Brady Bockelkamp led the team in rebounds with 11, while Santos grabbed 9, Bresett 6, Simiele 5, and Caslin 5. Simiele led in assists (5) and steals (4).

"It's always nice to get the first win, and the boys did a lot of good things tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "We were getting many of the looks we wanted in the first half, but just couldn't get them to go. In the second half, we started hitting shots and got our offense going. I thought we played generally solid defense throughout. It's still very early in the season and we have a long way to go, but I like to see them working hard and improving every day."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen (1-1) defeated Greene 55-28 in the Tip-Off Tourney's JV consolation game.

Leon Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 14 points, while Aden Rekzis scored 12, Caydin Lagramada 11, Austin Preuninger 7, Johnny Sisana 4, Isaak Willett 3, Jax Decker 2, and Nicolai Holmes 2. Holmes led the team in rebounds with 9, whille Decker grabbed 6. Caydin Lagramada led in steals with 9.

Odessa-Montour girls fall to ND, 59-53

ELMIRA, Dec. 7, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 1-1 Saturday when the Grizzlies dropped a 59-53 decision to Elmira Notre Dame in a game at Elmira College.

Leah Antes led O-M with 22 points, including 10-for10 from the foul line, and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Evvie Zinger added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, while Brooklynn Thompson scored 8 points (with 4 assists and 6 rebounds), Vanessa Wood 5 points (with 5 rebounds and 4 steals), Olivia Barr 3 points, and Olivia Rivera 2 points. The Grizzlies were 13-for-14 from the line.

Payton Sutryk led ND with 21 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. The team sank 6 of 15 free throws.

O-M trailed 17-16 after one quarter, was up 29-23 at the half, and entered the fourth quarter ahead 42-40.

"I am extremely proud of our effort today," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We played with a great amount of determination and intensity. We just kind of ran out of gas in that fourth quarter, along with some foul trouble and injuries, and that proved to be the difference.

"The effort we gave today will lead to success down the road if we can iron out some small things here and there."

Watkins Glen girls lose opener to Hornell

WAYLAND, Dec. 7, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basaketball team started its season on a losing note Saturday, falling to Hornell 56-31 at the 5th Annual Way-Co Hall of Fame Basketball Showcase at Wayland-Cohocton High School.

Watkins Glen trailed 14-4 after one quarter, 24-14 at halftime and 38-18 entering the fourth quarter.

Rachel Vickio led the Lake Hawks with 17 points, including four 3-pointers, while Olivia King scored 6 points, Addie Coolican 5, and Michaela Wheaton 3. King led the team in rebounds with 10, in steals (3) and in blocks (2).

"We started out slow but came back and were only 10 points behind at half," said Watkins Glen Coach Alicia Learn. "The girls played hard, but turnovers and first-game jitters hurt us in the end. We have some wrinkles to iron out and will be ready to get back at it for Friday's game at Lansing."

Storm wrestlers compete in 2 NV tourneys

NEWARK VALLEY, Dec. 7, 2024 -- Eight Schuyler Storm varsity wrestlers competed in tournaments Friday and Saturday at Newark Valley High School -- a girls competition on Friday and a boys tournament on Saturday.

Jackie Mace finished with a 3-1 record on Friday to earn third place at 132 pounds, her only loss coming to Shenendehowa's Kaitlyn Young while holding victories over Shenendehowa's Melanie Collete (11-0), Spencer-Van Etten/Candor's Abigail Russell (11-0), and Waverly's Faith Hyjek (10-0).

Lucas Hoffman led the Storm -- a combined squad of Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen High School athletes -- in the boys' division on Saturday, finishing in second place at 124 pounds. Hoffman lost to Newark Valley's Trevor Middendorf 7-2 in the finals while posting victories over Mathew Wasicki of Edison (15-0), Evan Johnson of Deposit-Hancock (17-0), and Mark Luciano of Penfield (a fall at 3:48) in the prior rounds.

The Storm's Patrick Croft had a strong showing at 215 pounds, placing fourth. Jared Watson and Hunter Barrett both competed at 152 pounds, with Watson finishing in 8th place and Barrett posting a 2-2 record. Joey Chamberlin, also competing at 215 pounds, finished in 7th place while Ean Walsh narrowly missed placing at 160 pounds with a 2-2 record. Dylan Senecal posted an 0-2 record at 138 pounds following competitive losses.

OM/WG wrestling returns to action Thursday night when the Storm takes on SVEC in an IAC Divisional Meet, scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. in O-M's Jack Davis Gym.

Bowling: Watkins boys fall to Candor, 3-1

CANDOR, Dec. 6, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team dropped a 3-1 decision Friday to Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

The Lake Hawks won the third game, but dropped the first two games and total pinfall, 2511-2402.

Brett Cullen-Pike led Watkins Glen with a 582 series that included a 228 game. Mykel Cody was next with a 510.

O-M boys open with loss to South Seneca

ODESSA, Dec. 6, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity basketball team dropped a 52-28 decision Friday night to South Seneca in a season-opening non-league game in the O-M gym.

South Seneca built a 12-5 lead in the first quarter, led 22-11 at halftime, and was ahead 35-16 entering the fourth quarter.

Tyler Malnoske led the Grizzlies with 8 points, while Aaron Sutton scored 5, Drew Parmenter 5, Gavin Lohmeyer 5, Connor Foggie 4, and James Halpin 1. The team was 4-for-8 from the foul line.

South Seneca was led by 17 points each from Kenny Halsey and Logan Laverack, and 15 by Ryan Miller-Hopkins. The team was 5-for-13 from the free-throw line.

Junior Varsity: South Seneca defeated Odessa-Montour.

Photo in text: O-M's Tyler Malnoske drives to the basket.

From left: O-M's Drew Parmenter, Gavin Lohmeyer and James Halpin.

Left: O-M's Moe Zinger goes up for a shot. Right: The O-M cheerleaders were in action during the game, including Paisley Jeziorski (left) and Maya Moser.

Watkins Glen boys fall to Lansing, 54-47

LANSING, Dec. 6, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team opened the season Friday night with a 54-47 loss to Lansing in the opening round of a two-day tournament at Lansing High School.

The Lake Hawks return to action Saturday (Dec. 7) against Greene in a consolation game at 4 p.m. Lansing will face Union Springs after that for the title.

Watkins Glen was led by Christopher Simiele's 22 points, while Jude Santos scored 13, Sam Caslin 4, Brady Bockelkamp 4, Bryce Bockelkamp 2, and Caleb Bresett 2. Santos led in rebounds with 14, and in steals with 3.

"We played well throughout the game but gave up our fourth-quarter lead and just couldn't close this one out," said Watkins Glen Coach Scott Morse. "For our first game, I think we did a lot of good things, and left with clear ideas of areas we can improve on. The boys played hard, and I appreciate their positivity in the face of adversity. We will keep working and I'm confident we will continue to improve."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen lost to Lansing, 54-31. Caydin Lagramada led the Lake Hawks with 14 points, while Leon Lagramada and Aden Rekczis scored 6 each, and Austin Preuninger 5. The Lake Hawks will play Greene Saturday (Dec. 7) at 12 noon in the consolation game.

Bowling: O-M boys defeat Groton, 3-1

GROTON, Dec. 5, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School boys varsity bowling team posted its first victory of the season Thursday, topping Groton 3-1 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

After dropping the first game, O-M won the second and third games and total pinfall, 2129-2050.

Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 522 series, while Alex Campbell posted a 453, Braidyen Wilson 445, Ryan McCann 409, and Ronald Wilson 398.

Girls: O-M, with two bowlers, fell to Groton's four bowlers, 1556-669. Abbey Grady rolled a 338 for the Grizzlies, and Odessa Arrance posted a 331.

O-M's Olivia Barr drives to the basket for two of her career-high 11 points.

O-M girls open with victory over Sayre

ODESSA, Dec. 44, 2024 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity basketball team opened its season on a winning note Wednesday night, defeating Sayre 48-18 in a non-league game in the O-M gym.

Leah Antes led the Grizzlies with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals. Olivia Barr added a career-high 11 points, all in the first half; while Evvie Zinger had 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 steals. Other points came from Vanessa Wood (4, with 5 rebounds), Brooklynn Thompson (3, with 4 assists), and McKenzie Landon (2).

O-M raced out to a 16-2 first-quarter lead, and was up 26-10 at halftime and 32-14 entering the fourth period.

"We played with a lot of energy in that first half and created offense with our defense," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We had a bit of a lull there in the third quarter, but got some energy back in the fourth.

"That's how it's going to be for a while with such a young team. We will have our moments ... good and not so good ... but overall I'm pleased with where we are and our progress."

The Grizzlies return to action at noon Saturday against Elmira Notre Dame in a contest at Elmira College.

Photo in text: O-M's Leah Antes drives to the hoop for two points. She scored 18.

Left: O-M's Olivia Rivera (right) battles a Sayre player for possession of the ball.
Right: The Grizzlies' Vanessa Wood launches a shot.

O-M's Brooklynn Thompson (left) and Evvie Zinger send long-range shots on their way.

Schuyler Storm wrestlers rout Dryden

DRYDEN, Dec. 4, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm varsity wrestling team rolled to a victory in its season opener Wednesday night, a 72-6 win over Dryden in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference divisional road meet.

The evening opened with a Freestyle Match featuring OM/WG's Jackie Mace (Freestyle is the style of wrestling all Female vs. Female matches in NYS will compete in), was followed by two exhibition matches, and finished with the dual competition. Results are below.

Freestyle Girls - 132 lbs.
Jackie Mace (OM/WG) won by fall (WBF) over Kassandra Lindsay (Dry) at 1:58

Exhibition Match - 152 lbs.
Eli Kastenhuber (OM/WG) WBF over Andrew French (Dry) at 2:18

Exhibition Match - 285 lbs.
Jonah Elkins (Dry) WBF over Declan Barry (OM/WG) at 3:50

Dual Meet:
145 lbs - Oscar Brotherton (Dry) won by fall (WBF) over Daniel Coston (OM/WG), 3:23
152 lbs - Jared Watson (OM/WG) WBF over Benjamin Rick (Dry) at 2:32
160 lbs - Ean Walsh (OM/WG) WBF over Travis Chamberlain (Dry) at 1:57
170 lbs - Balan Ault (OM/WG) won by Forfeit (FFT)
190 lbs - Nick D'Alleva (OM/WG) won by FFT
215 lbs - Patrick Croft (OM/WG) won by FFT
285 lbs - Dana Guild (OM/WG) WBF over Lucas VanSlyke (Dry) at 1:39
101 lbs - Caden Hall (OM/WG) won by FFT
108 lbs - Isaac Rumsey (OM/WG) won by FFT
116 lbs - Nicky Sorce (OM/WG) won by FFT
124 lbs - Lucas Hoffman (OM/WG) WBF over Aedan Lange (Dry) at 1:54
131 lbs - Riley Yaw (OM/WG) WBF over William Woodard (Dry) at 0:51
138 lbs - Dylan Senecal (OM/WG) won by FFT

OM/WG Girls Wrestling will return to action on Friday (Dec. 6) at the Newark Valley Girls Wrestling Tournament, starting at 4:30 p.m., while OM/WG Boys Wrestling returns to action on Saturday (Dec. 7) in Newark Valley at the Larry Goodrich Memorial Tournament, starting at 9:45 a.m.

Bowling: Watkins, O-M boys fall in openers

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 3, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity bowling team dropped its season opener Tuesday, falling to Tioga 3-1 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Harborside Lanes that saw Tioga outscore the Lake Hawks by a pin, 2240-2239.

Watkins Glen won the first game, 735-701, but dropped the second and third games by 720-702 and 819-802, just enough for Tioga to capture total pinfall.

Brett Cullen-Pike led the Lake Hawks with a 479 series, while Mykel Cody posted a 459, Kamden Miller 442, Kristofer Burke 433, and Dominic Gublo 426.

Watkins Glen is not fielding a girls team.

Lansing 4, Odessa-Montour 0

O-M's boys lost all three games and total pinfall, 2516-1922, to Lansing in an IAC season opener at Cortland Lanes.

Breyden Seamon led the Grizzlies with a 518 series, while Alex Campbell registered a 445.

The O-M girls team had just two bowlers, and so fell 1783-617.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brett Cullen-Pike connects for a strike.

The Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team poses at practice.

Winter sports practices begin at WG, O-M

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Nov. 18, 2024 -- Practices began Monday in preparation for the high school winter sports season in Schuyler County.

The season, featuring bowling and boys and girls basketball at Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High Schools, joint programs in wrestling and boys swimming, and indoor track at WGHS, follows an autumn season, just concluded, of football, boys and girls soccer, girls swimming, cross country and volleyball.

Coming back from successful winter seasons last year are the WG/OM boys swimming team, defending its Section IV, Class C championship, and the Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team, which reached the Class C sectional final last year before falling to eventual state champion Moravia. They are playing in Class B this year.

Photo in text: The three seniors on the O-M boys varsity basketball team at the first day of practice Monday. From left: Gavin Lohmeyer, Drew Parmenter and Tyler Malnoske.

Watkins' Kenzie Wheaton serves to Odessa-Montour in the 7th grade modified game.

7th grade modified volleyball: WG 3, OM 0

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 18, 2024 -- The Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour modified volleyball teams squared off against each other in 7th and 8th grade battles Monday in the WGHS modified gym.

In the 7th grade match, pictured here, Watkins Glen defeated the Grizzlies in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14 and 25-18 to win its third match in three tries this season.

An 8th grade modified contest followed, but results were not available.

From left, serving: O-M's Bailey Landon, WG's Lillian Weed, O-M's Elisabeth Hubbard.

Smith, Purpura are IAC 1st Team All-Stars

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 17, 2024 -- Two members of the Watkins Glen High School boys varsity soccer team earned Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large School South Division First Team All-Star berths in a vote of division coaches.

Liam Smith and Michael Purpura, each of whom scored 10 goals in the recently concluded season, earned the First Team status.

Second Team berths went to Lake Hawk teammates Sam Hohle, Brady Bockelkamp and Max Ricca.

Schuyler Fall MVP Award goes to O-M's Lexi Strobel

8th grader led a cross-country renaissance at her school

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Nov. 12, 2024 -- After each high school sports season, it is traditional for The Odessa File to select one of the members of its All-Schuyler All-Star First Team as the (Autumn, Winter or Spring) Most Valuable Player.

This time, we are breaking with that tradition and presenting that honor to someone who was not even on a varsity squad (normally a prerequisite to All-Star inclusion) -- but was responsible for the existence of both varsity and modified teams in her chosen sport ... in cross country, which thanks to her was resurrected after a 23-year absence at Odessa-Montour Junior/Senior High School.

Meet Lexi Strobel, an 8th grader who excelled on her modified cross country squad this fall, leading it (along with impressive teammates Janne Anderson and Hanna Jantzen) to Interscholastic Athletic Conference divisional and IAC Year-End Tournament titles.

Almost a year ago, on December 14, 2023, the following item appeared on The Odessa File::

Odessa-Montour Junior-Senior High School 7th grader Lexi Strobel asked the district School Board Thursday night to consider creating boys and girls cross-country teams at the school for the 2024-25 year.

Strobel, who sought and received permission last fall to run as a one-person modified cross-country team for the school, said she has since identified almost two-dozen students in the school who are interested in competing in cross country.

She said eight of them (three boys and five girls) would be on the modified level, and 15 of them (10 boys and five girls) would be on the varsity level. Just three of the 23, she said, participated in sports last fall.

School Board approval ultimately came, and on August 26 of this year, the following appeared on The Odessa File:

Odessa-Montour High School had not fielded a cross country team for 23 years -- until Monday morning.

That's when a 15-member boys varsity team, a five-member girls varsity team, and a handful of modified athletes gathered on the track alongside O-M's Charles Martin Field for the first day of cross-country practice.

Among them was modified runner Lexi Strobel, an eighth grader who last year petitioned to run cross country solo, in the absence of a team -- and then asked the O-M School Board members to approve a full team -- which they did."

Lexi, that article added: "through sheer determination," helped find and recruit the boys and girls gathered on that first day of practice -- a group that continued on to what must be called a successful season.

Yes, Lexi accomplished as a junior high student more than most of us (of any age) would dare to accomplish. She wanted to run, quite simply, and took that love and a belief in her powers of recruitment to the O-M School Board with her proposal -- to bring back cross country almost a quarter century after the school had abandoned it.

Almost all of the students recruited to fulfill her vision were not taken from other sports. They were, in fact, free of any such commitments and anxious to compete in cross country. And run they did, and quite well, the boys placing fifth in the Section IV, Class D meet after finishing second at the IAC divisional meet and fourth at the 16-team IAC Championships.

So ... let's be clear. What we have witnessed is remarkable: a 7th (and now 8th) grader -- in a public forum, before a School Board -- proposing a sport's renaissance and (having proposed it) gaining that board's approval before helping recruit full teams where none existed before. And then, spearheading a modified team that staked its claim as the best in the league while the varsity boys and girls squads gained substantial first-year success.

Without Lexi Strobel, there would not have been such a season -- in fact no O-M cross-country teams at all. How many of us can say we have triggered change in our community, and all for the better?

Yes, call Lexi Strobel the MVP (Most Valuable Player) -- or perhaps the MIP (Most Influential or Impressive Player) -- for her remarkable and wholly admirable achievement.

It was unexpected ... and so right.

Photo in text: Lexi Strobel

*****

Outstanding Team: The Schuyler Storm girls varsity swim team, the IAC and Section IV, Class C champion. The team is composed of Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High School athletes.
Outstanding Coach: Tanner Dupuy, who led the O-M boys varsity soccer team to an IAC divisional championship.
Notable Individual Achievement 1: Senior soccer standout Skye Honrath completed her Watkins Glen High School career with 93 goals, a school and Schuyler County record.
Notable Individual Achievement 2: WGHS sophomore Isaac Hendrickson qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Cross Country Championships.

Odessa File All-Schuyler All-Sports All-Star Teams

MVP: Lexi Strobel -- O-M Cross Country

First Team

Emily Melveney -- Storm Swimming
Kendra Fish -- Storm Swimming
Makenzie Fish -- Storm Swimming
Cara Reynolds -- Storm Swimming
Isaac Hendrickson -- WG Cross Country
Skye Honrath -- WG Soccer
Ava Kelly -- WG Soccer
Natalee Oliver -- WG Soccer
Rachel Vickio -- WG Soccer
Liam Smith -- WG Soccer
Michael Purpura -- WG Soccer
Riley Yaw -- OM Soccer
Patrick Croft -- OM Soccer
Ethan Nolan -- OM Soccer
Max Sgrecci -- OM Soccer
Leah Antes -- OM Soccer
Paisley Jeziorski -- OM Soccer

Second Team

Lizzi Fitzwater -- Storm Swimming
Aubrey Klemann -- Storm Swimming
Lexi Emerson -- Storm Swimming
Paige Ells -- Storm Swimming
Casey Hines -- Storm Diving
Olivia King -- WG Soccer
Olivia VanSkiver -- WG Soccer
Jennifer Gublo -- WG Soccer
Gillian D'Alleva -- WG Soccer
Emma Cady -- WG Soccer
Jude Santos -- WG Soccer
Max Ricca -- WG Soccer
Sam Hohle -- WG Soccer
Brady Bockelkamp -- WG Soccer
Nick D'Alleva -- Storm Football
Christopher Simiele -- Storm Football
Gavin Lohmeyer -- Storm Football
Drew Parmenter -- OM Soccer
Jed Lynch -- OM Soccer
James Halpin -- OM Soccer
Evvie Zinger -- OM Soccer
Vanessa Wood -- OM Soccer
Aspyn Skinner -- OM Soccer
Ella Kramer -- OM Soccer
Xanthe Tappan -- WG Volleyball
Tyler Malnoske -- OM Cross Country
Jaden Bailor -- OM Cross Country
Russell Morse -- OM Cross Country
Susanna Collier -- OM Cross Country
Sarah Strobel -- OM Cross Country
Jackie Mace -- OM Cross Country

Third Team

Dana Guild -- Storm Football
Jared Watson -- Storm Football
Claire Lewis -- Storm Swimming
Chelsea Humphreys -- Storm Swimming
Brie Blauvelt -- Storm Swimming
Lucas Barr -- OM Cross Country
Issac Hough -- OM Cross Country
Dominic Gublo -- WG Cross Country
Jocelyn Sisana -- WG Volleyball
Grace Cowan -- WG Volleyball
Kaylee Yaw -- WG Volleyball
Maya Moser -- OM Volleyball
Sidney Pike -- OM Volleyball
Lucas Hoffman -- OM Soccer
Connor Foggie -- OM Soccer
Moe Zinger -- OM Soccer
Maddie Raymond -- OM Soccer
Olivia Barr -- OM Soccer
Brooklynn Thompson -- OM Soccer
Brianna Hatch -- WG Soccer
Erin Snow -- WG Soccer
Maddie Tuttle -- WG Soccer
Michaela Wheaton -- WG Soccer
Aidan Kelly -- WG Soccer
Logan DeBolt -- WG Soccer
Salvatore Purpura -- WG Soccer
Jack Hayden -- WG Soccer

The Schuyler Storm girls varsity swim team celebrates its Section IV, Class C title.

Storm swimmers dominate in winning Sect. IV, Class C title

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 9, 2024 -- The Schuyler Storm girls varsity swim team dominated the Section IV, Class C Tournament Saturday in the Watkins Glen High School pool to post its eighth straight sectional title.

The Storm -- a combined squad of WGHS and Odessa-Montour High School athletes -- won 10 of Saturday's 11 races and totaled 448.5 points, far ahead of Southern Cayuga's 312. The other seven competing schools Saturday were Dryden (269 points), Lansing (227), Chenango Forks (225), Elmira Notre Dame (202.5), Susquehanna Valley (124), Greene (56), and Whitney Point (25).

"The Storm girls," said their coach, Jason Westervelt, "swam an outstanding series of events. This title was a total team effort. I am very proud of this team and their accomplishments this season."

Of his graduating seniors -- Kendra Fish, Riley Brooks and Cara Reynolds -- he added this: "We will certainly miss Kendra, Riley, and Cara next season, but they went out on top with some outstanding contributions to the team."

Fish and Reynolds each posted four wins -- Fish in the 200 Free, 500 Free, 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay, and Reynolds in the 200 Individual Medley, 100 Free, 200 Free Relay, and 400 Free Relay. Also winning four times: junior Emily Melveney, in the 50 Free, 100 Fly, 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay.

Winning three times: seventh grader Makenzie Fish, in the 100 Backstroke, the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Free Relay. She was also second in the 200 IM, edged out by teammate Reynolds by 7 hundredths of a second.

Other firsts were posted by Lizzi Fitzwater in the 200 Medley Relay, and by Lexi Emerson, Paige Ells and Aubrey Klemann in the 400 Free Relay. Also in the victory column: the Storm's Casey Hines, who won the sectional diving title Friday in Elmira.

All of this success seemed all the more remarkable in light of the illness -- walking pneumonia -- that had afflicted several Storm swimmers. But the girls were up to the challenge.

Finishes for the Storm, by event:

200 Medley Relay: 1st, Kendra Fish, Lizzi Fitzwater, Makenzie Fish, Emily Melveney, 2:02.35.
200 Free: 1st, Kendra Fish 2:04.98; 7th, Lexi Emerson 2:20.08; 9th, Claire Lewis 2:25.03; 16th, Lydia Schubmehl 2:30.93.
200 IM: 1st, Cara Reynolds 2:28.64; 2nd, Makenzie Fish 2:28.71; 13th, Eliza Van Ness 2:49.06; 16th, Ellie Bacon 2:57.63.
50 Free: 1st, Emily Melveney 25.90; 3rd, Aubrey Klemann 27.47; 11th, Paige Ells 29.67; 12th, Lizzi Fitzwater 29.86.
Diving: 1st, Casey Hines 232.35.
100 Fly: 1st, Emily Melveney 1:05.19; 7th, Chelsea Humphreys 1:18.74; 10th, Eliza Van Ness 1:20.37; 12th, Rowen Stegner 1:23.78.
100 Free: 1st, Cara Reynolds 57.76; 5th, Aubrey Klemann 1:02.10; 10th, Paige Ells 1:06.15; 14th, Wendy Coleman 1:07.10.
500 Free: 1st, Kendra Fish 5:40.91; 4th, Lexi Emerson 6:06.64; 13th, Claire Lewis 6:44.49; 15th, Riley Brooks 6:55.87.
200 Free Relay: 1st, Emily Melveney, Cara Reynolds, Makenzie Fish, Kendra Fish 1:46.18.
100 Back: 1st, Makenzie Fish 1:04.18; 9th, Brie Blauvelt 1:15.81; 12th, Rowen Stegner 1:19.29; 15th, Ellie Bacon 1:21.11.
100 Breaststroke: 7th, Lizzi Fitzwater 1:21.51; 16th, Willow Deragon 1:34.85.
400 Free Relay: 1st, Cara Reynolds, Lexi Emerson, Paige Ells, Aubrey Klemann 4:10.00.

******
******

Photos in text:

Top:
The Storm's Lizzi Fitzwater dives at start of the second leg of the 200 Medley Relay, which her squad won.
Second: The Storm's three seniors with the championship plaque. From left: Cara Reynolds, Kendra Fish and Riley Brooks.
Third: The Storm's Aubrey Klemann, bottom right, is congratulated after swimming the final leg for the winning 400 Free Relay team.
Bottom: Storm junior Emily Melveney hits the water at the start of the 50 Yard Freestyle, which she won.

Left; Storm 7th grader Makenzie Fish, facing camera, receives a hug from her sister Kendra, a senior, after Makenzie won the 100 Back. Right: The Storm's Willow Deragon competes in the 100 Breaststroke.

The Storm's Ellie Bacon, left, and Brie Blauvelt at start of the 100 Back consolation final.

Left; Storm teammates yell encouragement to Lizzi Fitzwater as she turns in the 100 Breaststroke. Right: The Storm's Chelsea Humphreys reacts as she checks her time after placing seventh in the 100 Fly.

The Storm's Makenzie Fish at start of the 100 Backstroke, which she won.

The winning 400 Free Relay squad. From left, the Storm's Lexi Emerson, Paige Ells, Aubrey Klemann and Cara Reynolds.


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© The Odessa File 2025
Charles Haeffner
P.O. Box 365
Odessa, New York 14869

E-mail: chaef@aol.com
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