The Odessa File: Sports of Schuyler County

More photos from the Section IV Track and Field Championships can be found here.

WATKINS GLEN, July 2 -- The Schuyler County Blue Streak 16U softball team came back from a last-inning 3-run deficit Wednesday to score four runs and edge Southport, 12-11, evening its season record at 9-9.

Taylor McCarthy went the distance on the mound for the Blue Streak, striking out 14. She also scored the winning run on an infield groundout.

Four different Schuyler players scored two runs each in the win. Several outstanding defensive plays highlighted a game that saw numerous lead changes.

Coach John Fazzary examines the caricature collection of his team created by artist Jon Haeffner. It was presented to Fazzary as a gift at Wednesday's picnic.

WATKINS GLEN, June 24 -- The Watkins Glen High School boys varsity basketball team -- the Interscholastic Athletic Conference champion -- gathered one last time Wednesday, for a celebratory picnic at Clute Park.

It was a party originally -- and traditionally-- scheduled for shortly after the winter season ended, but was delayed. However, as the saying goes: Better late than never.

Or as basketball mom Glenda Gephart Phoenix said, it was "a save-the-best-for-last" gathering, "although I imagine some of you players might say" such a title goes with upcoming graduation exercises.

The picnic, on the Seneca Lake shoreline at Clute Park, featured all sorts of food brought by families of the players. It also featured gifts to coaches Jim Scott (a Division II Champion sweatshirt from his JV players) and John Fazzary (the caricature work shown above).

The weather was a bonus -- a summerlike day with a cooling breeze coming in from the lake. It was a placid way to say a final farewell to an exciting season.

Top left and right: Basketball mom Liz Fraboni displays a t-shirt with team caricatures, while Coach Jim Scott examines his gift sweatshirt.

WATKINS GLEN, June 18 -- The Southern Tier Warrirors are just weeks away from kicking off their inaugural season.

The semipro football team, part of the North American Football League, will open its season at home -- which is to say at Odessa-Montour's Charles Martin Field -- on July 11th.

In fact, its first three games will be there -- the other two on July 18th and 25th -- as the team starts a 10-game regular season schedule.

Familiar names abound on the squad, which now numbers 35-40 players. You can start with Head Coach Bob Lee, who used to coach the Watkins Glen High School varsity and for the past couple of seasons was at the helm of the Crystal City Dragons.

About a third of the Warriors' roster is made up of former Dragons. That Corning-based team plays in a different league, and is not on the horizon as a Warriors opponent.

Among the familiar players are Brad Hrynko, a former standout WGHS running back, and Watkins figures like Joe Westervelt (a tailback and receiver for the Warriors) and Izell Jones (halfback and tailback). Glen grad Gary Speicher is reportedly going to play on the line, and Kris Larson, just finishing up his senior year at Watkins, is slated to play receiver.

O-M is represented by former center and now guard Josh Cole and former QB (now safety) Aaron Linton, and the older set by Brett Chedzoy, who plays as well as helping run the non-profit organization with Lee and Coach Derick Willett -- another former Odessa player whose son Carl is on the Warriors squad.

Being semipro, the players are under contract, but Lee says that does not get in the way of any of them playing in the future at college -- and in fact can help them get to one.. He said he placed three players in the past couple of years in college situations.

The team is working in conjunction with the O-M athletic department and Boosters Club for the home games, which total five. The Boosters, Willett said, will operate the concession stand and earn the profits from its sales. "We'll just take in the gate receipts," he said, noting that the Warriors will pay O-M a per-game fee for use of the field.

The Warriors are in the NAFL's Empire Division with their first opponent, the Glens Falls Green Jackets, the Western New York Cougars and the Tri-County Tigers. After playing Glens Falls on July 11th, the Warriors face the Ithaca Aggression on July 18th and the Western New York Cougars on July 25th.-- all on the O-M football field.

Other home games will be on Aug. 8th against the Tri-County Tigers, and Sept. 12th against the Glove Cities Colonials.

Top: Head Coach Bob Lee (right) and Coach Derick Willett with a Warriors jersey.

Bottom: Player Brett Chedzoy, who is also treasurer of the team and oversees its general operation with Lee and Willett.

Left: O-M grad Josh Cole, who will play guard. Right: Watkins Glen grad Joe Westervelt, who will play tailback and receiver.

Former WGHS offensive standouts Brad Hrynko (left) and Izell Jones. Hrynko is nursing an injured ankle, but says he will be ready to play in the backfield.

Follow the Warriors

The Southern Tier Warriors semipro football team starts its season July 11th at home on Odessa-Montour's football field. Catch the action.

July 11th: Home vs. Glens Falls Greenjackets
July 18th: Home vs. Ithaca Aggression
July 25th: Home vs. Western NY Cougars

8:45-9:45 a.m. -- Registration

10 a.m. -- Shotgun start
BBQ lunch catered by Village Take-Out

Contests: Long Drive, Closest to the Pin, Skins game

4-6 p.m. -- Dinner – Buffet catered by Village Take-Out
Sponsor recognition and awards: Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 5th and 10th place foursomes.
Contest prizes and raffle drawings.

Tournament cost is $75 per person and includes greens fees, carts, meals, all-day beverage service, contests and premium gifts. Checks payable to “Watkins Glen Golf Course.” Send payment and list of team members and phone numbers to Nick & Anne Anagnost , P.O. Box 816, Montour Falls, NY 14865. Include credit card information (type of card, and name on it) if paying in that fashion.

Questions? Contact Mary Anagnost: (301) 908-0226 ~ MAAnagnost@aol.com
or Nick & Anne Anagnost: (607) 535-9626 ~ NAnagnost@aol.com

WATKINS GLEN, June 18 -- Marcus Dinkins, a junior this fall at Watkins Glen High School, won his first-ever Sportsman Modified race Sunday in Weedsport.

Dinkins, who started racing quarter-midget cars when he was 6, and moved up to the Sportsman Modified class when he was 15, races mostly against adults. He is in his third season of Modified racing.

Dinkins held off Dave Marcuccilli in the closing moments of Sunday's 25-lap Gator Racing News feature race.

"I knew I had to do something for my mom for her birthday, because I forgot to buy her anything," said Dinkins when asked about his first win coinciding with his mother's birthday.

The #17 RUSH Racewear-sponsored Dinkins car first wore down the efforts of James Spano at about the halfway mark of the race, only to see Marcuccilli speed up and challenge for the lead -- and take it with two laps to go.

But Dinkins recaptured the lead moments later heading into the backstretch with one lap remaining. Marcuccilli tried to go wide in an effort to gain enough momentum for one last push, but hit the back wall, giving Dinkins all the room he needed for the win.

WATKINS GLEN, June 18 -- The Schuyler Blue Streak 16U softball team brought its record to 8-8 with a come-from-behind 6-5 rain-shortened victory Wednesday over Southport on the Watkins Glen High School softball field.

After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning, the Streak scored once in the bottom of the 1st, once in the 2nd and four times in the 4th while allowing Southport, a team that had beaten Schuyler last month by an 11-4 score, only a run in the fifth.

The game was called on account of rain and sloppy conditions after Southport batted in the 5th, making it an official game.

Taylor McCarthy pitched the complete-game victory, striking out eight batters. Cassie Cole scored two runs and made an outstanding play with a relay to catcher Sarah McPherson to double up a Southport runner in the 4th. Schuyler trailed 4-2 at the time.

The Blue Streak is next scheduled to play later today (Thursday) at home versus EVPP.

WATKINS GLEN, June 16 -- In a game that kept going back and forth, the Blue Streak 16U softball team defeated Horseheads 8-7 Monday in a game played on the Watkins Glen High school softball field.

Taylor McCarthy pitched the complete-game victory, striking out two batters and walking two.

Key hits were registered by Kylee Carrigan and Chelsea Laughlin, who also scored twice -- as did Makenzie Laughlin. The Blue Streak also made several key defensive plays, including a lunging catch in the outfield by Breonna McPherson that protected a late lead.

Three students from Four Dragons Martial Arts in Watkins Glen received the rank of Probationary Black Belt on May 23rd at a special ceremony in Canandaigua. The three students have been training at the center for three years as they worked toward this honor. Pictured with Chief Instructor Heidi Wilmott are: Bryon Trank, Cameron Howell, and Brooke Howell. (Photo provided)

Watkins Glen High School track and field standout Shelby Olafson competed Saturday in the New York State Track & Field Championships at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. Her coach, Kelsey Wood, was there with her and reported on the day's events.

Hi Charlie!

Sophomore Shelby Olafson had an outstanding performance at the New York State Track & Field Championships Saturday. Shelby had very tough competition in the High Jump, which started out with a total of 38 girls. When Olafson was finished jumping, she was the sixth highest jumper in New York State and the third highest in the state for Division II schools.

Shelby tied her personal best with a jump of 5'5". The overall winner, sophomore Sarah Palmer of Schuylerville (a Division II school, as well), jumped a height of 5'8".

I was very proud of Shelby. I could not have asked for a better athlete to represent Watkins Glen High School -- she had impeccable sportsmanship, was so polite to everyone, and stayed very focused for the entire three hours that the High Jump event lasted.

The weather conditions were just right for the competition, with temperatures in the mid-70s and a mild wind. It did start to get hotter about the time that she was trying for 5'5". All of her jumps were looking very good -- her form was right where it needed to be. It was very different from a coaching perspective, not being allowed in the infield, but she corrected her jumps herself and did an excellent job. There was a lot of pressure at such a big meet to perform well and Shelby really held her own against some amazing athletes.

I think she was happy with her performance. I know all of her friends and family were very proud. Shelby broke her own school record earlier this year at the IAC Pentathlon at Waverly with a jump of 5'5". So today's jump equalled her latest school record. Shelby looks forward to breaking it again next season.

Sincerely,

Coach Wood

Photo in text: Shelby Olafson on the awards podium at the state tournament. (Photo by Craig Olafson)

SYRACUSE, June 12 -- Trumansburg junior Brennan Edmonds set a school Triple Jump record as he soared to a 4th-place finish in that event Friday at the New York State Track and Field Championships.

Edmonds came into the tournament -- held at Cicero-North Syracuse High School -- seeded 12th out of 18 jumpers. But on his second attempt he broke his school record (43' 3 1/4") by leaping 44' 9 1/4".

"He said before the meet that he felt good and thought he was going to do well," said Trumansburg boys track coach Neil DeRaiche. "Brennan is a great kid, and we are really proud of him. He truly represents Trumansburg to the fullest."

WATKINS GLEN, June 11 -- Watkins Glen sophomore track standout Shelby Olafson has earned The Odessa File Schuyler Spring MVP Award for the second straight year.

Olafson (pictured at right), who last year was the Spring MVP after setting a school record in the High Jump and winning the Section IV title and a trip to States, is returning to the State Tournament this year after breaking her own High Jump mark three times.

Her old record of 5'2" has been raised by Olafson three times this track season, up to 5'5". She cleared 5'4" at the Section IV tourney -- the State Qualifier in Binghamton. That equaled the tournament's best jump, but she lost the title to a jumper who had one less miss at a lower height.

But Olafson earned a berth at the State Tournament -- being held this weekend at Cicero-North Syracuse High School -- by winning the Section IV tourney's Division II crown. The overall winner, Ashley Aupont, attends Division I Union-Endicott.

Olafson's exploits have earned her five Odessa File Athlete of the Week honors this spring, and she was presented the team MVP Award at the Sports Boosters Award Night on June 3.

This is the third year in which the seasonal MVP awards have been presented. One athlete from Schuyler County is selected at the conclusion of each sports season. Olafson is the first athlete to win two such awards.

ODESSA, June 11 -- Three-sport standouts Cassie Fitch and John Blaha were named the female and male Athletes of the Year Wednesday night at the 41st annual Odessa-Montour Sports Boosters Banquet.

Fitch was also named MVP of the volleyball team, and the Most Improved golfer. Blaha was named the Most Outstanding Defensive player on the boys soccer team and Most Outstanding on the boys basketball team.

The Charles Martin Memorial Sportsmanship Awards went to Alycia McCauley and Josh Markley.

MVPs: Josh Markley (football), Dan Stephens (tennis), Martin Eccleston (boys swimming), Ashley Bryington (girls track), Matt Shutter (boys soccer), Jessica Smith (girls soccer), Cassie Fitch (volleyball), Stephen Taylor (baseball), Wyatt Bowen and Jared Wardwell (wrestling), Brian Stamp (boys bowling), Seneca Collins (girls bowling), Alyssa Bleiler (girls swimming), Taylor Thoman (softball), and Brendan Letteer (boys basketball). In addition, Matt Kautz was named Player of the Year in golf.

Lions Student Athlete Awards: Jessica Smith, Samantha Davis, Cassie Fitch, Brittany Evans and Adam Zimmer.

Glimmer Awards (presented by Boosters): Mike and Kaye Stamp and Susan Bleiler.

Rookies of the Year – Phil Smith and Jeff Morgan
Outstanding Distance – Joe Markley
Sprinter MVP – Matt Shutter
Field MVP – Josh Markley

Record Breakers – 4x400 Relay Team – Martin Eccleston, Matt Shutter, John Blaha, Brendan Letteer
Record Breaker – 800 – Joe Markley
Record Breakers – 4x800 – Phil Smith, Brian Stamp, John Blaha, Joe Markley

Most Improved – Anthony Curren
Most Outstanding – James Turner
MVP – Brian Stamp

Most Improved – Ashley Bryington
Most Outstanding – Mallory Richards
MVP – Seneca Collins

Co-Offensive Players of the Year – Makenzi Alling, Whitney Ayers, Rebecca Ayers
MVP – Jessica Smith

Field Most Outstanding – Alycia McCauley
Track Most Outstanding – Malissa Richards
MVP – Ashley Bryington

Record Breakers – 4x400 – Bethany Smith, Malissa Richards, Ashley Bryington, Erin Terry
Record Breaker – 400 Hurdles – Ashley Bryington

Defensive Specialist – Matt Shutter
Most Improved – Tom Dykshoorn
Most Outstanding – John Blaha
MVP – Brendan Letteer

Most Improved – Jessica Goossen
Most Dedicated – Derek Morgan
MVP – Dan Stephens

Coaches Award – Brittany Evans
Most Outstanding – Cassie Fitch
Most Outstanding – Whitney Ayers
Player of the Year – Rebecca Ayers

Golden Putter – Tim Markley
Male Most Improved – Justin Stillman
Female Most Improved – Cassie Fitch
Player of the Year – Matt Kautz

Most Outstanding Defensive – Jeff Morgan
Most Outstanding Offensive – Jared Wardwell
MVP – Josh Markley

Most Outstanding Defensive – John Blaha
Most Outstanding Midfielder – Dan Stephens
Most Outstanding Offensive – Matt Shutter

Most Dedicated – Quinn Griswold
Rookie of the Year – Victoria Burnham
MVP – Alyssa Bleiler

Most Improved – Derek Frasier
Most Dedicated – Jon Wead
MVP – Martin Eccleston

Rookie of the Year – Brandi Garrabrant
Most Improved – Mallory Richards
MVP – Taylor Thoman

Most Improved – Miranda Voorheis
Leadership Award – Megan Cook
Team Player – Erin Terry

Most Improved – Tom Dykshoorn
Coaches Award – Jordan Eaves
MVP – Stephen Taylor

Rookie of the Year – Aubrey Tomassi
Most Outstanding – Becky VanSkiver
Most Outstanding – Allison Yessman
MVP – Cassie Fitch

Most Outstanding – Luke Smith
MVP – Wyatt Bowen
MVP – Jared Wardwell

WATKINS GLEN, June 10 -- The 19U Blue Streak2 and 12U Shamrocks both defeated their opponents Tuesday evening, the Streak2 by a score of 9-4 at Horseheads and the Shamrocks 15-8 over Campbell at home.

The Streak2 game was a reunion of sorts. Pitching for Horseheads was 2008 Odessa-Montour graduate and current Elmira College student Sherry Benedict, who struck out 15 Streak2 players. On the Streak2 roster is her former O-M teammate Kala Rounds, who made several nice defensive plays as her team prevailed to go 2-2 for the season.

Taylor McCarthy went the distance on the mound for Streak2, striking out five batters and walking three. She also hit two doubles and scored two runs. The Streak2 next entertains Horseheads Thursday at the Watkins Glen High School softball field.

The Shamrocks won their first game of the season after several close losses. Alexis Gonzalez pitched the victory, striking out eight. Ashley Chouinard had the big offensive blow for the Shamrocks, connecting for a home run. The Shamrocks next play Lawrenceville at the Odessa-Montour High School field on Saturday.

Danica Patrick races thorugh the Esses portion of the WGI track during testing Tuesday.

WATKINS GLEN, June 10 -- IndyCar racer Danica Patrick and her teammates Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan tested cars at Watkins Glen International Tuesday in preparation for the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, which takes place at the track over the July Fourth Weekend.

Patrick, Andretti and Kanaan, along with Indy drivers Milka Duno, Mike Conway, Mario Moraes and Richard Antinucci, tested starting around 11 a.m. and again after lunch and a news conference in the WGI Media Center.

Andretti and Kanaan discussed the failure of their team -- Andretti-Green Racing -- to win yet at The Glen. While the team has been "competitive ... we haven't won," said Kanaan. "We're here to find out why. That's whey we came here with three cars."

Patrick discussed her road-racing ability, saying "I'm not going to pretend I'm as good on road courses as on ovals. But the odd thing is, I've had better results on road courses.

"Nothing," she added, "would make me more proud and happy than to win on a road course. I'm enjoying them more this year, and maybe that will translate" into a victory.

Top: Danica Patrick responds to a question at a news conference in the WGI Media Center.

Bottom: Tony Kanaan, left, and teammate Marco Andretti share a private moment at the news conference.

Danica Patrick was also visible Tuesday on the side of her team's transport truck.

WATKINS GLEN, June 8 -- The fourth annual Live Like Liz 5K race attracted 460 runners and walkers Sunday -- and the weather cooperated.

Whereas last year's race went off in stifling heat, Sunday's weather was pleasant, with the sun playing peek-a-boo behind a steady parade of clouds.

Jonathon Fazzary, a Watkins Glen High School graduate now running on the college level, was the first to cross the finish line at the end of a race that started and finished on the WGHS track. The race route was from the track to the Catharine Valley Trail, up the trail toward Montour Falls, and back on the same route.

The race, preceded by speeches, is held each year to commemorate the life of Elizabeth "Liz" Amisano, a WGHS graduate who died on Oct. 12, 2005 from ovarian cancer at the age of 20. The race serves to educate the community about the disease.

The 202 runners and 250 walkers were a mix of the local running community, former and current WGHS students, and friends and family of Liz. Organized by the Live Like Liz Commmittee with assistance from the WGHS Track Team and Finger Lakes Running Club, the race boasts a unique combination of community, athleticism, and prizes provided by local businessess -- such as dinners, massages, overnights in the area's hotels, and more.

Fazzary (pictured at right), a cross country athlete at Division I Winthrop University, led the race from early on, and won handily in 16:53. He said afterward that the race went snoothly for him, but that he was a bit disappointed in his time. With the number two runner, Travis Waite, about two minutes behind, Fazzary was on his own for the push.

Erin Dinan won the women's race in 20:29, with masters' winner Shirley Woodford coming in 41 seconds behind. Dinan was 8th overall.

Taking home the masters' championship for the men was Bruce Deiseroth in 19:42, edging out Chris Stamp of Lakewood Winery (19:47).

Waite and Shannon Hazlitt (a state-level cross country runner) placed first among current WGHS competitors. Hazlitt, who just finished her track season at Thursday's State Qualifier, spoke of how amazing it felt to race off the track and to feel the freedom of a trail race. The trail meanders alongside a creek in a pristine setting.

Speakers before the race included Marie Fitzsimmons, cross country coach at WGHS who extolled the accomplishments and contributions of Diane Sherrer -- a Star-Gazette columnist who recently died of cancer. Sherrer, Fitzsimmons reminded the crowd, was a key proponent of the Live Like Liz movement and race.

The keynote speaker was Katie Gingrich (pictured below), a 25-year-old ovarian cancer survivor who spoke animatedly of her experience with "this terrible disease" that comes silently and with vague symptoms that are often difficult to diagnose.

She urged anyone afflicted with it to be proactive -- to "fight for the best doctors and the best procedures." Cancer will strike many thousands of people this year, she said, attacking indiscriminately. "I'm just a normal girl," she said to underscore the point, "and Liz was just a normal girl."

Now, with the Live Like Liz movement raising awareness of ovarian cancer, she said, Liz "is an angel in our lives, looking after us."

Gingrich was part of Sunday's contingent that walked the course. When she crossed the finish line, she did so with a skip and a grin -- a clear sign of the spirit that those who knew her say Liz Amisano possessed in abundance.

From top: Runners on the Catharine Valley Trail; Liz Amisano's sister Margie (right) and Samantha Johnson listen to a pre-race speaker; race winner Jonathon Fazzary nears the finish line; Katie Gingrich delivers the keynote address.

Left: Alicia Learn crosses the finish line. Right: Angela Keough on the Catharine Valley Trail.

Left: Walkers on the Catharine Valley Trail. Right: An official records racers' times.

Left: A Fun Run participant examines the ribbon he won. Right: Chef William Cornelius (facing camera) exchanges a hug with Denis Amisano, the father of Liz.

Left: The first woman to complete the race, Erin Dinan, nears the finish line. Right: Craig Olafson, seated, and Chris Stamp talk after the race.

Left: Laura Flood races toward the finish line. Right: Michelle O'Brien sings the National Anthem before the start of the race.

Left: Rev. Paul Bonacci delivers a pre-race prayer. Right: Race participants (from left) Michelle O'Brien, Kathryn Martin and Molly Murphy.

Scott Pruett's TELMEX car, left, is ahead of the pack on Turn 1 late in the race.

WATKINS GLEN, June 7 -- Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas teamed Saturday for victory in the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International racetrack -- Pruett's series leading 21st Daytona Prototype career victory.

The team finished ahead of Max Angelelli and his teammate, Brian Frisselle, in a race that concluded under caution and had members of Pruett's team wondering if he would have enough fuel to finish. But finish he did, and when he reached Victory Lane, he extolled the virtues of his No. 01 TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley.

The victory turned around the season-long points race in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. The co-leaders entering the race -- the teams of Alex Gurney-Jon Fogarty and Darren Law-David Donohue -- were forced out of Saturday's race fairly early. Gurney-Fogarty slipped to a third-place tie in the standings, with Law-Donohue seven points back. Those teams' problems opened the door for the Pruett-Rojas and Angelelli-Friselle teams, which vaulted into a tie atop the points race.

In the GT portion of the race, Dirk Werner and Leh Keen took first place. The popular No. 40 car -- driven by actor Patrick Dempsey (above at the track Saturday morning) and teammates Joe Foster and Charles Espenlaub -- finished several places back among GT entrants.

Top: Scott Pruett (left) and Memo Rojas celebrate their win in Victory Lane.

Cars head into the Esses on the WGI track in the Tioga Downs Casino 125 Saturday. The race was won by rookie Ryan Truex.

Scott Pruett races toward the final turn on the WGI track during qualifying Friday.

WATKINS GLEN, June 6 -- Scott Pruett set a new Watkins Glen International track record by two seconds Friday as he won the pole position for today's (Saturday's) Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen.

The race, Round 5 of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, starts at 2:15 p.m. It will be televised live on the SPEED network from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m.

Pruett (right) ran a lap of 1:40.744 (121.496 mph) in the No. 01 TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley he co-drives with Memo Rojas. It was the team's third pole of the season. Pruett and Rojas won six races while capturing the Daytona Prototype title in 2008, but are winless this season.

"Hopefully, we can start turning poles into victories," Pruett said. "I've always liked this track, and the Ganassi guys have done well here. It's nice to have the TELMEX car up front. But six hours is a long race."

Pruett will be joined on the front row by Alex Gurney (right), who ran a lap of 1:41.442 (120.660 mph) in the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley co-driven by Jon Fogarty. The pair enter Saturday's race with an eight-point lead (119-111) in the Daytona Prototype point standings over David Donohue and Darren Law.

The top 11 drivers broke Max Angelelli's existing track record, set in qualifying for last year's race. Angelelli qualified third Saturday in the No. 10 SunTrust Ford Dallara, running a lap of 1:41.488 (120.605 mph), after the team missed most of Friday's practice due to a broken oil line.

"I felt I had to do it for the guys," Angelelli said. "There was no other option. I had to deliver. That's it."

Also on tap today: The Tioga Downs Casino 125 at The Glen. That starts at 10 a.m. For ticket information on either race, visit TheGlen.com

Photos in text: Scott Pruett (top) and Alex Gurney during a press conference Friday at WGI.

WATKINS GLEN, June 6 -- The late race driver Walter Hansgen is the first 2009 inductee into the "Legends of the Glen," a Hall of Fame of Watkins Glen International race drivers and personalities over the track's 60-plus years.

Walter Hansgen was the winner of four SCCA Championships during his career, and he won four races at The Glen -- dominating in the 1957-59 period. Off-track, he was an influential racing personality, serving as mentor to Mark Donohue.

Hansgen died in 1966 after sustaining injuries in a crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His life has been chronicled in several books, including one by author Michael Argetsinger.

ODESSA, June 5 -- The Odessa-Montour Sports Boosters are honoring the following athletes from the spring sports season for their Sport’s Team Athlete Recognition (S.T.A.R.) awards.

Stephens, a junior, is the son of Dirk and Debbie Stephens of Montour Falls. He has been the tennis team's No. 1 singles player this year, holding his own against the best tennis players in the region..

Morgan, a junior, is the son of Sheila Smith of Alpine. He had a record of 9-3 in dual matches at 4th singles and was a No. 3 seed at the IAC tournament.

A freshman, Kautz is the son of Michael and Gail Kautz of Burdett. He was a first-team all-IAC Division 2 all-star and a member of the NYSPHAA scholar-athlete team. He qualified for the Section IV individual tournament.

A junior, she is the daughter of Maureen Letteer of Odessa. Stephanie has played at the Varsity Softball level for two years. She was one of the starting pitchers, and was a solid-fielding third baseman.

A freshman, she is the daughter of Paul and Brigid Terry of Cayuta. Erin competed as a middle distance runner throughout the season for the Girls Track team, and led the team in the Long Jump. At the State Qualifier meet in Binghamton, she was a member of the 4X400 relay team that set a new school record with a time of 4:21.62.

A junior, he is the son of Mickey and Kristin Taylor of Montour Falls. He has been on the Varsity Baseball team the last three years, and is its starting catcher and a pitcher. He led the team in hits, ERA, and pitching wins.

A senior, he is the son of Mike and Kaye Stamp of Montour Falls. Known as a team player, he gets the team fired-up and shows his dedication by always coming to practice early and staying late. He was a part of the school’s record-setting 4x800 relay team.

TRUMANSBURG, June 5 -- Thirteen of 17 eligible fall, winter and spring varsity athletic teams at the Trumansburg Central School District's Charles O. Dickerson High School have made the NYS Public High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete list.

For a varsity team to be recognized as a Scholar-Athlete team, its cumulative grade-point average for a specific number of athletes must be 90% or greater.

The T-burg teams that made the list include the Volleyball, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Country, Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Girls Indoor Track, Boys Indoor Track, Girls Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Girls Outdoor Track and Boys Outdoor Track squads.

“This is a great opportunity to recognize our student athletes for their hard work in school and with their respective teams,” said Athletic Director John Testa. “The additional four teams barely missed the standard, which says a great deal about our programs.”

Watkins Glen's Shelby Olafson on way to 2nd-place finish in the Section IV High Jump.

BINGHAMTON, June 5 -- Four Odessa-Montour school records were broken Thursday at the Section IV Championships and State Meet Qualifier at Binghamton Alumni Field, while Watkins Glen track standout Shelby Olafson finished second overall in the High Jump and advanced to the State Tournament.

O-M runners set school records in the 800 (Joe Markley at 2:05.40, breaking his own mark of 2:06), the 400 Hurdles (Ashley Bryington, 5th in 1:08.24, breaking her own mark of 1:09.2), the boys 4x800 Relay team (Brian Stamp, John Blaha, Phil Smith and Joe Markley, 11th in 8:42.42, breaking the mark by 10 seconds), and the girls 4x400 Relay team (Malissa Richards, Beth Smith, Erin Terry and Ashley Bryington, 13th in 4:21.62, breaking the mark by three seconds).

And Josh Markley excelled in the Pentathlon, posting a score of 2,672 points while finishing in 5th place.

Olafson, meanwhile, equaled the 5'4" height of winner Ashley Aupont of Union-Endicott, but missed first place based on number of attempts at lower heights. Olafson advances to the State Tournament June 12-13 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School because she was the top finisher among Division II competitors. U-E is a Division I school.

-- Notre Dame's Olivia Weeks won both the Long Jump (18' 2.25") and the Triple Jump (39'8")

-- Trumansburg's Brennan Edmonds was 4th in the Triple Jump (42' 5.75") and 6th in the 400 Hurdles (58.71)

-- Trumansburg's Anna Pausch was 6th in the Pole Vault (9'); O-M's Brittany VanAmburg was 18th (at 7')

-- Trumansburg's Cody Scott was 8th in the 110 Hurdles (16.82) and 14th in the 400 Hurdles (1:02.16)

-- Trumansburg's Tucker Randle was 8th in the High Jump (5'10"); teammate Austin Ridley was 11th (at 5'8")

-- Trumansburg's Kayla Prochnow was 8th in the High Jump (4'10"); teammates Nicole Weston and Haley Plymale were 18th and 19th (4'6")

-- O-M's Matt Shutter was 11th in the 400 (in 53.0); Watkins Glen's Andrew Conklin was 21st (in 54.75)

-- O-M's Martin Eccleston was 11th in the 400 Hurdles (1:01.61) and 16th in the Pole Vault (9'6")

-- Trumansburg was 6th in the Men's 4x100, 8th in the 4x800 and 13th in the 4x400.

-- Trumansburg's Ashley Smith was 13th in the Steeplechase (8:22.46); O-M's Allison Stamp was 16th (8:55.21)

Top: O-M's Ashley Bryington clears a hurdle on the way to a 5th-place finish and a school record in the 400 Hurdles. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Third: Watkins Glen's Steven Vedder and Trumansburg's Cody Scott compete in the 110 Hurdles.

O-M's Malissa Richards hands off to Beth Smith in 4x400 in this stylized photo by Mike Stamp.

O-M school record-setting 4x400 team of, from left, Erin Terry, Beth Smith, Malissa Richards and Ashley Bryington. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M girls coach Burton Brewster (Photo by Mike Stamp). Right: T-burg's Hilary Swartwood in the 800.

Left: Watkins Glen's Alexa Yaskulski in the 100 Hurdles, where she finished 7th. Right: O-M's Joe Markley and Watkins' Travis Waite compete in the 800. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Notre Dame's Olivia Weeks goes airborne in the Triple Jump (left) and lands in the Long Jump. She won both events.

Left: O-M's Matt Shutter runs the 400. Right: Watkins Glen's Eric Mack on way to 9th-place finish in the Long Jump.

WATKINS GLEN, June 4 -- Watkins Glen High School honored its junior varsity and varsity athletes Wednesday night at the annual Sports Awards Night in the Field House gym.

JV Cheerleading -- Cara Cooley -- Kirsten Morse -- Taylor Paradiso
Girls JV Basketball -- TEAM honored as MVP
Boys JV Basketball -- TEAM honored as MVP
JV Softball -- Kylee Carrigan -- Amber Swartz -- Marissa Pike
JV Baseball -- Alex Rundle -- Rob Rondinaro -- AJ DeSarno / Andrew Malaney
JV Volleyball -- Jessica Brodgen -- Maegan Robbins -- Sarah Stocum
JV Football -- Most Improved Cody Canfield -- MVP Defense Josh Kelly / Terry Bond -- MVP Offense Hunter Arcangeli / Derek Steinruck
Wrestling -- DJ Locke -- Brandon Westevelt -- Dustin Cummings
Boys Swimming -- Casey Holland -- Connor Fazzary -- Jacq Goehner
Girls Indoor Track -- Sportsmanship Laura Flood -- Most Improved Stephanie Robbins / Amber Swartz
Boys Indoor Track -- Sportsmanship Steven Vedder -- Most Improved Eric Mack / Kevin Bradascio
Girls Bowling -- Most Improved Hannah Lopes -- MVP Stacey Teed
Boys Bowling -- Most Improved Kyle Bond -- MVP Lukas Buckman
Girls Varsity Basketball -- Rachel Baccile -- Stephanie Bond -- Taylor Chaffee
Boys Varsity Basketball -- TEAM honored as MVP
Varsity Cheerleading -- Marissa Meehan -- Meg Bartow-Cannon -- Courtney Clark
Girls Track & Field -- Stephanie Robbins -- Krystal DeLong -- Shelby Olafson
Boys Track & Field -- Charlie Bascom -- Joe Daughmer -- Eric Mack
Tennis -- Phillip Kellogg -- John Bloodgood -- Jordan Niver-Johnson
Girls Golf -- Kelly Martin -- Taryn Hayes -- Jenna Swarthout
Boys Golf -- Matt Hayes -- Marshall Secord / Tom F. Wickham -- Ethan Roth
Varsity Baseball -- Jesse Rappleye -- Joe Stansfield -- Shane Absalom
Varsity Softball -- Coaches Awards to 7 seniors -- MVPs Taylor McCarthy / Taylor Chaffee
Varsity Volleyball -- Lindsey Burchell -- Samantha Riley -- Alicia Upham
Girls Swimming -- Eleanor Fausold -- Lee Ann Gezzi -- Haleigh Wixson
Swimming -- Kate Lamoreaux Award -- Taryn Hayes
Girls Varsity Soccer -- Kayla Bryan -- Stephanie Robbins -- Abigail Stamp
Boys Varsity Soccer -- Eric Mack -- Paul Flahive -- Shane Absalom
Girls Cross Country -- Jenna Gimbar -- Shannon Hazlitt -- Amber Swartz
Boys Cross Country -- Elliott Kelley -- Kevin Bradascio -- Carter Flahive
Varsity Football -- Most Improved Mark Fraboni -- MVP Offense Joe Stansfield / Defense Jamie Nagel
Fan of the Year -- Ralph Diliberto
Coach of the Year -- Justin Mucitelli

A Newark Valley batter bunts. She was safe at first base on the play. The Watkins Glen catcher is Taylor Chaffee, and No. 10 is third baseman Katey Cheplick.

NEWARK VALLEY, June 3 -- It all ended in the Valley of the Cardinals -- the hits, the winning streak and the season.

The Watkins Glen varsity softball team -- plagued by seven errors and silent bats -- fell to the Newark Valley Cardinals 10-0 Tuesday in a second-round game of the Section IV, Class B tournament on the NV softball field.

"What got us here," said Watkins Coach Jim Scott, referring to defense, "failed us tonight."

The Senecas started well, holding Newark Valley scoreless in the first two innings. But the Cardinals scored three runs in the 3rd inning after a two-out error by the Senecas opened the door for a subsequent three-run Cardinal triple.

Matters only got worse in the 4th inning, when Newark Valley (now 18-3) registered six of its 10 hits. Those safeties, along with two Watkins errors, produced six runs and a 9-0 Cardinals lead.

Newark Valley added a run in the 5th inning with the help of two more Watkins miscues.

The Senecas (who finished with an 11-7 record) managed singles by Courtney Haff and Delaney Hodges in the 3rd inning, but both runners were stranded.

Watkins Glen worked NV pitcher Sam Darpino for six walks, including three in the 7th inning. But those runners were also stranded.

Darpino struck out six batters in posting the 2-hit shutout, which sends the Cardinals on to a contest Thursday. Taylor McCarthy struck out one batter and walked two in going the distance on the mound for Watkins.

"We didn't play well," said Coach Scott, "but I told the players afterward that they can't go by one game. We won eight in a row. There's nothing to hang our heads over. But I would have liked to have better defense. You can't make mistakes against a team like that.

Top: Watkins Glen centerfielder Abby Stamp leaps in vain for a long Newark Valley drive.

Middle: The Senecas' Taylor Chaffee follows through as the ball she topped bounces upward in front of the plate and out toward the pitcher. She was thrown out.

Bottom: Newark Valley's Sam Darpino prepares to deliver a pitch in the 7th inning.

Left: Watkins Glen second baseman Delaney Hodges reaches for a ball that bounced off her glove. Right: Courtney Haff is safe at first with one of the Senecas' two hits.

Watkins Glen first baseman Jessica Stansfield (left) corrals a throw from shortstop Kirsten Burge, who had fielded a grounder. The runner was called out.

View from the Newark Valley dugout as Watkins' Delaney Hodges fouls off a pitch.

Left: A Newark Valley runner dives safely back to first base on a pickoff play as first baseman Jessica Stansfield looks to the umpire for the call. Right: Watkins pitcher Taylor McCarthy.

Watkins Glen rightfielder Courtney Haff (background) chases down a drive to right center that drove in three Newark Valley runs.

The Newark Valley runner at right had scored, Cathy Durant (No. 37) was about to score, and Katie McLong (10) was heading toward home after hitting a drive to center field. However, she was tagged out at the plate by Watkins catcher Taylor Chaffee (below).

Watkins Glen's winning 3200 Relay team celebrates. Clockwise from top left in the center are Travis Waite, Shane Smith, Casey Holland and Nick Sorensen. (Photo by David Waite)

Freshmen and sophomores on the Watkins Glen boys varsity track team traveled to Newfield Tuesday for the Junior Stars Invitational. Coach Travis Durfee reports:

Hey Charlie,

If the present is any predictor of the future, then the prospects for Watkins Glen Man Track are bright.

Ten athletes from the Glen traveled to Newfield Tuesday night to compete in the Junior Stars Invitational, a meet eclusively for freshman and sophomores. Despite missing a few key athletes, the team competed like champions, taking 7th place in a field of 10.

The highlight of the evening was the first race, the boys 3200m relay. The team of Casey Holland, Nick Sorensen, Shane Smith and Travis Waite took 1st place in an exciting race that was decided in the final 100 meters. The team's time of 9:17.1 set a new meet record and was two-tenths of a second off of the Newfield facility record.

The team had many strong individual performances, as well. Sorensen earned 1st place in the 3200m with a time of 11:28. Smith earned a medal for a 3rd-place finish in the 400m Hurdles (a quick1:08.3 in his first such race). He also earned sixth in the 110 Hurdles. Chris Gill threw the discus well, earning 5th place.

The other relay teams performed admirably. The 400m relay team (Charlie Bascom, Shawn Bliss, Adrein Bergling, Smith) earned third place, and the 1600m relay team (Sorensen, Holland, Gill and John Fausold) took 4th place.

All in all, it was an impressive showing by these young men. I look forward to their return next year -- bigger, stronger and faster, yet with the same desire to work they have demonstrated all season.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Travis Waite, right, races toward the finish line in final leg of the 3200 Relay, won by the Senecas. (Photo by David Waite)

Left: Watkins Glen's Nick Sorensen. Right: The Senecas' Charlie Bascom sets a personal best in the Long Jump. (Photos by David Waite)

Left: Watkins Glen's Shane Smith runs in the 3200 Relay. Right: The Senecas' Adrein Bergling prepares to launch the Shot. (Photos by David Waite)

Left: Watkins Glen's Chris Gill competes in the Discus. Right: The Senecas' Casey Holland, right, and John Fausold. (Photos by David Waite)

Watkins Glen's Jessica Stansfield drills a line drive toward the pitcher. The ball struck the pitcher on the leg and bounced away for a base hit.

WATKINS GLEN, May 29 -- The Watkins Glen varsity softball team rebounded from an early 3-0 deficit Thursday to post an 11-5 home victory over Lansing in the opening round of the Section IV, Class B Tournament.

Jessica Stansfield went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs to lead Watkins Glen, which now has won eight straight games. Its record is 11-6 heading into a contest Tuesday against third-seeded Newark Valley on the road.

Other offensive support came from Katey Cheplick (2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and 2 RBIs), Abby Stamp (2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and 2 RBIs), Taylor Chaffee (1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI), Kirsten Burge (1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI), Courtney Haff (1-for-3 and an RBI), and Delaney Hodges (three walks and three runs scored).

Lansing opened with three runs in the 1st inning aided by a Watkins Glen error, but the Senecas stormed back with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Key hits in that inning included two-RBI singles by Stansfield and Stamp.

The Senecas added a run in the 2nd inning as Cheplick drove in her second run in two innings with her second double.

The lead grew to 7-3 in the 4th inning on an RBI double by Chaffee, and then both teams scored in the 5th. Lansing closed to within three runs, at 8-5, with a run in the top of the 6th.

The Senecas responded with a 3-run 6th inning that featured a 2 RBI double by Stansfield to the wall in left center.

Taylor McCarthy went the distance on the mound for Watkins, allowing 11 Lansing hits but no walks. She struck out four batters, and allowed only one earned run. Watkins Glen made four errors, and two of them led to four of Lansing's runs.

Watkins Glen lost the last time it faced Newark Valley, largely due to a disastrous first inning in which three errors helped NV to six runs.

Coach Jim Scott said that despite the four errors Thursday, the Senecas' defense has vastly improved since that early loss, and his squad has learned how to win with regularity.

It will go with the same batting order it has been utilizing throughout the winning streak: Kim George, Delaney Hodges, Katey Cheplick, Taylor Chaffee, Kirsten Burge, Taylor McCarthy, Jessica Stansfield, Abby Stamp and Courtney Haff.

"The lineup's been the same," said Coach Scott. "It fits us, and it's been fun."

Top: Watkins Glen catcher Taylor Chaffee prepares to tag out a Lansing baserunner after receiving a strong throw from rightfielder Courtney Haff.

Middle: Watkins third baseman Katey Cheplick sends a throw to first base after fielding a Lansing grounder.

Bottom The Senecas' Kim George fouls off a pitch, which was caught by the Lansing catcher for an out.

Left: The ball drops in beyond the reach of Watkins Glen first baseman Jessica Stansfield for a Lansing base hit. Right: Watkins Glen pitcher Taylor McCarthy.

Watkins Glen shortstop Kirsten Burge can't reach the ball as it goes between third base and short for a Lansing base hit to left field.