For your convenience, we have installed the link below to make donations to this website easier. Now you can utilize your PayPal account or your credit card.

--------------

Mechanics Club

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

-------------

We also have a Business Card Page. Click here. 

----------------

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

------------------

Click below to call up a Boosters e-mail form.

------------------

WATKINS GLEN SPORTS BOOSTER CLUB

Supporting the Senecas! You can reach the club at wgboosterclub@yahoo.com

-----

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

-------------

-------

We also have a Business Card Page. Click here. 

----------------

To reach the Watkins Glen School District website, click here. 

--------------

703 South Decatur St., Watkins Glen, New York. Call (607) 535-4666.

---------------

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

--------

---------

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

Click on the ad above to go to the Learn Motor Co. website.

Learn Motors, Inc.
1. STILL in business
2. STILL offering top-of-the-line service
3. STILL selling vehicles
4. STILL thanking YOU, our loyal customers
5. STILL proud to serve the community for 56 years
6. STILL HERE FOR YOU

WGI's Printup to speak at racing center

Special to The Odessa File

WATKINS GLEN, March 12 -- Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup will be the March Center Conversations speaker at the International Motor Racing Research Center.

His free talk will be Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m.

Printup, who is a member of the Racing Research Center’s Council, was named WGI president in June 2009.

Before coming to Watkins Glen, he held various positions within the International Speedway Corp., including senior director of facility development for Michigan International Speedway and as vice president of Americrown Services Corp. and 380 Development LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries of ISC.

Center Conversations is a monthly talk series that takes listeners behind the scenes of motorsports. The talks are informal, and everyone is invited.

The Center is located at 610 S. Decatur St., Watkins Glen. Call (607) 535-9044 for more information.

Photo in text: Michael Printup

Melanson is our Schuyler Winter MVP

By Charlie Haeffner

ODESSA, March 8 -- Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball standout Michelle Melanson stepped up big in game after game this year as her team advanced to the Section IV, Class C final -- as it won nine of 10 down the stretch and impressed observers with its heart and determination.

Melanson repeatedly hit in double figures -- averaging 14.8 points per game during the season while grabbing an average of 7.5 rebounds and registering 2.5 steals.

Emblematic of her tenacity was her performance in the Sectional semifinal against Southern Cayuga, when she hit 14 of her 18 points in the second half -- including six free throws in a row in the final minutes -- to lift O-M into the final.

And even in the title game, where state-power Tioga dominated, she managed nearly half of her team's points under intense defensive pressure.

For all of these things -- statistics, leadership, clutch performances, and success -- she is the Odessa File Schuyler Winter MVP.

The MVP award, now in its fourth year, is given each season to one outstanding high school athlete in Schuyler County. Two O-M basketball standouts previously won it: Kristine "Sparky" Gardner in 2007 and Cassie Fitch in 2009.

Says Melanson's coach, Greg Gavich:

"Michelle is the best overall athlete I have coached. Her athleticism lets her do a lot of things to be successful against bigger players. We played her a lot this season down on the post out of necessity, yet she remained effective despite her size disadvantage down there.

"She also drew many tough defensive assignments, guarding Taylor Chaffee (Watkins Glen), Kara McDuffee (Tioga), Stephanie Morse (Southern Cayuga), etc., and really earned a lot of
praise from opposing coaches for her defense."

Photo in text: Michelle Melanson at the free-throw line.

Spring sports begin

It was the first day of high school spring sports practices Monday throughout the state, with track, tennis, golf, baseball and softball athletes turning out in school gyms. The mild weather permitted running outside, too -- which is where members of Odessa-Montour's track squad were before returning (above) to the gym for various stretching exercises. In the photo on the right are Alyssa Bleiler (left) and Ashley Bryington.

Click here or on the ad below to go to the Glenora website.

From left: Coaching assistant Tracie McIlroy, lifters Stu Cook, Jeremey Brown, Taylor Gates and Travis Waite, and Coach Ralph Diliberto. (Photo provided)

WGHS lifters excel at meet

A team of students from Watkins Glen High School competed Saturday, March 6 at the New York State High School Powerlifting Championships in Newfield, finishing in fourth place. Correspondent David Waite reports here on how they fared.

Charlie:

Here are some pictures from the New York State High School Powerlifting Championships that the Watkins Glen boys team went to on Saturday in Newfield. They competed against teams from Norwich, Binghamton, Chenango Valley, Baldwinsville and Central Square. The guys were under the direction of Ralph Diliberto, Watkins Glen strength and conditioning coach, who was assisted by Tracie McIlroy.

The team consisted of Jeremey Brown, Stu Cook, Taylor Gates and Travis Waite. They were divided up in age groups 13-16 (juniors) and 17-19 (seniors), as well as weight classes. They all did an outstanding job, beating many of their previous personal-best lifts.

Jeremey Brown broke two New York State records in the bench press and dead lift, as he won his age/weight division (17-19 years, 220 pounds and under), with lifts of 405 pounds in the squat, a 405-pound benchpress (new record), and a 565-pound dead lift (new record), for a total of 1,375 pounds.

Stu Cook won his division (17-19 years, 181 pounds and under) with lifts of 300 pounds in the squat, a 275-pound benchpress, and a 385-pound dead lift, for a total of 960 pounds. Taylor Gates won his division (17-19 years, 165 pounds. and under) with lifts of 315 pounds in the squat, a 190-pound. benchpress, and a 405-pound dead lift, for a total of 910 pounds. Travis Waite ended up second in his division (13-16 years, 181 pounds and under) with lifts of 315 pounds in the squat, a 240-pound benchpress, and a 365-pound dead lift, for a total of 920 pounds.

Thanks again to Coach Diliberto for his expertise, dedication, time and commitment to the youth in our area.

--David Waite

Photos in text:

From top: Stu Cook lifts in the squat portion of the competition; Travis Waite in the squat; and Taylor Gates in the dead lift. (Photos provided)

Jeremey Brown dead lifts on the way to a new state record. (Photo provided)

Laura Flood's time is posted after her racewalk at the State Championships. (Photo provided)

Flood places 17th at States

The New York State High School Indoor Track and Field Championships were held Saturday on the Cornell University campus. Watkins Glen High School Coach Justin Mucitelli reported how his one representative at the meet, Laura Flood, fared in the competition.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association's Indoor Track and Field Championships took place Saturday at Cornell's Barton Hall. Laura Flood was representing Watkins Glen High School and Section IV in the 1500 Meter Racewalk. Flood was the Section IV champion this season.

She took 17th overall at the State Championships out of 22 competitors with a time of 8:34.74. The winning time was 7:06.94, posted by Destiny Lalane of Bay Shore.

Congratulations, Laura. You had a wonderful season. I am very proud of how much time you have dropped this season.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make this a great season. Anyone interested in the full results of the State Championship meet can find them at www.leonetiming.com

-- Justin Mucitelli

Photo in text: Laura Flood at the State Championships. (Photo provided)

O-M's Allison Stamp (second from left) and Taylor Thoman (right) battle Tioga's Kara McDuffee (second from right) and Marissa Miller for a rebound.

Tioga runs past O-M in final

Indians' season ends 52-24 at Arena

More photos can be found here.

BINGHAMTON, March 7 -- The game took a quick turn away from "promising," becoming instead a difficult thing for the Odessa-Montour faithful to watch.

The O-M girls varsity basketball team, after rallying from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game 5-5, yielded 15 straight points to Tioga on the way to a 32-11 halftime deficit Saturday in the championship game of the Section IV, Class C tournament at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

Lamented an O-M fan at intermission: "It wasn't like we envisioned it, was it?"

No, indeed, and it got no better in the second half. Tioga scored the first nine points of the third quarter and ultimately built its lead to 52-16 before Odessa rallied for the last eight points.

The final score was 52-24

It was a disappointing end to a sterling season -- one in which the Indians built a 16-6 record. There was no Interscholastic Athletic Conference tournament berth, and there were no great expectations. But the squad won 9 of its last 10 games leading to Saturday's contest -- the only loss in that stretch a 53-52 setback against these same Tioga Tigers.

But the Tigers wore sharpened claws Saturday, and owned the court -- outrebounding, outshooting and outstealing O-M, which rarely got a two-shot possession.

Tioga shot 8-for-14 in the first quarter to O-M's 2-for-11 -- exactly the opposite of what O-M Coach Greg Gavich was looking for.

"We needed to come out on fire, and instead it was them," he said. "We really couldn't get a shot to fall to stop their momentum there in the first half."

Leading the way for Tioga (20-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state) was Kara McDuffee, who scored 19 points and grabbed about as many rebounds. She was supported by Marissa Miller's 11 points, 9 by Ally Richter, and 8 by Kacie Hoyt.

O-M got 11 points from Michelle Melanson, but little else in the way of offense. Other points came from Rebecca Ayers (5), Whitney Ayers (4), Jessica Rhodes (3, on a shot that ended that 15-0 run by Tioga), and Melanie Stadelmaier (1).

Neither team was exceptional at the free-throw line, O-M converting 8 of 16 attempts, and Tioga sinking 5 of 11.

Tioga moves on to Intersectional play now. O-M goes home with the knowledge that this game aside, it was good ride.

"They are very good," said Gavich about Tioga, "and I expect them to make a real run at winning the state championship.

"All in all," he added, "it was a great season. No one expected us to get this far, and I think we have a lot to be proud of. "

Photos in text:

Top: Tioga's Kara McDuffee (left) and O-M's Allison Stamp battle for the ball.

Middle: O-M's Michelle Melanson goes up for a shot in traffic.

Bottom: O-M's Melody Stadelmaier cuts through traffic while driving to the basket. She was fouled on the play. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: Tioga's Kara McDuffee and O-M's Michelle Melanson go up for the tipoff. Right: Tioga's Kari Walkley, right, applies some tight defense as O-M's Rebecca Ayers moves the ball. (Both photos by Mike Stamp)

Left: A drive to the hoop by O-M's Whitney Ayers is stopped by Tioga's Kacie Hoyt. Right: Odessa's Taylor Carey takes aim on the free-throw line.

Left: O-M's Katie Ray, center, eyes the ball as she closes in on it. Right: The Indians' Stephanie Collins sends a long shot on its way. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

More photos can be found here.

Watkins Glen Youth Basketball: Finals

These are the results from the "Red" Matthews Tournament finals in the Watkins Glen Youth Basketball League, played on February 27. It included championship, 3rd place, and consolation games.

“Red” Matthews Memorial Tourney Finals

Grades 3-4

Consolation Game:

House of Hong 28, Mr. Chicken 4

House of Hong scoring: Daniel Paradiso 10, Julia Reilly 8, Seth Swinnerton 4, Kayla Smith 2, Wyatt Brower 2, Wrett Brower 2.
Mr. Chicken scoring: Michael Doane 2, Amber Benjamin 2.

3rd Place Game:

Savard’s Restaurant 19, Sporting Goods 6

Savard’s Restaurant scoring: Joseph Chedzoy 8, Patrick Bannon 6, Danielle Leszyk 5.
Sporting Goods scoring: Justin Lodge 6.

1st Place Game:

Famous Brands 22, Central Asphalt 16

Famous Brands scoring: Brandyn Clark 12, Mariah Gonzalez 4, Parker Arcangeli 2, Jazmin Shea 2, Emilia Bond 2.
Central Asphalt scoring: Tyler Couch 9, Hanley Elliott 5, Nathan Wickham 2.

Photo in text: The 3rd & 4th grade champion, Famous Brands. Front row (L-R): Brandyn Clark, Parker Arcangeli, Jonathan Seaman, Jackson Dunham. Back row (L-R): Emilia Bond, Mariah Gonzalez, Coach Rob Rondinaro, Cameryn Curren, and Jazmin Shea. (Photo provided)

Grades 5-6

Consolation Game:

Van Skiver Motors 24, Capt. Bill’s 12

Van Skiver Motors scoring: Jake Kelly 14, Amanda Cherock 4, Alex Gibson 4, Trenton Barber 2.
Capt. Bill’s scoring: Connor Seeley-Ion 6, Dana Paradiso 2, Madison Myers 2, Lucas Wickham 2.

3rd Place Game:

Seneca Lodge 20, Glen Theater 19

Seneca Lodge scoring: Jordan Shea 10, Ezra Evans 8, Ashley Palmer 2.
Glen Theater scoring: Matt Hulbert 8, Maggie Bond 5, Sam Hanley 4, Michaela Ayers 2.

1st Place Game:

Church Street Produce 26, Learn Motors 19

Church Street Produce scoring: Justin Kelly 10, Jake Carocci 9, Jake Lokken, 5, Maya Palumbo 2.
Learn Motors scoring: Parker Pangallo 8, Brooke Shaffer 6, Nateah Cornish 5.

Photo in text: The 5th & 6th grade champion, Church Street Produce. Front (L-R): Max Schimizzi, Maya Palumbo, Brienna Solomon, Katherine Meehan. Back (L-R): Jacob Lokken, Coach Andrew Conklin, Justin Kelly, Coach Alec Moore, Jake Carocci, and Alex Sheesley. (Photo provided)

Lansing girls fall to Oneonta in OT

BINGHAMTON, March 5 -- The previously unbeaten Lansing girls varsity basketball team saw its season end Friday night when it dropped a 30-27 decision to Oneonta in overtime in the Section IV, Class B final at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

Both teams had defeated Watkins Glen in the postseason -- Lansing in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools championship, and Oneonta in a Section IV quarterfinal.

Lansing led Oneonta 14-12 at halftime, was behind 17-16 after three periods, and had an 8-7 edge in the fourth quarter to force the OT. Oneonta then outscored Lansing 6-3 in the extra period.

M.C. Barrett led Lansing with 11 points, while Erin Wolstenholme paced Oneonta with 10.

Oneonta moves on to an Intersectional game with a 17-2 record.

They bowled for fun and bragging rights

WATKINS GLEN, March 6 -- It was all in fun, and everybody seemed to have a good time.

It was the annual gathering Friday afternoon of teachers and students from the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour High Schools, bowling in a two-person team format at Johnny's Lanes, each team composed of one adult and one student.

It was, in essence, the end of the high school bowling season.

If a bowler knocked down nine pins, it counted as a strike. If less than nine went down, his or her partner had to attempt the spare conversion.

At stake: the school represented by the winning team got to display a special striped bowling pin for the next year.

In the end, both schools were going to display it, since the top duo was O-M bowling coach Tom Strong and Watkins Glen student Logan Rappleye, who teamed with one another when each school ended up with one extra bowler. They totaled 479 in the two games.

"So neither school really won," Strong said. "I guess we'll share the title with the second-place team." That was the duo of Watkins Glen bowling coach Ward Brower and his daughter, Hannah Lopez. Their total was 429.

"We'll share it," said Brower of the pin. "Half the year at Watkins Glen, and half at Odessa-Montour."

Where was the pin now? he was asked.

"Well, I'm not sure," he said. "We won it last year, so it's at the Watkins School. We'll find it."

Third place went to the O-M team of teacher Burton Brewster and student Mallory Richards. They totaled 409.

The event, which has been going on annually "for six or seven years," said Strong, featured more than 20 two-person teams.

Several varsity bowlers were on hand, including Richards, Megan Moss, Steve Benjamin and Anthony Curren from O-M, and Rappleye, Sarah Wickham, Stacey Teed, Sarah Teed, Danielle Teed, Chris Flood, Ryan VanAlstine, Samantha Bradley and Erika Hoad from WGHS.

Watkins Glen principal Dave Warren participated, as did O-M principal Greg Conlon, along with teachers from each school.

Photos in text:

Top: Front, from left: Watkins Glen's Sam Brubaker and Chris Flood (who teamed for a 254 total), and Stacey Teed and Dave Warren (who totaled 315). In the background is Hannah Lopez.

Bottom: Watkins Glen's Sarah Wickham laughs after missing a spare conversion.

O-M providing 2 spectator buses for game

ODESSA, March 4 -- Odessa-Montour High School has arranged for two spectator buses to take fans to Binghamton Saturday to watch the O-M girls varsity basketball team play Tioga for the Section IV, Class C championship

The game will be played at 5 p.m. at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The buses will leave at 2:30 p.m. It will be free to ride. The cost of the game will be $7.

However, it's first come, first served on sign-ups. Said a school rep: "We already have one bus filled!"

Waite, Cook named 1st Team All-Stars

WATKINS GLEN, March 4 -- Watkins Glen High School basketball standouts Travis Waite (right) and Stuart Cook (left) have been named to the 1st Team on the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools South Division All-Star squad.

They joined Waverly's Ryan Hewitt and Notre Dame's Ethan Monachino and Joe Thurber. Named co-MVPs were Kevin Gorman of Waverly and Kevin Minchin of Notre Dame.

Named to the 2nd Team were Kevin Coleman and Mason Parmalee of Newark Valley, Zach Stephens and Shane Manning of Notre Dame, and Keenan Park of Waverly.

In the Small Schools South Division, the MVP was Sean Byrne of Spencer-Van Etten, while 1st Team selections were Jake Tubbs of Candor, Max Addy of Newfield, Eric Zwierlein of Tioga, Phil Vennel of Spencer-Van Etten, and Ben Georgia of Edison.

Small Schools South 2nd Team All-Stars included Dan Stephens of Odessa-Montour, Tyler Walker of Spencer-Van Etten, Francesco Ferrara of Newfield, and Larry Brink and Luke Dougherty of Tioga.

Photos in text: Watkins Glen's Stuart Cook, left, and Travis Waite

O-M reaches Section 4 final

Melanson leads comeback at S. Cayuga; showdown set against Tioga

More photos can be found here.

AURORA, March 4 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team stormed from behind in the third period Wednesday night and then held off Southern Cayuga down the stretch with some clutch free throws to post a 44-41 victory in a Section IV, Class C semifinal.

Michelle Melanson led the way with 18 points, including 14 in the second half. Six of those came on free throws in the final 2:49. She also totaled 6 rebounds.

The victory sends the No. 6-seeded Indians (16-5) back to the title game at Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton for the second straight season Saturday, this time against Interscholastic Athletic Conference foe and No. 1 seed Tioga (18-1), which defeated Greene 31-29 in Wednesday's other semifinal.

Greene defeated O-M in last year's sectional title game. Tioga, meanwhile, has beaten the Indians twice this season -- but by just one point the last time the teams met.

Scoring in addition to Melanson Wednesday were Rebecca Ayers (9 points, with 5 assists), Whitney Ayers (9 points), Katie Ray (5), Allison Stamp (2, with 6 rebounds) and Taylor Carey (1).

The team stuggled overall at the foul line, sinking 11 of 22 attempts, but Melanson's free throws, along with two by Rebecca Ayers in the final two minutes, spelled the difference in the game.

Southern Cayuga was led by Kayla Hildreth's 14 points, and 13 by Stephanie Morse. The Lady Chiefs converted just 8 of 18 free-throw attempts.

The Chiefs built an early 12-4 lead as shot after shot by O-M failed to go in. The Indians closed to within four points early in the second period, but were down eight points again, at 16-8, midway through the quarter. They outscored SC 6-3 from then until halftime, and went into intermission down 19-14.

The third period was all Odessa as the Indians surged ahead 28-26, outscoring the Chiefs 14-7 on a pair of Melanson baskets, two 2-pointers by Rebecca Ayers, a 3-pointer and a free throw by Whitney Ayers, and a basket by Stamp.

Baskets by Melanson and Whitney Ayers early in the fourth quarter gave O-M a 5-point lead, 33-28. Southern Cayuga stayed close over the next three minutes, and trailed 34-32 before Melanson sank the first of her free throws and a 2-pointer to build the Odessa lead to six points, 38-32, with 2:22 remaining.

SC rallied, pulling to within three points at 39-36 before Melanson converted two more free throws with 35.9 seconds remaining to lift the O-M lead to 41-36.

The Chiefs netted a 2-pointer on a quick feed inside with 28.2 seconds left to pull within three points again, 41-38, but Melanson restored the 5-point edge with two more free throws with 19.7 seconds left.

Southern Cayuga countered with a long, arcing 3-pointer by Felicia Allen from the side with 5 seconds left to cut the O-M lead to 43-41, but had to foul Rebecca Ayers, who sank one of two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining to make it 44-41.

A last-gasp shot by Southern Cayuga fell short of the mark, and the O-M fans stormed the court in celebration.

"We played outstanding defense all night long," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "Michelle held Stephanie Morse (18 points per game) in check, and Katie Ray totally shut down Felicia Allen" -- the Chiefs' second leading scorer, who was averaging about 14 points a game and was the IAC North Small Division MVP. Her only points came on that last 3-pointer.

"Our team defense and rotations were solid," said Gavich, "and that was the big difference in the game. We survived 15-for-57 from the field because of our defense, first and foremost. We were definitely tight early on in that first half, but came out more determined in the second half.

"Michelle was amazing in that fourth quarter.... calm as could be and as clutch as it gets, with two key baskets and hitting all 6 of those free throws. There is no doubt she wanted another shot at the finals in the Arena, and this time wants to remember it!"

Melanson was knocked out in a collision last year in the second quarter against Greene.

"What an atmosphere," said Gavich, referring to Wednesday's packed, and very loud, gym. "We had great crowd support. We definitely have the best fans around! They picked us up when we were struggling and gave us some energy, no doubt about it."

As for the 5 p.m. final on Saturday:

"Tioga in the final," he mused. "Our mantra all season has been 'beat the odds.' No one picked us to win 16 games this year, no one picked us to even be in the final, and certainly no one is picking us to beat Tioga, so it's definitely a position we are familiar with."

Photos in text:

Top: O-M's Michelle Melanson goes up for a shot as SC's Kayla Hildreth defends.

Second: Odessa's Whitney Ayers encounters Southern Cayuga's Hillary Chidsey on a drive to the basket. Chidsey was whistled for a foul.

Third: The Indians' Katie Ray defends as Southern Cayuga moves the ball upcourt. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Fourth: Odessa fans celebrate on the court after time expired. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Bottom: The Indians' Allison Stamp shoots a free throw.

O-M's Rebecca Ayers takes aim on a free throw.

Left: O-M's Allison Stamp goes high to intercept an SC pass late in the game. Right: O-M fans were out in force, and in great voice.

More photos can be found here.

A loose ball eludes Watkins' Chelsea Lehman as she hits the floor. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Glen girls fall to Oneonta

Lose 55-28 in Section IV, Class B semifinal

ONEONTA, March 3 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team's season ended Tuesday night when the No. 4-seeded Senecas lost to top-seeded Oneonta 55-28 in a Section IV, Class B tourney semifinal in the Oneonta gym.

The Senecas fell behind early and never seriously challenged. The score after one period was 15-5, and it was 22-9 at halftime. Oneonta extended its lead to 19 points (38-19) through three quarters, and then outscored Watkins 17-9 down the stretch.

Watkins Glen (15-5) was led in scoring by Taylor Chaffee's 10 points. Other scoring came from Marissa Pike (8), Jessica Stansfield (4), and Sarah Bond, Kirsten Burge and Chelsea Lehman (2 apiece).

The Senecas were 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, and sank three 3-pointers -- two by Pike and one by Chaffee.

Chaffee led the squad in rebounds with 11, while Pike grabbed 4.

Sienna Wisse led Oneonta (16-2) with 18 points, while Erin Wolstenholme scored 12 and Val Ridgway 10. The team converted 7 of 11 free throws, and sank four 3-pointers -- two each by Wisse and Wolstenholme.

"They are very good," Watkins Glen Coach Michelle Simiele said about Oneonta. "They're not 30 points better than us, but they're good. And they're big."

Oneonta, she said, has "an active zone" unlike any the Senecas had seen. "We struggled shooting, but part of that was because of their defense."

Her team, she added, "played good defense, too, but Oneonta kept knocking down its shots. Still, we managed to hang around" until the Yellowjackets pulled away late in the third period.

"We didn't have a great game," Simiele said, "but we had a great season. I told the girls they need to be proud of what they did this year. And we can build on that next year."

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee grabs a rebound in traffic.

Bottom: The Senecas' Marissa Pike, left, goes up for a shot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman attempts a shot. Right: The Senecas' Jessica Stansfield sends a shot on its way. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins' Kirsten Burge tries to shoot in traffic. Right: The Senecas' Taylor Chaffee makes a move to the hoop. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Angela Keough drives toward the basket. Right: The Senecas' Haley Tuttle looks toward the basket. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Warren earns Patriot League honor

Special to The Odessa File

LEWISBURG, March 1 -- Bucknell University senior Courtney Warren, a 2006 graduate of Watkins Glen High School, has been named the Patriot League Swimming and Diving Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced Monday.

Warren -- who recently won the Patriot League Championships Backstroke title with a school-record time of 54.55 -- is the first Bucknell woman named the league's top Scholar-Athlete since 2005. A four-time All-Patriot League swim selection, she was a First Team All-League choice for the second time in her career this year.

The only member of her swim team to win a Patriot League title over the past four years, Warren also captured the 100 Backstroke title in 2008.

This past weekend, she became the first swimmer in Bison history to win two individual titles at the ECAC Championships when she claimed the 100 Back for the second straight year. Last season she became just the third Bucknell swimmer to ever finish first at the ECACs.

A mathematics major with a minor in biology, Warren has a cumulative 3.32 grade-point average. She also volunteers time at an animal shelter, with a wildlife rescue organization, at a community kitchen and at a retirement home. She has taught swimming for two years.

Hockey champs

We received the photo above and the following note from Michelle Clark, whose son Ryan is shown on the far left of the back row. "Ryan and his hockey team won their Pee Wee Snowbelt Hockey Tournament and Division this past weekend in Skaneateles. Pee Wee hockey is for children 11-12 years old. Ryan is a defenseman for the Elmira Jackals Youth Hockey team and is a 5th grader at the Watkins Glen Middle School. His team skates against other teams within New York State and travels from Binghamton to Pulaski during the season. With 11 teams in the division this season, their record was 21-1-3. This is the first time since 1998 that an Elmira Pee Wee Team has brought the trophy and banner back to the First Arena -- which is the year that most of the players on this team were born."

The Watkins Glen cheerleaders pose after Saturday's competition. (Photo by Jackie Bubb)

WG Cheerleaders win Class C and choreography

The Watkins Glen varsity cheerleading squad earned the Class C title and won the overall Best Choreography award Saturday at the open CNY State Cheerleading Championships at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The team, competing in a small Class C field, took the Choreography honor over all 27 of the event's participating teams. This was the final competition of the year for the 19-member Watkins Glen squad. Said Coach Marcy Estey: "I couldn't be prouder of this group of girls. They worked tremendously hard and it finally paid off."

O-M's Rebecca Ayers, left, and Whitney Ayers, right, battle Sidney's Lydnsay Delello for possession of the ball.

O-M advances to semifinal

Tops Sidney 55-47; Melanson scores 18

More photos can be found here.

ODESSA, Feb. 28 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team -- led by Michelle Melanson's 18 points -- defeated Sidney 55-47 Saturday afternoon to advance to the semifinals of the Section IV, Class C tournament.

The No. 6-seeded Indians (15-5) will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Southern Cayuga. The No. 2-seeded SC (14-4) defeated No. 10 Newfield 64-60 Saturday night.

Sidney, the No. 14 seed, ends its season 10-9.

Odessa trailed only once, at 2-0, before running off 10 straight points and building a 16-8 lead at the end of the first period. Sidney rallied to pull within a point at 17-16 and was behind by just three points with 2:09 remaining in the half.

But a 3-pointer by Rebecca Ayers, a 2-pointer by Melanson, two free-throws by Ayers on a technical, and a basket by Allison Stamp gave the Indians a 9-point lead at intermission. Sidney got no closer than 8 points after that.

Scoring in double figures along with Melanson were Whitney Ayers (11 points) and Rebecca Ayers (10). Other points came from Stamp (8, with 8 rebounds), Jessica Rhodes (2), Katie Ray (2, with 5 assists) and Taylor Carey (2). Stephanie Collins grabbed 7 rebounds.

"Katie Ray did a phenomenal job defensively on Danielle Gravel," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, noting that Sidney's Gravel "averages 16 points a game and had 40 one night. Katie really frustrated her all night.

"Defensively," he added, "I felt we were outstanding for 3 1/2 quarters, then gave up some cheap ones at the end.

"Our postseason experience paid off for us tonight. We did a good job taking a very dangerous 14 seed seriously and were ready to play from the opening tip."

Photos in text:

Top: O-M's Allison Stamp, right, reaches for a rebound.

Bottom: The Indians' Katie Ray moves the ball. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Michelle Melanson goes up for a shot. Right: The Indians' Whitney Ayers passes the ball.

More photos can be found here.

Watkins Glen's Marissa Pike (14) takes off upcourt after stealing the ball.

Watkins tops Owego, 46-33

Reaches Class B semifinal; Chaffee nets 21

More photos can be found here.

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 28 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team pulled away from Owego with a 17-0 second-half run Saturday night to post a 46-33 victory in a Section IV, Class B game in the Field House gym.

The No. 4-seeded Senecas -- led by Taylor Chaffee's 21 points and 10 rebounds -- now advance to a semifinal game at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Oneonta High School. Oneonta (15-2 and the No. 1 seed) defeated No. 8 Windsor Saturday night. The other semifinal Tuesday pits No. 2 Chenango Valley against No. 3 Lansing.

"We played well," said Watkins Glen Coach Michelle Simiele. "We had phenomenal defense; that was definitely the difference in the game. Owego tried different things, and we responded well."

She pointed in particular to the defensive effort of Kirsten Burge on Owego's Brittany Rando, who scored a team-high 13 points, but only 2 in the second half. Rando averages 18 points per game.

"But it was everybody, really," said Simiele. "We had ball pressure by (Marissa) Pike and (Angela) Keough, and a nice job shutting their key players down."

Chaffee, in addition to her double-double, registered 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Also scoring in double figures was Pike with 14 points (and a team-high 4 steals, along with 3 assists).

Other points came from Burge (7) and Jessica Stansfield (4). Keough had 4 rebounds and 2 steals, while Chelsea Lehman grabbed 4 rebounds and had 3 assists.

Watkins Glen led 12-9 after one period and 23-19 at halftime. After Owego closed to within two points at 25-23 with 4:43 left in the third period, the Senecas ran away with the game, outscoring the opposition 21-1 -- including the 17-0 run that carried them from a 29-24 advantage to a 46-24 lead with 2:30 to play.

With most of the regulars leaving the game, the Senecas yielded the final 9 points to Owego.

Photos in text:

Top: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee goes up for a shot in traffic. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Middle: The Senecas' Kirsten Burge, foreground, battles an Owego player for a loose ball.

Bottom: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman takes aim before attempting a free throw.

Left: Watkins' Kirsten Burge, left, applies defensive pressure on Owego's Brittany Rando. Right: Owego's Brittany Rando gets her hand on a shot by the Senecas' Brittany Popovich. (Photos by Don Romeo)

More photos can be found here.

Cocola finishes 31st in State

BUFFALO, Feb. 27 -- Watkins Glen High School senior Kyle Cocola placed 31st among a field of 47 divers Friday in the diving competition at the New York State Swimming Championships at Erie College.

Cocola, who was seeded 32nd, totaled 181.60 points on five dives. Friday's competition ended with the top 20 scorers advancing to Saturday's final two rounds. After the first three dives Saturday, the field was to be cut to 16 for the final three dives.

"The caliber of diving is up this year," said Watkins Glen Coach Jason Bond, who traveled to Buffalo with Cocola Thursday morning to prepare for the event. "To put it in perspective, the cutoff last year was 170 points.

"Kyle dove very well; he was real solid in a very competitive field," added Bond. "I'm proud of him. Remember, he's only been diving for two years. It's an incredible feat to rank 31st in the state after just two years. That's 31st in the whole state, all classes included. There were close to 400 divers competing this year in all of the Sectionals."

Cocola was first among Class C divers in the Section IV tournament. Two other divers from that event, Class A's Jermaine Miller and Chris Jack of the Elmira District, were fifth and ninth in the State tournament going into Saturday's final rounds.

"Kyle was disappointed with himself," said Bond, "but I explained to him how far he's come. He's done a great job."

Photo in text: Kyle Cocola (File photo)

O-M girls turn back B-G

Pull away for 52-42 win in Section IV opener

ODESSA, Feb. 25 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team broke a third-quarter deadlock by scoring 17 straight points on the way to a 52-42 victory Wednesday night over Bainbridge-Guilford in an opening-round game of the Section IV, Class C tournament

The contest, in the O-M gym, saw the No. 6 seeded Indians (14-5) squander a 13-point second-quarter lead before going on their 17-0 run to secure the win over the 11th seeded Bobcats (12-7).

The Indians advance now to a second-round game Saturday at home against No. 14 seeded Sidney, an upset 57-53 winner Wednesday over the No. 3 seed, Union Springs. Game time is 3 p.m.

Michelle Melanson's 14 points and Rebecca Ayers' 13 led O-M, which also got scoring from Whitney Ayers (9 points), Allison Stamp (8), Katie Ray (3), Melody Stadelmaier (3) and Stephanie Collins (2). The Ayers twins each had 6 steals.

Bainbridge-Guilford "made a nice run at us there and tied it up 32-32 in the third period," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, "but then I think our experience in the postseason kicked in during that 17-0 run. We got our composure back, made some key shots, forced some turnovers, took care of the basketball, hit our free throws and did the things you need to do to win in the postseason."

The Indians were nearly perfect at the free-throw line, sinking 10 of 11 attempts. Bainbridge-Guilford -- which was led by Shania Vandermark's 14 points and Kimberly Brown's 10 -- converted 6 of 10 free throws.

"I was concerned about their two big girls inside hurting us," said Gavich, "and they did, but we were able to pressure their guards into enough mistakes to offset our poor rebounding."

The two teams battled to an early 6-6 tie before O-M closed the first period with a 13-3 run for a 19-9 advantage. The Indians extended the lead to 22-9 on a Stadelmaier 3-pointer to start the second period, but then saw B-G battle back to within five points at halftime, 29-24.

O-M's Ray hit a 3-pointer to open the third period, but B-G answered with an 8-point run to tie the game 32-32 with 4:05 left in the quarter. After Gavich called a time-out, the Indians made their big run, which wasn't broken until 5:50 remained in the game.

After that, B-G could get no closer than the final 10 points.

Photos in text:

Top: O-M's Michelle Melanson prepares to shoot in traffic.

Middle: Odessa's Allison Stamp wins the tipoff. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Bottom: The Indians' Whitney Ayers, right, battles a B-G player for control of the ball.

Left: O-M's Katie Ray looks for a teammate on an inbounds play. Right: The Indians' Michelle Melanson (14) contends for a rebound secured by B-G's Chelsi Rosa.

Left: The O-M student cheering section was painted for the occasion. Right: Rebecca Ayers drives toward the basket. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Taylor Carey goes up for a shot. Right: The Indians' Allison Stamp follows through on a shot.

Watkins Glen's Stuart Cook moves the ball upcourt. (Photo by Kent Duane)

Watkins boys fall to Forks

Senecas end season with loss in Section IV opener

CHENANGO FORKS, Feb. 24 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team's season ended in the first round of Section IV, Class B tournament play Tuesday night as the Senecas dropped a 63-45 decision to Chenango Forks on the road.

The loss -- largely decided by a 14-5 Chenango Forks advantage in the second quarter -- left the 10th seeded Senecas with a final record of 11-8.

Chenango Forks (the 7th seed, and now 7-11) moves on to face No. 2 seeded Seton Catholic.

Forks had the lead at the end of the first period, 15-12, and then expanded the advantage to 12 points (29-17) by halftime and to 16 points (45-29) through three quarters.

Andrew Malaney led Watkins in scoring with 11 points, while Stuart Cook and Travis Waite each scored 10, Josh Teeter 8, Alec Moore 4 and Clayton Beaumont 2.

Cook led the Senecas in rebounds with 6, and Waite led in assists with 6. The team converted 3 of 6 free-throw attempts.

Patrick Creagh led Chenango Forks with 27 points, while Casey Redfern scored 14. The team sank 12 of 14 free throws.

After the lopsided second quarter, "we got it down to 8 or 9 points in the third period, but that was as close as it got," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary, who summed up the season this way: "Considering all things, to win 11 games wasn't bad."

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Travis Waite. (Photo by Kent Duane)

Watkins' Andrew Malaney prepares to shoot a long-range jumper. (Photo by Kent Duane)

Chenango Forks' Steve Van Kuren heads toward the basket as Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont (11), Brady Myers (14), Josh Teeter (13) and Kyle Beebe (22) defend. (Photo by Kent Duane)

Chaffee is Division MVP; Pike 1st Team

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 22 -- Watkins Glen High School girls basketball standout Taylor Chaffee has been named MVP of the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools South Division in a vote of league coaches.

Chaffee, a sophomore (pictured at right), led her team to a 14-3 regular-season record and the championship of the division. The squad subsequently lost the IAC Large Schools title game to North Division champ Lansing.

Named a Large Schools South Division First Team All-Star was Watkins Glen's Marissa Pike, who consistently scored in double digits for the Senecas. Named to the Second Team were Kirsten Burge and sharpshooter Jordan Myers.

The Senecas open Section IV, Class B tournament play Saturday night, at home against Owego. Game time is 7 p.m.

O-M's Melanson, W. Ayers on 1st Team

ODESSA, Feb. 22 -- Michelle Melanson and Whitney Ayers of the Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball squad have been named IAC Small Schools South Division First Team All-Stars.

Division coaches also named Kara McDuffee of Tioga as the MVP.

Other First Team All-Stars: Kacie Hoyt (Tioga), Taylor Szwec (Candor) and Maria Thannhauser (Newfield).

Earning Second Team status: Rebecca Ayers (O-M), Kendra Wagstaff (Candor), Heidie Warren (Newfield), Marissa Miller (Tioga) and Allie Richter (Tioga).

Warren wins 100 Back, sets school mark

ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 20 -- Bucknell University senior Courtney Warren -- a 2006 Watkins Glen High School graduate -- won the 100 Backstroke at the Patriot League Swimming And Diving Championships Friday in school-record time. It was her second league Backstroke title in three years.

Warren -- who had registered a 54.72 in a preliminary -- posted a 54.55 in the final to easily defeat Colgate's Lia Kunnapas, the runnerup in 56.27. Warren had held the previous school record at 55.02.

She also helped her school's 200 Medley Relay team to a school record Friday (1:43.11) as it finished second to a squad from the host U.S. Naval Academy.

Bucknell was in second place at day's end with one day remaining in the three-day meet. Navy had 592 points, Bucknell 451, and two-time defending champ Colgate 396 in the eight-school field.

Warrens's Backstroke time was more than 2.5 seconds faster than her winning time two years ago, and is the fastest in Patriot League Championships history.

Photo in text: Courtney Warren (File photo)

Flood wins Section IV Racewalk title

The Watkins Glen boys and girls Indoor Track teams competed Friday in the Section IV meet at Cornell. Coach Justin Mucitelli reports on the outcome.

The Watkins Glen Indoor Track Team competed in the Section IV Championships Friday night at Cornell’s Barton Hall. Athletes who finished in first or second place will represent our section at the New York State Indoor Championships on Saturday, March 6th.

Laura Flood (shown at right at the school's recent Color Wars assembly) is the Section IV Champion in the 1500 Meter Racewalk. She took first place overall and will be heading to the state championship meet, to be held at Cornell. She also attended the state tournament last year, her first year of winter track.

She led a field of 11 racewalkers Friday with a time of 8:40.30, defeating her nearest competitor, Alexis VanOsdol of the Elmira District, by 4.46 seconds. Others in the event came from Norwich, Horseheads, Corning, Newfield, Oneonta and Whitney Point..

Eric Mack took third overall in the Long Jump with a leap of 20'9", two-and-a-half inches behind the second-place finisher. Both Flood and Mack were namedSection IV First Team All-Stars.

Amber Swartz set new personal records in the 300 Meter Dash and the 600 Meter Run. She finished 10th place in both events. The 800 Meter Relay team of Amelia Stamp, Katrina Swarthout, Mikaela Suddaby and Swartz finished with their best time of the season. Shane Smith finished 17th overall with a personal best in the 600 Meter Run.

Great season, everyone. Best of luck to our seniors, Joe Daughmer, John Bloodgood
and Eric Mack. A special thank you to Coach Nowlan, Coach Kurcoba and Coach Wood
for their help all season; it was greatly appreciated. A thanks also goes out to Mr. Hogan’s technology class for building us a shot put ring, and to the Watkins Glen Boosters. Good luck, Laura, as we head to the New York State Championships.

Women’s Results

55 METER DASH
Katrina Swarthout -- 29th - 8.99 seconds

1000 METER RUN
Amelia Stamp -- 12th - 3:44.80

1500 METER RACEWALK
Laura Flood -- 1st - 8:40.30

600 METER RUN
Amber Swartz - 10th -1:49.12 - Personal Record

55 METER HURDLES
Mikaela Suddaby -- 17th - 11.47 seconds
Mariah Brisbois -- 21st - 11.72 seconds - Personal Record

1500 METER RUN
Amelia Stamp -- 17th - 5:54.94

300 METER DASH
Amber Swartz -- 10th - 46.42 - Personal Record

800 METER RELAY
Amelia Stamp, Mikaela Suddaby, Katrina Swarthout, Amber Swartz -- 12th - 2:09.66- Season Record

Men's Results

55 METER DASH
Tyler Isaacs -- 24th - 7.49 seconds
Joe Daughmer -- 26th - 7.60 seconds

1000 METER RUN
Alex Rundle -- 19th - 3:19.10

600 METER RUN
Shane Smith -- 17th - 1:35.69 - Personal Record

1600 METER RUN
Larry Morris -- 36th - 6:13.58

300 METER RUN
Tyler Isaacs -- 20th - 41.74 seconds
Joe Daughmer -- 25th - 43.39 seconds

LONG JUMP
Eric Mack -- 3rd - 20' 09"

SHOT PUT
Billy Brennan -- 19th - 33' 03"
Chris Gill -- 25th - 31'00"

--Justin Mucitelli

Check out the features below

Baseball essay: Out of the Mist of Lore

Ray Dandridge is in the Baseball Hall of Fame -- one of its more obscure members. Herewith a look at the man. Lore.

A childhood hero

Bubba Phillips was a journeyman major league baseball player in the 1950s and 1960s -- not normally the stuff of hero worship. But he was hero to the writer of this story -- and friend. Bubba.

A night of beauty

This is a story about an unusual -- and quite beautiful -- visit to Cooperstown in the dead of winter. It's titled "Holy Night." Holy.

A childhood tale: "Damn Yankees"

Here's a little writing exercise about a childhood sports memory -- the day the Little League team for which I pitched, the Tigers, lost to the hated Yankees. Yankees.

'The Glory Girls' books are still available

For those who missed out three years ago, there are still a limited number of hardcover books available chronicling the historic run of the O-M girls basketball team to the 2000-01 state Class D title. For details, see Business.

And for a look at one of the key chapters in the book, focusing on the team's standout player, Stefanie Collins (shown at left during a game in her freshman year at St. Bonaventure), see Collins.