The Odessa The File: Sports of Schuyler County

Left: Watkins Glen's Kayli Westervelt, left, fights for the ball. Right: The Senecas' Halle Phillips tries to move past an NV defender. (Photos by Don Romeo)

NEWARK VALLEY, Feb. 4 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team got scoring from all eight of its players Friday night as it rolled past Newark Valley 74-24 and clinched a tie for the Interscholastic Athltic Conference Large Schools South Division title.

The victory lifted the Senecas' overall mark to 13-2 and its league record to 13-0 heading into the final two regular-season games -- at home Tuesday against Notre Dame (which lost to Waverly and trails Watkins Glen by two games) and Thursday at Odessa-Montour.

One win will give Watkins the division title. But Coach Chris Clark said it needs to win both games to secure the Number 2 seed in the Section IV, Class C tournament, and with it homecourt advantage through the playoffs. Lansing has secured the Number 1 seed, he said.

Taylor Chaffee led the Watkins points parade Friday, scoring 17 while grabbing 6 rebounds and registering 3 assists, 3 blocks and a steal.

Chelsea Lehman scored 15 points and had 7 steals and 6 assists, while Kayli Westervelt had 14 points, 9 rebounds, an assist and a block.

Victoria Goehner scored 9 points and notched 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal, while Haley Tuttle scored 7 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and had an assist, a steal and a block.

Madison Gates registered 6 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and had 2 assists and 2 steals. Angela Keough scored 3 points and had 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal, while Halle Phillips -- called up from the JV squad -- scored 3 points, grabbed a rebound and blocked a shot.

The team was 14-for-27 from the foul line, while winless Newark Valley was 5-for-10.

Watkins Glen raced out to a 26-4 first-quarter advantage and led 46-13 at halftime. The score was 60-19 after three periods.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Newark Valley, overcoming a 7-point deficit with three minutes to play to win 38-36. Amanda Cherock and Amanda Pike led the Senecas with 12 points each, while Corey Flahive scored 8.

Top: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee is surrounded by Newark Valley players as she drives toward the basket.

Left: Watkins' Chelsea Lehman encounters an obstacle. Center: In the JV game, Amanda Cherock shoots. Right: Victoria Goehner, right, battles for the ball. (Photos by Don Romeo)

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A 100th Birthday Celebration

Family and friends turned out in force on April 16 at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen to help renowned engineer, auto racer and race official Bill Milliken (left) celebrate his 100th birthday. For a story, click here.

Left: Watkins Glen's Colin Gates drives to the basket. Right: The Senecas' Brandon Westervelt shoots in traffic.

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 4 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team pulled away from a stubborn Newark Valley squad in the second half Friday night, posting a 65-47 victory in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The Senecas got double-digit scoring from three players, led by Clayton Beaumont's 18 points. Brady Myers added 11, and Josh Teeter 10.

Other points came from Tony Keough (6), Colin Gates (5), Chris Duane (5), Brandon Westervelt (4), Jesse Teeter (4), and Alec Moore (2). The team was 11-for-16 from the free-throw line.

Newark Valley was led by Dan Graves, who scored 15 points. The Cardinals converted 7 of 12 free-throw attempts.

Watkins Glen took command early, building a 19-12 lead through the first period and a 23-12 advantage early in the second quarter. But NV battled back, pulling to within four points at halftime, 31-27.

The Cardinals closed to within three points at 33-30 before Watkins Glen closed the third period on a 13-6 run for a 10-point lead, 46-36, entering the final quarter. They increased the lead to 16 points with five minutes remaining, and had a 20-point cushion at one point, finishing 18 ahead.

Even so, Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary wasn't entirely happy with the way his team had played. "We gave up too many layups," he said. "Most of Newark Valley's points were.easy ones inside."

Moore led the Senecas in rebounds with 5, while Josh Teeter grabbed 4 and Beaumont had 3. Jesse Teeter led in assists with 7, while Moore and Beaumont had two steals each.

The Senecas return to action Tuesday at Notre Dame, which trails Waverly by a game in the race for the IAC Large Schools South title. Watkins Glen is another game back with just two to play.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 12-3 with a 51-36 victory over Newark Valley. Joe Palumbo led the Senecas with 16 points, while Adam Tuttle scored 11 and Keith Rekczis 10.

Top: Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont drives to the hoop. He scored 18 points.

Left: Watkins Glen's Alec Moore (40) goes high for the tipoff. Center: The Senecas' Josh Teeter shoots. Right: Watkins Glen's Chris Duane shoots over a Newark Valley player.

Left: Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter prepares to shoot. Right: The Senecas' Clayton Beaumont saves a ball from going out of bounds.

NEWFIELD, Feb. 3 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team led at halftime before falling 60-46 to Newfield Thursday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Newfield gym.

Taylor Carey scored a career-high 27 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and had 7 steals and 3 assists as the Indians played a much stronger game than the last time the two teams met.

"Considering we lost 64-29 at home to these guys," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, "we put up a great effort tonight and had them on the ropes in the first half. They got hot in the third period, but as we have all season, we played hard for all 32 minutes and were much more competitive."

O-M also got scoring from Morgan Stermer (9 points), Brittany VanAmburg (6), and Kirsta Rhodes (4).

O-M was down 16-12 after one period, led 25-22 at the half, but then fell behind 47-34 in the third quarter as Newfield poured in 25 points.

ODESSA, Feb. 3 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- with three different players scoring 19 or more points -- improved its season mark to 9-6 Thursday night by defeating Newfield 73-55 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Matt Kautz and Tom Peckham scored 21 points each and Morgan Shutter added 19 as the Indians improved their division mark to 7-2. Other points came from Ryan Gardner (5), Matt Bleiler (2), Brandon Evans (2), Dakota Simpson (2), and Luke Brown (1).

The 73 points marked O-M's highest point total of the season. The Indians had previously scored 59 points twice and 58 once.

Newfield raced in front 7-0, but O-M caught up at 9-9. The Trojans pulled in front again, leading 15-13 at the end of the first period and 29-26 at halftime, but Odessa scored 25 points in the third period to open a 51-44 lead, expanded it to 20 points in the fourth period, 68-48, and cruised from there.

Corey Hayes led Newfield with 17 points, while Colin Miller scored 16. The Trojans were 14-for-20 from the foul line, while O-M was 21-for-28. Matt Kautz took half of the O-M foul shots, converting 10 of them.

The Indians return to action Tuesday at Tioga, and close the regular season Friday, Feb. 10 at Watkins Glen.

Senior Night: O-M seniors honored in a pregame ceremony included Phil Smith, Ruben Weisser, Matt Kautz, Luke Brown, Brandon Evans and Kyle Bailey.

Junior Varsity: Newfield defeated O-M 58-31. Cody Daugherty led Odessa with 13 points, while Tanner Dupuy scored 11.

Top: O-M's Morgan Shutter prepares to shoot. He scored 19 points, 17 of them in the second half.

Bottom: The Indians' Tom Peckham puts up a shot. He finished with 21 points.

Left: O-M's Luke Brown maneuvers around a Newfield player. Right: Odessa's Matt Kautz reaches with his left hand in a futile attempt to steal the ball.

Watkins Glen's Dustin Cummings, right, on the way to victory over Cody Burnham at 132. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Feb. 2 -- The Watkins Glen varsity wrestling team -- aided by six forfeit victories -- defeated Odessa-Montour 57-27 Wednesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the WGHS Field House.

With the victory, the Senecas retained the leather-and-metal Schuyler County Wrestling Champions belt that goes each year to the winning team of this intracounty rivalry. Watkins has won it in four of the five years since it was first introduced.

Watkins Glen built a 33-0 lead on the strength of the first five forfeits -- at 145, 160, 170, 182 and 195 pounds -- and on a 6-5 victory at 152 pounds by Steve Padgett, who defeated Jeremy Zoeke at the buzzer on an escape. The Senecas later added another forfeit, at 138 pounds.

Other Watkins victories were posted by Matt Woodworth, who pinned Tyler Dupuy in 5:02 at 106 pounds; Tim Carnes, who pinned Josh Smith in :56 at 120 pounds; and Dustin Cummings, who pinned Cody Burnham in 3:53 at 132 pounds.

O-M, meanwhile, got forfeit wins at 126 and 220, and competitive wins at three weights. Billy Bacon pinned John Brown in 5:13 after trailing 4-1 at 113 pounds; Mike Hoffman pinned Ryan Campbell at 285 pounds in 3:25 after trailing 7-0; and Joe Rorick edged Brandon Gould in a rematch of Saturday's IAC Tournament 99-pound title bout

Where Rorick had dominated in a 7-1 win at the IACs, Gould took the initiative this time, building 2-0 and 4-2 leads. Rorick tied him in the third period, but Gould moved ahead by a point on an escape with mere seconds remaining. However, Rorick pulled off a takedown maneuver at the buzzer to claim the victory, 6-5.

99 -- Joe Rorick (OM) def. Brandon Gould 6-5
106--Matt Woodworth (WG) pinned Tyler Dupuy in 5:12
113--Billy Bacon (OM) pinned John Brown in 5:13
120--Tim Carnes (WG) pinned Josh Smith in :56
126--Mike Fraboni (OM) by forfeit
132--Dustin Cummings (WG) pinned Cody Burnham in 3:53
138--John Wasson (WG) by forfeit
145--Nick Cocola (WG) by forfeit
152--Steve Padgett (WG) defeated Jeremy Zoeke 6-5
160--Branden Palmer (WG) by forfeit
170--Adam Hughey (WG) by forfeit
182--Dustin Goltry (WG) by forfeit
195--Ethan Dean (WG) by forfeit
220--Joe Wright (OM) by forfeit
285--Mike Hoffman (OM) pinned Ryan Campbell in 3:26

Note: It was Senior Night for the Watkins Glen wrestlers, with seniors Dustin Cummings, Adam Hughey, Steve Padgett, Ethan Dean and Ryan Campbell honored in a ceremony before the evening's first bout.

From top: The 106-pound bout between O-M's Tyler Dupuy (front) and Matt Woodworth (won by Woodworth on a pin); the 99-pound bout between Joe Rorick (left) and Brandon Gould (won by Rorick, 6-5), and the 152-pound match between Steve Padgett and Jeremy Zoeke (won by Padgett, 6-5). (Photos by Don Romeo)

The Watkins Glen wrestling squad seniors were honored in a pre-match ceremony. From left: Steve Padgett, Ethan Dean, Coach Nils Watson, Dustin Cummings, Ryan Campbell and Adam Hughey. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Watkins Glen's Braedan Fitch on the way to victory in the 500 Free. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

ODESSA, Feb. 1 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team topped Odessa-Montour Tuesday for the second time this season, posting a 37-19 Interscholastic Athletic Conference victory in the O-M pool.

Watkins Glen got victories in all but two races, with Braedan Fitch winning the 200 IM and 500 Free, Chris Gill capturing the 200 Free, Mike Olmstead taking the 50 Free, and Zach Butler winning the 100 Breaststroke. The Senecas also won the three relays -- with Fitch and Gill on two of them.

"The boys are swimming well," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin. "They tried different events, and all swam very hard."

O-M got wins from Matt Chapman in the 100 Back and Chris Husted in the 100 Free. Husted also finished first in the 50 Free but was disqualified on an illegal start. Joe Raymond swam the 100 Back in a personal best of 1:27.87, and Shane Smith posted a personal best of 35.53 in the 50 Free.

200 Medley Relay -- WG DeBolt, Mangus, Fitch, Butler - 2:14.69
200 Free -- WG Chris Gill - 2:04.24
200 IM -- WG Braedan Fitch - 2:35.27 (exhibition)
50 Free -- WG Mike Olmstead - 25.40
100 Fly -- no entries
100 Free -- OM Chris Husted - 54.09
500 Free -- WG Braedan Fitch - 5:58.42
200 Free Relay -- WG Gill, Olmstead, Richtmyer, Doppel 2:01.43 (exhibition)
100 Back -- OM Matt Chapman 1:22.41
100 Breast -- WG Zach Butler - 1:46.15
400 Free Relay -- WG Fitch, Doppel, Olmstead, Gill - 4:02.14

Photo in text: O-M's Matt Chapman en route to victory in the 100 Back. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

Watkins Glen's Chris Gill, left, and O-M's Joe Raymond dive at start of the 200 Free. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

BRADFORD, Feb. 1 -- Ryan Gardner sank two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining Tuesday night to lift the Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team to a 50-49 victory over Bradford in a non-league game in the Bradford gym.

Gardner finished with 8 points. The Indians were led by Matt Kautz's 21 points, while Morgan Shutter scored 12.

Junior Varsity: O-M, down by 20 points in the second period, rallied to defeat Bradford 42-40. Tanner Dupuy, who scored 27 points, sank two free throws with nine-tenths of a second remaining to provide the winning margin.

Left: O-M's Brittany VanAmburg moves past an S-VE player. Right: The Indians' Morgan Stermer goes up for a shot. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

ODESSA, Feb. 1 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team fell behind early and never dug out of the hole Tuesday night as it dropped a 45-39 decision to Spencer-Van Etten in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Taylor Carey led Odessa with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Morgan Stermer added 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Other points came from Denna Page (5), Brittany VanAmburg (4), and Kirsta Rhodes (2).

The Indians fell behind 17-6 in the first period, and trailed 26-16 at halftime. The deficit was 12 points, 36-24, entering the final period.

"Luck was not on our side tonight," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "Once again we couldn't buy a shot (going 14-for-71). We played hard once again, as we have all season long. We just don't have enough scoring punch at times."

Photo at right: O-M's Taylor Carey, right, and S-VE's Brittany Blakeman reach high for the tipoff at the beginning of the game. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

From left: O-M's Erin Terry, Denna Page and Danielle Shortt (Photos by Mike Stamp)

WAVERLY, Feb. 1 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team posted a 4-0 victory Tuesday over Tioga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at the Waverly Bowling Center, while the Watkins boys fell 4-0.

"Overall, I don't think we bowled as well as we would have liked, so we are looking forward to going back there on Saturday for the IAC championships," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. Those championships will be held at the same locale, starting at 1 p.m.

Sarah Wickham led the Glen girls with a 470 series, while Mikaela Suddaby posted a 468 and Erin Bond a 430. The Senecas outpointed the Tigers 2163-1817.

The Watkins boys squad lost 2988-2299. The Senecas were led by Chris Flood's 541 (including a 214), and Joe Roth's 473.

ODESSA, Feb. 1 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams went down to defeat at the hands of powerhouse Waverly Tuesday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The Odessa boys fell 3280-2107 as Waverly's Fred Miller rolled a 726 series and three other Wolverines topped 600. O-M was led by Aaron Fisher's 484.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 19 -- The following are the results of Week 5 of the Watkins Glen Youth Basketball program, held in the Watkins Glen High School Field House gym.

House of Hong: Aidan DiGregorio 18, Tanner Dunham 6, Tim Clifford 2
Mr. Chicken: Cameron Holland 6, Nambdi DeSarno 4, Duncan Weber 2, Abby Congdon 2

Famous Brands 32, Sporting Goods 28

Famous Brands: Isaac McIlroy 28, Eric Morrissett 2, Makenzie Teed 2
Sporting Goods: Bryce Kelly 12, Brandon Beaumont 8, Natalie Edminister 6, Devon Roth 2

Central Asphalt 24, Savard's 22

Central Asphalt: Max Evans 16, Owen Buckley 8
Savard's: Brendan Sheesley 10, Jared Detrick 8, Matt Irwin 4

Standings
Famous Brands 5-0
Central Asphalt 4-1
Sporting Goods 3-2
Savard’s 2-3
House of Hong 1-4
Mr. Chicken 0-5

Capt. Bill's: Joe Chedzoy 20, Makenna Fraboni 8, Kathryn Losey 4, Mariah Gonzalez 2, Grace Wickham 2, Kody Phelps 1
Learn Motors: Danielle Leszyk 6, Matthew Herold 4, Alex Schimizzi 2

VanSkiver Motors: M. Clara Chedzoy 11, Josh Updyke 8, Jackson Dunham 4, and Dustin Bellinger 2
Glen Theater: Calvin Buckley 8, Dayne Hughey 4, Julia Reilly 4, Regan Scholtisek 2

Church St. Produce 29, Seneca Lodge 12

Church St. Produce: Tyler Couch 14, Walker Richtmyer 7, Hanley Elliott 4, Avery Watson 2, Abigail Donelson 2
Seneca Lodge: Ashley Smith 6, Patrick Bannon 4, Kelsey Phelps 2

Standings
Capt. Bills 4-1
VanSkiver Motors 4-1
Learn Motors 3-2
Church St Produce 3-2
Glen Theater 1-4
Seneca Lodge 0-5

(The following was sent to The Odessa File by David Waite, Watkins Glen Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Director.)

We have once again completed our local hoop shoot contest for the annual Elks Hoop Shoot sponsored by the WG Elks Lodge. Students from the Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour School Districts competed after placing in the preliminary hoop shoots at their schools.

The following kids placed in their respective age categories: 8-9 yr. old girls: 1st - Kelsey Kernan (WG) 10 of 25, 2nd - Adrienna Solomon (WG), 3rd - Hannah Chapman (OM). 10-11 yr. old girls: 1st - Gillian Clark (OM) 15 of 25, 2nd - Emmie Bond (WG), 3rd - Ryanna Lamoreaux (WG). 12-13 yr. old girls: 1st - Amanda Pike (WG) 19 of 25 (won after a shootout with Allison Teed), 2nd - Allison Teed (WG), 3rd - Maggie Bond (WG). 8-9 yr. old boys: 1st - Mitchell Pike (WG) 20 of 25, 2nd - Isaac McIlroy (WG), 3rd - Tim Clifford (WG). 10-11 yr. old boys: 1st - Daniel Paradiso (WG) 16 of 25, 2nd - Seth Denmark (OM) after a double tie breaker with Jackson Dunham, 3rd - Jackson Dunham (WG). 12-13 yr. old boys: 1st - Jake Carocci (WG) 23 of 25, 2nd - Tyler Clark (OM), 3rd - Joel Kelly (OM).

All age-group winners went on to compete at the District level Hoop Shoot held in Penn Yan on Saturday, Jan. 28. There are over 1 million kids who compete annually in the Elks Hoop Shoot contest. Our local winners go on to compete in District contests, with subsequent winners going on to State, Regional and then the National contest held in Sprinfield, Mass., to determine a National Champion in each age category.

The WG Elks Lodge would like to thank the WG and OM school districts for their continued support and assistance with the Hoop Shoot. We would also like to congratulate all the competitors on their success.

David Waite
WG Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Director

Photo in text: From left: Gillian Clark, Daniel Paradiso, David Waite, Kelsey Kernan, Jake Carocci, Mitchell Pike, and Amanda Pike.(Photo provided)

PENN YAN, Jan. 30 -- Watkins Glen School District students Jacob Carocci and Amanda Pike took first place in their age division over the weekend in the Elks District Hoop Shoot Contest. Each qualified for state-level competition, the next step in the nationwide competition.

The following finishes were posted in Penn Yan by boys and girls who had earlier won at the local level in Watkins Glen:

Mitchell Pike -- Boys 8/9 -- 3rd place -- sank 16/25 free throws
Kelsey Kernan -- Girls 8/9 -- 4th place -- sank 12/25 free throws (2/5 in tie breaker)
Dan Paradiso -- Boys 10/11 -- 3rd place -- sank 14/25 free throws
Gillian Clark -- Girls 10/11 -- 2nd place -- sank 14/25 free throws (3/5 and 4/5 in tie breakers)
Jacob Carocci -- Boys 12/13 -- 1st place -- sank 20/25 free throws
Amanda Pike -- Girls 12/13 -- 1st place -- sank 23/25 free throws (5/5 in tie breaker)

According to a report from the competition: "The Pike-Sydney Bloom (Penn Yan) was a bell ringer. Bloom drew the one spot and Pike was number 3. Bloom made two, missed one, and then made 7 for 9/10. Pike missed her first shot and then made the next nine. Tied after frame 1. Bloom missed her first shot and sank the next 14 to finish at 23. Pike made her first 7, missed the eighth and then made the last 7 to tie. Bloom made her first four in overtime with nothing but net. The fifth shot rolled around the rim and dropped out. Pike then calmly made all five shots to finish the action. The girl had ice in her veins. Great show for the audience!"

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 30 -- Watkins Glen runner Matt Gill and Odessa-Montour wrestler Joe Rorick are this week's Odessa File Athletes of the Week.

Gill broke his own school record in the 1600 Meter Run at the Hurley-Quinney Invitational Indoor Track Meet at Cornell University. He posted a time of 4:47.89, bettering the mark of 4:49.05 he set earlier in the month.

Rorick followed up his 99-pound victory in the O-M Duals by winning the league title in that weight class at the IAC Wrestling Championships held at the Watkins Glen High School Field House.

Double Honorable: Watkins Glen basketball players Taylor Chaffee, Haley Tuttle, Angela Keough, Chelsea Lehman and Jessica Stansfield; Watkins Glen wrestlers Adam Hughey and Brandon Gould; and O-M basketball player Morgan Shutter.

ITHACA, Jan. 29 -- Watkins Glen High School sophomore Matt Gill set a new school record Saturday in the 1600 Meter Run at the Hurley-Quinney Invitational Indoor Track Meet at Cornell University.

Gill broke his own school mark, placing 10th overall in the race while posting at 4:47.89. His old mark, set earlier this month, was 4:49.05. Teammate Josh Langley set a personal best of 5:04.04 Saturday.

Girls: Amelia Stamp ran a 6:20 in the 1500, while Courtney Waite registered a 2:03.65 in the 600, and Mariah Brisbois threw 21'08" in the Shot Put.

Boys: Brady Bond threw 34'08" and Bryson Clarkson threw 24'11" in the Shot; the Distance Medley Relay team of Larry Morris Rob Rondinaro, Ryan Rondinaro and John Fausold posted a 13:25.29; Gill ran 1:31.33 in the 600; Brennon DeMerrit ran 8.24 in the 55, Fausold ran 3:02.66 in the 1000, and Rob Rondinaro posted a 12:25.52 in the 3200.

O-M's Joe Rorick struggles as he and Watkins Glen's Brandon Gould tumble out of bounds in the 99-pound title match.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 29 -- Tioga won the team title Saturday at the annual Interscholastic Athletic Conference Wrestling Championships, nosing out Newark Valley 205-202. The event was held in the Watkins Glen High School Field House.

Odessa-Montour's Joe Rorick defeated Watkins Glen's Brandon Gould 7-1 in the final of the 99-pound competition to claim the only title by a Schuyler County wrestler. Watkins' Adam Hughey came close at 170, dropping a 3-2 decision in the final to Waverly's Ryan Wolcott.

Watkins Glen placed 8th among the 16 schools competing, garnering 93 points. Odessa-Montour was 13th with 48.50 points.

The complete order of finish was Tioga (205), Newark Valley (202), Whitney Point (148), Waverly (135), Lansing (120), Marathon (106.50), Spencer-Van Etten (106), Watkins Glen (93), Candor (69), Dryden (57), Southern Cayuga (56), Moravia (51), O-M (48.50), Elmira Heights (47), Groton (45), and Trumansburg (31).

In addition to Rorick's title and the second-place finishes of Gould and Hughey, Schuyler had the following wrestlers in the top 6: Billy Bacon (O-M, 4th at 113); John Brown (WG, 6th at 113); Dustin Cummings (WG, 3rd at 132); John Wasson (WG, 5th at 138); Nick Cocola (WG, 3rd at 145); Joe Wright (O-M, 6th at 220); and Mike Hoffman (O-M, 6th at 285).

99 -- Joe Rorick, O-M
106 -- Lucas Malmberg, Marathon
113 -- William Koll, Lansing
120 -- Casey Tiffany, Spencer-Van Etten
126 -- Corey Dake, Lansing (His 4th IAC title)
132 -- Connor Lapresi, Lansing
138 -- Trevor Hoffmier, Newark Valley
145 -- Jordan Torbitt, Whitney Point
152 -- Jordan Kalpokas, Newark Valley
160 -- Nick Mathews, Whitney Point
170 -- Ryan Wolcott, Waverly
182 -- Brad Jump, Tioga
195 -- Travis Phillips, Newark Valley
220 -- Nick Talcott, Tioga
285 -- Tyler Hallett, Candor

Top: O-M's Mike Hoffman, left, battles Tioga's Zach Kelsey at 285 pounds. Kelsey won, and finished the tourney in 4th place. Hoffman placed 6th.

Bottom: Watkins Glen's John Wasson, top, on the way to a 5th place finish at 138. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Nick Cocola is in control of a bout at 145. He placed third. Right: Watkins Glen's Branden Palmer, top, battles at 160 pounds. (Both photos by Don Romeo)

Watkins Glen's Adam Hughey, left, battles Waverly's Ryan Wolcott early in their 170-pound title bout. Wolcott won 3-2.

Left: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman goes up for a shot. Right: The Senecas' Angela Keough shoots. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 28 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team defeated Waverly by 20 points the first time the two teams played, and the Senecas did it again Friday night, outscoring the Wolverines 55-35 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Taylor Chaffee led the Seneca scorers with 21 points, while Haley Tuttle registered 9 points (all in the first half), and Angela Keough, Chelsea Lehman and Jessica Stansfield 8 apiece.

"This was the best we played all year," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We took care of the ball and passed it well."

The contest, he added, was important because it keeps Watkins ahead of Notre Dame by a game in the chase for the IAC Large School South Division title with three regular-season games remaining.

ND has a difficult finishing schedule, at Waverly, at Watkins Glen, and home against always tough Newfield. Watkins Glen is at Newark Valley next Friday, home against ND and at Odessa-Montour.

The first time Watkins met Waverly, the Wolverines were without standout Sabrina Bowman. With her in the lineup Friday night, "we made a lot of adjustments," said Clark. While Bowman scored 19 of Waverly's points, Stansfield and Tuttle effectively shut down the Wolverines' big girls inside, Reylyn Schwartzhoff and Victoria Cron.

Stansfield and Tuttle "both did what we needed," said Clark. "They played a great game."

Chaffee led the Senecas in rebounds with 11, but she had plenty of help on the boards. Tuttle grabbed 10 rebounds, while Lehman had 6, Stansfield 5, Keough 4, and Madison Gates 2.

Keough led Watkins in assists with 6, while Lehman had 4 and Stansfield 3. Keough and Lehman had 3 steals apiece, and Tuttle 2. Chaffee and Tuttle each blocked a shot.

Watkins Glen raced out to an 18-13 first-quarter lead, and extended the advantage to 10 points at halftime, 31-21. The Senecas outscored the Wolverines 15-7 in the third period, and 9-7 down the stretch.

Junior Varsity: Waverly defeated Watkins Glen 55-32. The Senecas (10-4) were led by Amanda Pike's 10 points.

Bottom: The Senecas' Haley Tuttle unleashes a shot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: The Senecas' Jessica Stansfield sends a shot on its way. Right: In the JV game, Amanda Cherock shoots. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WAVERLY, Jan. 28 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team rallied from a 12-2 deficit to take a brief second-half lead Friday night before falling to Waverly 56-35 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Waverly gym.

The loss dropped the Senecas' season mark to 10-4 heading into a home contest next Friday against Newark Valley. Waverly, ranked 11th among Class B schools in New York State, is now 13-1.

The Senecas climbed back from the early 10-point deficit to close to within a point at halftime, 26-25, and took the lead with the first basket of the second half. But then, said Watkins Glen coach John Fazzary, "we made a couple of mental mistakes, made some poor shot selections, let (Waverly's Ryan) Hewitt get loose for a couple of baskets ... It wasn't a pretty second half."

Clayton Beaumont led Watkins Glen with 12 points, while Chris Duane scored 6, Josh Teeter 6, Alec Moore 5, Brady Myers 4, and Jesse Teeter 2. Moore led the team in rebounds with 10.

Neither team did well from the foul line, Watkins converting 3 of 8 attempts, and Waverly sinking 9 of 23.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Waverly 57-31. Keith Rekczis led the Senecas with 18 points, while Joe Palumbo scored 9, Tony Simiele 8, and Justin Duane 8.

ODESSA, Jan. 28 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team scored the game's first basket but never led again Friday night as it dropped a 34-26 decision to Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Taylor Carey led O-M with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Denna Page added 8 points, Morgan Stermer 4, Kirsta Rhodes 2 and Brittany Van Amburg 1.

Odessa shot just 9-for-54 from the field, "and that's not going to beat anybody," said Coach Greg Gavich. "We played excellent defense, but just could not get anything to go in." Candor standout Sierra Szwec, guarded mostly by VanAmburg, was held to 8 points.

Candor led 9-3 after one period, 16-11 at the half, and 27-18 after three periods.

Photo in text: O-M's Kristha Bryan passes the ball to a teammate. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Taylor Carey goes up for a shot. Right: Odessa's Kirsta Rhodes drives to the basket. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

CANDOR, Jan. 28 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- led by Morgan Shutter's 16 points -- defeated Candor 50-37 Friday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Candor gym.

Also scoring in double figures for Odessa was Ryan Gardner with 12 points. Brandon Evans added 8 points, and Tom Peckham 7.

Junior Varsity: Candor defeated O-M 49-47 on a last-second shot. Tanner Dupuy led Odessa with 16 points, while Zach Peoples scored 10.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 19 -- The following are the results of Week 4 of the Watkins Glen Youth Basketball program, held in the Watkins Glen High School Field House gym.

Savard's: Brendan Sheesley 7, Jared Detrick 4
Mr. Chicken: Cameron Holland 3, Duncan Weber 1

Famous Brands: Isaac McIlroy 12, Eric Morrissett 4, Tristen Rockwell 2
House of Hong: Aidan DiGregorio 10, Tanner Dunham 2

Central Asphalt: Max Evans 11, Joseph Whipple 4, Owen Buckley 2, Rebecca Becker 2
Sporting Goods: Natalie Edminister 10, Bryce Kelly 6, Brandon Beaumont 2

Famous Brands 4-0
Sporting Goods 3-1
Central Asphalt 3-1
Savard's 2-2
House of Hong 0-4
Mr. Chicken 0-4

Church St. Produce: Tyler Couch 18, Hanley Elliott 12, Dylan Markley 12, and Walker Richtmyer 2
Glen Theater: Dayne Hughey 12, Julia Reilly 6, Regan Scholtisek 5, Calvin Buckley 5

Learn Motors: Daniel Paradiso 18, Danielle Leszyk 4, Amber Berryamon 2, Dylan Clark 2
Seneca Lodge: Patrick Bannon 6, Chris Ayers 4, Ashley Carren 2, Wrett Brower 1

VanSkiver Motors: M. Clara Chedzoy 10, Josh Updyke 10, Jonathan Lokken 9, Jackson Dunham 6, Kassidy Samuels 2
Capt. Bill's: Joe Chedzoy 16, Makenna Fraboni 6, Grace Wickham 2

Capt. Bill's 3-1
VanSkiver Motors 3-1
Learn Motors 3-1
Church St. Produce 2-2
Glen Theater 1-3
Seneca Lodge 0-4

LANSING, Jan. 27 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling team dropped a 54-18 decision Thursday to Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match in the Lansing gym.

99 -- Joe Rorick (OM) by forfeit
106 -- Greg Lee (L) pinned Tyler Dupuy 1:10
113 -- William Koll (L) pinned Billy Bacon :59
120 -- Peter McTiernan (L) by forfeit
126 -- Cory Dake (L) pinned Mike Fraboni 1:50
132 -- Nick Randall (L) by forfeit
138 -- Brandon Gavitt (L) pinned Dylan Porter :17
145 -- Conner Lapresti (L) pinned Matt Smith
152 -- No Match
160 -- Jeremy Zoeke (OM) by forfeit
170 -- No Match
182 -- No Match
195 -- Cody Little (L) by forfeit
220 -- Dakota White (L) pinned Joe Wright :31
285 -- Mike Hoffman (OM) by forfeit

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 24 -- Student-athletes from 16 schools will compete Saturday, Jan. 28 in the annual Interscholastic Athletic Conference Wrestling Tournament at the Watkins Glen High School Field House.

Weigh-ins will begin at 7:30 a.m., with matches to begin at about 9:30. It is hoped that the finals will begin no later than 7 p.m. Admission price is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. An entry ticket is good for all day.

From left: O-M's Taylor Carey and Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee and Angela Keough.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 22 -- This week we honor three basketball players as Odessa File Athletes of the Week.

From Watkins Glen, the honorees are Taylor Chaffee and Angela Keough. Both spearheaded victories over Newfield and Spencer-Van Etten -- Chaffee with 42 points and 20 rebounds in the two games, and Keough with 29 points and all-around sparkling defense.

At Odessa-Montour, Taylor Carey earns the nod despite two losses by her team. In those two contests, she scored 34 points and grabbed 29 rebounds.

Double Honorable: Josh Teeter, who helped spark the Watkins Glen boys basketball team to a pair of victories, and Watkins wrestler Matt Woodworth for a final-seconds victory that avenged a loss earlier in the season to the same Campbell-Savona wrestler.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 21 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team held Spencer-Van Etten to 6 second-half points Friday night on the way to a 59-22 Interscholastic Athletic Conference victory in the Field House gym.

The win lifted the Senecas' season mark to 10-3 heading into a game next Friday at Waverly against the once-beaten Wolverines. Waverly defeated the Senecas in a contest earlier this season, 54-38.

"We were swarming them on defense," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary of Friday's victory. "It was all about defense tonight. When you hold a team to 22 points, you've done something right."

Brady Myers led the Senecas in scoring with 14 points, while Josh Teeter scored 13 and Kody Gregory 11 (including three 3-pointers). Other points came from Jesse Teeter (6), Clayton Beaumont (6), Alec Moore (4), Colin Gates (3) and Tony Keough (2).

Moore led in rebounds with 10, while Myers grabbed 5, Jesse Teeter 5, and Keough 4. Josh Teeter, who grabbed 2 rebounds, led in steals with 5.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen won 51-28. Matt Estes led the Senecas with 12 points, while Joe Palumbo scored 11, Luke Flahive 8 and Keith Rekczis 7.

Left: Watkins Glen's Kody Gregory passes the ball. Right: The Senecas' Jesse Teeter sends a shot on its way.

Watkins Glen's Haley Tuttle (in blue, left), Madison Gates (center background) and Angela Keough tie up a Spencer ball-carrier. (Photo by Don Romeo)

SPENCER, Jan. 21 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team raced to a 23-2 first-quarter lead en route to a 60-17 victory Friday night over Spencer-Van Etten in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the S-VE gym.

Taylor Chaffee led the assault for Watkins Glen (11-2, 11-0) with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 steals, while Angela Keough scored 16 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and had 5 steals, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

The team as a whole registered 27 steals, led by Chelsea Lehman's 8. Victoria Goehner had 4, while Haley Tuttle, Jessica Stansfield and Madison Gates had 1 apiece.

Scoring in addition to Chaffee and Keough were Lehman (8 points, with 4 rebounds and 7 assists), Gates (4 points, with 4 rebounds and an assist), Tuttle (4 points, with 4 rebounds, an assist and a block), Kayli Westervelt (4 points, with 2 rebounds), and Stansfield (2 points, with 8 rebounds and an assist).

"It was a total team effort," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "Everybody played very well and produced for us tonight. It was fun for the girls."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen won 37-27. Halle Phillips led the Senecas with 13 points, while Amanda Pike scored 8 and Amanda Cherock 7.

Top: Watkins Glen's Victoria Goehner (right) applies some defensive pressure.

Bottom: Watkins Glen's Alexis Gonzalez goes up for a shot in the junior varsity contest, which was won by the Senecas. (Photos by Don Romeo).

Left: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee drives past an S-VE defender. Right: The Senecas' Chelsea Lehman shoots. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: O-M's Denna Page passes the ball. Right: The Indians' Taylor Carey finds the going tough as she nears the basket.

ODESSA, Jan. 21 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team's season record slid to 5-8 Friday night when it dropped a 70-32 decision to Waverly in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Taylor Carey led the Indians with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Other scoring came from Denna Page (6 points), Erin Terry (5), Kristha Bryan (2), Morgan Stermer (2), and Brittany VanAmburg (2).

Waverly led 18-7 after one period, 31-11 at halftime, and 50-18 entering the final quarter.

"Waverly shot the ball extremely well tonight," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We competed better than we did in the first meeting down there, but they have too much firepower."

Photo in text: O-M's Sydney Eberhardt tries to shoot in heavy traffic under the net.

Left: O-M's Erin Terry lines up a shot that she sank from 3-point range. Right: The Indians' Danielle Shortt looks to pass the ball.

NEWARK VALLEY, Jan. 20 -- The Watkins Glen boys and girls varsity bowling teams went down to defeat Thursday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Newark Valley.

The Watkins boys fell 4-0 as NV's Cardinals outscored them 2824-2534. Chris Flood led the Senecas with a 532 seres, while Corey Teribury registered a 518 (with a 202 game) and Michael Rhodes a 513.

"The guys are improving," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "We just need to be a little more consistent."

The Watkins girls dropped the first two games, posted a strong 843 to win the third game, but came up 44 pins short of NV in total pinfall in a 3-1 defeat. The Cardinals outpointed the Senecas 2299-2255.

"The girls struggled, but finished strong," said Brower. "Their 843 was their highest single game of the year. It shows how tough they are, that there is no quit in them."

The Watkins vs. Campbell-Savona match was a "Take Down Cancer" event, promoting cancer awareness and raising funds for the fight against the disease. Wrestlers donned "Take Down Cancer" t-shirts after the meet. (Photo provided)

CAMPBELL, Jan. 19 -- The Watkins Glen varsity wrestling team got wins from Brandon Gould (99 pounds), Matt Woodworth (106), Steve Padgett (152) and Adam Hughey (170) Wednesday as it defeated Campbell-Savona 50-21 in a non-league match in the C-S gym.

Posting victories by forfeit were Watkins wrestlers John Brown, Dustin Cummings, Nick Cocola, Branden Palmer, Dustin Goltry, and Ryan Campbell.

"Matt Woodworth did a great job," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "He defeated an opponent who had beaten him a few weeks earlier." Woodworth won when he scored an escape with less than 10 seconds left.

The Senecas return to action on Jan. 28 when they host the Interscholastic Athletic Conference tournament.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 19 -- The following are the results of Week 3 of the Watkins Glen Youth Basketball program, held in the Watkins Glen High School Field House gym.

Sporting Goods: Brandon Beaumont 12, Bryce Kelly 6, Natalie Edminister 6, Devon Roth 2
Savards: Brendan Sheesley 4, Jared Detrick 4

Famous Brands 20, Mr.Chicken 3

Famous Brands: Isaac McIlroy 14, James White 2, Eric Morrissett 2, Tristen Rockwell 2
Mr. Chicken: Austin Hazlitt 2, Cameron Holland 1

Central Asphalt 18, House of Hong 14

Central Asphalt: Max Evans 15, Owen Buckley 1, Brennan Lees 2
House of Hong: Aidan DiGregorio 14

Standings
Sporting Goods 3-0
Famous Brands 3-0
Central Asphalt 2-1
Savard’s 1-2
House of Hong 0-3
Mr. Chicken 0-3

Learn Motors: Daniel Paradiso 20, Alex Schimizzi 4, Amber Benjamin 4, Matthew Herold 4, Danielle Leszyk 2
Glen Theater: Julia Reilly 8, Dayne Hughey 6, Calvin Buckley 5, Regan Scholtisek 5, Topanga Kelly 2, Brooke Wilson 2

Capt. Bill's: Joe Chedzoy 18, Makenna Fraboni 10, Mariah Gonzalez 7, Kody Phelps 2, Grace Wickham 2
Seneca Lodge: Patrick Bannon 4, Wrett Brower 4, Ashley Curren 2

Church St. Produce: Tyler Couch 16, Hanley Elliott 8, Dylan Markley 4, Abigail Donelson 4, Hannah Pulis 2, Paige Robbins 2
VanSkiver Motors: M.Clara Chedzoy 6, Josh Updyke 2, Jonathan Lokken 2

Standings
Capt. Bill's 3-0
VanSkiver Motors 2-1
Learn Motors 2-1
Glen Theater 1-2
Church St Produce 1-2
Seneca Lodge 0-3

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 19 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams lost 4-0 decisions Wednesday to Groton in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The boys dropped all three games while being outpointed 2319-1980. Aaron Fisher led the Indians with a 509 series.

The O-M girls lost their three games as they were outscored 1850-1555. Tess Visscher paced Odessa with a 345 series, while Quinn Griswold registered a 331.

Left: O-M's Aaron Fisher reacts after he barely missed converting a spare. Right: O-M's Alex Underdown eyes the pins before delivering the ball.

NEWFIELD, Jan. 18 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Chaffee's 20 points and 15 rebounds -- held off Newfield 44-43 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Newfield gym.

The victory lifted the Senecas' season mark to 10-2, including 10-0 in league play. It was Newfield's second loss to Watkins Glen.

"It was a little too close for comfort," said Watkins Coach Chris Clark, whose team dominated the first period 14-6, but led just 17-16 at halftime and fell behind 23-17 early in the third quarter. But the Senecas closed out the quarter with a 20-5 run to take a 37-28 lead into the final period.

Chaffee picked up her fourth foul and sat out most of the fourth quarter, and Newfield made a run to tie the game.

"We struggled a little offensively," said Clark of that fourth period, "but we played good defense." But with Newfield hitting what he described as "a couple of fadeway 3-pointers," the Trojans deadlocked the score twice.

The second deadlock came at 43-43 when Newfield hit a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left.

After that, said Clark, "we gave the ball to Taylor, and she was triple-teamed. But she found (Angela) Keough under the basket, and Angela was fouled with six seconds to play. She missed the first free throw, but made the second" to put the Senecas up by a point. Newfield attempted a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it missed.

Keough scored 13 points for Watkins, and had 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. In addition to her points and rebounds, Chaffee had 3 assists and 6 steals.

Other points came from Jessica Stansfield (5, with 3 rebounds and 5 steals), Haley Tuttle (4, with 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 steals), and Chelsea Lehman (2, with 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal). The team was 12-for-21 at the free-throw line.

Newfield was led by Rebecca Wood's 12 points. The Trojans were 4-for-13 at the foul line.

Junior Varsity: Newfield defeated Watkins Glen 35-32. Madison Myers led the Senecas with 11 points, while Amanda Pike scored 7 and Corey Flahive 6.

Top: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman runs into traffic as she drives toward the basket.

Bottom: The Senecas' Angela Keough prepares to launch what proved to be the game-winning free throw. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Jessica Stansfield attempts to shoot. Right: In the JV game, Madison Myers sends a shot on its way. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 19 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity bowling team posted a 4-0 victory over Edison Tuesday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Johnny's Lanes, while the Glen girls tied the Lady Spartans 2-2.

The boys posted a 2369 total, easily outdistancing TAEs' 1957. Mike Rhodes led the Senecas with a 524 series (including a 211 game), while Chris Flood posted a 492 and Corey Teribury a 491.

"Mike has been improving all year," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "I am very pleased for him. I can't wait to see how well he will bowl when he gets his own ball!"

The girls lost the second and third games after winning the first one, but managed to win total pinfall by just two pins, 2257-2255, giving them a 2-2 tie. Samantha Bradley led Watkins with a 539 series, while Sarah Wickham notched a 523.

"Sarah and Sam came up big today," said Brower. "Both had consistently high scores. It was right down to the wire."

Seniors Erin Bond, Chris Flood and Danielle Teed were honored in a Senior Night ceremony preceding the matches.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 18 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team -- with scoring from all 10 members of the squad -- defeated Newfield 63-47 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Field House gym.

The victory lifted the Senecas' season mark to 9-3 heading into a home game Friday against Spencer-Van Etten.

Watkins Glen led 20-8 after one period, 35-21 at halftime, and 52-32 entering the fourth quarter.

Josh Teeter led the Senecas with 12 points, while Alec Moore scored 8, Brady Myers 8, Jesse Teeter 7, Tony Keough 6, Clayton Beaumont 6, Chris Duane 6, Kody Gregory 5, Brandon Westervelt 4, and Colin Gates 1. The team was 7-for-9 at the free-throw line.

Moore led in rebounds with 14, and had 3 assists and 2 steals. Duane grabbed 4 rebounds and had 5 assists and 3 steals.

Francesco Ferrara led Newfeld with 13 points. The Trojans were 6-for-13 at the foul line.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 9-3 with a 57-40 victory over Newfield. Joe Palumbo led the Senecas with 13 points, while Keith Rekczis scored 12 and Matt Estes 10.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brady Myers prepares to shoot from the corner.

ODESSA, Jan. 18 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team saw its record slip to 6-5 Tuesday night when it dropped a 48-41 decision to Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Indians fell behind 18-7 in the first period, trailed 30-18 at the half, and never got closer than the final 7-point margin in the final two periods.

Matt Kautz led O-M with 17 points (including two 3-pointers), while Morgan Shutter scored 11. Other points came from Dakota Simpson (4), Luke Brown (2), Ryan Gardner (2), Tom Peckham (2), Kyle Bailey (2), and Matt Bleiler (1). The team was 5-for-12 at the foul line.

Edison's top scorer was Kyle Michaud, with 15 points. Austin Merritt added 11, and Ben Georgia 10. The Spartans were 9-for-15 at the foul line.

Junior Varsity: O-M lost to Edison, 41-27, to fall to 3-8. Tanner Dupuy led the Indians with 8 points, while Zach Peoples scored 7.

Left and center: O-M's Matt Kautz (left) and Dakota Simpson shoot. Right: Brandon Evans saves a ball from going out of bounds.

Left: O-M's Ashton Stadelmaier (left) moves the ball upcourt. Right: Denna Page shoots from three-point range. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, Jan. 18 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team's record slipped to 5-7 Tuesday night when it dropped a 50-42 decision to Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

The Spartans (5-9) led 16-7 after one period, 27-19 at halftime, and 39-26 entering the fourth quarter.

"We just dug too big a hole for ourselves in that first quarter," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We kept battling and fighting, but after that it was an uphill battle. We got within five a couple of times and played quite well at times over the final three quarters. Give credit to Edison, though. They played a good game."

Taylor Carey led O-M with 19 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. Denna Page added 13 points (including three 3-pointers), 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Other points came from Kirsta Rhodes (4), Morgan Stermer (3), Ashton Stadelmaier (2), and Brittany Van Amburg (1).

Junior Varsity: O-M defeated Edison 40-38 -- the first IAC win by the JV in two seasons. Callie Stillman led the Indians with 11 points, while Alexis Austin scored 10. Addie Rhodes hit a baseline 15-footer to give O-M the lead 39-38 with just under a minute to go, and Stillman hit a free throw in the final minute.

Photo in text: O-M's Brittany VanAmburg encounters Edison defender Kourtnie Evans as she moves the ball upcourt. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Taylor Carey, right, battles for the tipoff. Right: The Indians' Morgan Stermer prepares to pass the ball. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

NEWARK VALLEY, Jan. 18 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams dropped 4-0 decisions Tuesday to Newark Valley in Interscholastic Athletic Conference road matches.

The O-M boys were outpointed 2445-2049 as they lost all three games. Aaron Fisher led the Indians with a 573 series that included games of 223 and 215.

LANSING, Jan 18 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team got wins from two relay teams on the way to a 116-62 loss to Lansing Tuesday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Lansing pool.

The 200 Medley Relay team of Matt Doppel, Mitch Mangus, Tom Richtmyer and Mike Olmstead won in 2:00.55, while the 200 Freestyle Relay team of Olmstead, Doppel, Braedan Fitch and Chris Gill won in 1:46.14.

Second-place finishes were posted by:
--Chris Gill in the 200 Free (2:03.53) and the 500 Free (5:33.00)
--Mike Olmstead in the 50 Free (25.49)
--Mitch Mangus in the 100 Breaststroke (1:18.31)

"The boys came off a tough weekend (at the EFA Invitational)," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin. "They swam hard and they should be proud of themselves for all they have accomplished this past week."

WAVERLY, Jan. 18 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team got a first place from Chris Husted in the 50 Free Tuesday en route to a 126-24 loss to Waverly in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Waverly pool.

Chris Husted won the 50 Free in 23.77 and took second in the 100 Free behind Jeff Mastrantuono, who currently is ranked first in Section 4 in that event. Mastrantuono swam a 50.34 and Husted a 51.91.

The 200 Free Relay team of Husted, Joe Raymond, Tom Doan and Matt Chapman posted a season-best time of 1:56.83.

The Indians return to action Jan. 31 at home against Watkins Glen.

"The next few weeks of practice will be pretty intense as we prepare for the latter part of the season," said O-M Coach Terri Brace.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 16 -- This week we honor two male basketball players and one female basketball player as Odessa File Athletes of the Week for outstanding performances in two games each.

Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont led the Senecas to a victory over Notre Dame with a 26-point performance, and added 15 points in a win over Odessa-Montour.

Odessa-Montour's Tom Peckham scored 18 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a win over Spencer-Van Etten, and then scored 15 points and had 17 rebounds as the Indians dropped a hard-fought game to Watkins Glen.

Odessa-Montour's Taylor Carey scored a pair of double-doubles: 20 points and 17 rebounds in a victory over Campbell-Savona, and 16 points and 20 rebounds in a loss to Watkins Glen.

Double Honorable: O-M wrestler Joe Rorick for an outstanding showing at the O-M Duals; Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter for sparking his basketball team to a victory over Odessa; Watkins Glen basketball players Taylor Chaffee and Haley Tuttle; O-M swimmer Chris Husted and Watkins Glen swimmer Chris Gill for standout performances in a dual meet apiece and at the EFA Invitational; O-M basketball player Matt Kautz; O-M bowler Aaron Fisher; and Watkins Glen bowler Samantha Bradley.

Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee (left) and Jessica Stansfield put defensive pressure on Cortland's Amanda DeGraff. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 15 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team shot poorly and turned the ball over too often on the way to a 45-35 loss to Class A Cortland Saturday in a non-league game in the Field House gym.

And yet the Senecas, down 16-3 after one quarter and seemingly overmatched by Cortland's Maggie Brown, pulled within striking distance -- down a half-dozen points, at 31-25 -- in the third quarter before losing momentum and the game.

Brown scored 16 first-half points and 29 overall to lead Cortland, ranked 17th in Class A in the New York State Sportswriters Association poll. Watkins Glen, now 9-2, is ranked 11th in the state in Class C.

Taylor Chaffee led the Senecas with 22 points (along with 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 5 blocks), while Angela Keough and Victoria Goehner scored 4 points each, Jessica Stansfield 3, and Chelsea Lehman 2. Haley Tuttle grabbed 8 rebounds, Lehman 7, Keough 4, Stansfield 3, and Madison Gates 2. Lehman led the team in assists with 4, while Keough had 3. Stansfield had 2 blocks.

The Senecas were just 1-for-14 from 3-point range. They were 10-for-20 from the free-throw line.

Brown's scoring was supplemented by Jackie Phillips' 8 points. Cortland was 11-for-18 from the free-throw line.

"We're lacking confidence against teams we know are as good as us," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We burned up our energy getting back in the game, and then -- when we got within striking distance -- there was no gas left in the tank with which to push them."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen overcame an 11-4 first-quarter deficit to post a 35-31 victory and improve to 9-2. Amanda Pike led the Senecas with 11 points, while Halle Phillips scored 10, and Alexis Naylor and Corey Flahive 6 apiece.

Photo in text: A shot attempt by Watkins Glen's Angela Keough is interrupted by Cortland's Maggie Brown. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Watkins Glen's Madison Gates (left) and Chelsea Lehman attempt shots in traffic. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Haley Tuttle (left) and Angela Keough apply some pressure defense. Right: In the JV game, Watkins Glen's Madison Myers moves the ball past a Cortland defender. (Photos by Don Romeo)

O-M's Mike Hoffman has the advantage temporarily in the 285-pound bout against Deposit's Dan Babcock, but Babcock won 13-10.

ODESSA, Jan. 15 -- The Deposit High School varsity wrestling team took first place Saturday at the annual O-M Duals, an eight-school competition in the Odessa-Montour gym.

Deposit was 5-0, followed by Whitney Point (4-1) and the host Indians (3-2). In fourth place was Groton (3-2), followed by Corning (2-3), Spencer-Van Etten (2-3), Edison (1-4) and Trumansburg (0-5).

Among the Outstanding Wrestlers named in each weight class was Odessa's Joe Rorick, who went 5-0 at 99 pounds. Deposit had six wrestlers win Outstanding awards, while Whitney Point had five. Spencer-Van Etten, Groton and Trumanburg had one apiece.

O-M posted wins over Groton (39-33), Edison (42-23) and Trumansburg (54-9), while losing to Deposit (63-6) and Corning (42-39).

Odessa - Montour Individual Records
99 -- Joe Rorick 5-0
103 -- Tyler Dupuy 4-1
113 -- Billy Bacon 4-1
120 -- Josh Smith 1-4
126 -- Cody Burnham 1-1
132 -- Mike Fraboni 4-1
138 -- Dylan Porter 2-3
145 -- Matt Smith 2-3
160 -- Jeremy Zoeke 2-3
220 -- Joe Wright 3-2
285 -- Mike Hoffman 3 -2

Top: O-M's Jeremy Zoeke (top) battles Deposit's Trevor Wright at 160 pounds. Zoeke won a 13-9 decision.

Bottom: O-M's Joe Wright, left, grapples with Deposit's David McKee at 220 pounds. McKee pinned Wright in 1:32.

ELMIRA, Jan. 15 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team placed third in Class C while the Odessa-Montour squad placed fifth in Class C Saturday at the annual Elmira Free Academy Swimming and Diving Invitational.

Waverly won Class C with 353 points, with Chenango Valley next with 308. Watkins Glen earned 232 points, Addison 158 and O-M 41.

Ithaca won the Class A crown with 423 points, easily outdistancing Corning (202), Greece (196), Elmira (176) and Horseheads (161).

Maine-Endwell won Class B with 430 points. Owego talled 345, McQuaid 271, and Dryden 96.

The meet's outstanding competitor was Ryan Nicholson, an Ithaca High School sophomore. He won the 200 Free and the 100 Fly, and was on the winning 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay squads.

Top individual finishers among Watkins and O-M swimmers were: Chris Gill (WG), 7th in the 500 Free in 5:30.11 (after a personal best of 5:26.76 in the prelims) and 12th in the 200 Free (2:01.85); Chris Husted (OM), 9th in the 50 Free (23.87 after a personal best of 23.72 in the prelims) and 8th in the 100 Free (52.75); and Matt Doppel (WG), 11th in the 100 Back (1:03.93).

Husted was one of just two swimmers Odessa took to the meet. The other was Matt Chapman. O-M Coach Terri Brace summed up Husted's day this way:

"Chris Husted was on fire today. He went into the meet seeded 12th in the 50 Free and 13th in the 100 Free, so he really needed to swim his best in the prelims to make it to the finals (top 12) in the afternoon. In the prelims he swam a personal best of 23.72 in the 50 Free, putting him in 9th place. In the 100 Free he swam an amazing 51.85, bumping him to 8th place and dropping over two seconds. In the finals he held his positions but swam a little slower (23.87 in the 50 and 52.75 in the 100).

"These meets with prelims and finals in the same day can be grueling, and it can be hard to repeat your prelim performance, especially when you left it all in the pool trying to make the cut for finals.

"I did some research and the last time anyone from the O-M boys swim team made finals in an individual event at the EFA Invite was Jesse Johnson and Todd Kautz in 2008, and Chris placed higher today then they did. Being exposed to that level of competition was a great experience, and it helped us identify some weaknesses that we will be working on as we prepare for the championship season."

ODESSA, Jan. 14 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team -- led by Jesse Teeter's 16 points and Clayton Beaumont's 15 -- turned back a determined Odessa-Montour squad Friday night to post a 58-50 Interscholastic Athletic Conference win in the O-M gym.

Indeed they did, at a frequently breakneck pace. Watkins (8-3) took the early lead 6-2, was up 6-5 after one period, and had a 10-4 run that carried it to a 20-15 halftime lead.

O-M battled back, taking the lead 21-20 on a Matt Kautz basket, and again at 24-23 on a Morgan Shutter free throw. But Watkins Glen pulled ahead moments later and never trailed again. O-M pulled within a point four times that quarter, but the Senecas built a 39-33 advantage entering the final period.

Watkins Glen led by eight points early in the fourth quarter before O-M charged back to cut the lead to two, but another Watkins surge gave the Senecas another eight-point advantage, 52-44, with 2:30 remaining. Two baskets by O-M's Tom Peckham and one by Phil Smith cut the Watkins lead to 52-50 with 1:07 remaining, but the Senecas scored the final six points on two free throws by Teeter, a basket by Kody Gregory and a basket in the final seconds by Teeter.

Peckham led O-M with 15 points, and grabbed 17 rebounds. Matt Kautz added 12 points and 8 rebounds before fouling out with less than a minute remaining. Other points came from Ryan Gardner (8), Morgan Shutter (7, with 3 rebounds), Phil Smith (4), Kyle Bailey (3) and Brandon Evans (1, along with 3 rebounds). The team was 14-for-29 from the foul line.

Scoring for Watkins Glen in addition to Jesse Teeter (who had 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and a block) and Beaumont (who had 3 rebounds) were Josh Teeter (10 points, with 5 steals and a block), Brady Myers (6, with 5 rebounds), Alec Moore (6, with 9 rebounds and 5 steals), Kody Gregory (4), and Chris Duane (1, with 2 blocks). The Senecas were 9-for-16 from the foul line.

"Jesse Teeter was the man of the hour," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary. "I can't say enough about what he did. It was probably the difference in the game. He sparked us coming in."

The coach also noted Beaumont's nine fourth-quarter points, and two key baskets by Gregory coming off the bench.

"Let's give credit to Odessa, though," said Fazzary. "They're an improved team. They played hard and had real will."

Watkins Glen returns to action Tuesday at home against Newfield. O-M will play Tuesday at home against Edison.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated O-M 64-30 to improve to 8-3. Brendan Hunter led the Seneca scoring with 12 points, while Joe Palumbo scored 9, and Keith Rekczis, Tony Simiele and Jared Carocci 8 each. Zach Peoples led O-M (3-7) with 12 points.

Top: Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont soars toward the basket. O-M defender Phil Smith is at left. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Bottom: O-M's Brandon Evans turns in midair after saving the ball from going out of bounds, and looks for a teammate to pass to.

Left: Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter puts up a shot. Defending for O-M are Matt Bleiler (10) and Ryan Gardner (15). Right: The Senecas' Josh Teeter drives around O-M's Ryan Gardner. (Both photos by Don Romeo)

From left: Watkins Glen's Alec Moore, Chris Duane and JV player Luke Flahive. (All three photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Brady Myers goes up for a shot. (Photo by Don Romeo) Right: The Odessa cheerleaders perform.

Left: O-M's Matt Kautz drives to the hoop. Right: The Indians' Tom Peckham scores.

Left: O-M's Kyle Bailey takes aim on the foul line. Right: The Indians' Phil Smith scores.

Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont goes up for a jump shot as O-M's Matt Bleiler (10) and Matt Kautz (11) defend.

Watkins' Angela Keough, left, and O-M's Kristha Bryan compete for possession of the ball. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Tuttle leads way with 14 points, 9 boards in 58-36 win; Carey posts double-double for Indians

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 13 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team improved to 9-1 Thursday night with a 58-36 victory over Odessa-Montour in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Haley Tuttle paced the Senecas with a 14-point, 9-rebound performance that included a pair of assists and a steal. She jump-started a sluggish Watkins offense with 8 points in the first four-and-a-half minutes, and never stopped atttacking while also defending O-M's top scorer, Taylor Carey.

"Everybody contibuted tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark, "but the biggest factor was Haley Tuttle. We gave her the difficult task of guarding Carey, which she did well -- but she also stepped up her offense. It was a great job."

Clark noted that Odessa succeeded in its goal of limiting Watkins Glen standout Taylor Chaffee's offensive production. Chaffee totaled 8 points while grabbing 14 rebounds, blocking 3 shots, and registering 2 assists and a steal.

Other points for Watkins came from Angela Keough (11, with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals), Chelsea Lehman (8, with 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal), Jessica Stansfield (7, with 2 assists and 2 steals), Kayli Westervelt (6, with 4 rebounds), and Madison Gates (4, with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks). Victoria Goehner had 2 rebounds and 2 steals, while Logan VanOstrand had an assist. The team converted 8 of 12 free throws.

Carey scored a game-high 16 points for O-M and had a game-high 20 rebounds, while registering 4 steals and 3 assists. Other scoring came from Denna Page (12 points, all on 3-pointers), Kirsta Rhodes (4), Morgan Stermer (2, with 5 rebounds and 5 assists) and Brittany VanAmburg (2). The Indians were 6-for-13 from the foul line.

"I was very happy with our effort tonight," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We executed at both ends of the floor as well as we have in a while. We will win some more games with this kind of effort, for sure.

"If Watkins Glen gets that kind of balance and shooting," he added, "I don't see them getting beat in the post-season. They're the team to beat in Class C this year."

The Senecas are ranked 11th in the latest New York State Sportwriters Association poll among Class C schools. Elmira Notre Dame is 15th, and Lansing 16th.

Watkins Glen returns to action Saturday at the Field House against Cortland, a team ranked 17th in Class A in the state. The JV contest starts at 1 p.m., with the varsity to follow.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen (8-2) defeated O-M 42-26. The Senecas built an 11-1 first-quarter lead and were never seriously challenged after that. Watkins had balanced scoring, led by Corey Flahive's 8 points, 7 each by Gabriella LaRosa and Amanda Cherock, and 6 each by Halle Phillips and Amanda Pike. O-M (now 0-10) was led by Trisha Williams' 7 points, and 6 each by Callie Stillman and Hailie Searles.

Top: From left, Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee and Jessica Stansfield vie with O-M's Taylor Carey for a rebound. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Left: O-M's Denna Page. Center: Watkins Glen's Haley Tuttle. Right: Watkins Glen JV player Amanda Cherock. (Photos in center and on right by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman (5) reaches for a rebound as O-M's Denna Page grabs it. (Photo by Don Romeo). Right: Watkins Glen's Madison Gates looks for a way around O-M's Taylor Carey.

In the JV game, Watkins' Halle Phillips (13) passes the ball as O-M's Jordan Zoeke defends.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 13 -- The Watkins Glen girls and boys varsity bowling teams posted 4-0 victories Thursday over Odessa-Montour in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The Watkins boys outscored O-M 816-753, 758-751 and 796-786 for a total of 2370-2270. Corey Teribury led the Senecas with a 505 series that included a 203, while Tim Johnson rolled a 494 and Chris Flood a 469. Aaron Fisher led O-M with a 214-216-198=628, while Mitch McElroy rolled a 447 and Phil Humphries a 425.

The Watkins girls outpointed Odessa 2215-1726. Samantha Bradley led the way with a 539 series, while Danielle Teed posted a 424, and Erin Bond a 417. Tess Visscher led O-M with a 377 series, while Maia Rumsey registered a 371 and Quinn Griswold a 361.

Of his boys team, Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower said: "We hung on to win, but it could have gone either way. My compliments to O-M. They didn't quit, they were focused and fought to the last pin."

Of the girls, he added this: "Sam is getting stronger and more consistent, very impressive, especially for a freshman.

"It was great to get the wins," he added, "but we left a lot of easy spares out there. That is something we will have to work on in getting ready for the IAC Championships and Sectionals."

Top: O-M's Tess Visscher (foreground) and Aaron Fisher (center background) prepare to bowl during Thursday's matches.

MORAVIA, Jan. 12 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling team defeated Moraiva 43-39 but lost to Groton 51-30 in a pair of Interscholastic Athletic Conference meets Wednesday night at Moravia.

OM 43, Moravia 39

99 Joe Rorick (OM) by Forfeit
106 Mon'e Simpson (OM) by Forfeit
113 Tyler Dupuy (OM) Major Dec. over Steven Eberhardt 14-6
120 Chris Caza (M) dec. over Billy Bacon 5-0
126 Cody Burnham (OM) pinned Greg Gorman 2:27
132 Mike Fraboni (OM) pinned Dalton Evener :33
138 Dylan Porter (OM) pinned Scott Stoyell 3:14
145 Matt Smith (OM) by Forfeit
152 Bryant Hough (M) by Forfeit
160 Jeremy Zoeke (OM) dec in overtime over Sean Mishler 9-2
170 Alex Lavender (M) by Forfeit
182 Jon Smith (M) by Forfeit
195 Eric Eggleston (M) by Forfeit
220 Chris Todd (M) pinned Joe Wright 1:05
285 Pat Stoyell (M) pinned Mike Hoffman 3:52

Groton 51, Odessa-Montour 30

99 Joe Rorick (OM)
106 Kyle Brown ( G) pinned Tyler Dupuy 3:35
113 Billy Bacon (OM) by Forfeit
120 Darren Ostrand (G) pinned Josh Smith :23
126 Cody Burnham (OM) by Forfeit
132 Mike Fraboni (OM) pinned Henry Walters 3:45
138 Jake Lewis (G) pinned Dylan Porter 5:26
145 Justin Tinelli (G) pinned Matt Smith 1:45
152 Brenden Holden (G) by forfeit
160 Chris Vanbenschola (G) dec. over Jeremy Zoeke 11-6
170 Chad Weldon (G) by Forfeit
182 Chris Hatfield (G) by Forfeit
195 No Match
220 Levi George (G) pinned Joe Wright :56
285 Mike Hoffman (OM) pinned Isaac Wright 1:51

MARATHON, Jan. 12 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team rolled to its second victory in two days Wednesday, defeating Marathon 4-0 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

Samantha Bradley led the Senecas with a 474 series as they won all three games while outscoring Marathon 2077-1871. Mikaela Suddaby added a 441.

The Watkins boys, meanwhile, fell to Marathon 4-0 while being outpointed 2835-2249. Chris Flood paced Watkins with a 487 series, while Austin LaFever registered a 467.

OWEGO, Jan. 12 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity bowling team posted a 4-0 victory Wednesday over Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Owego Bowl.

Aaron Fisher led Odessa with a 583 series that included a 219 and 212. Mitch McElroy added a 459 as O-M outscored Candor 2212-1903.

The O-M girls, meanwhile, were outscored 2003-1489 as they lost 4-0 to Candor. Tess Visscher led Odessa with a 339 series.

O-M returns to action today (Thursday) when it faces Watkins Glen at Johnny's Lanes in Watkins.

CANTON, NY, Jan. 12 -- Two old friends and teammates were on opposing sides Wednesday as the Wells College women's basketball team visited Northern New York to play the SUNY Canton team.

Odessa-Montour High School graduate Melody Stadelmaier, who played for the O-M girls varsity basketball team, is a freshman member of the Wells team. It was going against a Canton squad that has among its members another former Odessa player -- Jessica Rhodes, who also graduated from O-M last year.

Neither player saw much action Wednesday -- three minutes and no points for Stadelmaier, and four minutes, no points and one rebound for Rhodes -- as Wells won 66-65.

But judging from the photo they sent along (above), it was a good day for a reunion with an old friend.

Photo in text: O-M grads Melody Stadelmaier (left) and Jessica Rhodes in the Canton gym.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 11 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team -- behind Clayton Beaumont's 26 points -- improved its record to 7-3 Tuesday night by defeating Elmira Notre Dame 64-54 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Field House gym.

"That was a good high school basketball game, one of the top five of my coaching career," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary. "It was just good basketball, with great effort by both teams."

Watkins Glen raced out to a 16-9 first-quarter lead, and built its advantage to 13 points, at 25-12, with five minutes left in the first half. But Notre Dame hit two 3-pointers and a deuce to cut the deficit to five points, and closed to within 27-25 before a Watkins surge put the Senecas up 34-29 at intermission.

The Crusaders quickly closed to within a point at 34-33, and went ahead with 3:04 remaining in the third period, 40-38. But Watkins reasserted itself, scoring the final six points of the period, with Josh Teeter making it 44-40 with a basket with 8 seconds remaining.

Notre Dame hung close through the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, pulling within a point, at 51-50, with 3:10 to go, but a 3-pointer by Chris Duane, two free throws by Beaumont and a jumper by Teeter gave Watkins an eight-point cushion with 1:34 to play. The final 10 points of the game came on free throws.

Beaumont, in addition to his 26 points (including two 3-pointers), had 4 assists and 4 steals -- a showing that Fazzary called "a pretty good day at the office."

Other points came from Duane (13, with 5 rebounds and 3 assists), Teeter (9, with 4 assists and 3 steals), Alec Moore (9, with 6 rebounds), and Brady Myers (7, with a team-high 12 rebounds). The Senecas were 11-for-14 from the free-throw line.

Notre Dame was led by Matt Davis's 16 points. Shane Manning added 14, and Tom Agan 12. The Crusaders were 11-for-21 from the line. It was the Crusaders' second loss of the year.

Top: Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont drives to the hoop. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Josh Teeter sends a jump shot on its way. Right: The Senecas' Brady Myers makes a move to the hoop. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 11 -- The Watkins Glen boys and girls varsity bowling teams posted victories Tuesday, defeating Elmira Notre Dame in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The boys won 3-1, winning two games and outscoring the Crusaders 2506-2444. Corey Teribury led the Senecas with a 557 series, while Chris Flood rolled a 552 (including a 213) and Zach Little a 542.

The girls posted a 4-0 victory, outpointing ND 2328-2159. Samantha Bradley led the way with a 554 series that included a 226 game. Erika Rhodes added a 496 (with a 203), while Katrina Swarthout rolled a 472.

"It was a good win for the guys," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "We had good production out of Corey, Zach and Chris."

As for the girls: "I was really pleased with the way they bowled tonight without Danielle Teed in the line-up," Brower said. "She has had an injured thumb and we have three matches this week, including Odessa, so we wanted to give her a rest. She has been in the line-up for almost a half-decade now.

"Erika," he added, "set our season's high game with her 203, and only got to have it for one game, because Sam bowled a 226 in the third game. Sam's 554 series is also the team's season-high."

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Samantha Bradley hops as she registers a strike.

CAMPBELL, Jan. 11 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Carey's 20 points and 17 rebounds -- defeated Campbell-Savona 39-21 Tuesday night in a non-league road game.

The victory lifted the Indians' season mark to 5-5 heading into a contest Thursday at Watkins Glen.

O-M led 11-8 after one period, 17-12 at the half, and 24-16 after three quarters. They finished with a 15-5 final period.

Scoring in addition to Carey were Kirsta Rhodes (5 points and 6 rebounds), Denna Page (5 points), Brittany Van Amburg (5 points and 6 steals), and Morgan Stermer (4 points and 3 assists).

"A win is a win," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "It wasn't pretty at times, but we did play very well defensively and limited their second-shot opportunities over the last three quarters. We did a nice job extending our zone out into their passing lanes.

"Morgan Stermer had a put-back at the buzzer of the first half to give us some momentum," he added, "and Denna hit a big 3-pointer to start the 4th quarter and give us some breathing room down the stretch."

Watkins Glen's Chris Gill is out in front on his dive at the start of the 200 Free, which he won.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 11 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team -- with two individual wins by Chris Gill and one each by Matt Doppel, Mike Olmstead, Brenton Whiting and Braedan Fitch -- topped Southern Cayuga 78-65 Tuesday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match in the WGHS pool.

Gill won the 200 Free (2:04.52) and the 100 Free (56.17), while Doppel won the 200 IM (2:30.56), Olmstead the 50 Free (24.79), Whiting the 100 Fly (1:07.68), and Fitch the 500 Free (5:52.40).

The Senecas' 200 Medley Relay squad of Doppel, Mitch Mangus, Whiting and Olmstead also won, posting a time of 2:00.79.

Personal bests were set by Brandon Swartz in the 50 Free, Doppel in the 100 Back and 200 IM, Olmstead in the 50 Free, Fitch in the 200 Free, Mangus in the 100 Breaststroke, Ryan Debolt in the 100 Free and 100 Back, and Gill i the 100 Free.

"I'm very proud of the times the boys are getting," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin. "We keep improving them."

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Mitch Mangus competes in the 200 Medley Relay.

Left: The Senecas' Braedan Fitch stretches before the 200 Free. Right: Mike Olmstead (background) on the final leg of the 200 Medley Relay, well ahead of the competition.

DRYDEN, Jan. 11 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team got two wins from Chris Husted but came up short Tuesday against Dryden, falling 77-35 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Dryden pool.

Husted won the 50 Free (24.23) and the 100 Free (54.91). He has an individual record this season of 11-3.

O-M personal bests were set by:
--Matt Chapman in the 200 Free (2:28.89)
--Joe Raymond in the 200 Free (2:43.28) and 100 Back (1:32.98)
--Shane Smith in the 50 Free (35.64) and 100 Free (1:22.89)

The 200 Free Relay team of Husted, Chapman, Raymond and Smith set a season best of 2:00.20.

"It's great to see the guys continue to improve their times," said O-M Coach Terri Brace, whose team competes next at the EFA Invitational Friday and Saturday.

From left: Watkins' Taylor Chaffee (25), and O-M's Morgan Shutter and Tom Peckham.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 9 -- Basketball players get the most attention this week in The Odessa File Athlete of the Week competition.

Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee earns the honor at her school for a 23-point, 14-rebound performance in a one-point victory over Notre Dame that put the Lady Senecas alone in first place in their division.

Morgan Shutter and Tom Peckham both earn the honor at Odessa-Montour, Peckham for a 21-point performance in a victory over Newfield, and Shutter for a 26-point showing in a win over Tioga.

Double Honorable: Matt Gill for setting a school mark in the 1600 Meter Run at an Indoor Track Meet at Cornell; and Adam Hughey for a second-place finish at 160 pounds in the Mike Watson Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Watkins Glen's John Wasson (top) battles an opponent Saturday. Wasson placed 5th at 138 pounds. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 8 -- Vestal easily won the team title Saturday at the Mike Watson Invitational Wrestling Tournament, outpointing 20 other teams competing in the Watkins Glen High School Field House.

Watkins Glen, paced by Adam Hughey's second-place finish at 160 pounds, placed 12th. Odessa-Montour, led by Joe Wright's fourth-place finish at 220, was in 15th place.

Vestal amassed 198 points, and was followed in order by Bath (149), Corning (142.50), South Seneca (140), Maine-Endwell (133.50), Waverly (132), Spencer-Van Etten (119), Newark (116), Lansing (103.50), Wayland-Cohocton (101), Whitney Point (99.50), Watkins Glen (87.50), Ithaca (83), Elmira (76), Odessa-Montour (62), Campbell-Savona (49.50), Horseheads (49.50), Canandaigua (30), Trumansburg (22), Elmira Heights (13), and Southern Cayuga (1).

Watkins Glen: Hughey fell in the160-pound final 4-3 to Hayden Wagner of South Seneca; Dustin Cummings was 3rd at 132; John Wasson was 5th at 138; and Nick Cocola was 5th at 145.

Odessa-Montour: In addition to Wright's 4th-place finish at 220, Joe Rorick was 5th at 99; Mike Hoffman was 6th at 285; and Billy Bacon was 6th at 113.

Top: Odessa-Montour's Cody Burnham, left, fends off a maneuver by a Saturday morning opponent.

Bottom: Watkins Glen's Adam Hughey (foreground) battles a Saturday opponent. He finished second in the tournament at 160 pounds. (Photo by Don Romeo)

ITHACA, Jan. 8 -- Watkins Glen's Matt Gill set a school record in the 1600 Meter Run Saturday as his Indoor Track team competed in the Southern Tier Invitational at Cornell University.

Boys Competition:

Gill broke the 1600 school record with a time of 4:49.05, eclipsing the previous mark of 4:54.78. He also ran in the 3200m relay, along with Charlie Bascom, Rob Rondinaro and Josh Langley. They posted a 9:36.75.

In the 55 Meter Dash, Bascom ran a 7.32. He also placed 6th in the 600 Meters in 1:27.86. Rob Rondinaro also ran the 600, registering a 1:47.49. Rondinaro also soared 14'3" in the Long Jump.

John Fausold ran the 1600 Meters in 5:07.49, while Josh Langley posted a 5:13.50. Fausold also ran the 300 Meter Dash in 40.76.

In the 3200 Meters, Nick Sorensen ran a 10:49.25, while Larry Morris ran a 12:40.78.

Ryan Rondinaro ran a 3:28.97 in the 1000 Meters.

Bryson Clarkson threw 23'09" in the Shot Put.

Girls Competition:

Amelia Stamp posted a 6:01.28 in the 1500 Meter Run, while Taylor Kennard clocked in at 6:10.56.

Mariah Brisbois ran an 11.92 for the 55m hurdles, and posted a 23'01" in the Shot Put.

Courtney Waite registered a 52.71 in the 300 Meter Dash.

"Tonight was another shining night of performances, both individual and team," said Watkins Glen coach Alyssa Hoobler. "There was a lot more competition at today's meet -- nearly 50 teams around the area in attendance. I was pleased with the outcome."

SOUTHPORT, Jan. 7 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Chaffee's double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds -- defeated Elmira Notre Dame 42-41 Friday night in the ND gym to take sole possession of first place in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools South Division.

The Senecas, down 12-2 in the game's early minutes but up 31-23 entering the final quarter, survived a couple of Notre Dame shot attempts from within 10 feet in the closing seconds to improve their record to 8-1 overall and 8-0 in league play. Notre Dame, tied with Watkins going into the game, slipped to 7-2, 7-1. The two teams will meet again in the final game of the regular season -- at Watkins Glen on Feb. 7.

"It took everything we had tonight," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We led for maybe 15 seconds in the first half, but defense and rebounding did it for us" down the stretch.

Chaffee, who also had 2 assists and 2 blocks, was joined in the scoring column by Angela Keough (4 points, with 6 rebounds and 3 steals), Victoria Goehner (4 points, with 5 rebounds and 3 steals), Haley Tuttle (4 points, all in the 4th quarter), Jessica Stansfield (4 points, with 3 assists), and Madison Gates (3 points, with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block). Chelsea Lehman added 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Goehner, said Clark "was absolutely phenomenal," playing her best game since starting the season late due to an injury. At one point, he said, "she picked a girl's pocket, raced down the floor and sank a floater off the glass over (ND's) Olivia May. I think we were up by four to that point."

Gates, he added, is gaining confidence by the game -- and played a key role this time with her rebounding -- second only to Chaffee on the team.

The squad as a whole had 41 rebounds, a sizable number but, said Clark, misleading "when you consider that some of those came off missed layups, and then we put the ball back up and missed another layup. That first half was brutal. This was probably the worst we've shot all season."

Sheridan Heine led Notre Dame with 13 points, while May had 12. Detta Gublo -- who had been averaging 25 points a game -- was held to 9 points by Keough's defense.

Clark said the final 30 seconds were "good for the girls. It was the first game that was close at the end, the first time they had to play in the final minute. And they handled adversity well."

Watkins Glen was ahead 40-38 with 30 seconds remaining. Notre Dame missed two shots, and Chaffee rebounded, was fouled, and made both free throws. That gave the Senecas a 42-38 lead, but Gublo broke free for a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 42-41 with 15 seconds left.

After two missed Watkins free throws, Notre Dame had two final chances, missing a 10-footer and then a putback from 5 feet. Chaffee rebounded, and time expired.

The atmosphere in the gym, said Clark, was intense, with the crowd about evenly divided between Watkins Glen and Notre Dame fans.

"That's about as close to a Sectionals atmosphere as we'll see in the regular season," he said.

The Senecas return to action Thursday at home against Odessa-Montour. The JV contest will start at 5:30 p.m.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Notre Dame 44-28. Amanda Pike led the Senecas with 14 points, while Halle Phillips scored 11 and Gabriella LaRosa 8.

Bottom: Watkins Glen's Madison Gates drives toward the basket. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Angela Keough (3) shoots. Right: The Senecas' Chelsea Lehman (5). (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: The Senecas' Jessica Stansfield. Center and right: Watkins Glen JV players Gabriela LaRosa (center) and Amanda Pike. (Photos by Don Romeo)

TIOGA CENTER, Jan. 7 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team saw its record drop to 4-5 Friday night when it lost 53-25 to Tioga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Tioga gym.

The Indians fell behind 14-4 in the first quarter, and trailed 41-12 at halftime following a 27-8 second quarter.

"We continue to play hard, but got another 27-point barrage in the second quarter," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, a reference to Newfield's 27-point second quarter against Odessa earlier in the week.

Taylor Carey led O-M with 8 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists. Other points came from Denna Page (7), Morgan Stermer (4), Brittany VanAmburg (4), and Kristha Bryan (2).

"We need to regroup for Tuesday's game at Campbell-Savona," added Gavich, noting that only the varsity will play that night. The game starts at 7:15 p.m.

The WGHS Field House gym was filled with five mats and plenty of wrestling action Friday. Semifinals and finals are today and tonight (Saturday).

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 7 -- The annual Mike Watson Invitational Wrestling Tournament began Friday afternoon in the Watkins Glen High School Field House, and concludes tonight (Saturday) with finals in each weight class.

Preliminaries, quarterfinals and some wrestle backs were held Friday, and more wrestle backs were set for today, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Semifinals are scheduled for 11 a.m., consolations at 5 p.m., and finals on two mats -- down from the five the tourney started with -- starting at 6:30 p.m. The 99-pound weight class will be first on one of the two mats, and the 285-pound class on the other -- with ensuing matches working toward the middle weights.

A total of 19 schools are represented in the tournament: Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Horseheads, Edison, Campbell-Savona, Waverly, South Seneca, Elmira, Newark Valley, Trumansburg, Corning, Lansing, Ithaca, Wayland-Cohocton, Vestal, Bath, Whitney Point, Maine-Endwell and Canandaigua.

Photo in text: Odessa-Montour's Tyler Dupuy has the advantage over O-M teammate Mon'e Simpson in a second-round bout at 106 pounds. Dupuy won by a pin.

Watkins Glen's Matt Woodworth, right, battles in an early-round match. He lost by a pin.

ODESSA, Jan. 6 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- led by Morgan Shutter's 26 points -- defeated Tioga 59-55 Thursday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The victory lifted the Indians' season mark to 5-3, including 4-1 in the Small Schools South Division.

O-M trailed 14-9 after one period, but overtook the Tigers in the second quarter, building a 26-23 halftime edge. The third period was closely contested, with Tioga taking the lead with five seconds remaining, 38-36, but a 3-pointer by Shutter at the buzzer put the Indians ahead 39-38 -- and they never relinquished the lead.

Odessa pulled ahead by seven points in the fourth quarter before Tioga closed to within two at 54-52. But O-M responded with a five-point surge for a 59-52 advantage -- cut to the final four-point margin at the buzzer on a Tioga 3-pointer.

Ryan Gardner, who contributed a key basket off an inbounds feed from Kyle Bailey late in the game, finished with 15 points, while Tom Peckham scored 11. Other points came from Bailey (2), Brandon Evans (2), Matt Kautz (2) and Phil Smith (1).

Eric Zwierlein led Tioga with 31 points, while Troy Rogers scored 13. The Tigers were 7-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Odessa converted just 9 of 21 free throws, prompting Coach Brad Clark to say: "We either feast or famine at the line" -- a reference to his team's 14-for-17 performance in the previous game.

Junior Varsity: O-M defeated Tioga 46-41 to improve to 3-5. Tanner Dupuy led the Indians with 16 points, while George Pyhtila scored 15.

Top: O-M's Brandon Evans prepares to shoot. He sank the shot, a key two points late in the game.

Bottom: The Indians' Morgan Shutter glides toward the hoop for two of his 26 points.

Left: O-M's Kyle Bailey drives to the hoop. Right: Odessa's Matt Kautz runs into an arm on his way to the basket. No foul was called.

At the free-throw line: Varsity player Tom Peckham (left) and JV player George Pyhtila.

MARATHON, Jan. 6 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams each dropped a 4-0 decision Thursday to Marathon in Interscholastic Athletic Conference road matches.

The boys lost 2892-2227. Aaron Fisher led the Indians with a 521 series, while Phil Humphries rolled a 478.

The Indians return to action Wednesday at Owego Bowl against Candor. They will then meet Watkins Glen on Thursday at Johnny's Lanes in Watkins.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 5 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team swept Lansing 4-0 Wednesday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Johnny's Lanes.

The Watkins Glen boys, meanwhile, lost 4-0, dropping two games by a total of 15 pins. Lansing won the second game by 103 pins, and total pinfall 2640-2522.

"The guys stepped up their game today," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "It's too bad that they lost the first game by 8 pins, and the third game by 7 pins. We bowled well; Lansing just bowled a little better."

Chris Flood led the boys' effort with a 598 series on games of 223-160-215. Austin LaFever rolled a 514 that included a 201, while Tim Johnson notched a 489 (also with a 201).

"Chris had a great day, and Tim and Austin both bowled 200 games," said Brower, "and Mike
Rhodes is working hard and improving as well." Rhodes registered a 457.

The Watkins girls swept their three games, outpoint Lansing 2263-1956. Erika Rhodes led the way with a 473, while Samantha Bradley notched a 463 and Danielle Teed a 450.

"Erika is the fifth different girl to bowl the high series this season," said Brower, "and we have only had eight matches. When everyone bowls their best at the same time, they are going to be tough to beat."

Photos in text: Watkins Glen's Samantha Bradley celebrates a spare while Chris Flood motions after missing one.

HORSEHEADs, jan. 5 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity bowling team posted its third win of the season Wednesday when it defeated Edison 3-1 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Paramount Lanes.

O-M was led by Aaron Fisher's 563 and Phil Humphries' 542. Mitch McElroy added a 487 as the Indians dropped the first game but won the second and third along with total pinfall.

The O-M girls lost 4-0 as Edison outpointed them 2464-1600. Quinn Griswold led the Indians with a 368 series, while Tess Visscher notched a 340. Edison's Amanda Menechella rolled a 213-202-216-631.

Watkins Glen's Dustin Cummings, left, squares off against Tioga's Dustin Elston at 132 pounds. Cummings won by a pin.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 5 -- The Watkins Glen varsity wrestling team fell to Tioga but edged Lansing Wednesday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches in the WGHS Field House gym.

The Senecas fell to Tioga 54-30 before defeating Lansing 39-36. The victory over the Bobcats, Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson noted, was based largely on forfeit wins.

"We were lucky against them," he said, "because we had a bigger roster and were able to get forfeit points."

Winning for Watkins against Lansing were John Wasson, who defeated Justin Gavett 3-0 at 138 pounds, and Nick Cocola, who beat Cosmo Weldon by a first-period pin at 145 pounds.

In the loss to Tioga, Watkins wins came from Brandon Gould with a pin of John Noe at 2:52 in the 99-pound bout, Dustin Cummings with a pin of Dustin Elston at 4:29 in the 132-pound bout, and John Wasson with a pin of Luke Hoose at 138 pounds in 1:48.

The Senecas return to action Friday and Saturday when they host the annual Mike Watson Wrestling Tournament. Eighteen teams are expected to compete.

Top: Watkins Glen's Adam Hughey (foreground) heads for the mat in a bout with Tioga's Tyler Spires. Hughey lost a 7-3 decision.

O-M's Matt Smith, right, battle Trumansburg's Jonah Morreale at 145. Morreale won.

ODESSA, Jan. 5 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling team defeated Trumansburg and lost to Spencer-Van Etten Wednesday night in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches in O-M's Jack Davis Gym.

The Indians topped T-burg 54-21 on the strength of nine forfeits, and lost to S-VE 48-33. Spencer defeated T-burg -- which had just four active wrestlers -- by a 60-6 score.

99 Joe Rorick (OM) by Forfeit
106 Mon'e Simpson (OM) by Forfeit
113 Tyler Dupuy (OM) by Forfeit
120 Billy Bacon (OM) by Forfeit
126 Josh Smith (OM) by Forfeit
132 Cody Burnham (OM) by Forfeit
138 Michael Fraboni (OM) by Forfeit
145 Jonah Morreale (TB) pinned Matt Smith 5:31
152 Spencer Sappington (TB) pinned Dylan Porter 1:53
160 Russell Limber (TB) Dec Jeremy Zoeke 5-2
170 Dan Williams (TB) by Forfeit
182 No Match
195 No Match
220 Joe Wright (OM) by Forfeit
285 Mike Hoffman (OM) by forfeit

Spencer-Van Etten 48, Odessa-Montour 33

99 Joe Rorick (OM) pinned Joshua Enright 1:54
106 Tyler Dupuy (OM) by Forfeit
113 Billy Bacon (OM) Dec. Ian Burke 2-1
120 Josh Smith (OM) by Forfeit
126 Casey Tiffany (SVE) pinned Cody Burnham 5:54
132 Nick Vicioso (SVE) Disqualification over Michael Fraboni

138 Joe Judge (SVE) by forfeit
145 Ivan Bower (SVE) pinned Dylan Porter 2:52
152 Jerid Rimbey (SVE) by Forfeit
160 Vinny Ferrone (SVE) pinned Jeremy Zoeke 1:23
170 No Match
182 Michael Siegard (SVE) by Forfeit
195 Salvatore Giannino (SVE) by Forfeit
220 Joe Wright (OM) pinned David Elstron 3:06
285 Mike Hoffman (OM) pinned Thomas Swartout

Spencer-Van Etten 60, Trumansburg 6

99 Joshua Enright (SVE) by Forfeit
106 No Match
113 Ian Burke (SVE) by Forfeit
120 Casey Tiffany (SVE) by Forfeit
126 No Match
132 Nick Vicioso (SVE) by Forfeit
138 No Match
145 Jerid Rimbey (SVE) pinned Jonah Morreale 1:26
152 Ivan Bower (SVE) pinned Spencer Sappington 4:11
160 Vincent Ferrone (SVE) pinned Russ Limberg 3:26
170 No Match
182 Dan Williams (TB) pinned Michael Siegard 1:34
195 Salvatore Giannino (SVE) by Forfeit
220 David Elston (SVE) by Forfeit
285 Thomas Swartout (SVE) by Forfeit

Top: O-M's Dylan Porter (left) temporarily has the advantage on Trumansburg's Spencer Sappington at 152 pounds. Sappington won on a pin.

Bottom: Odessa's Jeremy Zoeke has the upper hand on T-burg's Russell Limber, but Limber won on a decision, 5-2.

Left: Watkins Glen's Madison Gates. Right: The Senecas' Angela Keough. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 4 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team improved its mark to 7-1 Tuesday night when it cruised past Newark Valley 59-23 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Field House gym.

The Senecas built a 31-2 lead through one quarter against the winless Cardinals, and were up 47-7 at halftime. They coasted from there.

Chelsea Lehman led Watkins in scoring with 17 points, while Angela Keough notched 16 and Taylor Chaffee 13 (along with 7 blocks). Other points came from Jessica Stansfield (6), Madison Gates (5) and Haley Tuttle (2).

Stansfield and Gates led Watkins in rebounds with 5 each, while Chaffee grabbed 4. Keough and Victoria Goehner each had 5 steals. Assists were evenly distributed, with Chaffee, Lehman, Goehner and Tuttle registering 2 apiece.

"We shot extremely well," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We hit six 3-pointers in the first half" -- four by Lehman in the first quarter and two by Chaffee in the second quarter.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Newark Valley 34-21. Amanda Pike led the Senecas with 22 points.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman finds the path to the basket a difficult one. (Photo by Don Romeo)

ODESSA, Jan. 4 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team saw its record slip to 4-4 Tuesday night as it dropped a 64-29 decision to Newfield in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

Taylor Carey led Odessa with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Other points came from .Morgan Stermer (3), Brittany Van Amburg (3), Denna Page (2), Kirsta Rhodes (2) and Danielle Shortt (2).

Newfield connected on nine 3-pointers, and posted its season high in points as it improved its record to 5-3.

"We really ran into a buzzsaw tonight," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "They couldn't miss in the 2nd quarter" -- a period dominated by Newfield 27-8 en route to a 38-12 halftime lead.

NEWFIELD, Jan. 4 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- led by Tom Peckham's 21 points -- defeated Newfield 59-53 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Newfield gym.

The Indians led 15-14 after one period, 33-29 at halftime and 49-45 entering the final quarter.

Scoring for O-M in addition to Peckham were Morgan Shutter (13 points), Matt Kautz (10), Ryan Gardner (6), Luke Brown (4), Kyle Bailey (2), Phil Smith (2) and Brandon Evans (1).

Photo at right: O-M's Tom Peckham goes up for a shot. He finished with 21 points.

O-M's Matt Kautz (left) and Brandon Evans go up for shots. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

NEWARK VALLEY, Jan. 4 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team scored the first 27 points of the game, built a 40-4 halftime lead, and coasted to a 65-25 victory over Newark Valley Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the NV gym.

The victory lifted the Senecas' season mark to 6-3, while Newark Valley slipped ot 1-8. The Cardinals' lone win came against Tioga, which defeated Watkins Glen early in the season.

"Our defense was really, really good," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary. "Our press was good; we were all over them."

The Senecas got points from all of its players: Clayton Beaumont (12), Jesse Teeter (9), Anthony Keough (8), Colin Gates (8), Alec Moore (7), Kody Gregory (7), Chris Duane (5), Brady Myers (4), Josh Teeter (3), and Brandon Westervelt (2).

Moore led the team in rebounds with 5, while the Teeters, Myers and Gates grabbed 4 each. The Teeters led in assists with 4 apiece, while Duane led in steals with 6.

The Senecas return to action Tuesday at home against Notre Dame. It will be Seneca Youth Basketball Night, with any member of that Saturday morning program admitted free if he or she is wearing a league T-shirt and is accompanied by a paying adult.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 7-2 with a 43-38 victory over winless Newark Valley. Keith Rekczis led the Senecas with 17 points, while Luke Flahive scored 9, and Brendan Hunter and Joe Palumbo 7 apiece.

ODESSA, Jan. 4 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team got wins from Chris Husted and Matt Chapman Tuesday, but fell to Southern Cayuga 60-23 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the O-M pool.

Husted won the 50 Free with a personal-best time of 24.17, while Chapman won the 500 Free with a personal best of 7:06.88 (a drop of 18 seconds off his previous PR).

Second-place finishes were posted by Husted in the 100 Fly, Tyler Walrath in the 100 Breast, the 200 Free Relay squad (Husted, Joe Raymond, Chapman and Tom Doan) and the 400 Free Relay team (Doan, Shane Smith, Walrath and Raymond).

The 200 Medley Relay team (Chapman, Walrath, Husted and Doan) took first in a season-best 2:11.37 but was disqualified due to an illegal touch on a turn.

WAVERLY, Jan. 4 -- The Watkins Glen boys and girls varsity bowling teams both lost 4-0 to Waverly Tuesday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at the Valley Bowling Center in Waverly.

"They bowled better than us today," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "The good thing is we get to bowl there two more times this year, once against Tioga, and again at the IAC Championships. I'm confident we will get the lanes figured out. It is always tough immediately after the holiday break."

The Watkins boys were outscored 3238-2183. Chris Flood led the Senecas with a 477 series, while Tim Johnson posted a 440. Waverly's Fred Miller rolled a 715 series, while Jared Joseph had a 661 and Mason Beard a 648.

The Glen girls were outpointed 2361-2129. Sarah Wickham led the Senecas with a 459 series, while Samantha Bradley registered a 427.

WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 4 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team notched just one victory Tuesday as it dropped a 114-55 decision to Waverly in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the WGHS pool.

The lone victory was posted by Chris Gill in the 500 Free, when he swam a season-best 5:32.70, a couple of seconds shy of his personal best, set last year at Sectionals.

Personal bests were posted by two Senecas: Mike Olmstead in the 50 Free (24.81) and
Mitch Mangus in the 100 Breaststroke (1:18.01).

"The boys have had a hard week of practices, and they are doing great," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin, whose roster is small next to Waverly's. "I’m excited to see our times at the EFA Invitational" on Jan. 13-14.

Watkins Glen got individual second-place finishes from Gill in the 200 Free, Olmstead in the 50 Free, and Brenton Whiting in the 100 Fly.

Waverly's Jeff Mastrantuono set a pool record in the 100 Free, posting a time of 49.64. The old mark was 49.95.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Jan. 2 -- This week we honor three school-record-setting Watkins Glen High School runners as Odessa File Athletes of the Week.

For setting school records at an Indoor Track Meet at Ithaca College, the honorees are Matt Gill (pictured at left), Charlie Bascom (pictured top right) and John Fausold (bottom right). Gill set marks in the 1500 and 3000 Meters, Bascom in the 200 and 400, and Fausold in the 800.

Double Honorable: Watkins Glen basketball standouts Chelsea Lehman, Taylor Chaffee, Clayton Beaumont and Brady Myers for strong performances in the holiday tournaments at the Field House.

Special Mention: We don't usually grant points to junior varsity players, but the Field House basketball tournaments were a showcase for up-and-coming talent. Accordingly, we're giving a point each to Halle Phillips, Amanda Pike and Adam Tuttle.

Photos: Honorees Matt Gill (left), Charlie Bascom (top right) and John Fausold (bottom right).

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 31 -- Four Dragons Martial Arts in Watkins Glen held its first Black Belt Test in November, advancing two students in rank.

The two-day test was held at the dojo and tested the candidates in all curriculum areas of the Tamshii Ryuu System (a blended style of taekwondo, karate, modern arnis, and ju jitsu) and physical fitness. Candidates spent four months in physical preparation for the test and also completed several non-physical requirements -- including a Community Based Leadership Project and a Black Belt Essay.

Stephen Emmons, a 12-year-old Junior Olympic Medalist, has been studying at Four Dragons since it opened its doors in 2006, and spends his free time as an instructor, helping students at the school reach their goals too. Stephen was promoted to Advanced 1st Degree Black Belt.

Brian Coon, a 17-year-old high school student from Penn Yan, came to Four Dragons from another school. He is also part of the teaching staff and, according to school officials, "is quite the role model for the younger students." He was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt.

Photo in text: From left: Heidi Wilmott (Chief Instructor Tamashii Ryuu), Brian Coon, Mike Wilmott (Professor of Ju Jitsu) and Stephen Emmons. (Photo provided)

The tournament champion Bishop Ludden varsity basketball team. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 31 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team ran into a very good team Friday night, and came away with their first lost of the season -- a 58-42 loss to Bishop Ludden of Syracuse in the championship game of the Melissa B. Wilson Holiday Tournament in the WGHS Field House.

"They're the best team we'll see this year. They shot it well," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. The Gaelic Knights also dribbled it well, passed it well, and were quick to the ball on defense, forcing 15 turnovers.

The two teams played even through one period, but Bishop Ludden -- a Class B school to Watkins Glen's Class C -- started to pull away with a 14-7 second quarter. Matters got worse for the Senecas in the third period, when they were outscored 23-10 and found themselves down 20 points entering the final period. They never challenged down the stretch.

Taylor Chaffee led the Senecas with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Chelsea Lehman added 11 points and had 5 rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Other points came from Angela Keough (6, with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block), Haley Tuttle (2), Logan VanOstrand (2) and Madison Gates (1). The team converted 8 of 12 free throws.

Bishop Ludden was led by Kayla Kibling's 13 points, Kelly Granteed's 11, and Nicole Granteed's 8. The Knights converted 13 of 23 free throws.

JV Consolation Game: Watkins Glen defeated Jordan-Elbridge 35-24, led by Amanda Pike's 12 points and Halle Phillips' 11. The Senecas built a 26-14 first-half lead en route to the win.

Junior Varsity: Halle Phillips of Watkins Glen, Keelie Hotchkiss of Jordan-Elbridge, Olivia Trunfio and Sarah Hayes of Bishop Ludden, and Alaina Woods of Newfield. MVP: Mariyah Byrd of Newfield.

Varsity: Molly Hourigan of Jordan-Elbridge, Lindsay Wood of Newfield, Chelsea Lehman and Taylor Chaffee of Watkins Glen, and Natalie Barletta of Bishop Ludden. MVP: Kayla Kibling of Bishop Ludden.

Bottom: The Senecas' Haley Tuttle puts up a shot against Bishop Ludden. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Madison Gates (10) attempts to drive toward the hoop. Right: The Senecas' Victoria Goehner (4) and Angela Keough (3) battle a Biship Ludden player for the ball. (Photos by Don Romeo)

In the JV game: From left, Watkins Glen's Halle Phillips, Corey Flahive and Amanda Pike. (Photos by Don Romeo)

ITHACA, Dec. 30 -- Watkins Glen boys broke several school running records Thursday at a His/Hers Competition held at Ithaca College.

In the boys competititon:

Watkins Glen placed 12th out of 25 teams. The school records included: Charlie Bascom shaving fractions of a second off the 200 Meter Dash, posting a 24.75 to break Cody Dahl's school mark of 24.78. Bascom also broke the school mark in the 400 Meters with a 53.11, smashing the school mark of 1:01.25.

John Fausold broke the school record for the 800 Meter Run with a 2:24.42. The previous record was 2:25.20.

Matt Gill crushed two school records. The first was in the 1500 Meter Run, which he finished with a 4:33.89. John Fausold also finished with a 4:46.79. The previous school record was a 4:59.63. Gill also ran the 3000 Meters in a record 9:52.55. Josh Langley was not far behind, finishing at a 10:14.43.

The meet started out with a relay team consisting of Larry Morris, Rob Rondinaro, Ryan Rondinaro and Langley running the Distance Medley Relay. Distances were run in segments of 1200-400-800-1600. The relay team's overall time was 13:24.35.

Meawhile:

In the 200 Meter Dash, Rob Rondinaro ran a 28.11.

In the 400 Meters, Ryan Rondinaro ran a 1:08.25.

In the 55 Meter Dash, Brennon DeMeritt ran an 8.24.

In the 800 Meter Run, Larry Morris ran a 2:42.71.

In the boys shot put, Brady Bond threw a 30'02" and Chris Schaffner threw a 28'00.50"

For the girls:

Amelia Stamp ran both the 1500 Meters and the 800 Meters. In the 1500, she ran a 6:03.50, and in the 800 she ran a 2:59.30.

Courtney Waite ran the 400 Meters, clocking in at 1:14.69.

"What a night of both school-record-breaking and individual (personal best) record breaking!" said Watkins Glen Coach Alyssa Hoobler. "Perhaps having some time off to unwind and de-stress has worked for these kids. Needless to say, we are very proud of every individual on this team.

"It's hard that we can't always be watching everyone all the time at the meets, but I still know that all athletes are trying their best, no matter what. I am also more and more impressed each time I see the team supporting each other -- that is what gets the Seneca spirit going, and what makes personal records happen!"

Watkins Glen's Jessica Stansfield (center) and Kayli Westervelt (12 white) contend for a rebound. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 30 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team built a 21-point lead through three periods and cruised to victory Thursday night over Newfield, 49-36, in an opening-round game of the Melissa B. Wilson Holiday Tournament in the Field House.

The victory improved the Senecas' season mark to 6-0 and puts them in the tourney title game tonight (Friday) at 8 p.m. against Bishop Ludden, a 58-55 winner over Jordan-Elbridge in Thursday's other opener. Newfield, now 4-2, will face J-E in a 6 p.m. consolation game.

Watkins Glen raced out to a 15-7 first-quarter edge and led 24-12 at halftime. The lead grew to 35-14 entering the final period, when most of the Watkins starters were lifted in favor of backup players.

Taylor Chaffee led Watkins in scoring with 16 points, and notched 4 blocks, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Jessica Stansfield added 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks, while Kayli Westervelt scored 8 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Other points came from Chelsea Lehman (5, with 4 rebounds and 4 steals), Haley Tuttle (4), Madison Gates (2) and Angela Keough (2, with 3 assists).

Skyler Cooper led Newfield with 6 points, while Nicole Goodwin and Dominique Everhart scored 5 apiece.

"Kayli and Jessica played very well," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We were struggling from outside, but they played extraordinarily inside, and got us going on offense."

Clark says Bishop Ludden poses a challenge, especially with "three quality guards" and an outside game that was very effective against Jordan-Elbridge.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen fell to Newfield 38-31, and so will play Jordan-Elbridge in a consolation game at 2 p.m. today. Corey Flahive led the Senecas with 9 points, while Amanda Pike scored 8, Gabriella LaRosa 4, and Amanda Cherock, Alexis Gonzalez, Destiny Klumb, Alexis Naylor and Halle Phillips 2 apiece. Newfield was led by Mariyah Byrd's 12 points and Kayla Goodwin's 11 points. The Trojans play Bishop Ludden for the JV title at 4 p.m.

Top: Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman loses her footing as she drives toward the basket.

Bottom: In the JV game, Watkins Glen's Halle Phillips shoots. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Madison Gates (10) puts up a shot. Right: The Senecas' Taylor Chaffee shoots in traffic. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 29 -- Clyde Savannah -- which defeated Watkins Glen in the opening round on Tuesday -- turned back a late charge by Spencer-Van Etten Wednesday night to claim the championship of the Watkins Glen Boys Holiday Basketball Tournament. The final score was 58-51.

Clyde Savannah (7-0) built a 13-7 first quarter edge and led 29-20 at intermission. The Eagles expanded the lead to 14 points, 46-32, entering the fourth period, and led by 15 points, 49-34, with seven minutes remaining.

But S-VE's Gino Leonardi sank three of his seven 3-pointers in the next three minutes to cut the CS lead to six points, 49-43, with four minutes to go. Leonardi then hit a 2-pointer at 2:52 to bring the Panthers within four points, 49-45.

After CS hit a pair of free throws, Leonardi hit another 3-pointer as S-VE closed to within three points, 51-48. But a layup by Clyde Savannah, a Spencer shot that rimmed out, and four converted CS free throws pushed Clyde's lead back to nine, 57-48, and out of reach.

Leonardi finished with 25 points, while Clyde Savannah sophomore Joemaine Bogan scored 21.

Photo in text: Clyde Savannah's Joemaine Bogan (23) shoots. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 29 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team pulled away from Newfield Wednesday with a mid-game 34-9 run en route to a 67-48 victory in the consolation game of the Watkins Glen Boys Holiday Tournament in the Field House.

Watkins Glen, which had fallen to eventual tourney winner Clyde Savannah in an opening round contest Tuesday, was led Wednesday by Brady Myers' 21 points and 10 rebounds. Clayton Beaumont scored 17 points, while Alec Moore scored 12 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had 5 assists and 3 steals.

"That was a pretty good night for our big men," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary, who said his team "played well in stretches, but in the blink of an eye 10 points were gone."

He was referring to a one-minute stretch in the fourth period in which the Senecas' 30-point lead was trimmed to 20.

Also scoring for the Senecas were Jesse Teeter (7 points, with 4 assists), Chris Duane (4 points, with 3 assists), Brandon Westervelt (3) and Josh Teeter (3).

Junior Varsity: Newfield won the title by defeating Clyde Savannah, while Watkins Glen won the consolation game by topping S-VE 49-21. Adam Tuttle led the Senecas with 15 points, while Luke Flahive scored 10. The Senecas are now 6-2.

Varsity: The MVP was Clyde Savannah's Joemaine Bogan. All-Tournament Team members were Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont, Newfield's Corey Hayes, S-VE's Derek Carman and Gino Leonardi, and Clyde Savannah's Kam Disanto.

Junior Varsity: The MVP was Newfield's Naeem Clark. All-Tournament Team members were Watkins Glen's Adam Tuttle, S-VE's Brandon Morgan, Newfield's Leif Pakkala, and Clyde Savannah's Joe Faniel and Jason Doig.

Top: Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter drives toward the basket. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Brady Myers grabs a rebound. Right: The Senecas' Clayton Beaumont shoots. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Alec Moore attempts a shot in traffic. Right: In the JV consolation game, Watkins Glen's Joe Palumbo (22) sends a shot on its way. (Photos by Don Romeo)

From left: Odessa-Montour's Ryan Gardner and Tom Peckham, and Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee and Angela Keough.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 26 -- As we head into a week with nothing but basketball (two Watkins Glen tourneys) on the high school sports schedule, we honor four basketball players as Odessa File Athletes of the Week for games just passed.

From Watkins Glen, the honorees are Taylor Chaffee and Angela Keough, and from Odessa-Montour, they are Tom Peckham and Ryan Gardner.

Chaffee scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds as the Senecas handily defeated Waverly, while teammate Keough scored 14 points and registered 6 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists.

Peckham notched a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Gardner scored 16 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, as Odessa topped Candor.

Double Honorable: O-M basketball's Matt Kautz and Taylor Carey, Watkins Glen basketball's Chelsea Lehman, and O-M swimmer Chris Husted.

Note: We were once again lacking in a report from one coach, and so can't factor in whatever his athletes achieved.

Left: Watkins Glen's Alec Moore shoots. Right: The Senecas' Josh Teeter fights for the ball. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 28 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team rallied from 12 points down in the final period to challenge for the lead, but fell 61-57 Tuesday to Clyde Savannah in an opening-round game of the Watkins Glen Boys Holiday Tournament in the Field House gym.

The loss dropped the Senecas' season mark to 4-3 and put them in the consolation game today (Wednesday) at 5 p.m. against Newfield. The Trojans led by 10 points at halftime against Spencer-Van Etten before falling 48-46 in Tuesday's other opening-round contest.

The championship game, pitting Clyde Savannah against S-VE, will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Watkins Glen fell behind in the first quarter, 22-17, and trailed by seven at halftime, 36-29. The Senecas surged to within a point twice in the third period, only to see Clyde Savannah pull away again. The Eagles closed the period with a 51-42 advantage.

The lead grew to 12 points with 2:30 remaining in the final quarter, but Watkins whittled it to 2 points with 20.4 seconds before Clyde Savannah clinched its win with free throws.

Clayton Beaumont led Watkins with 19 points, and had 4 steals and 2 blocks. Brady Myers scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, while Alec Moore notched 12 points and had 6 rebounds. Other points came from Chris Duane (8, with 3 assists and 3 steals), Josh Teeter (3) and Jesse Teeter (2, with 4 assists and 2 steals).

The keys to the loss, said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary, were missed layups, missed free throws and too many Clyde Savannah offensive rebounds.

"It's frustrating," he said. "It would have been a great win" against a team that is state-ranked in Class C and unbeaten. The Eagles are now 6-0.

"But give our guys credit," Fazzary added. "They never gave up, and fought to the end."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen led 46-41 in the closing minutes, but Clyde Savannah scored a 2-point basket and then, with 14.1 seconds remaining, tied the game on a 3-pointer. It then stole the ball and missed a shot at the buzzer -- but was fouled. Jason Doig sank the first of two free throws for the one-point victory. Keith Rekczis led Watkins with 14 points, while Joe Palumbo scored 13.

The Senecas will face Spencer-Van Etten in the consolation game at 1:30 p.m. today. CS will face Newfield for the JV title at 3 p.m.

Top: Watkins Glen's Brady Myers encounters heavy traffic as he drives to the basket.

Bottom: In the JV game, Keith Rekczis prepares to shoot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

From left: Watkins Glen's Anthony Keough, Clayton Beaumont and Jesse Teeter (Photos by Don Romeo)

CANDOR, Dec. 23 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling team sustained a double loss Thursday, falling to Candor 47-36 and to Marathon 42-28 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in Candor's gym.

99 Joe Rorick (OM) Pinned Dekota Wintermute :36
106 Tyler Dupuy (OM) By Forfeit
113 Billy Bacon (OM) By Forfiet
120 Aaron Laurenson (C) Pinned Josh Smith :43
126 Cody Burnham (OM) Pinned Tyler Chilson
132 Mike Fraboni (OM) Pinned Austin Wood
138 No Match
145 Tyler Swansbrough (C) Pinned Dylan Porter 1:58
152 Owen Garlough (C) by Forfeit
160 Jay Hover (C) Tech Fall over Jeremy Zoeke 17-2 in 4:34
170 Richard Scott (C) By Forfeit
182 Joe O' Konsky (C) by Forfeit
195 Jason Bennett (C) By Forfeit
220 Joe Wright (OM) Pinned Dakota Decker 1:38
285 Tyler Hallett (C) Pinned Mike Hoffman 4:28

Marathon 42, Odessa-Montour 28

99 Joe Rorick (OM) by Forfeit
106 Tyler Dupuy (OM) By Forfeit
113 Billy Bacon (OM) Major Decision over Lloyd Barker 10-0
120 Lukas Malmberg (M) Pinned Josh Smith 1:12
126 Tyler Hall (M) Pinned Cody Burnham 1:32
132 Mike Fraboni (OM) By Forfeit
138 Tim Larkin (M) By Forfeit
145 No Match
152 Matt Willliams (M) Pinned Dylan Porter 1:39
160 Jeremy Zoeke (OM) By Forfeit
170 No Match
182 No Match
195 Liam Chilson (M) By Forfeit
220 Dillion Hulbert (M) Pinned Joe Wright 1:27
285 Christian Seyerle (M) Pinned Mike Hoffman 1:15

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 22 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams both dropped decisions to Tioga Wednesday in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The O-M boys lost 4-0 as Tioga outscored them 2744-2230. Aaron Fisher led the Indians with a 543 series that included a 230 game. Phil Humphries added a 470 and Mitch McElroy a 428.

The Odessa girls fell 3-1, losing the first and third games and total pinfall, 1825-1752. Maia Rumsey led the squad with a 369 series, while Alex Underdown rolled a 364 and Brittney Bennett a 355.

Photo in text: O-M's Quinn Griswold lines up a shot during Wednesday's match.

Left: O-M's Dakota Simpson (23) gets in the way of a Candor shot. Right: Odessa's Ryan Gardner takes aim from a distance. He hit four 3-pointers. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

ODESSA, Dec. 22 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- led by Ryan Gardner's 16 points and Tom Peckham's double-double -- never trailed Wednesday night as it posted a 56-40 victory over Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The victory lifted the Odessa season mark to 3-3 heading into the holiday break, while Candor slipped to 0-7.

Gardner hit four 3-pointers -- three of them in the second half as Odessa pulled away after building an 8-point halftime lead, 21-13. Gardner, who notched 13 of his points after intermission, also had 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the game.

Peckham scored 13 points -- 11 in the second half -- and grabbed 12 rebounds. He also blocked 3 shots and had 2 assists and a steal.

Odessa also got double-digit scoring from Matt Kautz (12 points, with 9 rebounds and a steal) and Morgan Shutter (10 points, with 3 steals, 3 assists and 2 rebounds). Other points came from Brandon Evans (2, along with 5 rebounds), Dakota Simpson (2) and Kyle Bailey (1, with 2 rebounds). Luke Brown grabbed 4 rebounds, while Phil Smith had 2. The team converted 10 of 27 free throws.

Candor was led by Harry Hartman's 11 points and Dan Pierce's 10. Their squad sank 16 of 28 free throws.

O-M scored first, was tied 3-3, and then pulled ahead for good, building a 17-6 first-quarter lead. Candor outscored Odessa 7-4 in the second period, but Odessa had 21-15 and 14-12 advantages in the final two quarters.

Photo in text: O-M's Morgan Shutter drives to the basket. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: Odessa's Tom Peckham (21) wins the tipoff. Right: O-M's Matt Kautz (11) shoots. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 19 -- The following are the results of Week 1 of the Watkins Glen Youth Basketball program, held Saturday, Dec. 17 in the Watkins Glen High School Field House gym.

Sporting Goods -- Brandon Beaumont 9, Bryce Kelly 7, Natalie Edminister 2, Adrienna Solomon 1.

Central Asphalt -- Max Evans 14, Owen Buckley 2, Joseph Whipple 2, Brennan Lees 2

Capt. Bill's -- Mariah Gonzalez 16, Joe Chedzoy 10, Makenna Fraboni 2, Kathryn Losey 2

Van Skiver Motors -- M. Clara Chedzoy 8, Jackson Dunham 6, Josh Updyke 4, and Kayla Smith 2

Church Street Produce -- Dylan Markley 6, Walker Richtmyer 6, Tyler Couch 4, Hanley Elliott 4, Avery Watson 2

Watkins Glen's Chelsea Lehman (5) battles for possession of the ball. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WAVERLY, Dec. 21 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team used an effective defense and double-digit scoring by Taylor Chaffee and Angela Keough to defeat Waverly Tuesday night 50-30 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Waverly gym.

The Senecas, now 5-0, used a 16-4 third-period spurt to take command of the game and hand Waverly its second loss of the season.

Chaffee totaled 19 points (including 12 in the third period) and 9 rebounds, while Keough scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and had 4 assists and 6 steals. Other points came from Chelsea Lehman (7, with 5 rebounds and 6 steals), Haley Tuttle (6), Madison Gates (2, along with 5 rebounds) and Kayli Westervelt (2).

"It was all about defense," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "Chelsea was the spark, Keough played phenomenally, and Madison Gates was huge off the bench after (Jessica) Stansfield and Tuttle got into foul trouble."

Waverly, said Clark, "is a quality team, and they stayed with us in the first half" -- when Watkins Glen built a 23-16 advantage.

But the Senecas pulled away as Chaffee hit three of her four 3-pointers in the third quarter, along with a layup and free throw.

"We didn't shoot well from outside in the first half," said Clark. "But when Taylor started hitting those threes, it helped our transition game." The Watkins Glen advantage entering the fourth period was 39-20, and the Senecas outscored the Wolverines 11-10 down the stretch.

Next up for the Senecas is the Melissa Wilson Memorial Tournament in the WGHS Field House on Dec. 29-30. They open against Newfield at 8 p.m. on the 29th. The other two teams are Bishop Ludden and Jordan-Elbridge.

Bottom: In the junior varsity game, Watkins Glen's Victoria Wixson drives toward the basket. The JV lost to Waverly. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Jessica Stansfield (15) tries to elude a Waverly defender. Right: The Senecas' Angela Keough goes up for a shot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

LANSING, Dec. 21 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team got two wins Tuesday from Chris Husted, but the undermanned Indians fell to Lansing 79-38 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Lansing pool.

Husted won the 50 Free in a personal-best time of 24.20, and the 100 Free with a personal record of 54.06.

Personal records were also posted by Matt Chapman in the 100 Back (1:26.19) and Tom Doan in the 50 Free (29.95) and 100 Free (1:12.56). Chapman notched a season-best 2:37.41 in the 200 Free.

"The boys have been working hard in practice and their times are a reflection of that hard work," said O-M Coach Terri Brace. "I'm really proud of them."

Watkins Glen's Anthony Keough (background, facing camera) looks for a possible pass in traffic. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 21-- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team fell behind early Tuesday night against Waverly and "never made a game of it," said Watkins coach John Fazzary.

The result was a 54-38 loss at the hands of the Wolverines in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

Waverly (5-1) surged in front early, building a 21-11 first-period lead and a 32-17 halftime edge. The Wolverines increased the advantage to 21 points, at 46-25, entering the fourth quarter.

"We hoped we could make it a competitive game," said Fazzary, "but we were playing catch-up all night. Waverly is a good team, with three or four guys 6'4". We had a lot of trouble on the boards."

Clayton Beaumont led Watkins Glen (4-2) with 18 points, including two 3-pointers. Other points came from Brady Myers (5, along with 4 rebounds), Chris Duane (4), Alec Moore (4, with 6 rebounds and 3 assists), Josh Teeter (3), Anthony Keough (2), and Colin Gates (2). The Senecas converted 1 of 4 free-throw attempts.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 5-1 with a 53-37 victory over Waverly. Luke Flahive paced the Senecas with 18 points, while Joe Palumbo scored 15 and Keith Rekczis 12.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Brady Myers drives toward the hoop as Waverly defenders close in. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Left: The Senecas' Josh Teeter races past a Waverly defender. Right: Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont shoots over a Waverly player. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

CANDOR, Dec. 21 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team fell behind early, rallied to within a point, but never gained the lead Tuesday night as it fell to Candor 43-37 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Candor gym.

Taylor Carey led the Odessa offense with 14 points, and grabbed 9 rebounds. Other points came from Brittany VanAmburg (9), Kirsta Rhodes (6, with 9 rebounds), Morgan Stermer (3), Denna Page (3), and Kristha Bryan (2).

Candor led 7-5 after one period, 20-13 at halftime, and 31-26 after three quarters.

"We trailed all night long, fought back in the third to get within 1, but never led at any time," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich.

"We played hard, but ... we lost our defensive assignments on Sierra Szwec (24 points) too often and turned the ball over (28) way too much."

Photo in text: O-M's Ashton Stadelmaier passes the ball. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Taylor Carey puts up a shot. Right: Odessa's Morgan Stermer races upcourt. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Denna Page (center) battles for the ball. Right: Odessa's Brittany VanAmburg drives to the hoop. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

DRYDEN, Dec. 21 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team posted a number of season-best times Tuesday, but fell to Dryden 85-80 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Dryden pool.

"This was a tough loss," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin, "but the boys swam well. A few events just didn’t go our way, but that’s okay. I’m proud of how everyone swam."

Chris Gill: 200 Free (2:03.75) and 500 Free (5:36.14)
Brenton Whiting: 100 Fly (1:07.21)
Matt Doppel: 100 Back 1:08.50

The 200 Medley Relay team of Doppel, Mike Olmstead, Whiting and Mitch Mangus won with a time of 1:58.73.

The 200 Free Relay team of Doppel, Olmstead, Gill, and Braedan Fitch won with a time of 1:46.85.

--Chris Gill in the 200 Free (2:03.75) and 500 Free (5:36.14)
--Braedan Fitch in the 200 Free (2:09.24) and 500 Free (5:51.96)
--Brenton Whiting in the 200 IM (2:34.15) and 100 Fly (1:07.21)
--Brandon Swartz in the 50 Free (31.79)
--Tom Richtmyer in the 200 Free (2:13.32) and 100 Fly (1:18.54)
--Ryan DeBolt in the 100 Back (1:16.51)
--Mike Olmstead in the 100 Breaststroke (1:16.64)

ODESSA, Dec. 21 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams fell 4-0 to Candor in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches Tuesday at Johnny's Lanes.

The boys team fell 2229-1952, losing individual games 670-653, 752-700 and 807-599. Phil Humphries led Odessa with a 469 series, while Mitch McElroy notched a 452.

The girls team lost 2100-1471, dropping the three games by scores of 637-469, 769-532, and 694-470. Tess Visscher led Odessa with a 305 series, while Quinn Griswold rolled a 303.

Photo at right: O-M's Phil Humphries applies some body English as he converts a spare.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 20 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team outscored Waverly by 100 pins, but ended up with a 2-2 tie Monday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Johnny's Lanes.

The Watkins boys team, meanwhile, fell 4-0 to Waverly, dropping its season mark to 2-4.

The Lady Senecas (4-0-2) lost the opening game by 8 pins, 773-765, and the third game by 9 pins, 735-726. They won the second game handily, 816-699, and took total pinfall 2307-2207.

Danielle Teed paced Watkins with a 475 series, while Mikaela Suddaby rolled a 467 and Samantha Bradley a 448.

In the boys match, Waverly took all three games while outpointing the Senecas 2854-2297. Zach Little led Watkins with a 527 series that included a 235 game, while Corey Teribury rolled a 506 that included a 246. Michael Rhodes added a 466.

"Eight pins in the first game, and nine in the third... we were a spare away from taking all four points" in the girls match, said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower.

"Different girls keep coming up big when we need them to," he said. "By the end of the season, they will all be coming up big at the same time... and that's the right time. If they keep working, and improving, they should be in the hunt for another title." The Watkins girls won a Sectional title last year.

Match 1-Erin Bond with a high series of 451
Match 2-Sarah Wickham with a high series of 457
Match 3-Samantha Bradley with a high series of 476
Match 4-Danielle Teed with a high series of 486
Match 5-Samantha Bradley with a high series of 527
Match 6-Danielle Teed with a high series of 475 (including a career-high 180 game)

The Waverly girls are currently in first place in the IAC Large Schools division with a points won-lost mark of 24-4. Watkins Glen is in second place with a 19-5 record.

Members of the Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team pose at the edge of the lanes while awaiting the arrival of the Groton team for a Friday, Dec. 16 match at Johnny's Lanes. From left: Lucy Craig, Chelsea Kennard, Sarah Wickham, Mikaela Suddaby, Katrina Swarthout, Samantha Bradley, Danielle Teed, Erika Rhodes and Erin Bond. Not pictured: Lindsey Suddaby.

Athletes of the Week: 2 O-M wrestlers and the Watkins Glen girls bowling team

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 19 -- This week we honor some unbeatens as Odessa File Athletes of the Week: a pair of Odessa-Montour wrestlers who were 9-0 at the Arkport Duals, and the Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team.

The O-M wrestlers are both freshmen in the lower weight classes. One is Joe Rorick (pictured at left), who wrestles at 99 pounds, and the other is Billy Bacon (pictured at right), who wrestles at 113 pounds. Each had a perfect record at the two-day Arkport tournament. "They had a great weekend," said their coach, Bill Lindsley.

The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team won twice during the week, extending their unbeaten mark to 4-0-1. They have won 17 of the possible 20 points in their five matches thus far. And in each match, it seems, a different bowler steps up to lead the way. The team members are Samantha Bradley, Danielle Teed, Sarah Wickham, Mikaela Suddaby, Katrina Swarthout, Lindsey Suddaby, Lucy Craig, Chelsea Kennard, Erika Rhodes and Erin Bond.

Double Honorable: Watkins Glen wrestlers Adam Hughey, Brandon Gould and Nick Cocola for outstanding performances at the Campbell-Savona Holiday Wrestling Tournament; Watkins Glen's Charlie Bascom and Matt Gill for setting new indoor-track school records; O-M basketball's Taylor Carey for a double-double against Campbell-Savona; Watkins Glen basketball player Chelsea Lehman for an outstanding game against Spencer-Van Etten; O-M swimmer Chris Husted for an exceptional performance against Watkins Glen; and Watkins Glen boys varsity bowlers Zach Little and Chris Flood for leading their squad to a 2-0 week.

Watkins Glen medal winners at the Campbell-Savona Holiday Wrestling Tournament included: standing from left, Dillon Gossett, Dustin Cummings, Nick Cocola, John Wasson and Adam Hughey; and kneeling from left, Matt Woodworth, Brandon Gould and John Brown. (Photo by Daneen Phillips)

CAMPBELL, Dec. 18 -- The Watkins Glen varsity wrestling team posted a 4-3 record in the Campbell-Savona Holiday Wrestling Tournament on Friday and Saturday, with three team members registering 6-1 records.

The Senecas were 1-2 on Friday, beating Dundee 53-30 and losing to Lyndonville 57-21 and Canisteo-Greenwood 63-24. Lyndonville would end up winning the tournament, with Canisteo-Greenwood in 2nd place.

On Saturday, the Senecas went 3-1, defeating Williamson 40-36, Campbell-Savona 57-24 and Dansville 41-40, and losing to Addison 39-32.

“The Addison match was an exciting one," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "It was real close throughout the whole match.”

The Dansville match was also very close. “The win came down to the last match," Watson said, where a Dansville wrestler was called for a flagrant misconduct. He lost the bout, and his team was penalized three points, giving the Senecas the victory by a point.

Receiving awards after going 6-1 were: Brandon Gould (99 pounds), Nick Cocola (145), and Adam Hughey (170). Other Senecas: Matt Woodworth (106) was 5-2; John Brown (113) was 5-2; Dillon Gossett (126) was 4-3; Dustin Cummings (132) was 5-2, and John Wasson (138) was 5-2. Each received an award.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Matt Woodworth on the way to one of his five wins at 106 pounds. (Photo by Daneen Phillips)

Watkins Glen's Adam Hughey is in control as he nears one of his six wins at 170 pounds during the Campbell-Savona tournament. (Photo by Daneen Phillips)

ITHACA, Dec. 18 -- The Watkins Glen High School varsity indoor track team competed Saturday at the Ithaca College Invitational, and in the process two of its members broke school records.

Charlie Bascom registered a 1:26.79 in the 600 Meter Run, breaking the previous school record set by Shane Smith last year at 1:33.

And Matt Gill broke his own school record -- set the previous week -- in the 3200 Meter Run, posting a 10:31. He ran a 10:34 eight days earlier.

The Watkins Glen boys:

--In the 55m dash, Charlie Bascom ran a 7.29, and Rob Rondinaro ran a 7.91.

--John Fausold posted a 1:37.93 in the 600m.

--In the 1600m run (boys mile), Nick Sorensen ran a 4:57.88, and John Fausold ran a 5:07.89.

--Matthew Gill registered a 2:56 in the 1000m run.

--Ryan Rondinaro ran the 1000m in 3:29.11.

--In the 300m dash, Josh Langley ran a 42.99 and Rob Rondinaro ran a 46.5.

--In the triple jump, Josh Langley leaped 33'10". In the long jump, Rob Rondinaro posted a leap of 15' 00.5".

--In the Shot Put, Brady Bond threw 33'07" and Bryson Clarkson threw 24'02".

The Watkins Glen girls:

--Taylor Kennard ran a 12:55 in the 3000m. She also ran the 1000m in 3:55.77.

--Sarah Hazlitt ran 8.41 in the 55m dash. She also ran the 300m dash in 48.52.

--Amelia Stamp ran a 5:51.96 in the 1500m (girls mile). Stamp also ran the 600m in 1:57.34.

--Courtney Waite ran the 600m in 2:01.59.

--Mariah Brisbois ran 11.60 for the 55m hurdles. She also threw a 20'09" in the shot put. Teammate Mara Brisbois threw 17'.

"I was thoroughly impressed with the performances today," said Watkins Glen Coach Alyssa Hoobler. "This was the team's first Saturday morning meet, and sometimes it can take a while to get going. But once again, two school records were broken!

"The talent on this team continues to impress me. We are one of the smallest teams in the section, so we are always going up against tough competition -- every race, both boys and girls! Over Christmas break, we are looking forward to a fun type of meet, where events are a little more untraditional, but the kids are really looking forward to it!"

ARKPORT, Dec. 18 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling team competed Friday and Saturday in the Arkport Duals tournament, and in the process posted a 3-6 record.

O-M defeated Hammondsport (48-18), Avon (42-33) and Arkport (42-18), while losing to Hornell (51-30), Alfred Almond (48-33), Fillmore (48-19), Geneseo (52-18), Rush Henrietta (66-24) and East Rochester (66-22).

Individual results:

99: Joe Rorick 9-0
106: Tyler Dupuy 6-3
113: Billy Bacon 9-0
120: Josh Smith 3-6
126: Cody Burnham 5-4
132: Mike Fraboni 3-6
145: Matt Smith 2-7
160: Jeremy Zoeke 2-7
220: Joe Wright 1-6
285: Mike Hoffman 8-1

Left: O-M's Taylor Carey wins the tipoff. Right: Odessa's Ashton Stadelmaier tries to shoot in traffic. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

ODESSA, Dec. 17 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Carey's double-double -- defeated Campbell-Savona 46-26 Friday night in a non-league game in the O-M gym.

The Indians, now 4-2, built a 14-0 lead through one quarter and led 18-11 at halftime and 31-18 after three periods.

Carey scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Other points came from Kirsta Rhodes (7), Morgan Stermer (6), Brittany VanAmburg (5), Denna Page (5), Kristha Bryan (2), Ashton Stadelmaier (2), and Danielle Short (1).

"We played a real solid first quarter, then not so hot in the second and early third," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "But we turned it up enough down the stretch to pull away. It was good to get a little more balance on the score sheet, and it was definitely good to get another win!"

Photo in text: O-M's Morgan Stermer (3) drives past a Campbell-Savona defender. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Sydney Eberhardt (22) and Erin Terry apply some tight defense on a Campbell-Savona player. Right: Odessa's Kirsta Rhodes shoots. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

SPENCER, Dec. 17 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team started slowly but pulled away in the second half Friday night for a 58-29 victory over Spencer-Van Etten in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the S-VE gym.

The Senecas, now 4-1, led just 18-16 at halftime. But their offense ignited in the second half as they outscored the 1-4 Panthers 40-13. Watkins had a 26-8 edge in the third period.

Brady Myers led the Senecas with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Other points came from Josh Teeter (9, with 4 assists), Alec Moore (9, with 13 rebounds and 3 steals), Chris Duane (6), Anthony Keough (6), Brandon Westervelt (5), Clayton Beaumont (4), Jesse Teeter (2, with 2 assists), and Colin Gates (2). The Senecas were 7-for-15 at the free-throw line.

Derek Carman led S-VE with 9 points. The Panthers were 4-for-8 from the foul line.

Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary said he was pleased with his team's defense -- "We held their big gun, Gino Leonardi, to 3 points" -- but that the offense needs work. "We need to be a little more consistent," he said.

Junior Varsity: Watkins defeated S-VE 61-45 to improve to 4-1. Keith Rekczis led the Senecas with 24 points, while Justin Duane scored 8, Adam Tuttle 6, and Joe Palumbo 6.

Members of the Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team pose at the edge of the lanes while awaiting the arrival of the Groton team Friday afternoon. From left: Lucy Craig, Chelsea Kennard, Sarah Wickham, Mikaela Suddaby, Katrina Swarthout, Samantha Bradley, Danielle Teed, Erika Rhodes and Erin Bond. Not pictured: Lindsey Suddaby.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 17 -- The Watkins Glen boys and girls varsity bowling teams posted 4-0 victories Friday over Groton in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

Samantha Bradley led the Watkins girls team with a 527 series, while Erin Bond rolled a 434. The Senecas won the first two games handily, and the third game by one pin. They outscored Groton 2197-1966.

The Watkins boys (now 2-3 after an 0-3 start this season) got a 555 series from Chris Flood (with a 215 game) and a 509 from Corey Teribury en route to winning all three games and outpointing Groton 2486-2097.

"Both teams bowled well again today," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "The goal is to get better each time we bowl, and get ready for sectionals."

Chris Flood, he said, "is the lone senior on the men's team, and he has been voted captain by the guys. He is leading them, and they have won two matches in a row.

"Sam Bradley may only be a freshman," he added, "but she is far from new to the team. This is her third year as a top-six bowler. She had the women's team's season-high average last year as an 8th grader, and is leading in that category again this year."

Watkins Glen's Haley Tuttle (11, left) and Jessica Stansfield (15, right) put up shots. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 17 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Chelsea Lehman's 14 points and 10 steals -- defeated Spencer-Van Etten 51-21 Friday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the WGHS Field House.

The victory lifted the Senecas' season mark to 4-0 heading into a contest Tuesday at Waverly, which has lost once. S-VE is now 1-4.

In addition to Lehman, the Senecas got double-digit scoring from Taylor Chaffee, who notched 13 points while dishing out 5 assists. Other points came from Angela Keough (8, along with 10 steals), Madison Gates (8), Haley Tuttle (4) and Jessica Stansfield (4, along with a team-high 7 rebounds). Kayli Westervelt chipped in with 6 rebounds, while Lehman and Chaffee grabbed 3 apiece.

Neither team scored for the first 2:25 of the game, but then Watkins Glen reeled off 14 points in the next three minutes and closed the first quarter with a 20-4 lead. The score was 27-6 at halftime, and 47-14 after three periods.

"I thought we played well," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We were very relaxed, and having fun out there."

Next up, he said, "is our biggest game of the season" -- against Waverly, whose only loss came in double overtime to Newfield.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated S-VE 31-24. Amanda Pike paced the Senecas with 10 points, while Amanda Cherock scored 8, Corey Flahive 5 and Destiny Klumb 4.

Left: Watkins Glen's Angela Keough drives past an S-VE player. Right: The Senecas' Victoria Goehner attempts a shot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 16 -- The Watkins Glen boys and girls varsity bowling teams posted 4-0 victories Thursday over Candor in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The Watkins boys -- led by Zach Little's 614 series (including a 223) -- won all three games, outpointing Candor 2623-2173. Chris Flood posted a 542 for the Senecas, while Thomas Cook rolled a 513. Little's and Cook's series were personal bests.

The Glen girls -- paced by Danielle Teed's 486 series -- won all three games by a combined 2331-1863. Erin Bond registered a 482 for the Senecas, while Samantha Bradley rolled a 470.

"I am extremely pleased with the way everyone bowled today," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "The guy's team refocused this week, and they bowled the best that they have all season.

"Looking at the IAC stats today," Brower added, "I noticed that we have eight of our girls with a 128 average or higher. That's deeper than any other team. It is nice to know that we can have any six of them in the starting lineup and not skip a beat. It takes the pressure off, and everyone can relax and work on their game."

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Tim Johnson reacts after failing to convert a spare.

O-M's Quinn Griswold applies a little body English as her ball scatters three pins for a spare.

ODESSA, Dec. 15 -- The Odessa-Montour boys and girls varsity bowling teams lost 4-0 Wednesday to Notre Dame in Interscholastic Athletic Conference matches at Johnny's Lanes.

The Odessa boys lost 798-715, 850-744 and 880-669, with a total pinfall deficit of 400 pins, 2528-2128. Mitch McElroy led the Indians with a 510 series that included a 209 game. Aaron Fisher added a 459 series.

The O-M girls lost by scores of 721-466, 750-558 and 688-444. Notre Dame had a total pinfall advantage of 2159-1468.

WAVERLY, Dec. 14 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team sustained its second loss of the season Tuesday night, falling to Waverly 60-13 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Waverly gym.

The 3-2 Indians (3-1 in the league) were led by Taylor Carey's 10 points and 6 rebounds. Other points came from Denna Page (2) and Brittany VanAmburg (1). Waverly improved to 4-1, 2-1.

"We weren't exactly at full strength tonight between sickness and injury, and nothing went right," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, whose squad was 2-for-12 at the foul line.

"Waverly played well," Gavich added. "We'll just put it behind us and look forward to Friday," when the Indians host Campbell-Savona.

O-M's Brandon Evans (13) grabs the ball in the middle of a crowd. At left is teammate Luke Brown. On the right is teammate Adam Gardner. (Photo by Don Romeo)

ODESSA, Dec. 14 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team fell far behind early and never seriously contended Tuesday in a 57-40 loss to Waverly in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The 2-3 Indians fell behind 23-6 in the first quarter and trailed 45-13 at halftime. The closest they got to the 4-1 Wolverines after that was the final 17-point deficit.

Matt Kautz led O-M with 12 points, while Tom Peckham scored 9, Luke Brown 8, Phil Smith 4, Kyle Bailey 3, Morgan Shutter 2, and Ryan Gardner 2. The team was 5-for-8 at the foul line.

Ryan Hewitt paced Waverly with 30 points, including four 3-pointers. Nick Zwierlein added 9 points. The Wolverines converted 4 of 11 free throws.

Photo in text: O-M's Matt Kautz (11) extends his arm and the ball as he moves toward the hoop for a shot. (Photo by Don Romeo)

O-M's Tom Peckham (left) and Dakota Simpson (right) maneuver for shots in traffic. (Photos by Don Romeo)

O-M's Chris Husted dives at start of the 50 Free, which he won. Watkins Glen's Braedan Fitch, right, finished second.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 14 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team improved it record to 2-2 Tuesday by defeating Odessa-Montour 64-41 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the WGHS pool.

The Senecas, with 11 swimmers, easily outdistanced the winless Indians, who had just five swimmers.

First places were posted for Watkins by Chris Gill in the 200 Free (2:05.94) and the 500 Free (5:37.96), Josh Hamelin in the 200 IM (2:34.78), Brenton Whiting in the 100 Fly (1:07.42), and Ryan DeBolt in the 100 Back (1:17.33). The Senecas also won the three relays.

O-M got first-place finishes from Chris Husted in the 50 Free (24.48) and the 100 Free (a season-best 55.65), and by Tyler Walrath in the 100 Breaststroke (a season-best 1:33.19).

"We swam very well, with some of the swimmers setting personal-best times. Those included Brandon Swartz in the 50 Free (32.36) and the 100 Free (1:10.36), Zach Butler in the 50 Free (34.36) and Mitch Mangus in the 100 Breaststroke (1:18.43)."

"The boys continue to improve their times. Among personal best times were Matt Chapman in the 200 Free (a season best of 2:43.35) and Joe Raymond in the 100 Back (a personal best of 1:35.15)."

Left: Watkins Glen's Mitch Mangus swims the 100 Breaststroke. Right: O-M's Joe Raymond prepares to dive at start of the 100 Free.

GROTON, Dec. 14 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity bowling team tied Groton 2-2 Tuesday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

The Indians won the second game and total pinfall, 2161-2140, to create the deadlock. One point is awarded for each game won, and one for total pinfall.

The O-M girls, meanwhile, dropped a 4-0 decision to Groton, losing all three games. Groton's total pinfall edge was 1867-1534. Maia Rumsey led the Indians with a 347 series.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 12 -- Familiar names earn the Odessa File Athlete of the Week honors again this week. The award goes to two basketball Taylors -- Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee and Odessa-Montour's Taylor Carey.

Chaffee (pictured at left) played one game during the week, and it was impressive: 35 points in a 62-46 victory over Edison as her team improved to 3-0. She also grabbed 12 rebounds and had 6 assists, 7 steals and 4 blocks.

Carey (pictured above right) played twice -- notching 23 points and 13 rebounds as O-M edged Spencer-Van Etten 44-41, and scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds in a 52-41 victory over Edison, despite missing most of the first period after rolling her right ankle.

Double Honorable: O-M sparkplug basketball player Brittany VanAmburg, whose 9 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds and 7 steals helped the Indians come from behind to beat Edison; O-M wrestler Tyler Dupuy for posting a come-from-behind victory at 106 pounds -- the meet's final bout -- to cement his team's comeback 43-42 victory over Edison; and Watkins Glen's Matt Gill, for setting a school record in the 3200 Meter Run at the season's first Indoor Track meet.

Note: This week's honoree list was compiled without full information -- lacking data from one event. A failure by coaches to provide information concerning games and matches can shortchange athletes in The Odessa File Athlete of the Week and Athlete of the Year races.

ITHACA, Dec. 12 -- The Watkins Glen varsity Indoor Track team opened its season Friday with a meet at Ithaca College, in that school's new athletic facility.

And the Senecas opened well -- topped by Matt Gill's school record in the 3200-meter run. He posted a 10:34.50 while finishing 8th overall. The old school mark was 10:40, set by Ben Quigley.

According to Coach Alyssa Hoobler, "It was an 11th-12th grade age group meet, but Watkins Glen took all of its athletes. In Section IV, the rule is that once you take 9th and 10th graders to an upperclassmen meet, they cannot go back to another 9th/10th grade meet.

For the Girls:

In the 3000m run, Taylor Kennard took 7th overall, running an 11:58.05. Amelia Stamp was not far behind her teammate, with a 12:10.72. She was 10th overall in that race.

In the 600m run, Sarah Hazlitt placed 10th overall, running a 1:54.64. Sarah also ran the 300m dash, in which she placed 26th overall, running a 49.76.

Mariah Brisbois threw a 20'02" for the shot put, placing 34th. Her teammate Mara Brisbois threw a 13'08".

For the Boys:

In the 3200m run, Matt Gill took 8th overall, running a 10:34.50, and teammate Josh Langley placed 14th with a 11:04.03.

In the 1000m run, Langley ran a 3:08.33 and teammate Ryan Rondinaro ran a 3:28.72.

In the 55m dash, Charlie Bascom ran a 7.173, and teammate Brennon DeMeritt ran a 8.14.

In the 600m run, John Fausold ran a 1:34.11, placing 15th overall. Teammate Robert Rondinaro finished 26th, running a 1:38.98.

For the 1600m run, Larry Morris ran a 5:50.30.

For the 300m dash, Charlie Bascom placed 7th, running a 38.51.

John Fausold, Robert Rondinaro, Matthew Gill and Larry Morris competed in the 3200m relay, running a 9:44.17.

For the long jump, Robert Rondinaro leaped 15'08.50"

In the triple jump, Josh Langley leaped 32'08"

And for the shot put, Brady Bond threw a 33'05.25", Chris Schaffner threw a 29'98.75", Ryan Rondinaro threw 28'04.50" and Bryson Clarkson threw 26'05."

"Tonight was an excellent start to the season," said Coach Hoobler. "I felt that it was a great learning experience, especially for the rookies. I think we are just starting to see some of the kids' hard work in practice pay off. Friday night meets are a little harder because the kids have gone all week and then all day and then they have to run their hearts out! I was very pleased with the results, being our first meet of the season.

"This was the meet where the athletes get acquainted with how meets run and they can use it as another practice day, and seeing where their best events are. Next week we will be at Ithaca again for an invitational. We look forward to more personal bests!"

ODESSA, Dec. 11 -- The Watkins Glen varsity wrestling team placed 4th among eight schools competing Saturday in the Corning Duals tournament, held at Odessa-Montour High School.

The Senecas compiled a 2-3 record, defeating Campbell-Savona 48-30 and Penn Yan 45-39, but losing to Corning 70-12, Pittsford 70-17 and Canandaigua 45-40.

Three Watkins Glen wrestlers went 4-1 on the day: Adam Hughey (170 pounds), Dustin Cummings (132) and Brandon Gould (99).

"The team is slowly improving," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "Last season we did not win any matches at the Corning Duals, and this year we won two."

The Duals were held at O-M because of a scheduling conflict at the Corning facilities.

ELMIRA, Dec 11 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling squad placed 7th Saturday at an 11-team tournament at Elmira Free Academy.

Team Scores
1st: Windsor 139
2nd: Ithaca 114
3rd: Tioga 104
4th: Owego Free Academy 95
5th: Elmira 72
6th: Union Endicott 49
7th: Odessa - Montour & Whitney Point 41
9th: HorseHeads 39
10th: TrumansBurg & Thomas A Edison 32

Here are results for the O-M wrestlers, by weight class:

99: Joe Rorick finished 5th, going 2-2, beating Colyn Shippos (ITH) 4-2, and Alex Kellar (HH) by a pin, and losing to Jackson Bell 7-6 and Charlie Kennedy 7-1.

106: Tyler Dupuy placed 2nd with a record of 2-1, beating Honor Meyeroff (ITH) 14-0, and Troy Gonzolaz (TAE), while losing to Nick Kennedy by a fall at 5:53.

113: Billy Bacon finished 5th, going 0-4 in his bracket.

126: Cody Burnham finished 5th, going 2-2, beating Shalik Napolean (UE) by a pin, and Don Carpenter (ELM), and losing to Matt Kenyon (WIN) and Julian Korfine (ITH).

220: Joe Wright placed 3rd, going 1-2, beating Evan Nelson by a pin at 1:44, and losing to Matt Abbott (WIN) by a pin and Nick Talcott by a pin.

285: Mike Hoffman placed 3rd, going 2-2, beating John Flora (WIN) by a pin and Keigan Sowka (UE) by a pin, and losing to Zach Kelsey 13-2 and James Merritt (OW).

Left: O-M's Kirsta Rhodes reaches up along with two Edison players as the ball bounces loose. Right: The Indians' Denna Page sends a shot on its way. She scored 11 points.

ODESSA, Dec. 10 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team proved resilient Friday night, overcoming a 7-point deficit to overtake Thomas A. Edison 52-41 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The victory -- led by Taylor Carey's 21 points and 11 rebounds -- lifted the Indians' season mark to 3-1 in what was expected to be a rebuilding year. Carey, who missed five minutes of the first quarter after rolling her right ankle, had plenty of help on offense. Denna Page scored 11 points (including a pair of 3-pointers) and grabbed 5 rebounds, while Brittany VanAmburg notched 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, had 5 assists and registered 7 steals.

Other points came from Morgan Stermer (7), Kristha Bryan (2) and Kirsta Rhodes (2). The team was 10-for-20 from the foul line, including 6-for-9 in the final 1:31.

Edison (2-3) was led by Courtney Edger's 13 points, and 8 by Megan Cook. The Spartans were 1-for-9 from the free-throw line.

The two teams played an even 8-8 first period, despite the absence of Carey from the 6:59 mark until two minutes remained in the quarter. Edison built a 19-13 advantage in the second period before VanAmburg cut it to a point with a 3-point play and another basket -- only to see the Spartans hit a long-range shot at the buzzer for a 22-18 halftime edge.

Edison built its lead to seven points, 25-18, early in the third period, but the Indians overtook them, with VanAmburg putting in a buzzer-beating layup to give O-M a 32-31 edge.

O-M hit a variety of shots early in the final quarter to build a 44-37 lead, and after Edison closed to within three points at 44-41, O-M notched the final eight points -- six on free throws and two on a basket by Stermer.

"It was pure guts and determination all around," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich, "between Taylor's injury and the kids stepping up while she was out and keeping us in the game, to having more left in the 4th quarter despite (Edison) rotating so many players in and out. I can't say enough about these kids' heart.

"Brittany had a great game tonight," Gavich added, "and her layup at the buzzer at the end of the 3rd quarter was a big play to give us the lead back. Morgan stepped up with 7 in the fourth quarter, Kristha had a big putback down the stretch as well, and Taylor just gutted it out. It was a great team effort and a great win!"

Junior Varsity: O-M fell to Edison 39-33 as the Spartans pulled away in the final minute. Brooke Collins led the Indians with 11 points, while Jordan Zoeke scored 7.

Bottom: Odessa's Brittany VanAmburg reaches for the floor after being fouled as she tried to maneuver past an Edison player.

Left: Odessa's Morgan Stermer shoots. Right: The Indians' Taylor Carey prepares to launch a free throw in the closing minutes.

NEWFIELD, Dec. 10 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team built a 14-point halftime lead Friday night and then held off Newfield down the stretch to post a 61-53 victory in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Newfield gym.

Four players scored in double figures for the Senecas: Clayton Beaumont (16 points), Josh Teeter (14), Alec Moore (12) and Brady Myers (10). Other points came from Chris Duane (6) and Brandon Westervelt (3). The team was 15-for-28 from the foul line.

Moore led the squad in rebounds with 9, while Duane and Myers had 8 apiece, Beaumont 7 and Teeter 4. Myers, Moore and Teeter each had 2 steals.

Watkins Glen led 13-8 after one period and 34-20 at the half. The Watkins lead was 12 points, at 44-32, entering the fourth quarter -- where the Trojans outscored the Senecas 21-17 for the final 8-point difference.

"We just couldn't put them away" until the end, said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary. "We came out in the second half and had a couple of turnovers right away, and missed some layups. We had some good stretches, but we had some poor ones, too. And we have to get better at our free-throw shooting."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen lost to Newfield 50-39 to slip to 3-1. Luke Flahive led the Senecas with 13 points, while Tony Simiele, Jared Carocci and Matt Estes scored 6 points each.

Bottom: The Senecas' Josh Teeter prepares to shoot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: Watkins Glen's Clayton Beaumont shoots. Right: The Senecas' Brady Myers prepares to send a shot on its way. (Photos by Don Romeo)

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, Dec. 9 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team saw its record slip to 2-2 Thursday night when it dropped a 55-44 decision to Thomas A. Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

The Indians were outscored in every quarter. They fell behind by five points after one period, 20-15; were behind 32-23 at halftime; trailed by 10 entering the final period (43-33), and were outscored 12-11 down the stretch.

Matt Kautz (pictured at right in a file photo) led O-M with 13 points, while Tom Peckham scored 10, Morgan Shutter 7, Matt Bleiler 6, Phil Smith 3, Ryan Gardner 3, and Brandon Evans 2.

Ben Georgia paced Edison with 23 points, while Kyle Michaud scored 16, Tyler Underland 4, Dylan Bellinger 4, PJ Spallone 3, Austin Merritt 3, and Skyler Wilkins 2.

In the first half, the Indians closed to within five points with less than two minutes to play, but Edison scored four points before the half to open the lead to nine, and then scored seven unanswered points to start the third period, building its lead to 16. Odessa responded with a run of its own, closing the gap to10 before the period ended.

Bleiler brought O-M within eight points with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Indians were forced to put Edison on the line three times in the final minutes to try and get the ball back. Edison hit 5 of those 6 free throws to seal the victory.

ELMIRA, Dec. 8 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team remained unbeaten Wednesday when it defeated Elmira Notre Dame 4-0 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

The Senecas, now 2-0-1, were led by Samantha Bradley's 476 series as they won the first and second games and total pinfall, 2109-2090. Mikaela Suddaby rolled a 439 for Watkins, while Erika Rhodes notched a 403.

The Watkins boys team, meanwhile, lost 4-0 to the Crusaders, who amassed a total pinfall of 2717 to the Senecas' 2109. Austin LaFever led Watkins with a 492 series that included a 203 game, while Zach Little added a 421. The Senecas are now 0-3.

Joe Rorick gets the advantage on his Edison opponent at 99 pounds. He won by a pin a few seconds later.

ODESSA, Dec. 8 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity wrestling team posted two victories Wednesday night, defeating Southern Cayuga and Edison in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference tri-meet in O-M's Jack Davis Gym.

The Indians topped Southern Cayuga 42-36 and then edged Edison on a tie-breaker after the two teams had deadlocked at 42-42 when Tyler Dupuy won the evening's final match on a second-period pin.

The O-M victory was decided on Near Fall points, one of a number of possible tie-breakers prescribed by regulation.

The Indians had to rally from an 18-42 hole to catch Edison, picking up 12 points on a pair of forfeits and then getting victories by pin from Joe Rorick at 99 pounds and Dupuy at 106 pounds. And Dupuy rallied from an early deficit, tying his match at 8-8 by the end of the first period, and then pulling ahead by several points before applying the pin.

Odessa-Montour 42, So.Cayuga 36
99 - Joe Rorick (OM) by Forfeit
106 - Conner Lauster (SC) Pinned Tyler Dupuy 4:27
113 - Billy Bacon (OM) pinned Andrew Head 2:48
120 - Logan Lafave (SC) pinned Josh Smith :42
126 - Cody Burnham (OM) pinned Brenden Gill :37
132 - Mike Fraboni (OM) pinned Taro Woolettchiba 1:36
138 - Devon Barta (SC) by Forfeit
145 - Scott Wheat (SC) Pinned Matt Smith 1:08
152 - David Wheat (SC) by Forfeit
160 - Jeremy Zoeke (OM) pinned Mike Robin :37
170 - No Match
182 - Dan Lucas (SC) by Forfeit
195 - No Match
220 - Joe Wright (OM) by Forfeit
285 - Mike Hoffman (OM) by Forfeit

Odessa - Montour 43, Thomas A. Edison 42
99 - Joe Rorick (OM) pinned his opponent :46
106 - Tyler Dupuy (OM) pinned Zach Bates 3:23
113 - Billy Bacon (OM) Pinned Matt Smith 4:00
120 - Logan Ostrander (TAE) pinned Josh Smith 3:20
126 - Zach Donahue (TAE) by Forfeit
132 - Cody Burnham (OM) by Forfeit
138 - Dylan Bratzman (TAE) Pinned Mike Fraboni 1:13

145 - Matt Smith (OM) by Forfeit
152 - Anthony Corenero (TAE) by Forfeit
160 - Mitchell Ripley (TAE) Pinned Jeremy Zoeke 2:13
170 - Ryan Roberti (TAE) by Forfeit
182 - Shane Squires (TAE) by Forfeit
195 - No Match
220 - Joe Wright (OM) by Forfeit
285 - Mike Hoffman (OM) by Forfeit

Top: O-M's Josh Smith battles Edison's Logan Ostrander at 120 pounds. Smith lost by a pin.

Middle: O-M's Billy Bacon lifts Edison's Matt Smith en route to a victory at 113.

Bottom: O-M's Tyler Dupuy (left) has control on the way to winning the key final match against Edison.

NEWARK VALLEY, Dec. 8 -- The Watkins Glen varsity wrestling team lost twice Wednesday night in a regular-season-opening Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet at Newark Valley against NV and Whitney Point.

The Senecas fell to the host Cardinals 60-22, and then lost to Whitney Point 48-36.

Winning for Watkins Glen against Newark Valley were Brandon Gould at 99 pounds (pinned Dylan Williams in 3:59); John Brown at 120 (defeated Trevor Scheiss 6-5); Dillon Gossett at 126 (a 13-4 victory over Jesse Lovejoy); Dustin Cummings at 132 (a 6-5 decision over Vinnie Darpino); and Adam Hughey at 182 (pinned Justin Lovejoy in 2:31).

Winning for the Senecas against Whitney Point were Brandon Gould at 99 and Matt Woodworth at 106 (both by forfeit); Dillon Gossett at 126 (pinned Richard Olivio in 3:29); Dustin Cummings at 132 (pinned Sheldon Clute in 1:36); John Wasson at 138 (pinned Dylan Morse in :44); and Adam Hughey at 170 (pinned Andrew Barnhart in 5:46).

“I was impressed with Gossett, who pulled out two wins this evening," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "And Hughey and Cummings both showed their experience by going 2-0. It was nice to be able to rely on those guys.”

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 7 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team improved its record to 2-1 Tuesday night when it turned back a late Thomas A. Edison charge to post a 52-44 victory over the Spartans in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Field House.

Alec Moore paced the Senecas with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, whiile Brady Myers scored 12 points and Chris Duane 11. Other points came from Jesse Teeter (7), Josh Teeter (6), and Colin Gates (2).

Ben Georgia led Edison (2-1) with 26 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter as the Spartans rallied from a 15-2 first-quarter deficit and a 23-9 halftime score.

"We were in control -- up 17 or 18 points with six minutes left," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary, "but then TAE made it interesting."

Several Watkins fouls gave Edison 10 free throws in the fourth quarter, and the Spartans converted 9 of them. For the game, they were 15-for-18 from the line -- compared to the Senecas' 13-for-25.

"And we got tentative on offense," said Fazzary. "They got it down to five points with about two minutes to go, but then we made some free throws and put it away."

He pointed to the play of Jesse Teeter -- who in addition to scoring 7 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and notched 5 assists and 4 steals. "He played well at both ends of the court," said Fazzary.

Duane led the team with 6 steals and grabbed 4 rebounds, and Myers had 4 rebounds.

"We were good in stretches," said Fazzary. "I was happy with our defense through three quarters, but we got a little loose in the fourth."

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen improved to 3-0 with a 48-37 victory over Edison. Keith Rekczis led the Senecas with 19 points, while Joe Palumbo scored 11 and Luke Flahive 9.

Top: Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter battles S-VE's Skyler Wilkens for possession of the ball.

Bottom: The Senecas' Josh Teeter goes up for a shot. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Left: A bouncing ball is grabbed by Edison's Skyler Wilkens (21) as TAE's Dylan Bellinger and Watkins Glen's Alec Moore (40) close in. Right: The Senecas' Chris Duane shoots. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

Left: Watkins Glen's Brady Myers at the free-throw line. Right. The Senecas' Colin Gates tries to drive past an Edison defender. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

Left: O-M's Tom Peckham (21) battles S-VE's Kyle Pierce (3) for position on a rebound. Right: The Indians' Ryan Gardner tries unsuccessfully to stop a ball from going out of bounds.

ODESSA, Dec. 7 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- led by Matt Kautz's 16 points and 15 by Morgan Shutter -- defeated Spencer-Van Etten 58-51 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The Indians, now 2-1 after their second straight victory, rallied from an early deficit to take a 14-11 lead after one period en route to a 27-22 halftime advantage.

S-VE roared back early in the third quarter to take a narrow lead, but Odessa regained it and had a 42-34 advantage entering the fourth period. The Panthers got as close as four points down the stretch, but O-M iced the game with free throws.

In addition to Kautz and Shutter, the Indians got points from Tom Peckham (8), Ryan Gardner (7), Phil Smith (4), Brandon Evans (4) and Dakota Simpson (4). Peckham also provided several defensive blocks.

Gino Leonardi led Spencer with 14 points, while Tim Roche scored 12 and Derek Carman 8.

O-M Coach Brad Clark was pleased with his team's effort. "I think we're growing some," he said.

Left: Morgan Shutter puts up a shot over an S-VE defender. Right: The Indians' Phil Smith drives between two Spencer players for a shot.

Left: Watkins Glen's Jessica Stansfield prepares to shoot. Right: The Senecas' Haley Tuttle goes up for a shot in traffic. (Photos by Don Romeo)

ELMIRA HEIGHTS, Dec. 7 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Chaffee's 35 points -- improved its mark to 3-0 Tuesday night by defeating Edison 62-46 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Edison gym.

Chaffee also grabbed 12 rebounds and registered 6 assists, 7 steals and 4 blocks. She was 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Other points came from Angela Keough (13), Chelsea Lehman (9, with 5 assists and 5 steals), Jessica Stansfield (3), and Haley Tuttle (2, with 9 rebounds and 5 steals). The Senecas had a total of 22 steals.

"I'm very pleased," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "The game was closer than the score indicated; we hit a couple of wide-open 3-pointers in the final moments. Edison is very athletic and played us very tough, using a full-court man-to-man defense. But we handled the pressure well."

Paige Tompkins led Edison with 12 points as 11 of the squad's 12 players scored. The Spartans were 4-for-12 from the free-throw line, while Watkins Glen was 8-for-13.

"We converted a lot of points in the clutch," said Clark. "Edison cut it to 7 points a couple of times, and each time we got it back up to 15."

Chaffee, he noted, "played a very smart game. She stayed out of foul trouble," and in addition to her 35 points "made a lot of nice passes that led to points. She played a complete game."

The Senecas are off now for a week-and-a-half. Their next game will be at home on Friday, Dec. 16 against Spencer-Van Etten.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Edison 61-33 to improve to 3-0. Amanda Pike led the Senecas with 17 points, while Corey Flahive scored 13 and Halle Phillips 8.

Photo in text: Watkins' Taylor Chaffee (25) runs into heavy traffic. (Photo by Don Romeo)

Left: The Senecas' Angela Keough (3) reaches out to shoot. Right: Watkins Glen junior varsity player Gabby LaRosa puts up a shot. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Left: O-M's Denna Page sends a shot on its way. Right: The Indians' Kirsta Rhodes. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

SPENCER, Dec. 7 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team raised its record to 2-1 Tuesday night by defeating Spencer-Van Etten 44-41 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the S-VE gym.

Taylor Carey led Odessa with a career-high 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Other points came from Morgan Stermer (8), Kirsta Rhodes (6), Denna Page (6), and Brittany Van Amburg (1, along with 7 assists).

O-M led 13-10 after one period, 21-18 at the half, and 32-29 after three quarters.

"The best way to put it tonight was we found a way to win," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "The kids showed fantastic heart and determination against a very big-sized team."

Carey scored 9 of her points in the fourth quarter, "including a 3 that put us up 39-31 with 1:55 to play," said Gavich. "They cut it to 3 with 30 seconds left and had the ball. We only had two team fouls, so we fouled to take some time off the clock, then got a turnover with 12 seconds left, called time out, got it inbounds and ran out the clock from there."

Photo in text: O-M's Taylor Carey goes up for a shot against S-VE. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Brittany VanAmburg drives toward the basket. Right: VanAmburg (right) and teammate Morgan Stermer defend against an S-VE player. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 7 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team's record slipped to 1-2 Tuesday when it dropped a 102-64 decision to Lansing in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the WGHS pool.

Posting firsts for the Senecas were Michael Olmstead in the 100 Breaststroke (1:17.42) and the 400 Free Relay team of Chris Gill, Braedan Fitch, Olmstead and Josh Hamelin (3:58.87).

Individual second-place finishes were registered by Gill in the 200 Free and 500 Free, Olmstead in the 50 Free, Brenton Whiting in the 100 Fly, and Hamelin in the 100 Free and 100 Breaststroke.

Lansing's Joe Koch shattered the pool record in the 500 Free with a time of 4:58.07. The old mark was 5:28.60.

Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin noted that several of her swimmers accomplished personal bests at the meet -- including Whiting in the 100 Fly (1:07.63) and Ryan DeBolt in the 100 Back (1:17.81).

"The boys are doing a great job," she said. "If they keep this up, I'll be excited to see what times they will be getting throughout the rest of the season."

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Ryan DeBolt en route to third place in the 100 Back.

ODESSA, Dec. 7 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team ran into a powerhouse Tuesday, dropping a 72-15 decision to Waverly in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the O-M pool.

Waverly -- one of the favorites to capture the IAC title -- took first place in every event. O-M is now 0-3.

O-M's Chris Husted finished second in the 100 Free in a season-best time of 56.27. Matt Chapman also posted season-best times in the 200 Free (2:49.03) and the 100 Backstroke (1:27.30).

Photo in text: O-M's Chris Husted dives in for a leg of the 200 Free Relay. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

Left: O-M's Maia Rumsey watches her ball near the pins. Right: O-M's Phil Humphries.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 7 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity bowling team improved its record to 1-2 Tuesday when it defeated Edison 4-0 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Johnny's Lanes.

Aaron Fisher led the Indians with a 501 series (including a 234 game), while Phil Humphries rolled a 455 (with a 205) and Jesse Marsh a 408. The Indians won all three games and total pinfall, 2112-1889.

The O-M girls, meanwhile, slipped to 2-1 with a 4-0 loss to Edison. The Spartans won each game handily, outpointing the Indians 2247-1474. Jordan Little led Odessa with a 316 series.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Dec. 5 -- This week's Odessa File Athlete of the Week awards go to two basketball players and a wrestler.

Taylor Carey (left) earns the nod at Odessa-Montour for two double-double games -- 12 points and 20 rebounds in a loss to Notre Dame, and 17 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Newark Valley.

Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee (above right) led her team to two victories -- one over Candor, in which she scored 30 points, and one over Tioga, in which she scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

And Adam Hughey (left) of Watkins Glen placed first at 170 pounds in the 12-team Larry Cosgrove Memorial wrestling tournament at Newark Valley.

Double Honorable Mentions: Watkins Glen swimmers Chris Gill and Braedan Fitch and O-M swimmer Chris Husted for multiple wins in two meets; Odessa basketball standout Morgan Shutter, who led his team to its first victory; and Nick Cocola for his second-place finish at 145 pounds at the Larry Cosgrove Memorial wrestling tourney.

O-M's Taylor Carey goes up for a shot over three NV defenders. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

ODESSA, Dec. 4 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Carey's 17 points and 12 rebounds -- defeated Newark Valley 48-38 Friday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the O-M gym.

The 1-1 Indians led 12-8 after one period, 29-16 at halftime, and 35-31 after three periods. Carey scored 15 points in the first half, before NV started keying on her.

Other Odessa points came from Morgan Stermer (12), Brittany VanAmburg (6), Kirsta Rhodes (6), Kristha Bryan (4), and Denna Page (3).

"We played quite well in the first half," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "They made a run at us there in the third period, and really keyed on stopping Taylor. She didn't score in the fourth quarter, so it was big for us to have our other kids step up and make shots in tight spots.

"VanAmburg, Rhodes and Bryan went 7-for-8 at the foul line in the second half, which was the difference in holding them off.

"The kids have worked hard and have had great attitudes thus far. They deserved to get a win tonight."

Top: O-M's Morgan Stermer prepares to shoot as Newark Valley defenders move in. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Kristha Bryan (14) goes up for a shot. Right: O-M's Brittany VanAmburg and a Newark Valley defender collide as VanAmburg drives toward the basket.

NEWARK VALLEY, Dec. 4 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team -- led by Morgan Shutter's 17 points -- evened its record at 1-1 Friday night by defeating Newark Valley 48-41 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the NV gym.

Matt Kautz added 11 points for the Indians, who return to action Tuesday at home against Spencer-Van Etten.

NEWARK VALLEY, Dec. 4 -- The Watkins Glen High School varsity wrestling team placed 7th in a 12-team field Saturday at the Larry Cosgrove Memorial wrestling tournament at Newark Valley High School.

Adam Hughey led the Senecas with a first-place finish at 170, the second time he has won at the annual Cosgrove tourney.

Among other Seneca wrestlers, Nick Cocola was 2nd at 145; Dustin Cummings (132) and John Wasson (138) each finished in 3rd place; 8th grader Brandon Gould finished 4th at 99 pounds, and Matt Woodworth finished 6th at 106.

"The team looked good for this early in the season," said Watkins Glen Coach Nils Watson. "Once everyone is healthy and gets to their proper weight, we should be a pretty tough squad."

Watson said that "newcomers to watch include John Brown and Tim Carnes. Both showed they can handle the varsity level by winning at least one match.

"Ian Chedzoy also competed at 138, winning two out of his four bouts -- very impressive for an 8th grader," Watson added. "Freshman Dustin Goltry didn't win a match but showed a lot of guts and determination in his two bouts."

The Senecas return to action Wednesday -- again at Newark Valley, this time against NV and Whitney Point.

TIOGA CENTER, Dec. 4 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team was stone cold from the field Friday night, and it cost them. The Senecas, down just two points entering the final period, fell 42-35 to Tioga in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Tioga gym.

The loss dropped the Senecas to 1-1 heading into a home contest Tuesday night against 2-0 Edison.

"We had pretty poor shooting," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary, pointing to the squad's 11-for-59 performance from the field. The Senecas were accurate at the free-throw line, however, converting 11-of-13.

Clayton Beaumont led the Senecas with 17 points, and had 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Other points came from Chris Duane (7), Josh Teeter (4), Brandon Westervelt (3), Brady Myers (2, with 5 assists), and Alec Moore (2, along with a team-high 10 rebounds).

Tioga registered a 12-7 first-quarter advantage, but Watkins Glen edged ahead 21-20 by halftime. Tioga then outscored the Senecas 10-7 in the third quarter and 12-7 in the fourth.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Tioga 40-23. Justin Duane led the Senecas with 12 points, while Brendan Hunter scored 9 and Keith Rekczis added 7.

Watkins Glen's Angela Keough reaches for the ball as a Tioga player, right, does the same. (Photo by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 3 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Chaffee's 17 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists -- defeated Tioga 46-34 Friday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the Field House gym.

The Senecas raced out to a 7-0 lead and built the advantage to 15 points -- 19-4 -- by the end of the first quarter. Tioga trimmed one point off the Glen lead in the second period, but the Senecas rode a 12-5 third period to a 39-19 advantage. The Tigers then outscored Watkins Glen 15-7 down the stretch.

"The girls got into a little foul trouble in the second half," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. Tioga took advantage, closing to within 10 points, but could get no closer.

"We played very well," said Clark. "We looked really strong before the foul trouble.

Scoring in addition to Chaffee were Angela Keough (8 points), Chelsea Lehman (8), Stephanie Clawson (4), Haley Tuttle (4), Jessica Stansfield (2), Madison Gates (2) and Kayli Westervelt (1). Keough also grabbed 6 rebounds and had 5 assists.

Free-throw shooting helped spur Tioga's second-half comeback. The Tigers converted 13 of 15 attempts, while Watkins Glen totaled 4 of 7.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Tioga in overtime, 34-30. Amanda Pike paced the Senecas with 16 points.

Top: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee is under pressure from two Tioga defenders.

Left: Watkns Glen's Kayli Westervelt (12) looks for a shot. Right: The Senecas' Stephanie Clawson drives toward the hoop. (Photos by Don Romeo)

From left: Tioga Coach Joe Robinson, Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark, and Watkins Glen junior varsity player Amanda Pike. (Photo on right by Don Romeo)

PITTSFORD, Dec. 2 -- Freshman Michelle Melanson scored 11 points in her first start Thursday night as her Nazareth College women's basketball team raced past Brockport 64-35 in the consolation game of the Wendy's College Classic.

The win, at St. John Fisher's Manning & Napier Gymnasium, snapped a 3-game losing steak for the Golden Flyers and evened their season mark at 3-3. Brockport is 1-3.

Melanson, a 2011 graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, led the Nazareth first-half surge that saw it build a 34-7 advantage by halftime. She scored eight points in the first 20 minutes -- including a 3-pointer that gave Nazareth its first lead at 3-2.

In 15 minutes of action, she connected on all four of her shots from the field -- including two from 3-point range -- and converted 1 of 2 free throws. She also grabbed two rebounds, registered an assist and blocked a shot.

Watkins Glen's Sarah Wickham watches as her ball blasts through the pins for a strike.

WATKINS GLEN, Dec. 2 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team battled Newark Valley to a 2-2 tie Thursday in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Johnny's Lanes.

The Senecas won the second game by 102 pins, which -- despite losses in the first and third games -- carried the team to the lead in total pinfall. One point is awarded for each game won, and for total pinfall.

Sarah Wickham paced Watkins with a 457 series that included a 197 game. Erin Bond added a 445 series, while Danielle Teed rolled 439 and Samantha Bradley 428.

The Senecas dropped the first game 750-699, won the second game 784-682, and lost the third game 714-692 for an overall 2175-2146 advantage.

The Watkins Glen boys team fell to NV 4-0 in a fairly competitive match. Newark Valley outpointed the Senecas 723-701, 866-778 and 826-796 for an overall advantage of 2405-2275.

Corey Teribury led the Senecas with a 524 series, while Tim Johnson rolled a 511 and Chris Flood a 445.

"I'm happy with the way that everyone bowled today," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "Everyone had at least one good game, and consistency will come over time."

Top: Watkins Glen's Danielle Teed extends the ball backward before swinging it forward and onto the lane.

ODESSA, Dec. 2 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity bowling team improved its mark to 2-0 Thursday when it defeated Tioga 4-0 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet at Valley Lanes in Waverly.

Alex Underdown led the Lady Indians with a 337 series as they posted a 477-543-538-1558 to Tioga's 417-403-490-1310.

Aaron Fisher led the Odessa boys with a 594 series fashioned on games of 221-140-233. The Indians lost the first game 910-816, the second game 906-611, the third game 884-716, and total pinfall 2700-2143.

AURORA, Dec. 2 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team notched its first victory of the season Thursday when it defeated Southern Springs 54-32 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road meet.

The Senecas, now 1-1, got two first-place finishes from Braedan Fitch -- in the 100 Free (1:00.15) and the 500 Free (6:13.53) -- and one each from four other swimmers: Chris Gill in the 200 Free (2:11.62), Matt Doppel in the 200 IM (2:36.16), Mike Olmstead in the 50 Free (25.34), and Ryan DeBolt in the 100 Back (1:19.78).

Also winning were the 200 Medley Relay team of Doppel, Fitch, Tom Richtmyer and Gill (2:04.02) and the 400 Free Relay team of Doppel, Zach Butler, Gill and Josh Hamelin.

Personal bests were posted by Richtmyer in the 100 Butterfly (1:21.80) and Zach Butler in the 200 Free Relay (a 35.82 split that helped his squad to a first-place finish).

"The boys all had an opportunity to swim different events during this meet, and I’m very proud how they swam," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin.

O-M's Chris Husted on his way to victory in the 50 Free. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

ODESSA, Dec. 2 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team's mark fell to 0-2 Thursday when it dropped a 69-18 decision to Dryden in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the O-M pool.

Chris Husted registered the only O-M first-place finishes, winning the 50 Free with a personal record (PR) of 24.42 and the 100 Free in 56.43.

"Everyone else on the team improved their times from Tuesday's meet," said O-M Coach Terri Brace. "I'm really pleased with their progress so far, and I look forward to watching them improve throughout the season."

PRs for O-M:
Shane Smith -- 50 Free in 36.91
Joe Raymond - 100 Back in 1:35.42

O-M second-place finishes:
Matt Chapman -- 500 Free in 7:59.48
200 Medley Relay -- Chapman, Tyler Walrath, Husted and Tom Doan in 2:17.62.

Photos in text: O-M's Joe Raymond in the 100 Backstroke (top) and Tyler Walrath in the 200 Medley Relay. (Photos by Susan Bleiler)

ODESSA, Dec. 1 -- The Odessa-Montour Sports Boosters are honoring the following athletes from the fall sports season for Sports Team Athlete Recognition (S.T.A.R.) awards. (The descriptions were provided by the Boosters.)

Girls Soccer – Erin Terry, a senior, is the daughter of Paul and Bridgid Terry of Cayuta. Erin was a captain on the girls’ soccer team this year. She led both on and off the field, in every way. Throughout the season she helped a very young team learn to organize and compete on the field. Playing sweeper most of the year, she was a formidable obstacle to those opposing forwards who attempted to get by her. Her ability to shut down and “smother” the opponents attacking player was evident in every game.

Volleyball - Taylor Carey, a senior, is the daughter of Frank and Michelle Carey of Montour Falls. Taylor was an instrumental member of the OM varsity volleyball team this fall. She was a team captain, a supportive teammate, and an excellent player. Taylor led the team with enthusiasm and encouraging words. This was her third year at the varsity level, and her experience and skill level helped the entire team rise to a higher level. During matches, Taylor would constantly talk to her teammates and inspire them to do their best and never give up. At practices Taylor would often serve as an example to other players on how to do a skill correctly. She also willingly assisted anyone who needed extra help. She had a terrific season and ended with impressive statistics, leading almost every category for our team. She was recognized by other coaches for her abilities and was put on the First-Team All-Stars for our division. Taylor also excels in the academic field. She earns high grades and is near the top of her class. She was a part of our scholar-athlete team. Taylor is a prime example of an exceptional student-athlete. She is admired by many for putting her best effort into all that she does.

Boys Soccer – Matt Kautz, a senior, is the son of Michael and Gail Kautz of Burdett. He is a captain on the boys’ soccer team and plays the sweeper position. Besides organizing the defense, he played an important role in being our “specialist,” scoring off headers during corner kicks. Matt is both a leader on and off the field. He was named first team IAC all stars for the Small School South, and also was chosen to play in the IAC Senior All Star game.

Girls Swimming – Carly Lynch-Benjamin, a senior, is the daughter of David Benjamin and Laura Lynch. Carly swam the 50 and the 100 Free this year, and was a great anchor on relays. She has an incredibly strong finish and the ability to consistently out-touch her competitors at the finish. She was a supporter of her teammates before and during meets, and was always looking for team bonding opportunities. Carly is a high honor student and an accomplished artist. She will be greatly missed in and out of the pool next year.

Football – Joe Markley, a senior, is the son of Donald and Karen Gunning of Trumansburg. He shows all the qualities required for selection to this award. He was the team captain, Ernie Davis all-star and all-IAC. Joe is a solid academic student, recently honored as the Rotary Student of the Month. He has excellent character, is a team leader and always cares about others and will develop into a person who will give a lot back in the future.

ODESSA, Nov. 4 -- An 18-by-24-inch poster containing team photos and individual caricatures of the Odessa File-sponsored Decade of Stars squad of outstanding Schuyler County athletes is now available for ordering.

The caricatures were drawn by local artist Jon Haeffner, and the poster was created by Watkins Glen High School alum Nick Phoenix. It contains caricatures of all 33 honorees (see Decade of Stars team here), and one of the Outstanding Coach of the Decade. Also present are photos of the Outstanding Boys Team and Outstanding Girls Team.

Cost of the poster is $19.95 (sales tax included). Individual caricatures are available in an 8-by-11-inch format. For information on those, contact the editor at 607-594-3594 or by email at chaef@aol.com.

Payment for the poster can be made through Paypal near the top left of this or other pages, or by sending check or money order to The Odessa File, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY 14869. Make sure to include your mailing address with your order.

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 23 -- The International Motor Racing Research Center will conclude its yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One race at Watkins Glen in December.

The first race was on Oct. 8, 1961. On Saturday, Dec. 3, Center Historian Bill Green and Center staffer Kevin Hughey will look at the ensuing years of Formula One at the Glen, including the final event on Oct. 5, 1980.

“U.S. Grand Prix: 1962-1980” will include facts from the history books, the speakers’ personal recollections and memorable moments captured in slides covering the entire period.

Green, who also serves as historian at Watkins Glen International, launched the 50th anniversary celebration in February when he teamed up with motorsports author and Center Council member Michael Argetsinger for a talk about Formula Libre, the precursor races to Formula One, and the Oct. 8, 1961, race, won by Innes Ireland of Great Britain.

Hughey gave a talk in July about the 28 Americans who competed in Formula One at the Glen.

Also on Dec. 3, the Center will draw the winning ticket for its raffle of a 1967 Mustang, one-of-a-kind “resto-mod” built as a tribute to the famous Ford Highland Green Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in the 1968 blockbuster movie “Bullitt.”

For more information about the raffle or any of the programs at the International Motor Racing Research Center, call (607) 535-9044 or visit the Center’s website at www.racingarchives.org.

CANDOR, Nov. 30 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team -- led by Taylor Chaffee's 30 points and 6 steals -- raced past Candor 58-26 Tuesday night in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference season opener in the Candor gym.

Chaffee, on court for only about half of the game, was 4-for-4 from 3-point range and 2-for-3 from the free-throw line. She also had three rebounds and one block.

Also hitting double figures for the Senecas was Stephanie Clawson with 10 points. Other scorers included Angela Keough (6 points), Chelsea Lehman (6), Madison Gates (3), Haley Tuttle (2) and Jessica Stansfield (1). The team converted 4 of 11 foul shots.

"We were a little nervous in the first half, but settled down in the second half and were more patient," said Watkins Glen Coach Chris Clark. "We pretty much had all our steals in the second half." The team had a total of 14 steals.

Rebounders in addition to Chaffee included Gates (3), Lehman (2) and Kayli Westervelt (2).

The Senecas return to action Friday at home against Tioga. The Tigers won Tuesday at Newfield after falling behind by 15 at the half.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Candor 33-14. Eight players scored for the Senecas.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee drives to the hoop. (Photo by Don Romeo)

From left: Watkins Glen's Angela Keough; Jessica Stansfield defending; and Haley Tuttle. (Photos by Don Romeo)

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 30 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team raced to a 20-3 first-quarter lead en route to a 63-33 victory Tuesday night over Candor in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference season opener in the Field House gym.

The Senecas were led by Alec Moore's 15 points. Josh Teeter followed with 11, with other scoring as follows: Clayton Beaumont (8), Chris Duane (8), Colin Gates (6), Brandon Westervelt (5), Brady Myers (4), Kody Gregory (3), Tony Keough (2) and Jesse Teeter (1). The team converted 8 of 13 free throws.

Moore also led the team in rebounds with 7, while Beaumont and Keough grabbed 5 each. Josh Teeter led with 4 assists, while Duane and Beaumont had 2 steals apiece.

Kevin Jensen led Candor with 11 points. The Indians sank just 1 of 13 free throws.

"We had a pretty good first quarter," said Watkins Glen Coach John Fazzary. "Our defense was intense. It was good."

Candor made a brief 10-point run early in the second period to slice the Watkins lead to seven points, but it was all Senecas after that. They closed out the second period with a 13-2 run, and cruised from there.

"I was happy with our defense," said Fazzary. "We held them to three points in one quarter and five in another. And I was happy with how we shared the ball on offense."

The Senecas are back in action Friday at Tioga -- a team that has beaten them the past two years.

Junior Varsity: Watkins Glen defeated Candor 44-33. Keith Rekczis and Joe Palumbo each scored 9 points, while Adam Tuttle notched 5.

Bottom: The Watkins cheerleaders were in action throughout the game. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

ODESSA, Nov. 30 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity basketball team fell behind 15-3 in the first quarter en route to a 62-44 loss Tuesday night to Elmira Notre Dame in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference season opener in the O-M gym.

The Indians trailed 30-17 at halftime and 49-27 after three periods before outscoring the Crusaders 17-13 down the stretch.

Morgan Shutter led the Indians with 13 points, while Matt Kautz scored 12. Other points came from Tom Peckham (9), Luke Brown (4), Phil Smith (2), Matt Bleiler (2) and Brandon Evans (2). The team sank 12 of 28 free throws.

Shane Manning paced Notre Dame with 18 points. The Crusaders converted 5 of 14 free throws.

Photo in text: O-M's Tom Peckham goes up for a shot in traffic. (Photo by Mike Stamp)

Left: O-M's Matt Kautz shoots. Right: Morgan Shutter drives past a Notre Dame defender. (Photos by Mike Stamp)

ELMIRA, Nov. 30 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity basketball team opened its season with a loss Tuesday, dropping a 44-27 decision to Elmira Notre Dame in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference game in the ND gym.

Notre Dame led 8-7 after one period, 19-16 at halftime and 35-23 after three quarters.

Taylor Carey posted a double-double for O-M, scoring 12 points and grabbing 20 rebounds.. Denna Page added 6 points (on a pair of first-half 3-pointers), while Kristha Bryan notched 4 points, Kirsta Rhodes 3, and Morgan Stermer 2.

"To open at Notre Dame was an awful tough task for us considering our lack of experience," said O-M Coach Greg Gavich. "We competed all night long and were definitely right in the game
throughout the first half, and we did lead a couple of times in the second quarter. Our effort was good while our execution is a work in progress that will get better with experience."

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 30 -- The Odessa-Montour girls varsity bowling team opened its season on a winning note Tuesday, defeating Marathon 4-0 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference match at Johnny's Lanes.

O-M rolled a 532-488-521-1541 while Marathon notched a 396-455-429-1280. Maia Rumsey led the Indians with a 331 series, while Jordan Little registered a 317.

The Odessa boys, meanwhile, fell to Marathon 4-0, with Marathon registering a 973-929-860-2762 to O-M's 690-712-723-2125. Aaron Fisher paced the Indians with a 569 series that included a 217 game. Phil Humphries added a 505 series.

The Indians return to action Thursday against Tioga at the Valley Bowl in Waverly.

LANSING, Nov. 30 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity bowling team -- the Section IV, Class C-D defending champions -- opened their 2011-12 season with a win Tuesday, defeating Lansing 4-0 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference road match.

Erin Bond's 451 paced the Lady Senecas. Close behind were Samantha Bradley and Mikaela Suddaby, each with a 444. Watkins had game totals of 717-698-741-2156 to Lansing's 571-642-594-1807.

The Watkins boys totaled 2304 (on games of 767-802-735) in falling short of Lansing's 2633 (on games of 889-875-871. Corey Teribury led the Senecas with a 530 series, while Chris Flood posted a 514.

"We have established a starting point for both teams," said Watkins Glen Coach Ward Brower. "Our goal is to improve each week, and be ready for sectionals again this year."

WAVERLY, Nov. 30 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity swim team opened its season with a loss Tuesday, dropping a 112-60 decision to Waverly in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the Waverly pool.

Watkins Glen got individual wins from Chris Gill in the 200 Free (2:03.88) and the 500 Free (5:48.02).

Personal Bests for the Senecas were posted by:
--Mike Olmstead in the 50 Freestyle (24.97)
--Josh Hamelin in the 50 Freestyle (25.50)
--Ryan DeBolt in the 100 Backstroke (1:20.60)

"I am very proud of my swimmers," said Watkins Glen Coach Jen Conklin. "They swam great times for our first meet. This is a great start to the season. I’m excited to see their times drop."

AURORA, Nov. 30 -- The Odessa-Montour boys varsity swim team opened its season on a losing note Tuesday, falling to Southern Cayuga 50-32 in an Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet in the SC pool.

Chris Husted posted two individual wins for O-M, capturing the 50 Free in a personal-best time of 24.63 and the 100 Free in 57.50. The 400 Free Relay team of Shane Smith, Joe Raymond, Tyler Walrath and Tom Doan also placed first.

Second-place finishes for OM:
--The 200 Medley Relay squad of Matt Chapman, Walrath, Husted and Doan
--Chapman in the 200 Free and 500 Free
--The 200 Free Relay team of Doan, Raymond, Chapman and Husted
--Walrath in the 100 Breaststroke

"Overall the guys had a good meet," said O-M Coach Terri Brace. "They were able to get their jitters out, and rookies Smith, Raymond and Doan showed lots of promise."

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 23 -- With the season opener a week away, the Watkins Glen girls varsity basketball team scrimmaged Tuesday at home against Corning.

The Watkins players -- led by Taylor Chaffee -- raced up and down the court, fine-tuning their plays and skills against a talented Corning squad led by Elyssa LeBaron.

The Senecas have another scrimmage scheduled on Friday, Nov. 25 against Elmira at 2 p.m. in the WGHS Field House. The regular season opens Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Candor -- where the JV contest will start at 5:30 p.m., with the varsity to follow.

Photo in text: Watkins Glen's Stephanie Clawson, left, moves the ball during the scrimmage as Corning's Elyssa LeBaron defends. (Photo by Don Romeo)

From left: Watkins Glen's Haley Tuttle, Jessica Stansfield and Angela Keough during the scrimmage. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Watkins Glen's Jesse Teeter (foreground) and a Dundee player head for the floor.

The Watkins Glen boys varsity basketball team held its first scrimmage of the pre-season Monday, traveling to Dundee to face the Scots. The Senecas have scheduled two home scrimmages -- against Horseheads at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and against Corning at 12 noon Friday. The season starts next Tuesday, Nov. 29, with a home game against Candor. The JV contest that evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. (Photos above and below by Don Romeo)

(The following was provided to The Odessa File by the Odessa-Montour High School athletics department. It consists of assessments of the school's various varsity sports teams by their coaches, and in a couple of instances by Athletic Manager Chris Wood.)

In the 2010-2011 season, we were a very young team that lacked game experience, and our overall record was 3-13. We lost a total of two seniors. Returning players who will be competing for starting positions:

Matt Kautz -- 6' 2" Senior Forward; Dakota Simpson -- 6' 3" Junior Forward; Tom Peckham -- 6' 6" Junior; Morgan Shutter -- Junior Guard; Luke Brown -- Senior Forward; Phil Smith -- Senior Guard; Brad Hornbrook -- Senior Guard; Ryan Gardner -- Junior Guard.

Brandon Evans -- 6' 5" Senior Center/Forward; Adam Gardner -- Junior Center/Forward; Matt Bleiler -- Junior Guard; Dominick Chapman -- Junior Forward; Joe Thompson -- Senior; Ruben Weisser -- Senior

Outlook: We have a nice mix of new and experienced players on this year's squad who look to improve on last year's mark.

We lost 10 seniors from last year....so this is the most inexperienced team in my 11 seasons as varsity coach. There are five players who have not played in a JV game, never mind a varsity game.

Returning: Taylor Carey (Senior, 1st team all-IAC South Small All-Star), Denna Page, Nicole Colunio.

Newcomers: Kristha Bryan (Sr.), Erin Terry (Sr.), Carly Lynch-Benjamin (Sr.), Danielle Short (Sr.), Kirsta Rhodes (Jr.), Sydney Eberhardt (Jr.).

Bill Bacon -- 1st Year (Fr); Jason Bellows -- 1st Year (8th); Cody Burnham -- 1st Year (So); Tyler Dupuy -- 2nd Year (Jr.); Michael Fraboni -- 4th Year (Jr.); Jeff Overhiser -- 1st Year (Fr); Joseph Rorick -- 1st Year (Fr); Josh Smith -- 1st Year (Sr.); Matt Smith -- 5th Year (Sr.); Joe Wright -- 1st Year (Fr); Jeremy Zoeke -- 3rd Year (Jr); Mike Hoffman -- 1st Year (Sr.); Cody Smith -- 1st Year (8th)

Bill Lindsley in his 9th year of coaching. His team has a nice combination of youth and some veterans. Key returners include Matt Smith, Mike Fraboni, Tyler Dupuy and Jeremy Zoeke. The outlook: The season will be a learning curve for the younger guys, but the team will be competitive.

The Varsity Cheerleading team at Odessa-Montour has eight returning varsity members from last year. Three of these returners are seniors: Cassie House, Michelle Habbershaw and Amanda Williams. The goal for the varsity team is to place in the top three at the IAC Championship competition.

Girls Team: Kaylyn Teemley 10, Maia Rumsey 10, Brittney Bennett 12, Alexandria Underdown 10, Jordan Little 10, Mackenzie Moss 12, Alexi Rossi 11, Quinn Griswold 12, Courtney Neumire 10, Taylor Rounds 10, Casey Hausner 9, Abagale Croft 8.

Boys Team: Mitch McIlroy 10, Philip Roberts 12, Tailith Smith 9, Trenton Randall 9, Jessie Marsh 11, Aaron Fisher 11, Frank Wood 9, Hayden Moss 10, Phil Humphries 10, John Grantier 11, James Kelley 11, Brennan Voorheis 10, Manager Bryant Smith 7

Again, a young team with a few key returners. The girls team is a nice group that is hard working and a joy to coach. They will be a great group moving forward and will show great growth.

The boys team has some nice bowlers with good attitudes. They are looking to improve on last season and it is expected that they will be great competitors as the season progresses.

The numbers are thin, but there is some talent here and this group is very competitive with a never-say-die attitude. This season will test the resolve of this bunch, but they have been up to the challenge thus far.

Scrimmages are in full swing on the county's basketball courts as the high school varsity hoop season approaches. Friday, it was the Odessa-Montour girls' turn, with the Indians hosting Southern Cayuga in the O-M gym. Above left: Odessa's Taylor Carey goes up for a shot. Above right: The Indians' Erin Terry applies some defense to a Southern Cayuga ball carrier.

ODESSA, Nov. 19 -- The Odessa-Montour High School girls varsity volleyball team and the boys varsity soccer team have received New York State Scholar-Athlete team awards.

The teams were recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for having a team average of 90 or above among participating team members. The girls volleyball team had an average of 94.0 and the boys soccer team had an average of 93.71. Each member of the Scholar-Athlete Teams will receive a commemorative pin for their honor.

Jill Kautz coaches the volleyball team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are Taylor Carey, Brooke Frasier, Samantha Gavich, Felicia Johnson, Danielle MacDougall, Denna Page, Morgan Stermer and Taylor Wade.

Dirk Stephens coaches the boys soccer team. The Scholar-Athlete team members are Matt Bleiler, Luke Brown, Joe Collins, Brandon Evans, Adam Gardner, Tyler Goossen, Matt Kautz, Tom Peckham, Morgan Shutter, Phil Smith, Joe Thompson and Ruben Weisser.

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 16 -- Five members of the Watkins Glen High School varsity football team have been named Section IV, Division 6 First Team All-Stars in a vote of league coaches.

Named to the team were Brady Myers, Ryan Campbell, Hunter Arcangeli, Branden Palmer, and Adam Hughey.

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 15 -- Five members of the Watkins Glen boys varsity soccer team have earned Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools South Division First Team All-Star berths in a vote by league coaches.

The Watkins offense was represented by Chris Duane (20 goals and 5 assists), Austin Stephany (10 goals and 14 assists) and Jesse Teeter (14 goals and 14 assists), while defensive berths were awarded to Josh Teeter and Gavin Gates.

Second Team status went to Kody Gregory, John Fausold, Joe Roth and goalkeeper Tony Keough.

Officials' Award: The Watkins Glen team was awarded a plaque from the Chemung Valley Soccer Officials honoring it for outstanding sportsmanship. The award goes to one school in the region overseen by the officials' organization. Schools in that region include Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Waverly, Notre Dame, Horseheads, Corning (a combined squad of Corning East and Corning West players), and Elmira (a combined squad of players from Southside and Elmira Free Academy).

The Watkins Glen team. From left: Rob Rondinaro, Josh Hamelin, Nick Sorensen, Charlie Bascom, Josh Langley, Matt Gill and Brandon Westervelt. (Photo by Don Romeo)

VERONA, Nov. 12 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity cross-country team finished in seventh place among 11 Sectional Class C champions Saturday at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships.

Matt Gill led the Senecas with a time of 19.11.3, which placed him 55th overall. Other Watkins finishing times included Josh Langley, 65th in 19:21.1; Nick Sorensen, 71st in 19:29.5; Josh Hamelin, 73rd in 19:34.7; Charlie Bascom, 102nd in 20:52.4; Brandon Westervelt, 106th in 21:02.5; and Rob Rondinaro, 111th in 21:14.4.

Holland Patent won the team title with 74 points, edging Pawling (76) and Fonda-Fultonville (79). Rhinebeck was fourth with 94 points, followed by Port Jefferson (116), Alden (133), Watkins Glen (170), Friends Academy (198), Wayland-Cohocton (206), Saranac (225), and Gouverneur (295).

"TheWatkins Glen Cross Country Boys' seventh-place finish in the State ended the most storied season in WGXC history. Undefeated in the regular season, Divisional and IAC Champs, the boys went on to dominate the Section IV meet, unseating seven-time champion Newark Valley.

"At Saturday's State Meet, hosted by Section III, the team raced on what had a been a most beautiful course. However, the course -- weather-worn by rain and snow -- was part swamp, part mud bath as hundreds of athletes and spectators pounded away at the trails. The Senecas were, at times, ankle deep in mud as spikes were rendered useless and only sheer will drove them through the foul conditions. That's cross country!

"Times across the state were significantly slower as athletes battled the rugged conditions. Matt Gill led the Senecas in 19:11 for 55th overall and 22nd in team placement. Gill has been a powerhouse all season, IAC All-Star, and 3rd overall in Section IV. The gritty sophomore battled through a nagging injury to see his team through with a mighty race. Josh Langley, 19:21, 65th overall and 27th in team placement just keeps gettting better and better. Langley has raced like a champion all season and the Senecas are mighty happy to have the 1-2 combo of
Gill/Langley returning next year. Two of the hardest workers you'll ever meet, the two will provide great leadership and strength in the coming season.

"Captain Nick Sorensen (19:29, 71st overall and 32nd team) and Josh Hamelin 19:34 (73rd
overall and 31st team) powered in terrific position. The two great friends have been a force this year with excellent performance after excellent performance. Four years of devotion to the world of XC has paid off for the two seniors, who bid the team farewell.

"Charlie Bascom, Brandon Westervelt, and Robbie Rondinaro brought it all home for the team yet again with gutsy performances . The trio joined XC for the first time in August and have been essential to the team success.

"The Senecas were cheered on by at least 30 spectators as Principal Warren and Coach Durfee carted up van loads of kids, and parents and friends drove up to support the storied team. Our XC girls were there in force, rooting for their team, willing them to be their best. What a thrill.

"Larry Rawson, ESPN Track and Field Announcer, was the guest speaker at the State dinner Friday night with inspiring words and stories of runners such as Tegla Laroupe and Joan Samuelson Benoit. The team got to shake his hand and he wished us well.

"We received an e-mail from the fastest distance runner in WG history -- Kevin Callanan, class of 1976 and 3rd in NY State in 1975 -- wishing us well. On Friday night, after the dinner, team member Rob Rondinaro gave us a speech, and I read a poem I had written for the team. Great night!!!

"It has been a year like no other. The boys kept finding success -- growing, reaching and being more. I'll have to reflect on this one for a long time. And I'll have to learn to let them go."

Second: Brandon Westervelt (left) and Rob Rondinaro on the course at States.

Bottom: The Senecas' Josh Langley, left, who had the second fastest time among Watkins Glen runners. (Photos by Don Romeo)

From left: Watkins' Matt Gill, Nick Sorensen and Charlie Bascom (Photos by Don Romeo)

Several Schuyler County players participated Saturday in the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Exceptional Seniors soccer game at Tompkins-Cortland Community College. The South Division -- which included Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour players -- won the game 7-1. From left above: Watkins Glen Coach Henry Ferguson, Odessa-Montour's Phil Smith, and Watkins Glen's Chris Duane, Assistant Coach Mark Stephany, Austin Stephany and John Fausold. Not pictured: O-M's Matt Kautz. (Photo provided)

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Nov. 10 -- Watkins Glen sophomore Matt Gill -- who has led the school's boys varsity cross-country squad into the state tournament this weekend -- is The Odessa File Schuyler Fall MVP.

The seasonal MVP honor goes to one student-athlete from either WGHS or Odessa-Montour High School based on performance, team success and sportsmanship.

Gill (pictured at right) has consistently been the leading runner on the Senecas' squad, with the exception of a couple of meets he missed with a leg injury.

He rebounded from that injury to place third overall as the Senecas won the IAC championship, and then third again as they captured their first-ever Section IV, Class C title. With that Sectional victory, the squad earned a berth in the State Tournament at Verona, NY, this weekend.

Fall MVP honorees in the past have included Jaclyn Conklin (WG), Makenzi Alling (OM), Matt Shutter (OM), and Haleigh Wixson (WG, twice).

The All-Schuyler Team for Fall 2011 consists of the following, in alphabetical order. Selections were made based largely on points earned in the weekly Odessa File Athlete of the Week poll, where three points go to each Athlete of the Week, two points to those with Double Honorable Mentions, and one point to each athlete receiving an Honorable Mention.

All-Schuyler First Team: Taylor Carey (volleyball), Taylor Chaffee (volleyball), Chris Duane (soccer), Corey Flahive (XC), Quinn Griswold (swimming), Josh Langley (XC), Brady Myers (football), Morgan Shutter (soccer), Jessica Stansfield (volleyball), Austin Stephany (soccer), Haley Tuttle (swimming), Kayli Westervelt (volleyball), Victoria Wixson (swimming).

All-Schuyler Second Team: Jessica Brogdon (volleyball), Samantha Gill (swimming), Josh Hamelin (XC), Felicia Johnson (volleyball), Matt Kautz (soccer), Angela Keough (soccer), Jordan Little (swimming), Joe Markley (football), Tony Simiele (football), Nick Sorensen (XC), Amelia Stamp (XC), Morgan Stermer (volleyball), Jesse Teeter (soccer).

Honorable Mention: Hunter Arcangeli (football), Kyle Bailey (football), Charlie Bascom (XC), Matt Bleiler (soccer), Kristha Bryan (soccer), Abby Cocca (swimming), Ryan Gardner (soccer), Madison Gates (soccer), Victoria Goehner (soccer), Tyler Goossen (soccer), Kody Gregory (soccer), Adam Hughey (football), Carly Lynch-Benjamin (swimming), Taylor Kennard (XC), Anthony Keough (soccer), Chelsea Lehman (soccer), Alec Moore (football), Sam Phillips (XC), Maegan Robbins (volleyball), Rob Rondinaro (XC), Taylor Rounds (swimming), Lindsey Suddaby (diving), Erin Terry (soccer), Taylor Wade (volleyball), Courtney Waite (XC), Brandon Westervelt (XC).

ALTOONA, Pa., Nov. 7 -- Watkins Glen High School graduate Katey Cheplick is set to play this weekend in the NCAA Division III Mid Atlantic Regional Volleyball Tournament with her Penn State Altoona team, champions of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Cheplick has appeared in about 30 games with the Lady Lions, who went undefeated in conference play and clinched a tournament berth Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Pitt-Bradford in the conference championship game. The team will play Eastern University at Neuman University in the first round of Regionals.

Cheplick -- who transferrred this year to Penn State Altoona after two years at Converse College in South Carolina, will join her school's basketball team as a guard immediately following the volleyball season.

ODESSA, Nov. 7 -- Odessa-Montour school-record-setting scorer Morgan Shutter has been named Co- MVP of the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Small Schools South Division in a vote of league coaches.

Shutter scored 32 goals this season, breaking the old O-M record of 27 set by his brother Matt, now a member of the Dominican College soccer team.

Named to the 2nd Team were Joe Collins, Tyler Goossen, Ryan Gardner, Tanner Dupuy, and Brandon Evans.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Nov. 7 -- This week our Odessa File Athletes of the Week are seven Watkins Glen cross-country runners who are moving on to States, a Watkins volleyball player who was key to her team reaching the Section IV semifinals, and an Odessa-Montour volleyball player who led her team to the semifinals.

The cross-country runners are pictured above. From left, standing: Rob Rondinaro, Josh Hamelin, Nick Sorensen, Charlie Bascom and Brandon Westervelt with Coach Marie Fitzsimmons. From left, kneeling: Matt Gill and Josh Langley. The seven captured the Section IV, Class C title at Chenango Valley State Park in dominating fashion, thus qualifying to compete in the State Tournament this coming weekend in Verona.

The volleyball players are Jessica Stansfield of Watkins Glen and Taylor Carey of O-M.

Stansfield (left) led a balanced Watkins attack in the Section IV, Class C tourney with a team-high 16 service points in an opening win over Whitney Point, and with a team-high 10 kills in a quarterfinal victory over Lansing. She also led the team in kills (15) as the Senecas fell short in the four-team, pool-play semifinals.

Carey (right) led O-M past Bainbridge-Guilford in a five-set Section IV, Class D tourney opener with 20 kills and 7 digs, and keyed a quarterfinal win over Harpursville with 8 kills, 3 blocks, 14 service points and 13 digs. She also led the team with 16 kills as the Indians fell in the semifinals.

Double Honorables: O-M volleyball players Morgan Stermer and Felicia Johnson, Watkins Glen volleyball players Kayli Westervelt and Taylor Chaffee, Watkins Glen swimmers Haley Tuttle, Sam Gill and Victoria Wixson, O-M swimmer Jordan Little, and Watkins Glen girls cross-country runner Corey Flahive.

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 8 -- Watkins Glen seniors Kayli Westervelt and Taylor Chaffee have been named to the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools South Division All-Star First Team in a vote of league coaches.

Their team built a 14-5 record this season, reaching the semifinals of the Section IV, Class C tournament.

ODESSA, Nov. 8 -- Odessa-Montour standout Taylor Carey has been named a First Team selection on the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Small Schools South Division All-Star squad selected by league coaches.

Morgan Stermer earned Second Team status, while Felicia Johnson and Taylor Wade were given Honorable Mention.

The team improved from zero victories in 2010 to seven in 2011, and reached the semifinals of the Section IV, Class D Tournament.

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 8 -- Watkins Glen senior soccer player Angela Keough has been named a First Team selection on the Interscholastic Athletic Conference Large Schools South Division All-Star Team selected by league coaches.

Named to the Second Team from the Senecas were sophomore forward Victoria Goehner, senior midfielder Chelsea Lehman and freshman defender Madison Gates.

Odessa-Montour: Earning Honorable Mention on the Small Schools South Division All-Star team were senior defender Erin Terry and senior goalkeeper Kristha Bryan.

O-M's Vickie Burnham competes in the finals of the 100 Backstroke. She finished eighth. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

OWEGO, Nov. 6 -- The Watkins Glen girls varsity swim team narrowly missed the runnerup position in Saturday's Section IV, Class C swim meet at Owego Free Academy, finishing with 279 points to Waverly's 282.

Both were far behind the meet champion, Chenango Valley, which amassed 490 points in a dominating performance that included first-place finishes in 10 of the 12 events -- and runnerup finishes in the other two.

The other teams scored as follows: Chenango Forks 258, Lansing 251, Odessa-Montour 165, Greene 163, and Whitney Point 93.

Watkins Glen was led by Haley Tuttle, who placed fourth in the 50 Free (26.37) and third in the 100 Free (57.29).

Sam Gill earned a fourth-place in the 100 Fly (1:06.72) and a sixth-place in the 200 IM (2:32.94).

Victoria Wixson was sixth in the 200 Free (2:12.56) and fifth in the 500 Free (5:55.32), a hundredth of a second out of fourth place.

Abby Cocca was fourth in the 100 Breaststroke (1:18.51) and ninth in the 100 Fly (1:14.18).

All four -- Tuttle, Gill, Wixson and Cocca -- were also on the third-place 200 Medley Relay and 200 Free Relay teams.

In addition, Lindsey Suddaby and Sarah LaMascus were fourth and fifth in the diving (with 261.05 and 211.20 points, respectively), and Alice Crispell was seventh in the 100 Breaststroke (1:22.60).

Odessa-Montur was led by Jordan Little, who was eighth in the 200 Free (2:13.39) and sixth in the 100 Fly.

Teammate Taylor Rounds was seventh in the 500 Free (6:11.89) and 11th in the 200 Free, and Vickie Burnham was eighth in the 100 Back (1:12.78) and 10th in the 100 Free (1:02.35).

Watkins Glen -- Sarah Wickham (15th in the 200 Free and 12th in the 500 Free), Emily Doppel (12th in the 200 IM and 9th in the 100 Back), Alexis Naylor-Kleman (16th in the 200 IM and 13th in the 100 Fly), Halle Phillips (16th in the 500 Free), Chelsea Kennard (12th in the 100 Back), and Maggie Myers (11th in the 100 Breaststroke).

Odessa-Montour -- Carly Lynch Benjamin (10th in the 50 Free and 11th in the 100 Free), Maia Rumsey (14th in the 500 Free and 15th in the 100 Back), Jenelle Bleiler (10th in the 100 Breaststroke), and Amy Fudala (13th in the 100 Breaststroke).

Top: Watkins Glen's Abby Cocca on the way to a fourth-place finish in the 100 Breaststroke.

Second: The Watkins Glen 400 Free Relay team, which finished sixth. From left: Emily Doppel, Sarah Wickham, Marguerite Kellogg and Alexis Naylor-Kleman. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

Third: The O-M 400 Free Relay team, which finished fifth. From left: Taylor Rounds, Carly Lynch-Benjamin, Vickie Burnham and Jordan Little. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

Bottom: O-M's Jenelle Bleiler after the Consolation Final of the 100 Breaststroke. She was second in the race, and 10th overall. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

Watkins Glen's Victoria Wixson relaxes (left) before the 500 Free, and then a few minutes later dives in at the start of the race.

Watkins Glen's Emily Doppel, right, shakes hands with Greene's Chelsea Carlson after the Consolation Final of the 100 Backstroke. Doppel finished first in the race, just ahead of Carlson, and ninth overall.

Left: O-M's Amy Fudala competes in the 100 Breaststroke, where she finished 13th. Right: Watkins' Sam Gill dives in at start of the 200 IM. She placed sixth. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

O-M's Jordan Little prepares to dive in for the third leg of the 400 Free Relay.

Left: Watkins Glen's Haley Tuttle, who finished 3rd in the 100 Free and 4th in the 50 Free. Right: O-M's Maia Rumsey competes in the 100 Back. She finished 15th.

It's on to States for the Section IV, Class C champion Watkins Glen boys varsity cross-country team. Front, from left: Matt Gill and Josh Langley. Standing, from left: Rob Rondinaro, Josh Hamelin, Nick Sorensen, Charlie Bascom, Brandon Westervelt and Coach Marie Fitzsimmons. (Photo by David Waite)

CHENANGO VALLEY STATE PARK, Nov. 4 -- The Watkins Glen boys varsity cross-country team won the Section IV, Class C title Thursday, easily outdistancing runnerup Newark Valley, and advanced to next week's state tournament in Verona.

The title, the first in school history, was achieved with strong performances by the entire squad, led by Matt Gill's third-place finish in 17:21.3. Teammate Josh Langley was 9th (18:04.6), with Nick Sorensen 12th (18:11.4), Josh Hamelin 17th (18:33.8), Charlie Bascom 24th (18:57.2), Brandon Westervelt 25th (19:02.0), and Robbie Rondinaro 26th (19:04.8).

The Watkins Glen girls team, meanwhile, finished in fourth place. Top runner for the Lady Senecas was Corey Flahive, in 14th place (21:45.5).

"The boys owned the course," Watkins Glen Coach Marie Fitzsimmons said of her team. "They were stunning. They could not have run better than they did."

Watkins Glen finished with 65 points, far ahead of Newark Valley, which had 113. Next came Susquehanna Valley (126), Trumansburg (128), Chenango Forks (134), Oneonta (137), Chenango Valley (138), Windsor (150), Waverly (202), and Lansing (220).

Cameron Bruce of Lansing finished first in 16:20.5, with Tyler Sutherland of Trumansburg second in 16:59.9.

"We've sent individual members of a team to States before, but never the whole team," said Fitzsimmons. The only full teams to advance are the championship squads from each Section.

"Full" in this case refers to the Senecas' top seven finishers. There were three other Watkins runners in the Section IV meet -- Brenton Whiting, Larry Morris and Dustin Cummings -- but they can't compete at States.

The victory capped off a season in which the Senecas also won the Division and IAC crowns.

Fitzsimmons heaped praise on her runners, calling Gill "a passionate and focused runner with big dreams" who often finds a way to run at or near the front.

Of Langley, she said: "We've seen incredible growth from him. He's been absolutely steadfast in his training and performance. He pushes himself relentlessly and urges the team onward -- at every practice, and every meet."

Sorensen, she said, "has been stellar in creating team energy. He leads the team in circle, calling out for power, and receiving it. Plagued by shin pain, he digs so deep to run so hard. His race today was a sensation. He is a sensation."

Hamelin, she said, "has been tremendous for the team. Every race has been outstanding. He has taken his running to great heights."

Bascom, Westervelt and Rondinaro "all came to cross country for the first time this year and they have given the team a depth that has been its calling card. Any injury, any illness -- you can bet that someone would step up. We have run races without our #1 and #2 and still succeeded because these three guys made it clear from Day One: They were not on cross country to just compete. They came to win."

The season, she added, "began with heartache -- the loss of Debra Whiting, mother of our runner Brenton. Our season was dedicated to Brenton's mom , and before we ran today, with all hands in, we repeated that dedication. Brenton ran like the wind today -- a terrific time as our 8th runner. He has been tremendous."

In addition to Flahive, Watkins Glen got the following performances: Samantha Phillips was 21st (22:20.3), Taylor Kennard 23rd (22:39.7), Kelsie Hamelin 24th (22:41.0), Amelia Stamp 28th (22:52.1), Courtney Waite 38th (23:37.6), and Hannah Armstrong 54th (25:38.1).

Newark Valley won the girls Class C title with 49 points. It was followed by Trumansburg (90), Oneonta (90), Watkins Glen (110), Chenango Valley (113), Windsor (136), Lansing (137), Waverly (185), and Chenango Forks (210).

The Senecas, said Fitzsimmons, "are on the cusp of a breakthrough. They will have to refocus in 2012, but will be returning all but seniors Chelsea Maceda and Kelsie Hamelin. Hannah Armstrong, coming on nicely after her first season of cross country, will be a contender in 2012. The team went undefeated in the regular season, won a championship at the Battlefield Invitational, was runner-up at Whitney Point, and was second in Divisionals, third in the IAC and 4th at Sectionals.

"It was a very good season for the team, and they'll be looking to step up to a new level for next year."

From top: Watkins Glen's Matt Gill on the way to a third-place finish; Josh Langley on the way to ninth place; Nick Sorensen, 12th in the race; and (from left: Sam Phillips, Courtney Waite and Taylor Kennard. (Top photo by David Waite; other three by Dan Phillips)

From left: Watkins Glen's Robbie Rondinaro, Corey Flahive and Brandon Westervelt. (Photos by David Waite)

From left: Watkins Glen's Josh Hamelin, Charlie Bascom and Amelia Stamp. (Photo on left by David Waite; other two by Dan Phillips)

HORSEHEADS, Nov. 4 -- The Watkins Glen varsity volleyball team's season ended short of a title Thursday as the Senecas went 2-4 in pool play in the Section IV, Class C tournament semifinals and missed Saturday night's finals.

The finalists -- at Corning West High School at 8 p.m. -- will be Trumansburg and Chenango Valley, each of whom defeated Watkins twice in pool play. The other team in the semis was Greene -- which Watkins Glen defeated twice.

"We had a good run," said Watkins Glen Coach Krysti Westervelt of her team's 14-5 season, a mark that included two wins in Sectional play.

"It was a really good season," she added. "I'm proud of everyone on the team, and they should be proud of what they accomplished."

The Senecas lost their first two games Thursday to Trumansburg, falling 18-25 and 26-28 -- the latter a game in which Watkins rallied from a 19-14 deficit.

Then they defeated Greene 25-14 and 25-22 before losing to Chenango Valley 17-25, 23-25.

Top: Watkins Glen's Jessica Stansfield leaps to intercept an incoming shot. (Photo by Don Romeo)

From left: Watkins Glen's Taylor Chaffee and Sarah Hazlitt. (Photos by Don Romeo)

Members of the O-M volleyball team have some fun before the evening's matches. From left: Denna Page, Brooke Frasier, Danielle MacDougall and Sam Gavich lift up Taylor Carey.

HORSEHEADS, Nov. 4 -- The Odessa-Montour varsity volleyball team's late-season run to the Section IV, Class D semifinals went no farther Thursday night as the Indians went 1-5 in pool play, ending their season.

The 7-11 Indians had a tough road in the semis, playing highly regarded Edison and Tioga before claiming their lone win of the evening against Oxford.

"We struggled during most of our games tonight," said O-M Coach Jill Kautz. "The girls started their first match playing hard but were overmatched by a very strong Edison team. They lost some of their energy and did not play as well for the rest of the night. But they ended on a positive note by beating Oxford in the final game.

"It was great for Odessa to make it to the semifinals this year, and our players put a lot of time and effort into making it this far. They are a wonderful group of girls. I was lucky to get a chance to work with them this season. We are thankful for the support we received from many people during the past few months!"

Results:

Edison 2, O-M 0 (13-25, 18-25)

Tioga 2, O-M 0 (8-25, 16-25)

Oxford 1, O-M 1 (17-25, 25-23)

Individual Statistics:

Taylor Carey: 7 Service Points, 2 Aces, 16 Kills, 4 Blocks, 7 Digs

Taylor Wade: 6 Digs

Brooke Frasier: 3 Digs

Sam Gavich: 11 Service Points, 1 Ace, 3 Kills, 8 Digs

Morgan Stermer: 4 Kills, 3 Digs

Staci Starkweather: 1 Kill

Denna Page: 3 Service Points, 2 Aces, 2 Kills, 2 Digs

Felicia Johnson: 9 Service Points, 4 Aces, 17 Assists, 4 Digs

Brea Cole: 3 Service Points, 1 Ace

Leeah Fazzary: 2 Service Points

Photos in text: O-M's Samantha Gavich (top) and Morgan Stermer send shots over the net.

Left: O-M's Felicia Johnson (17) and Taylor Wade converge on an incoming shot. Right: The Indians' Taylor Carey smashes the ball over the net.

WATKINS GLEN, Sept. 10 -- William “Bill” Milliken and Mario Andretti were announced Friday by Watkins Glen International as the latest members of the Legends of the Glen -- a hall of fame of drivers, owners and others who have impacted racing at Watkins Glen.

The announcement came at a press conference held in Lafayette Park during the daylong Grand Prix Festival -- and was attended by the 100-year-old, Buffalo-based Milliken, accompanied by members of his family. Andretti could not attend.

“It is a pleasure to induct the final two members of Class of 2011 for the Legends of The Glen during our last event for this racing season,” said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International. “Certainly without the contributions of Bill, we would not be here today. We are thrilled the Milliken Family is here to celebrate with us.”

Milliken and his family make sure to visit The Glen annually during the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival to meet with old friends and see the cars of the past. Milliken was clearly touched by his selection.

“I am just blown away by the award and all of these wonderful people,” he said. “This induction is such an honor.”

Among the first drivers to have raced at The Glen, Milliken was also one of the first racing committee members for later competitions held in Watkins Glen. He left his mark on the original 6.6-mile street course during the first race on October 2, 1948, rolling his car on a turn that has been known as “Milliken’s Corner” ever since. He was also instrumental in planning and designing the track.

“Bill Milliken was a hero to me as a kid and is one of the giants of Watkins Glen legacy,” said Michael Argetsinger, son of Watkins Glen icons Cameron and Jean Argetsinger and accomplished motorsports history author. “He was such an integral part of the track at the utmost level from the beginning. His achievements as a race driver alone merit such a richly deserved award.”

“Our family is really honored to have Bill inducted into the Legends of The Glen,” said Doug Milliken, Bill’s son. “We were really taken aback when we discovered he was being inducted with a racing legend like Mario Andretti.”

Andretti -- a four-time IndyCar national champion and a Formula 1 world champion -- had modest success on the track at Watkins Glen, winning the 1972 Six Hours endurance race and claiming the pole for the United States Grand Prix in 1968 and 1977, but his true impact came off of the track. WGI officials say his popularity was a huge draw that brought a record-setting crowd to Watkins Glen in 1968, and that his appeal continued to bring fans in large numbers to Upstate New York. That, they say, proved a key contribution in building The Glen’s worldwide popularity and recognition.

Top: Bill Milliken, right, is presented with a glass trophy that goes to Legends of the Glen honorees. Presenting it was Watkins Glen International president Michael Printup, left, as motorsport author Michael Argetsinger, a longtime friend of Milliken's, watches.

Middle: Bill Milliken at Lafayette Park for the Legends of the Glen induction ceremony.

Bottom: J.C. Argetsinger, left, president of the International Motor Racing Research Center and a longtime friend of Bill Milliken's, talks to Milliken as the honoree sits in an MX-2 test vehicle with cambered tires built by a Toronto firm in recent weeks based on engineering theories propounded by Milliken decades ago. Milliken built a prototype cambered MX-1 vehicle back in the 1960s -- its tires at an angle instead of vertical, the idea being that such engineering would increase road grip with narrow tires.

Left: Racing historian Bill Green lifts a bound volume of National Speed Sport News from the box it arrived in. He subsequently studied it. Right: IMRRC marketing director John McKnight at Tuesday's news conference.

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 9 -- The archives of National Speed Sport News, the nation’s leading motorsports newspaper, have been donated to the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen.

The archives include bound volumes dating back to the publication’s earliest days and negatives taken by its legendary editor and publisher, Chris Economaki, recognized as the founding father of the American motorsports media.

The archives were officially given to the Racing Research Center on Tuesday by Economaki's daughter, Corinne Economaki, president and owner of National Speed Sport News, and the Dyson Foundation, represented by Foundation President Rob Dyson.

NSSN published its final print edition on March 23 after nearly 77 years. About a month later, motorsports memorabilia collected over the years and housed at National Speed Sport News were sold, along with the publication’s own accumulated materials.

Corinne, who succeeded Chris Economaki as owner and publisher, and Rob Dyson together determined that the NSSN archives should go to the Racing Research Center.

“It was not a difficult choice to pick the Research Center,” Corinne Economaki said.

“The archives have to be in the public realm. People have to have access to them, for whatever reason. The library was the only logical place,” Dyson said.

“This will be for the library the most comprehensive compendium of auto racing in the pre-Internet age,” he said.

Since opening in 1999, the Racing Research Center has operated with the mission to be the world-class leader in the collection of materials representing the documentary heritage of amateur and professional racing of all series and at all venues.

The core of the Center’s collection comprises more than 3,500 rare and reference books, as well as hundreds of films, race posters and programs, magazines, rare documents, club records and thousands of photographs. The Center is open to the public free of charge, and all materials are available to all visitors, from the serious researchers to the casual fan.

The NSSN archives will add to the Center’s collection 97 bound volumes of issues going back to the 1930s; 30 boxes of photographs back to the 1950s; and negatives of decades of racing photographs taken by Chris Economaki. Additionally, the NSSN archives include issues from the 1930s through the early 2000s on microfilm.

“The scope of the National Speed Sport News archives is spectacular. The Racing Research Center staff is extremely honored that Corinne Economaki and the Dyson Foundation have selected us to be the caretakers of these materials that truly tell the story of racing in America,” J.C. Argetsinger, president of the Racing Research Center, said.

“Their confidence in us is an affirmation of the valuable work the Center is doing to preserve the history of motorsports,” Argetsinger said.

Corinne Economaki said the newspaper’s archives have been used extensively over the years by a myriad of researchers, from authors to racers to fans.

“The Research Center is the right place now. I know the archives will be well cared for,” Economaki said.

The archives represent her father’s lifetime of work and “love affair with motorsports.”

Chris Economaki, who celebrated his 90th birthday last October, saw his first race in 1932, when he was 12 years old. Two years later, his daughter said, he was selling copies of National Auto Racing News, which would become National Speed Sport News.

At age 16, Chris had his first byline, launching his career in motorsports reporting. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he continued to be involved with racing and was hired full-time to write for NSSN.

Over the years, his commitment to the newspaper grew, and when publication ceased in March, it was wholly owned by the Economaki family, Corinne said.

Chris Economaki’s weekly column, “The Editor’s Notebook,” was a must-read in the newspaper, noteworthy as “a potpourri of inside information, editorial comment and the odd bit of gossip,” according to a fellow motorsports journalist. He started the column after being named NSSN editor and continued it for 60 years, through the end of 2010.

“Chris had contacts and sources second to none, and it made NSSN the most influential news source in American racing,” Rob Dyson said. “His column was a must-read for race drivers, owners, team managers and industry leaders and often it was the place they first learned of changes within their own organization.”

Dyson established Dyson Racing in 1974. Over the years, the team has competed in IMSA GTO and GTP, SCCA, Trans-Am, Grand-Am, CART and today, the American Le Mans Series.

Rob Dyson serves as president of the Dyson Foundation, founded in 1957 and based in Millbrook, NY, to work toward improving people's lives through grant funding, promoting philanthropy and strengthening the capacity of non-profit organizations.

For more information about the International Motor Racing Research Center, visit the website at www.racingarchives.org. For more information about the Dyson Foundation, visit the website at www.dysonfoundation.org.

Top: Stories in the 1940 bound volume of National Speed Sport News capture the attention of, from the left, Corinne Economaki, Rob Dyson and J.C. Argetsinger at the International Motor Racing Research Center on Tuesday. Economaki, president and owner of NSSN, and Dyson, president of the Dyson Foundation, formally presented the NSSN archives to Argetsinger, president of the Racing Research Center, at a news conference.

Third: On display on a table were one of the 97 bound volumes donated to the Research Center, along with various archive photos.

Fourth: A photo of Chris Economaki and race driver Mario Andretti. It was spotted near the top of a box of NSSN photos at the Racing Research Center.

Bottom: The cover of a National Speed Sport News at the front of one of the bound volumes.

Left: Pulled at random from a file cabinet full of archive photos was this one of NASCAR driver Mark Martin in his early days. Right: YNN was at the news conference. Here a reporter (background) speaks to the camera, preparing her report.

From left: WGHS students Nick Dalrymple, Juliana Peters and Damion Westlake after receiving Certificates of Honor featuring the International Motor Racing Research Center.

WATKINS GLEN, June 29 -- Memories shared by Formula One racetrack participants and fans were featured Tuesday night as a Watkins Glen High School-prepared video was unveiled to a gathering of about 40 race fans at the Glen Motor Inn.

The video, edited for the showing from hours of interiews conducted by students in History teacher Kelsey Wood's classes, featured racer Dan Gurney, speaking from his Santa Ana, Calif. home by Skype; International Motor Racing Research Center president J.C. Argetsinger; race historian Bill Green; writer-racer Michael Keyser; race registrar Mickey Sipperley; former Sheriff Michael Maloney; GP ticket director Jim Scaptura; race artist Bob Gillespie; photographer Ade Ketchum, and others.

Both Wood and WGHS Media Specialist and Video Production teacher Maggie Field -- the latter edited hours of interviews down to Tuesday's briefer presentation -- issued remarks about the project. A total of "about 20" students participated, Wood said, interviewing "17 or 18" people. Three of the students -- Damion Westlake, Nick Dalrymple and Juliana Peters -- were present at Tuesday's showing, and all were given Certificates of Honor for their efforts.

The video was preceded by remarks by the Glen Motor Inn's Vic Franzese, who housed many of the Formula One racers at the Inn back in the days of the Watkins Glen F1 race, the U.S. Grand Prix, which started in 1961 and lasted 20 years.

The video was part of the International Motor Racing Research Center's year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Formula One racing at Watkins Glen. A longer, unedited version of the video, with additional interviews, will be available for viewing at the Center later in the summer.

Top: International Motor Racing Research Center president J.C. Argetsinger and his mother, Jean, watch the video.

Bottom: A segment of the video showed artist Bob Gillespie being interviewed.

Left: Vic Franzese shares his Formula One recollections. Right: J.C. Argetsinger presents certificates of honor to teachers Kelsey Wood, left, and Maggie Field.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 19 -- Former Watkins Glen High School student-athlete Olivia Coffey has earned All-America status in Women's Eight Rowing as co-captain of Harvard University's Radcliffe Crew.

Coffey, 22, who just completed her senior year at Harvard, earned first-team status on the 2011 Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Pocock All-America squad. She had previously earned All-New England status from the same association.

Coffey sat the stroke seat on the Radcliffe varsity eight heavyweight crew this season as it posted an 11-4 dual-meet record and reached the NCAA Championships, where it placed 13th with a win in the third-level final. The team was ranked as high as 12th nationally, along the way defeating Yale to claim the Case Cup for the first time in eight years. The Cup goes annually to the winner of that Harvard-Yale race.

Coffey, a native of Watkins Glen, was a four-year member of the Radcliffe varsity eight and made three NCAA appearances during her collegiate career.

She took up rowing in 2005 -- with the interest stemming from her parents. Her father, Calvin, was a silver medalist in the pair event at the 1976 Olympics, while her mother, Maggie, won gold in the New York Empire Games a few years later. Calvin and Maggie met at a rowing regatta, and all four of their daughters have rowed.

Olivia -- now 6'2" and 170 pounds -- was the center on the Section IV runnerup Watkins Glen High School girls varsity basketball team in her freshman year, 2003-04, before attending Phillips Academy Andover prep school, where she played varsity hockey and rowed.

Among her college achievements was a silver medal two years ago with the under-23 United States national team at the World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.

She says her next goal is "to train for the National team" for a berth in the 2012 Olympics. "It will be a tough task," she says. "There will be a lot of people going for very few spots. I'm not sure I'll make it, but I want to."

After studying economics and computer science at Harvard, she is hoping to one day be an iPhone application creator and attend business school.

But first comes the attempt to make the Olympics, and beyond that -- who knows? -- perhaps the 2016 Olympics. "Maybe I'll even try for 2020 at the ripe old age of 31," she says.

Olympics or not, though, "I'm looking forward to continuing rowing," she adds. "It's something I really love to do."

Photo in text: Olivia Coffey as part of the Harvard squad. (Photo provided)

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.

SchuyLines.com, The Odessa File's sister publication designed to celebrate all things good about Schuyler County, is now online. For a look at the features-oriented website, just click here or on one of the logos above.

Baseball essay: Out of the Mist of Lore

A childhood hero

A night of beauty

A childhood tale: "Damn Yankees"

'The Glory Girls' books are still available