Previous Coach of the Week Award recipients

Presented by G&G Fitness

April 4, 2020
Donovan Lopez, Pittsford
In 12 years as coach, his teams have won six Section V titles -- one at Marcus Whitman (2011) and five at Pittsford, including five in the last six years. The dean of students for Whitman has turned the Panthers into a perennial Class A power and state champion in 2017. He also coaches the club lax Finger Lakes Flamingos. His teams have won more than 180 games. He coaches JV football in Canandaigua and was the staff for last fall's Section V champions. "Donovan sets very high expectations for his athletes with the team success being the overall goal," Pittsford AD Scott Barker said. "His teams have a strong bond with each other and work hard for continuous improvement daily."

March 28, 2020
Gianni Bussani, Fairport Soccer Club
The longtime boys soccer coach at Fairport High School is still leading the Fairport Soccer Club and the Red Raiders produced a clever toilet-paper, soccer juggling video during this coronavirus pandemic. Bussani resigned last fall after guiding the Red Raiders to a 10th Section V title in his 25 seasons. They reached four state title games in that span and he went 332-118-43 overall.

March 21, 2020
Dan Glover, Spencerport
There will always be a wrestling bar to clear in Spencerport. It was set by Bill Jacoutot, whose teams won 21 Section V titles in his 28 years as coach. Dan Glover is now making his mark. In his eighth year, the Gates Chili graduate has led the Rangers to two Section V Class A crowns in three years. Spencerport also has won two Section V dual-match titles. "Dan's ability to connect with the athletes is really what sets him apart," Rangers AD Jen Placito says. "He's in their corner on and off the mat and has extremely high expectations for them. They know and respect that. He is certainly a coach they want to give their all for."

March 14, 2020
Pete Piraino, Keshequa
In 40-plus years as coach of the girls basketball team at Keshequa, Piraino's team have won six Section V titles, including Class C2 this winter, 49-36, over No. 1 seed Lyons in the title game. He is also a Section V Basketball Hall of Fame member. But one number stands out among all the rest: 543. That is the number of victories his Indians squads have earned and it is the most in Section V Girls Basketball history. With a 21-4 record this year, Piraino passed Al Best (533). Congrats, Pete!

March 7, 2020
Katrina Davenport
Look around. There aren't lot of females coaching girls basketball in Section V to give young girls role models. In Penn Yan they have one. It's Katrina Davenport. The fourth-year coach has the Mustangs in position to capture their first Section V title since the late 1980s. Top-seeded Penn Yan (16-6) plays No. 2 Avon (18-4) at 3 p.m. today for the Class B2 crown. Ironically, Davenport was a sophomore on a Honeoye team that beat Avon back in 2006 for the title. A high school coach for nine years, she also has coached varsity softball at Newark. A SUNY Cortland grad who is an assistant principal for the Finger Lakes Technical & Career Center, Davenport also is an assistant on the Penn Yan football staff. Yes, football.

Feb. 29, 2020
Elaine McGurk
In her 22 years as coach, McGurk has guided the Red Raiders cheerleading program through highs and lows, to 13 Monroe County championships, 19 Section V titles (including this season), two state crowns and eight national titles. She has been the NYS Spirit Coach of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Federation of High Schools. Her resume is remarkable. The dedication to her squads and love for what she does is just as amazing. Says Fairport AD Fritz Killian, "The consistency of her teams throughout the years and the relationships that she has developed with her student athletes and their families over the years is evidence of her immense ability as a coach."

Feb. 22, 2020
Mike Rapone
Wednesday's 11-point rally in the second half at Lyndonville was probably like a lot of Batavia Notre Dame comebacks in Rapone's 40 seasons, but this one (48-46) netted his 700th victory. Section V's all-time wins leader is just the fifth coach in state history to join the 700 club. His squads have won nine sectional titles in basketball and two in baseball, and he's one of just four men to win multiple basketball state crowns (2001 & 1992). "He understands what makes teenagers tick and gets the most out of them while holding them to the highest standards of competition and sportsmanship," former ND Principal Dr. Joseph Scanlan said of ND's longtime vice principal and AD. "Most important, he makes playing basketball fun for his players."

Feb. 15, 2020
Karen Schuster
In her 29th season, Schuster still savors the job of turning a group of girls into a championship basketball team. A 1982 Livonia graduate, Schuster's 416 career wins rank fifth all-time in Section V history. She has more wins than any other Section V female coach. In 2016, her Bulldogs reached the top of the mountain, winning the NYSPHSAA Class B state title. "The passion and energy she brings to her program year in and year out is why her teams routinely compete for championships," athletic director Mark Kress said. "Every opponent in our region knows when they face the Lady Bulldogs they're in for a fight." Livonia (16-3) closes the regular season Tuesday vs. Avon.

Feb. 8, 2020
Ashley Wood
The third-year cheerleading coach guides the Honeoye Falls-Lima fall and winter squads and was named Section V's Coach of the Year in her class last fall. Wood has led HF-L to four straight wins this winter at the Eastridge, Webster, Fairport and Mercy invitationals. On Tuesday, she'll host her annual "Heart and Soul" competition involving 32 teams. "Ashley is a tremendous role model and leader in our athletic program," AD Brian Donohue said. "She leads by example with high expectations not only for herself but for all involved with HF-L cheerleading." Her athletes always give back to the community. They participate in Toys for Tots program and Breast Cancer Walk. They also help with the HF-L youth program.

Feb. 1, 2020
Craig Gross
Hilton has had multiple state champions in its nine seasons under Gross, but he coaches up every athlete -- not just the elite ones. "The success that wrestlers have at all weight classes is a testament to Craig's work and the culture of success within our program," Cadets AD Mike Giruzzi said of the 2017 National H.S. Coach of the Year. "Craig has a knack for getting the most out of all of his guys and depth is one reason we remain one of the section and state's top programs." Hilton is 205-28 and has won six Monroe County division and five Section V titles under Gross.

Jan. 25, 2020
Scott Fake
Scott Fake has coached swimming for 45 years and has not only left an indelible mark at Brockport Central, where he has been the school Aquatics Instructor since 1983. But the former physical education teacher (36 years) has helped move the sport forward in the Rochester area as both the Section V and Monroe County Boys and Girls Swimming chairman for 20-plus years. "Scott has had an incredible impact on thousands of students, athletes and families in Brockport," AD Todd Hagreen says. "He has the ability to develop genuine relationships with athletes and their families beyond swimming. He will be sorely missed."

Jan. 18, 2020
Rick Schmitt
No one has been a bigger proponent of promoting Section V swimming over the past 20 years. A Penfield physical education teacher, Schmitt turned the Patriots into a contender from 2000 to 2006 before joining Pittsford, where he replaced Mark Morris in 2013. The Panthers haven't missed a beat. As dominant as ever, they're chasing history this season, trying to eclipse Fairport's record of winning 17 straight Section V swim titles. "Rick has a great work ethic as a coach and models expectations for his athletes," Pittsford AD Scott Barker said of the Section V Class A coordinator. "Rick has a unique ability to form positive relationships with his athletes that allows him to get the best out of each one."

Jan. 11, 2020
Austin Donroe
The second-year Victor track coach knows teens face challenges and stress beyond competition. To that end, Donroe sees his age (24) as a benefit. "I think I have a decent understanding what they're up against, the pressures involved these days," says Donroe, a high school social studies teacher from Long Island who ran for SUNY Geneseo. "He truly cares about his athletes, all 86 of them!" says the person who nominated him. "He actually allows them to take a mental health day if needed." Donroe listens to his athletes. "I let the kids know at practice we're here to work, but I empathize with what they're going through." Congrats, Austin.

Jan. 4, 2020
Bob Bradley
In 44 seasons, his track and cross country teams won 19 Section V titles, two state crowns and broke countless records. Mr. Bradley, who also taught English at McQuaid for decades, died on Dec. 29, 2019. The New Jersey native was 89. He taught dedication to academics and athletics, having a strong faith and conducting oneself with integrity at all times. "Embodiment of an angel on earth," ex-McQuaid runner Marc Dovi told the D&C. "A very spiritual, faith-based, authentic and blessed man, and he shared every ounce of it with others. If I made a list of lives well-lived, this is the one I'm putting on top." RIP, Mr. Bradley.

Dec. 14, 2019
Darrell Barley
The 18th-year coach at East has led his alma mater to six Section V boys basketball championships after an illustrious playing career that included the former All-Greater Rochester pick becoming a captain at Canisius College. He was the 1996 MAAC Player of the Year and led the Golden Griffins to the NCAA Tournament under John Beilein. As a coach himself, Barley has learned to adjust. "Kids don't take criticism as well now as when I first started, so I have to take a different approach," the history teacher says. "I think as I've gotten older I've learned you can't yell as much. Some kids need that; others don't. We tell them sports isn't the end-all, be-all but it can be a vehicle to a better life." Congrats, Darrell.

Nov. 23, 2019
Justin Mann
The third-year coach of the Letchworth-Warsaw football team guided his squad to its second straight Section V Class C title. LetSaw has gone 22-8 under Mann, including back-to-back 9-2 seasons. A 2003 graduate of Warsaw, Mann says one of the keys to coaching is building relationships with his players and finding out how to motivate them. "No two kids are alike. Some kids want to be yelled at that. They'll tell you they need that. Others don't," the 34-year-old Mann says. "We try to teach them life lessons through football and help them become young men who'll be good members of our communities as adults."

Nov. 23, 2019
Christopher Parks
The Knights have won eight Section V and sour state championships in his 19 seasons. They go for a state-record fifth today in Albany. But Parks, who is also McQuaid Jesuit's Dean of Students, is certainly about more than what happens on the court. His players are active doing community service. They visit nursing homes, volunteer at the Advent House in Perinton and help clean Hope Hall and Camp Stella Maris on Conesus Lake. They also volunteer to help run the McQuaid Invitational, one of the nation's biggest cross country meets.

Nov. 16, 2019
John Gammon
After three football title-game misses in five seasons, Livonia broke through. The fifth-seeded Bulldogs edged No. 1 HF-L, 12-0, to capture the school's first Section V Class B championship in 26 years. Named the Section V Class B Coach of the Year, Gammon's players also know about giving back. They participate annually in the Cystic Fibrosis Walk. "John runs a complete program that goes year-around, always getting the most out of his players," AD Mark Kress said. "The program has always been a place for all kids, even those that struggle are welcomed into the family." A coach for 27 years, Gammon also guided Eastridge to a Section V crown in 2004. His Livonia record is 48-13.

Nov. 9, 2019
Rene Monks
In her 11th year as coach at Honeoye Falls-Lima, she has led the Cougars to seven Monroe County championships and on Saturday they'll compete for a fifth sectional title under her guidance. HF-L's crowning achievement was the 2016 state title. "Her impact on her athletes off the court is as impressive as it is on it," says HF-L AD Brian Donohue. "Rene is a tremendous role model and is not only an outstanding teacher of the game but her commitment to teaching life skills is exemplary. She has high expectations for her athletes as people and she holds them accountable." The relationships she builds with players leads to many of them, after they've graduated, returning to watch HF-L games to support the current team.

Nov. 2, 2019
Amy Colosimo
In her 20th season as coach, her Harley Allendale-Columbia squad takes an 18-0 record and No. 1 seed into the Section V Class D-2 Tournament. The Wolves have captured four straight Finger Lakes West titles and sectional crowns in 2010, 2011 and 2013. They've reached the finals six times and she has more than 250 career wins. "She is a fantastic role model for our student-athletes," AD Peter Mancuso said. "She connects with the kids on many levels and has been able to lend support and guidance to their everyday lives as well as volleyball."

Oct. 26, 2019
Greg Kennedy
Thirty years later, he is still teaching at Wesbster Schroeder and coaching volleyball -- and he loves doing it. The Penfield and Cornell graduate's squads won two state and four Section V titles in the 1990s. His overall record is 375-241, but he is most proud of the boys he has shaped into young men. "His lessons are about perseverance, hard work, desire and development. His kids are always high on character," says Schroeder AD Shawn Strege, the school's former girls volleyball coach who adds that he has learned much from Kennedy. "We also are lucky to have his leadership on our coaching staff. He genuinely cares and helps all of our coaches."

Oct. 19, 2019
Tim Mattle, Wayne
His Finger Lakes League/Wayne County soccer power has won 14 league titles in Mattle's 26 seasons. Wayne, where he played in high school, has reached 12 Section V semifinals under him and was runner-up in 2005. The Eagles (14-2-2 this fall) have never won a sectional crown, but that's all you need to know about Mattle's ability to teach resilience. For a man who lost his mother as a boy, that came naturally. Mattle develops that type of toughness in players. "Tim eats and breathes soccer," Wayne AD Tony Carusone said. "He stays late at practice and works with individual kids on their skills. As a health teacher, he understands the importance of building positive relationships with not only his players, but the student body in general."

Oct. 12, 2019
Chrissy Merrill, Honeoye Falls-Lima
The 14th-year girls soccer coach is a "consummate teacher," says AD Brian Donohue. Merrill's teams have won big (2013 sectional title and state finalist; 156-83-18 career record) but no matter the Cougars' record, players always get Merrill's best effort all the way down to the K-2 grades program. "Chrissy is extremely positive and professional, always upbeat and treats all of her athletes with great respect, regardless of their role," Donohue says. A Long Island native, middle school math teacher and a mother of three, Merrill is also the daughter of a coach. She married one (HF-L boys coach Mike Merrill), too. Congrats, Chrissy!

Oct. 5, 2019
Mike Domm, East Rochester
   The 1994 Brighton graduate and former Section V star has taught at ER for 17 years. A former pro player for the Rochester Rhinos, Domm coached the Bombers boys soccer team from 2004-08 and returned in 2016. His 2004 squad won sectionals and ER has only won three titles. "He is always there for his kids in school and at practice," AD Jeff Onze says. "I can't imagine a coach that does more in the offseason for his players." Last year, ER was 15-7 and runner-up. Right now ER is 12-0 and Domm has his team's eyes on one prize: the sectional block.

Sept. 28, 2019
Dave Hennessey, Penfield
   He is in his 44th season coaching cross country, indoor and outdoor track for Penfield, where "Henn" is quite honestly a legend. A retired social studies teacher, he has totaled more than 500 victories on both the boys and girls sides to become the nation's dual-meet wins leader in cross country. "Henn has a way of reaching all kids," Penfield AD Pete Shambo said. "He has positive relationships with the strongest and weakest athletes. He can be hard on kids when needed and still be beloved and he's coaching third-generation kids now."

Sept. 21, 2019
Andy Englert, Avon
   Community. Core values. Work ethic. These words are hallmarks of Englert's tenure as an athletic director and coach at Avon for 24 years. "We teach (student-athletes) to take what they've learned through athletics and apply it to life. Life is a challenge. It takes hard work and teamwork," said Englert, the AD for 17 years and a varsity football and wrestling coach for 22 and 24 years, respectively. Avon football has won sectional titles under Englert in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014. The real impact made by this York native and SUNY Brockport graduate is fostering a feeling of togetherness in the school and sports program. Congrats, Andy!

Sept. 14, 2019
Bob Hammer, LeRoy
   The former St. Bonaventure player is in his 12th season as boys soccer coach of the Oatkan Knights. They've never won a sectional title or reached a title game but hat doesn't diminish the influence Hammer has had on hundreds of student-athletes. "He has put his blood sweat and tears in to our program over the last decade making it a competitive program yearly in a football town," LeRoy Principal Tim McArdle says of Hammer, who also coaches modified tennis. "As our junior-high counselor he has a huge impact on so many students in our community. It's very special and appreciated." Trophies aren't needed to teach character and how sports can teach life lessons. Congrats, Bob!

Sept. 7, 2019
Mike Butler, Greece Arcadia
   The Greece Arcadia grad has been a coach in his home district for 29 years and won sectional titles in girls soccer (2), boys soccer (3) and girls basketball (6) at Athena. That's 11 "blocks," including from 2014-16 with Athena boys soccer highlighted by the 2014 state title. What's he most proud of? The growth his first team -- Odyssey boys basketball -- showed in the mid-1990s. The brand new program went 0-21 its first year. Two years later, it played for a sectional crown. Teaching. Learning. Growing. That's the legacy Butler will leave in Greece. Congrats, Mike!

Previous Boys Athlete of the Week Award recipients

Presented by Pittsford Pub

March 21, 2020
Jagger Nucci, Greece Athena baseball
   The senior infielder/pitcher is one-third of a strong three-man rotation for the Section V Class A1 runners-up. He also has signed with Division I St. Bonaventure.

March 14, 2020
Pittsford swimming medley relay
   The Panthers set a Section V record and recorded an All-American Consideration time of 1:34.36 in winning the state championship in the 200-yard medley relay. Swimmers: Aaron Kusch, Jacob Novozhenets, Neil Mortimer and Liam Murphy.

March 7, 2020
Alex Kenyon, Bloomfield diving
   The junior repeated as the state champion in one-meter diving, winning Friday on Long Island with a score of 515.45 points. "It feels almost better than the first time. It was a lot tougher this time," said Kenyon, a product of the Upstate NY Diving program founded by Cliff Devries.

Feb. 29, 2020
Carter McWilliams, Canandaigua hockey
   The senior had a hand in all five goals in the Braves' 5-0 Section V Class B semifinal playoff win over Spencerport. He had a hat trick and assisted on a pair of goals. The reigning Section V Class B Player of the Year leads Canandaigua with 34 goals and 37 assists.

Feb. 22, 2020
Greg Diakomihalis, Hilton wrestling
   The senior won his fifth SuperSectional title and next weekend in Albany he'll try to become Section V's first five-time state champion. Diakomihalis won at Supers with a 23-8 technical fall in the 120-pound title bout. He just returned in January from a knee injury suffered last March.

Feb. 15, 2020
Colton Dillon, Elba basketball
   The senior guard scored a career-high 47 points and grabbed 23 rebounds en route to becoming the school's all-time leading scorer in Thursday's 76-46 win over Kendall that clinched the Genesee Region title and No. 1 seed in the Section V Class D2 Tournament. He also had 20 points in Tuesday's 81-75 comeback win at Lyndonville.

Feb. 8, 2020
Andrew Mason, Webster Thomas
   The AGR senior guard scored 34 points with six 3-pointers in a 65-58 win over rival Webster Schroeder and had 22 points (five 3s) in a 55-53 loss to Irondequoit. Last week, his 24 points in a win over Canandaigua made him the school's all-time leading scorer. He also had 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.

Feb. 1, 2020
Trevor Schmidt, Gates Chili hockey
   The senior forward has topped the 100-point mark in just his second varsity season for the Spartans (13-3). He had 28 goals and 28 assists last year and has 30G/13A this winter. He scored a third-period hat trick Tuesday in a 5-4 comeback win over Rush-Henrietta.

Jan. 25, 2020
Ryan Garwood, Northstar Christian basketball
   The sophomore guard broke the Section V record by drilling 13 three-pointers in Thursday's 127-51 win over Global Concepts. He scored 51 points, making 13 of his 20 shots. He followed that up with 26 points and six 3-pointers in Friday's 90-83 (2 OTs) win over Buffalo East for the Knights (12-1).

Jan. 18, 2020
Cade Spencer, Webster Thomas hockey
   The forward recorded a hat trick Wednesday in a 4-2 win over Division I leader Fairport. He leads the defending Section V Class B champions with 8 goals and also has 4 assists. The Titans (11-1) have won 10 straight entering Tuesday's game vs. Penfield.

Jan. 11, 2020
Markus Robinson, C.G. Finney basketball
   The 6-foot-1 freshman guard scored 65 points in an 87-85 loss to Rochester Prep on Tuesday, tying the Section V mark set by Cuba's Gordon Enderle in 1978-79, and followed that up with 54 on Friday in a loss to Northstar Christian. He has scored more than 50 points six times in 13 games.

Jan. 4, 2020
Taj'Jae Hill, Hilton basketball
   The senior swingman erupted for 49 points and hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer to give the Cadets an 81-79 win over Eastridge in the title game of the Hilton Hall of Fame Tournament. He grabbed 11 rebounds and made 19 of 33 shots. Hill also had 15 points and 11 boards in the Cadets' first-round win.

Dec. 14, 2019
Markus Robinson, C.G. Finney basketball
   The freshman guard is putting up video game numbers this week for the Falcons. He scored 33 points against Clyde-Savannah and had 53 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 steals in a win over Rochester Prep.

Dec. 7, 2019
Liam Murphy, Pittsford swimming
   The senior picked up where he left off last season as Section V Class A champion in the 200 and 500 freestyles and Monroe County Swimmer of the Year. He won the 200 free (1:43.67) and 100 free (:47.82) against Hilton on Tuesday, achieving state cut times in both events. On Thursday, he broke a 12-year-old pool record in the 500 freestyle at Canandaigua. That was a state cut time, too. Murphy also was on the 200 medley relay that took down a 26-year-old pool record.

Nov. 30, 2019
Joe Cairns, McQuaid football
   The junior quarterback ran for three TDs and passed for 194 yards in a 42-28 win at Cicero-North Syracuse on its home field in the Class AA state semifinals. Cairns sneaked for two scores and also found paydirt on a 3-yard keeper. He has completed 72 percent of his throws this season and has a stellar TD-INT ratio of 16/3.

Nov. 23, 2019
JC Clifford, Canandaigua football
   The 6-foot-5 senior defensive lineman had 10 tackles and a pair of sacks in the Braves' 16-6 Class A state semifinal loss to Carthage on Friday. Clifford was a presence on the defense all fall for Canandaigua, which won its first Section V title since 2007.

Nov. 16, 2019
Joe Wolke, Churchville-Chili volleyball
   The senior setter followed up his MVP performance in leading the Saints (21-1) to the Section V Class B1 title by posting 27 assists in Friday's state tournament qualifier, a tight straight-sets win over Midlakes. He also had 27 assists in the sectional championship victory for the No. 1 seeds over Spencerport.

Nov. 9, 2019
Nick Bauman, Irondequoit cross country
   The senior became the first boy in school history to capture an individual Section V cross country championship, winning the Class A race at Midlakes in 16 minutes, 15 seconds. It was the second-best time of the day behind only Pittsford Mendon's Sam Lawler.

Nov. 2, 2019
Dylan Rice, Greece Athena soccer
   The junior scored two goals, including the first-half equalizer and then the winner after a dynamite 50-yard sprint with the ball with 11 minutes to play , as No. 1 Athena edged rival Greece Arcadia, 3-2, for the Section V Class A-1 championship. It is Athena's fourth crown in six years. An eighth-grader on its last title team, Rice has 16 goals and 13 assists.

Oct. 26, 2019
Freddie Brock, East football
   The senior running back and future UMass player rambled for 152 yards on 15 carries and scored five TDs as the second-seeded Eagles throttled No. 7 seed Greece Arcadia, 50-8, in the Section V Class A playoffs. The Eagles (7-1) play No. 2 Spencerport (7-1) next.

Oct. 12, 2019
Will Bowen, Pittsford Sutherland soccer
   The senior captain scored three times in Friday's 6-1 win over East Syracuse-Minoa, as the Knights improved to 13-0-1. He also had a goal and assist in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Arcadia that clinched the Monroe County Division III title and a goal and assist in a 4-1 win over Churchville-Chili. For the season, he has 10 goals and 6 assists.

Oct. 5, 2019
Sam Lawler, Pittsford Mendon cross country
   The Vikings senior posted the top overall time at the 55th annual McQuaid Invitational, finishing in 14:54.7 to win both the Steve Prefontaine and Charlie McMullen awards in Upstate New York's largest cross country meet.

Sept. 28, 2019
Max LaRosa, Spencerport soccer
   The senior midfielder connected for a goal in Thursday's big 2-0 victory over Churchville-Chili in Monroe County action to boost the Rangers' record to 8-1 this fall. He also scored four goals in a victory over Irondequoit. He leads Spencerport with 10 goals and also has three assists.

Sept. 21, 2019
Mason Ferrara, Honeoye Falls-Lima football
   The senior running back ran for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns on 20 carries as the Cougars (2-1) stunned defending Section V Class B champion and state runner-up Batavia, 41-7. The win avenged a loss in last year's sectional semifinals. Ferrara had TD runs of 7, 30, 74 and 30 yards.

Sept. 14, 2019
John Reagan, Wayne football
   The senior running back rambled for 208 yards and a TD on 36 carries and also caught a TD pass as the Eagles (1-1) bounced back from a Week 1 loss to 42-12 to shut out neighbor Palmyra-Macedon 26-0 in their annual "Drop The Axe On Children's Cancer" game.

Sept. 7, 2019
Justin Graham, Victor soccer
   The senior forward connected for 3 goals and an assist in a 4-1 win over Webster Schroeder. He has scored in each of the Blue Devils' wins during a 3-0 start and leads the team with 5 goals and 3 assists.

Jan. 18, 2020
Aaliyah Pennie, Northstar Christian basketball
   The senior forward had 14 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 67-37 win over Lima Christian and followed that up with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks and 5 steals in a 55-37 win over Rochester Prep. At 12-0, the Knights are one of only two unbeaten teams left in Section V with Gates Chili.

Previous Girls Athlete of the Week Award recipients

Presented by Pittsford Pub

March 21, 2020
Monique Hardy, Webster Thomas track
   The LSU-bound senior is a four-time state champion in the weight throw, including her win earlier this month, and owner of nine Section V titles. Her throw of 66 feet, 11.25 inches on Feb. 8 at the Millrose Games is the second-best ever for a high school athlete. The reigning All-Greater Rochester Indoor Track Athlete of the Year has compiled more 60-plus feet throws than any high school female.

March 14, 2020
Leah Bezon, Elba basketball
    The junior forward scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 48-40 win over Andover to lead the top-seeded Lancers to their fourth straight Section V Class D2 title. She then had 14 points and 11 boards in a 48-40 state qualifier win over Pavilion. Elba is 22-2 as it awaits its state tournament fate.

March 7, 2020
Katie Bischoping, Pittsford Mendon basketball
   The senior guard scored all 14 of her points in the second half on Friday, including 11 straight and three 3-pointers during a decisive run, to lead the second-seeded Vikings to a 53-47 win over No. 1 Irondequoit and to a fourth straight Section V Class A title. She also had 14 points in the semifinals.

Feb. 29, 2020
Grace Mattern, Brighton skiing
   The junior won her second state Nordic title in three years -- she also won in 2018 as a freshman -- capturing the 7.5-kilometer race in 22 minutes, 55.5 seconds at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park. She was third last year at states.

Feb. 22, 2020
Jaelyn Davis, Rush-Henrietta track
   After finishing as runner-up each of the past two seasons in the 55-meter dash, the senior breezed to the title in Friday's Section V Indoor Track championships at RIT in 7.17 seconds. She has been working her way back from a tender hamstring, too. Her win helped the Royal Comets win a ninth straight team title.

Feb. 15, 2020
Chanel Alexander, Aquinas basketball
   The junior guard had 23 points, 4 assists and 4 steals in a win over School of the Arts and 15 points in a loss to Mercy. She is averaging 22.6 points, good for seventh in Section V. At 15-4, no one will want play the Little Irish in the Class A sectional tournament.

Feb. 8, 2020
Monique Hardy, Webster Thomas
    The senior set a state record on Thursday at the Millrose Games in New York City with an indoor weight throw of 66 feet, 11.25 inches. That's less than 3 feet shy of the national record set in 2011. She has already committed to compete for Louisiana State University.

Feb. 1, 2020
Alahna Paige, Irondequoit basketball
   The senior guard set a school (and maybe Monroe County League) record with 50 points in Friday's 81-74 win at Gates Chili. The Daemen College recruit also scored 26 points and had 6 rebounds in a 15-point win at Victor. She averages a Section V-best 26.7 points. The Eagles (13-2) take an 11-game win streak into Tuesday's game vs. Penfield (14-1).

Jan. 25, 2020
Sydney Close, Red Jacket basketball
   The 4-foot-11 senior point guard scored 18 points in Friday's 59-39 win over Bloomfield and pumped in 24 in a 55-43 victory over East Rochester. The Indians (10-5) and have won four straight.

Jan. 11, 2020
Nyara Simmons, Penfield basketball
   The senior, who has been a double-double machine, had 18 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Churchville-Chili and 20 points and 11 boards in win over Webster Schroeder. She averages team highs with 18.1 points and 12.5 rebounds.

Jan. 4, 2020
Terah Echols, Gates Chili
   The 5-foot-10 sophomore forward scored 21 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a win over Honeoye Falls-Lima and had 17 points and 18 boards in a 68-42 victory over Spencerport. The surprising Spartans are off a 7-0 start under coach Rachel Leonard.

Dec. 14, 2019
Maria Ferris, Brockport track
   The junior got the indoor season off to a terrific start by winning the 1,000 meters in 3:16.88 and finishing as runner-up in the 3000 meters. Last fall she was a first-team All-Monroe County and second-team Section V All-Star in cross country.

Dec. 7, 2019
Alahna Paige, Irondequoit basketball
   The All-Greater Rochester senior point guard posted 29 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in a season-opening win at Batavia and had 21 points and 5 assists in a win over Spencerport to lift the Eagles to a 2-0 start. That second victory included making a half-court shot at the first-quarter horn.

Nov. 30, 2019
Megan Deuel, Pittsford swimming
   The senior capped her amazing career in record-setting fashion. She won two more individual state titles and was on the state champion 200-yard medley relay team go give her 12 state titles overall. Deuel set a state record in the 100 butterfly (52.95 seconds) and also won the 100 backstroke. Next stop for her: Notre Dame.

Nov. 23, 2019
Rylee Bergeron, Mercy volleyball
   The sophomore outside hitter was terrific in the Monarchs' win over Orchard Park to capture the Far West Regional championship. She had 22 kills, 16 digs and 12 aces in a thrilling, five-set victory. The Monarchs are 14-4 and playing in today's Class AA state final four in Glens Falls.

Nov. 16, 2019
Megan Deuel, Pittsford swimming
   The two-time AGR Swimmer of the Year helped lead the Panthers to an 18th straight Section V crown on her 18th birthday by winning the 200-yard individual medley and 100 butterfly while also swimming on winning medley and 400 freestyle relays. In prelims, she broke the Section V Class A and meet record in the IM with an All-American Consideration time and in the finals broke her own fly record.

Nov. 9, 2019
Madison Johnson, Victor cheerleading
   A junior and strong tumbler, she is the main base and a captain who helped lead Blue Devils to the Section V Fall championship. As a freshman she became a Section V and state champion and since then has led her team its first Monroe County League title and the state finals last winter and a sectional title this fall.

Nov. 2, 2019
Lara Phipps, Pittsford
   The junior at Sutherland won her first Section V Class A diving championship on Friday, breaking her own school record with a score of 535 points. Phipps was third last year at sectionals. She dives year-round at Upstate Diving with Cliff Devries at RIT. The Pittsford S'Women go for their 18th straight Section V crown next Saturday at Webster Aquatic Center.

Oct. 26, 2019
Josie Libby, Pittsford Sutherland tennis
   The junior won her singles match in straight sets Monday to clinch the Section V Class B1 title for the Knights over rival Mendon. She also won the sectional doubles crown with partner Gwenneth Mattia last Saturday. Last fall they finished third in the state doubles championships.

Oct. 19, 2019
Claire Yioulos, Honeoye Falls-Lima golf
   The senior who plays for the Victor team captured the Section V Girls Championship by shooting a scorching 76 at Brook-Lea Country Club. That followed an opening-round 78 at Greystone CC. She was sectional runner-up last year. Yioulos also won the Monroe County Tournament of Champions on Oct. 7.

Oct. 12, 2019
Jessica Rinere, Penfield field hockey
   The senior broke a 20-year-old school record with her third goal in a 4-0 victory over Fairport on Monday. She also had a pair of goals in a 10-0 win over Webster Schroeder that improved the Patriots to 11-1 this fall. She has 66 career goals, three more than former Penfield coach and record-holder Leslie Howlett-Grego.

Oct. 5, 2019
Candace Tytler, Irondequoit
   Just a sophomore, Tytler ran faster than any other female in Section V at last week's McQuaid Invitational. She earned the Katie Harper Memorial Plaque and also was voted the D&C's Girls Athlete of the Week.

Sept. 28, 2019
Chloe DeLyser, Marion soccer
   The senior forward had seven goals and an assist in an 11-0 rout of Sodus and a hat trick in a 4-2 triumph over Gananda. For the season, the Ohio State recruit has a Section V-best 36 goals and seven assists. With 296 goals in her six-year career, she is on the brink of No. 300 heading into matches Monday at Mynderse and Tuesday at Red Creek.

Sept. 21, 2019
Michaela Leach, Irondequoit field hockey
   The senior sweeper and a team captain played a key role in containing Fairport in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the defending Section V Class A champs, who were limited to one shot at goalie Elizabeth Tramonto. The big win moved the young Eagles to 3-2-1.

Sept. 14, 2019
Grace Rittenhouse, Dansville soccer
   She had two goals in a 4-3 loss to LeRoy and six goals in a 9-1 win over Letchworth that ran the Mustangs record to 4-1. She is second in Section V this fall with 16 goals.

Sept. 7, 2019
Emily Parker, Brockport soccer
   The senior forward scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over Churchville-Chili to open the season, had 2 goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Greece Athena and assisted on the only goal in a 2-1 loss to Pittsford Sutherland.

G&G Fitness
Senior of the week

June 6, 2020
Brendan Miller, Penfield baseball
Coach Nick Marcin calls Miller the "heart and soul" of the Patriots and one of the hardest-working and competitive players he has ever coached. An All-Monroe County pick as a sophomore, Miller fought through injury-plagued seasons before having his senior year taken away by the pandemic. "He deserved better," Marcin said. Miller plans to attend Penn State.

May 30, 2020
Jaelyn Davis, Rush-Henrietta track
The senior headed to Stony Brook will exit Section V as the latest Rush-Henrietta girls track star. She is the reigning Section V Class AA champ in the 100-meter dash outdoors and 55 dash indoors. She was 16th last spring at states in the 100 and last winter helped the Royal Comets win a ninth straight Section V team title. Davis also was on the 800 relay sectional championship team indoors.

May 23, 2020
Nick Bauman, Irondequoit
The Eagles needed a lead runner after Ryan Thompson's graduation and Bauman stepped up big. He was the Section V Class A champion and finished 15th in the state in cross country. He also won the Section V 3,200 meters in indoor track and his best time was a Section V-best 9:34.88. He'll attend SUNY Geneseo to study applied physics.

May 16, 2020
Michael Raschiatore, East Rochester
A three-year starting goalie, he helped lead the Bombers to a Section V soccer title last fall and then over the winter captured the Section V Class B2 championship at 285 pounds as a wrestler and won SuperSectionals, too. A 90-average student, he went 31-5 on the mat this year. "He always came to practice with a great attitude -- always positive and a great teammate," soccer coach Mike Domm said. "He had the ability to make the big save in the big game." Raschiatore made 16 saves in an upset of Williamson, which was unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the state.

May 9, 2020
Chase Morgan, Canandaigua lacrosse
He started dreaming in 5th grade about being the starting lacrosse goalie on varsity. He remained patient the past two seasons as a varsity backup. He would have been starter this spring, but the season was canceled. Still, this is a young man who will carry on. Knowing your role is a great lesson. He plans to play at Gettysburg College, where he'll major in physics. "It's so rare for kids to really root for their competition. He really wants the best of the kid that's taking his playing time away," coach Deven York said about Morgan's support of the starting goalie the past two years. "I haven't been around a kid who has really embodied 'team' like he has. He's a special, special kid."

May 2, 2020
Mason Johnson, LetSaw football
The senior linebacker was team MVP last fall, leading th squad to a second straight Section V Class C championship. LetSaw went 18-4 over his last two seasons. A basketball player and track athlete, his high school career unfortunately ended in the first quarter of the Far West Regionals when Johnson suffered a knee injury. But Johnson is recovering and expects to play for St. John Fisher College. A nursing major, he also is the recipient of the Fannie & Sam Constantino Scholarship. A team player, Johnson converted from tight end to offensive line to help his team as a senior.

April 25, 2020
Anaya Dees, Hilton track
The track star headed to the University of Cincinnati repeated as the indoor state long jump champion and was runner-up in the 55-meter hurdles. She was voted the All-Greater Rochester Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. She also won the state long jump title last spring, a feat she hopes to repeat this spring.

April 18, 2020
Andra Savage, Pal-Mac girls lacrosse
The senior attack has worked hard to produce a terrific career for the three-time defending Section V Class D girls lacrosse champions. A two-time Finger Lakes League Attack Player of the Year, she was second-team all-state and All-Greater Rochester last spring. She had a career-best 85 goals and 45 assists in 2018 to give her 275 and 121 in her four-year career. She also overcame an ACL injury in 2018. She will play at Towson in college.

Previous Featured Athlete of the Week Award recipients

Presented by Pittsford Pub

May 30, 2020
Dylan Mackenzie and Seth Vigneri, Canandaigua baseball
They are two of the nine seniors who were going to try to lead the Braves to a fifth straight Section V Class A title. Only one team has ever done that -- Geneva DeSales (1988-92). Mackenzie and Vigneri will continue their baseball careers at SUNY Cortland, playing for Canandaigua grad Joe Brown.

May 23, 2020
Joey Pezzimenti and Cam Germain, Victor lacrosse
The two are leaders for the defending Class B lacrosse state champion. Pezzimenti, a senior attack, had 113 goals in his three-year career and is going to the University of Albany. Germain, a senior defenseman, is headed to St. Bonaventure.

May 16, 2020
Emily Phelan, Bishop Kearney softball
The senior headed to St. Bonaventure led the Kings to a pair of Section V titles in her career and a Class C state crown in 2017. She closed her five-year career, which started with two seasons at Greece Olympia while in junior high, with 1,421 strikeouts and 12 no-hitters.

May 2, 2020
Katie Lederman and Susan Lafountain, Brighton lacrosse
The senior midfielders and All-Greater Rochester picks have been key players and leaders for the Barons, who won the 2018 Section V Class B title to snap a four-year drought. Lederman is headed to George Washington and Lafountain to UConn.

April 25, 2020
Katie Sidare and Chloe Whittier, Victor softball
The All-Greater Rochester selections are key leaders for the three-time defending Section V Class AA softball champions. Sidare is a two-time AGR Player of the Year headed to Gannon University and two-time AGR pick. Whittier, an outfielder, is going to UMass-Amherst.