We feature interviews with coaches and players, previews, and highlights of the biggest games each season. Plus we hand out awards for our Bob Johnson Auto "Athletes of the Week" and G&G Fitness Equipment "Coach of the Week." The show also tackles the issues facing teenage athletes, such as proper nutrition and recovery from injury and how to balance academics and athletics.

   More than 3,500 coaches and athletes have been on the show since 2003. Special thanks to Connors & Ferris, Salvatore's Pizza and all of our sponsors. Without their support, our athletes and coaches wouldn't have a chance to be showcased on the radio and social media.

    About the hosts:

    Jeff DiVeronica founded the show and has hosted it since 2003. The St. John Fisher College graduate covered high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle for nearly 25 years and is now the Director of Public Information for West Irondequoit schools.

    Steve Bradley joined the show as co-host in 2020 and is a former Section V athlete himself. The Pavilion native and Syracuse University graduate's career includes stints as a sportswriter at The Daily News (Batavia), sports editor at The Daily Messenger (Canandaigua) and more than 20 years at the Democrat and Chronicle, including 10-plus as sports editor.

Listen to previous episodes of the show

June 12, 2021: Hilton baseball coach Kevin Whelehan, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and players Carter Clark, Preston Prince and Michael Whelehan following their dramatic 13-inning win, 3-2, over Webster Schroeder in the Class AA semis; Fairport boys lacrosse with coach Mike Torrelli and seniors Kole Stuver and Connor Fundis; Brighton girls lacrosse with coach Rich Curtis and players Charlotte Sadler and Meghan Marangola. [LISTEN]

June 5, 2021: Canandaigua lacrosse with Deven York, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and players Sam Bennett and Jackson Nieman; Irondequoit baseball with coach Joey Kuhn and players Joe Wintermute and Nick Calarco; Brighton softball with coach Jim Purtell and players Maggie Smith, Bridget Kerwin and twins, Ainsley and Cassidy Evanetski. [LISTEN]

May 29, 2021: Major League Baseball prospect and Penfield pitcher Gage Ziehl along with Patriots infielder Nick Ianiello and coach Nick Marcin; Victor golf coach Trevor Sousa, Section V Class AA champion Carson French and runner-up, teammate Jack Berl; LeRoy softball's and G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week Mike Battaglia and senior standouts Haley Papp and Brynn Luckey. [LISTEN]

May 22, 2021: Webster Thomas baseball with coach Kevin Neenan, senior CF/P Mitchell Kelly and senior C Greyson McDonnell; Rush-Henrietta girls lacrosse with coach Jim DeWald and seniors Rayea Davis & Brooke Cicoria; Oakfield-Alabama softball coach Jeff Schlagenauf and players Jenna Gilbert, Caitlin Ryan and Kelsey Schlagenauf. [LISTEN]

May 15, 2021: Pittsford Pub Game of the Week, Penfield vs. Rush-Henrietta baseball; G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week Aaron Austin of Section V volleyball champion with players Andrew Bodensteiner & Henry Lane; Pittsford girls lacrosse coach Donovan Lopez, defender Ellen Henry & attack Ella Wilmot; Webster Schroeder softball coach Meaghan Keil and seniors Mia Arena and Emily Corcuera. [LISTEN]

May 8, 2021: Greece Athena baseball coach Jason Bunting, SS/P Casey Saucke and 3B/P Vic Alongi discuss the Pittsford Pub & Grille Game of the Week, their season-opening no-hitter vs. HF-L. Then three straight Section V volleyball champions: Victor girls (Class AA), Churchville-Chili girls (A) and Penfield boys (A). [LISTEN]

May 1, 2021: McQuaid football coach Bobby Bates and QB Joe Cairns talk about the Pittsford Pub Game of the Week, the Knights vs. Victor for the Class AA football title; coach Brennan Briggs and players Alex Hale and Jacob Long of Class B finalist Batavia football; Briggs is the G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week; retiring Rush-Henrietta boys volleyball coach Joe Bellanca. [LISTEN]

April 24, 2021: Canandaigua football coach Jeff Welch and standouts Dom Comella and Sam Bennett talk about the Pittsford Pub Game of the Week vs. Spencerport; Coach Mike McGavisk and players Travontay Murray and Dillan Hernandez of Newark football; Cheerleading coach Jess Bucinell and captains Jaiden Jurgensen and Melanie Heidman of the Monroe County D2 champion Penfield. [LISTEN]

April 17, 2021: Honeoye Falls-Lima football's John Russ, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and players Reece Joint and Jacob Derby of the 4-0 Cougars; Livonia football coach Chris Genthner and players Alex Minnehan and Michael Bean discussing the Pittsford Pub Game of the Week vs. LeRoy on Monday; Pittsford Sutherland volleyball coach Taylor Rivera and players Parker Cummings and Marie Head of the 11-1 Knights. [LISTEN]

April 10, 2021: Rochester's Final Four referee, Jeff Anderson, talks about his Section V roots and officiating on college basketball's biggest stage, including last week's Gonzaga-UCLA thriller; Penfield football coach Jay Johnson and players Leo Saladino, Shane McMillan and Jackson Saulpaugh after their 34-31, five-OT win over previously unbeaten UPrep; Irondequoit football coach Dan Fichter and versatile senior RB/safety Jaleel Davis. [LISTEN]

April 3, 2021: Steve and Jeff recap Week 3 in Section V football and tell you about a 'Pause' for an area team and who is still unbeaten; coach Christopher Parks and seniors Kyle Moyer and Keeler Thomas of defending boys volleyball state champion McQuaid; coach John Dowd and brothers Cam Mesh (QB) and Connor Mesh (RB) of Spencerport football. Dowd is the G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week. [LISTEN]

March 27, 2021: Wayne football coach Dave Marean and junior quarterback Mason Blankenberg talk about our Pittsford Pub Game of the Week, Wayne vs. Batavia in football; Irondequoit girls volleyball coach Marc Callari and seniors Jashawna Luke and Barbie Smith; Northstar boys basketball coach J.J. Garwood and his son, junior guard Ryan Garwood. [LISTEN]

March 20, 2021: Hilton football coach Rich Lipani and players Jason Bedford and Landon Ciliberto; Pittsford Mendon boys and girls basketball each won a Section V title; boys coach Bob Nally and senior guard Jacob Shaders and girls coach Todd Julien and senior guard Lexi Green joined us; Penfield hockey won its first Section V title; coach Nate Miller and seniors Sam Schlifke and Chris Smith joined us. [LISTEN]

March 13, 2021: Penfield girls basketball coach Mark Vogt on the Patriots' upset of defending Class AA champion, Kearney; Pittsford hockey coach Steve Thering and players Brian Judge and Ryan Graney previewing the Class A title game; Gates Chili boys basketball coach Jeff LaFave and players Andrew Newcombe and Adam Williams previewing the Class AA title game; Palmyra-Macedon girls basketball coach Dan Harris on the Red Raiders trying to win their first title in 20 years. [LISTEN]

March 6, 2021: Irondequoit hockey coach Rick Giuffrida, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and seniors Jordan Flynn and Vaughn Letta; Finney boys basketball coach Joe Marchand and high-scoring sophomore guard Markus Robinson, who just joined elite company in Section V's 2,000-point club; Elba girls basketball coach Tom Redband and the squad's three 1,000-point scorers, Leah Bezon, Maddie Muehlig and Bryn Walczak. The Lancers have won four straight Section V Class D1 titles. [LISTEN]

Feb. 27, 2021: Section V Football Coordinator Scott Barker details what a pandemic-induced spring season will look like; Fairport girls basketball coach Patrick Muldowney and players Megan Thurley and Bella Pucci discuss their 7-1 start; Rush-Henrietta wrestling's Mickey Marlowe, the G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and 3-time Section V champion Jayden Scott discuss the Royal Comets' recent surge. [LISTEN]

Feb. 20, 2021: Hilton hockey coach Chris Monfiletto and senior captains Luigi Borelli, Josh Radler and Jack Simmons; Honeoye Falls-Lima girls basketball coach and G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week Steve Willoughby; UPrep boys basketball coach Jerice Crouch and players Devin Green and James Matthews II. [LISTEN]

Feb. 13, 2021: Webster Schroeder coach Steve Parshall and players Caden Cranston, Tim Weisensel and goalie Jacob Lattuca talk about their season-opening OT win over defending Section V champ Victor; Dansville girls basketball coach Kristen Kershner and players Ray Young and Madi Lee discuss the team's recent success; Pittsford Sutherland boys basketball coach John Nally and players Jaylen Moorehead and Jake Preisser recap their buzzer-beating start to the season in a win over Greece Athena. [LISTEN]

Jan. 30, 2021: Pittsford Mendon basketball star Lexi Green and Penfield hockey forward Nathan Sobko explain the feelings about finding out they'll get their senior seasons; Green also details her 'pledge' tweet that went viral; Rush-Henrietta boys basketball coach Chris Reed and players Chris Sleeper and Mason Giorgione; Victor Alpine ski coach Jen Haggerty. [LISTEN]

Jan. 23, 2021: ADs Patrick Irving (Gates Chili) and Duey Weimer (Victor) explain how Monroe County administrators plan to relaunch so-called high-risk sports such as basketball, hockey, wrestling and cheerleading safely; Brockport hockey coach Greg Stahl & senior Tyler Henshaw; Gates Chili bowler Abby Unson and coach Jason Schroeder. [LISTEN]

Jan. 16, 2021: Football coaches Keith Molinich (Pittsford) and Stephen Lian (Brighton) along with Pittsford Mendon girls basketball coach Todd Julien discuss how we can get so-called high-risk sports un-paused by NYS. New Mercy girls basketball coach Kara Ingalls explains her decision to leave SUNY Geneseo's staff to take over the Monarchs; seniors Katie Whitaker and Holly Bagley also joined us. Honeoye Falls-Lima diver Griffin Mayo talks about trying diving because ice hockey wasn't an option; his coach, Ari Freedman-Weiss, also joined us. [LISTEN]

Jan. 9, 2021: Newly retired Victor boys lacrosse coach Jim Andre on his decision to walk away to dedicate more time to watching his own children play; longtime Penfield track coach and Rochester Winter Track League coordinator Dave Hennessey on what this unique season will look like at Pinnacle Athletic complex in Victor; Bloomfield senior Alex Kenyon describes how a small-school athlete toppled the best divers in the state twice as a champion!. [LISTEN]

Dec. 19, 2020: Bishop Kearney coach Kevan Sheppard and senior stars Marianna Freeman and Saniaa Wilson from the three-time defending Section V Class AA girls basketball champions; founder/owner Matt Jones of Hoops Strength on his business and new state-of-the-art training facility/gym in Henrietta; NYS Sportswriters Association president John Moriello on the prospects of whether a winter season will happen in 2021 and more. [LISTEN]

Dec. 12, 2020: Retiring Penfield athletic director Pete Shambo talks about his career and big hiking plans; Churchville-Chili hockey coach Brian Young and seniors Cade Costanzo and Max Williams discuss dealing with the pandemic and the notion of having (or not having) a season; former Red Jacket and Fairport football coach Marc Vitticore tells us why he started Prospects NYS and recaps last week's successful showcase in NYC. [LISTEN]

Dec. 5, 2020: Irondequoit cross country standout Candace Tytler and her father, Irondequoit boys X-C country Matt Tytler, on the junior winning two straight Section V Class A titles; Aquinas coach Derek Annechino on a fall without football, being quarantined and a special Thanksgiving helping others; Batavia Notre Dame girls soccer coach Jarrod Clark and sophomores Maylee Green and Brenna Munn on the Irish's first sectional title. Plus, U.S. Army recruiter and East High grad Sgt. Chris Poles. [LISTEN]

Nov. 28, 2020: Naples soccer with coach Ryan Betrus and players Ben Green and Ryan Lester; Fairport girls soccer with coach Tom Natalie and players Lillian Hicks and Olivia Kayser; LeRoy cross country with coach Jay Laitenberger and runners AJ Schmidt and Keaton Hobart. [LISTEN]

Nov. 21, 2020: Coach John Cotsonas and players Joe Vogt, Tahj Mounnarat and Cristiano Mounnarat of the Section V Class AA boys soccer champions of Penfield; coach Nickie Caruso, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and players Sam Lewis, Samantha Funk and Riley Wing of Class B/C field hockey champion East Rochester; coach Katlyn Bennetti and players Emma Clarke and Ellie Cochrane of the Class C1 champion Avon soccer team. Plus, Cheesy Eddie's director of operations and former McQuaid soccer star Stephen Baker, on his family's bakery business. [LISTEN]

Nov. 14, 2020: Spencerport girls soccer coach Jamie Schneider, senior Corynna Rotoli and junior Emma Taylor on the Rangers' bid for a fifth straight sectional title; boys soccer coach Matt Hill and players Brendon Strong and Keefer Calkins of two-time defending Section V Class B2 champion Haverling; Honeoye Falls-Lima cross country coach Bernie Gardner, whose boys and girls teams have each won 16 sectional titles. [LISTEN]

Nov. 7, 2020: Section V soccer coordinators Gary Pollock (boys) and Jon Beardsley (girls) discuss the logistics and potential opt-outs for the Section V tournaments; U.S. Army recruiter Chris Poles talks about his journey from East High to military service; Honeoye Falls-Lima soccer coaches Chrissy and Mike Merrill, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coaches of the Week; Pittsford Sutherland tennis standout Josie Libby and coach Joe Thyroff. She is our U.S. Army Warrior of the Week. [LISTEN]

Oct. 31, 2020: Livonia boys soccer coach Ray Maxwell, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, and his son, Ewan, following Maxwell's 500th career win this week; former East High football standout and University of Oregon recruit Seven McGee, on his past and future; Penfield boys soccer coach John Cotsonas and senior captains Joe Vogt and Tahj Mounnarat, on the Patriots' strong start. [LISTEN]

Oct. 24, 2020: Section V executive director Kathy Hoyt; U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. Krystal Stocks; Spencerport sophomore and Section V golf champion Julia Zigrossi; 27th-year Honeoye girls soccer coach and our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week, Grace Wood. [LISTEN]

Oct. 17, 2020: Pittsford Sutherland boys soccer standout Dylan Kladstrup and Sean Hopkins; Kladstrup is our U.S. Army Warrior of the Week; emerging football lineman Rowan McGwin, a future UB player, and coach Dan Fichter, our G&G Fitness Equipment Coach of the Week. Running standout Kaelen Ruder, a BYU recruit, and coach Sean VanLaeken from the reigning Section V cross country champions. [LISTEN]

Oct. 10, 2020: Steve and Jeff talk with Webster Schroeder girls soccer coach Kent Brown and two of his team leaders, Emma Leonardo and Ashley Jacobs, our U.S. Army Warriors of the Week. They also interview G&G Fitness Eqipment Coach of the Week Dave Marean of Wayne Football and NYS Elite Athletics, and finish by talking field hockey with Pittsford Sutherland's veteran coach, Kathy Hutteman. [LISTEN]

Oct. 3, 2020: McQuaid cross country coach Todd Stewart discusses the decision to cancel the 56th annual McQuaid Invitational; Victor football lineman and All-County basketball center Connor Williams, who is nearly 7 feet tall, talks about his college prospects and his fitness journey; East Rochester boys soccer coach Mike Domm and his sons, standouts Chuck and Russ, reflect on winning sectionals last year and this season. [LISTEN]

Sept. 26, 2020: Jeff and Steve discuss the Greece school district voting 7-2 to play sports this fall; talk about Fairport football coach Marc Vitticore's decision to step down; and interview Rochester City School District Director of Athletics Carlos Cotto, Wheatland-Chili girls soccer coach Gary Ward and his captains, Niyah Rosado, Hannah Beldue and Morgan Parker. [LISTEN]

Sept. 19, 2020: Jeff DiVeronica opens the 18th year of the show by welcoming new co-host, former Democrat and Chronicle sports editor Steve Bradley. Guests were: NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas, to discuss the restarting of high school sports; Sgt. Dan Luce of the Greece Army Recruiting Center; Hilton Athletic Director Mike Giruzzi; Greece Athena boys soccer coach Mike Butler and senior standout Dylan Rice; Irondequoit girls volleyball coach Marc Callari and senior hitter Jashawna Luke. [LISTEN]

Our weekly Section V award recipients

June 12, 2021
Carter Clark, Hilton baseball
The junior right-hander pitched 9 innings of scoreless relief to help lead the #4 Cadets to a 3-2 upset of #1 Webster Schroeder in 13 innings in the Section V Class AA semifinals. The Siena College commit struck out 11, scattered 4 hits walked 5 while pitching with poise under pressure.

June 5, 2021
Casey Saucke, Greece Athena baseball
The senior SS went 3-for-4 with 3 home runs and 4 RBI in an 11-4 win over Greece Arcadia and hit another HR on Wednesday as the Trojans clinched the Division title with a win over Pittsford Sutherland. The University of Virginia recruit is batting .474.

May 29, 2021
Carson French, Victor golf
The freshman finished birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie and shot a 1-over 73 in capturing the Section V Class AA championship at Staffford CC. He won by 1 stroke over teammate Jack Berl and Pittsford Sutherland's Owen Corby, the Class A champion. Earlier last week, French and Berl shared medalist honors at the Tournament of Champions.

May 22, 2021
Alex Minnehan, Livonia baseball
The senior collected his 100th career hit to drive in the winning run in a 2-1 victory over Wellsville on Thursday. He also pitched a three-hitter with 9 strikeouts. Minnehan, who led Livonia's football team to the Class C championship earlier this spring, is batting .381 this season for the 7-2 Bulldogs.

May 15, 2021
Cal Lambert, Victor lacrosse
The senior has been on fire in the Blue Devils' 3-0 start under new coach Dan Stone. The midfielder scored 9 goals in a 13-8 win over Hilton, had 5 goals and an assist in a 14-8 win over Syracuse CBA, and added a hat trick in a 10-6 win over Fairport. The Army commit was named Northeast Player of the Week by US Lacrosse Magazine.

May 1, 2021
Rushawn Baker, Victor football
The senior RB rumbled for 303 yards and 3 TDs, all in the first half, of a 55-7 Class AA semifinal win over Hilton. He scored on runs of 52, 48 and 42 yards and also had a 77-yard run to put him over 1,000 yards. He has 17 TDs for 7-0 Victor.

April 24, 2021
Travontay Murray, Newark football
The senior racked up 358 yards and six touchdowns on 40 carries and was also 3-for-3 passing for 39 yards and a TD in a 48-27 win over Wayne that kept alive the Reds’ chances of making sectionals (they did).

April 17, 2021
Manny Russell, Aquinas football
The senior receiver caught 3 passes for 69 yards and 2 TDs in a 63-35 win over Webster Schroeder to set a Section V record with 2,285 career receiving yards, surpassing the mark of Marshall's Maurice Jackson (2008). He also scored on a 95-yard kickoff return.

April 10, 2021
Levi Wright, East High football
The senior quarterback was 10-for-18 passing for 232 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 76 yards and a pair of TDs in a 44-14 win over Webster Thomas to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 record.

April 3, 2021
Ty Mott, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba football
He rushed for 310 yards and 4 touchdowns on 23 carries in Friday's 40-7 victory over previously unbeaten Canisteo-Greenwood to lead the Aggies, who are 3-0. Mott scored on runs of 9, 5, 36 and 83 yards and also added 6 tackles, including 3 for losses. He has rushed for 766 yards and 14 touchdowns in 3 games.

March 27, 2021
Zach Strzelec, Attica football
The senior running back scored five touchdowns while racking up 189 yards on just 13 carries to lead Attica to a 49-6 season-opening win over Wellsville. He also had an interception and eight tackles.

March 20, 2021
Mason Blankenberg, Wayne basketball
The junior guard's short jump shot with about seven seconds left lifted the second-seeded squad to a 56-55 win at No. 1 seed Batavia in the Section V Class B1 championship game. He led Wayne (15-0) with 23 points in the title game.

March 13, 2021
Ethan Breton, Churchville-Chili hockey
The senior goaltender made 30 saves, including a SportsCenter-worthy diving stop in the final minutes, to lead the fifth-seeded Saints over No. 1 Irondequoit, 1-0, in the Section V Class B semifinals. He also had 26 saves in a 3-0 quarterfinal win over Brockport.

March 6, 2021
Colton Adiletta, Webster Schroeder bowling
The senior was at his best in the biggest moment of the season, rolling a 300 game and 1,365 series at the Section V Class A championships. Adiletta finished with the high game of the day and the second-best series and earned a spot on the all-tournament team as the Warriors placed second in their class.

Feb. 27, 2021
Markus Robinson, Finney basketball
The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard scored 48 points in Friday's 83-70 win over previously unbeaten Northstar Christian to become the 10th player in Section V history to crack the 2,000-point milestone. He's averaging 40+ points per game this season and also grabbed 13 rebounds for the 9-2 Falcons, winners of seven straight.

Feb. 20, 2021
Ky'Mere Meeks, Webster Schroeder
The senior swingman's four straight double-doubles led the Warriors (4-2) to wins over Fairport (13 points/10 rebounds), Wilson (25/11), Rush-Henrietta (20/11/3 blocks) and Hilton (22/16/4 assists).

Feb. 13, 2021
Hayden Bement, Canandaigua swimming
He finished first in four events to help lead the Braves to the Section V Class B championship. Bement set school records in winning the 50 and 100 freestyle races and also was on winning medley and 200 freestyle relays. His 50 free time of 21.19 seconds was the best in the state.

Feb. 6, 2021
Cooper Mattice, Batavia Notre Dame swimming
He set a meet record in the 100-yard backstroke (54.97 seconds) and also won the 200 individual medley (2:03.34) and swam on two victorious relay teams as the Fighting Irish finished second at the Genesee Region Championships.

Jan. 30, 2021
Michael Damelio, Webster swimming
The senior swam Section V best and New York state cut times in two events on Tuesday, winning the 50-yard freestyle (21.80) and 100 freestyle (47.52) in a loss against Hilton. Damelio is the 2020 Section V Class A champ in the 100.

Jan. 23, 2021
Joseph Carozzi, Churchville-Chili bowling
The sophomore followed up his 300 game last month with a 299 on Tuesday vs. Brockport. In mid-December, Carozzi became just the second bowler in school history to roll a 300.

Jan. 16, 2021
Michael Wood, Irondequoit
The sophomore diver broke two longstanding school records twice in seven days. On Jan. 9, he toppled the school/pool record for 11 dives with a 460.50 score. On Jan. 16, he did it again, this time breaking a 50-year-old school record for six dives with a 307.45, shattering the old mark of 275.90.

Jan. 9, 2021
Nathaniel Teerlinck, Canandaigua swimming
The junior took home three first-place finishes in Tuesday's win over Honeoye Falls-Lima and Thursday's triumph over Brighton. He captured the 100 breaststroke, 200 individual medley and was on the winning 200 medley relay in each meet.

Dec. 19, 2020
Wyatt Eagley, Palmyra-Macedon swimming
The eighth-grader won the 200- and 500-yard freestyles during the Red Raiders victory on Tuesday over North Rose-Wolcott.

Dec. 5, 2020
Adam Barbato, Victor cross country
The junior had the best time of the 16 Section V boys who ran at the season-ending Northeast Club Championship in Montgomery, Orange County. He finished 18th in the championship race in 16:14.6 and had the 26th-best time of the 285 runners who competed.

Nov. 28, 2020
Kaelen Ruder, Fairport cross country
The senior edged Jayson Chichelli of McQuaid by one second to win the Section V Class A individual race. Ruder led the Red Raiders to the team title and also joined his father Nate, a 1990 Fairport graduate, as an individual sectional champion. The Ruders are the first father-son duo to win individual titles in largest class in the 92-year history of Section V cross country.

Nov. 14, 2020
Julian Distant, Aquinas soccer
The junior connected from long distance, netting the winning goal from 45 yards as the 14th-seeded Little Irish stunned No. 3 Webster Thomas 2-1 in the first round of the Section V Class AA tournament. It was Distant's first goal this fall.

Nov. 7, 2020
John Mittiga, Geneva golf
The senior birdied the final hole to shoot an even-par 71 at Geneva Country Club and capture his fourth straight Finger Lakes League golf championship.

Oct. 31, 2020
Gunnar Wetzel, Honeoye Falls-Lima soccer
The senior midfielder has scored four goals and added in an assist in the past three matches, all wins as the Cougars are off a 7-0 start. His nine goals lead the team.

Oct. 24, 2020
Evan Stevely, Bishop Kearney soccer
The senior had a good season last week, scoring 10 goals and adding an assist in three victories. Stevely, who had five goals in an 8-1 win over Finney, entered Thursday's game against Aquinas with 14 goals and one assist in six games.

Oct. 17, 2020
Shane McMillan, Penfield soccer
The junior's hot start has included two goals and an assist in a 4-2 win over Hilton on Monday and a goal and assist in the Patriots' season-opening 3-0 win over Webster Schroeder.

Oct. 10, 2020
Mason Rusinko, Geneva soccer
The senior erupted for three goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Mynderse and had four goals and two assists in an 8-0 drubbing of Waterloo.

Female athlete of the week

June 19, 2021
Candace Tytler, Irondequoit track & field
The junior won four times and was named the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Section V Class A2 Championships. She swept the 1,500 and 3,000 meters and was on two relay teams – the 4x400 and 4x800 – that set school records with sophomore Lucie Graziano and eighth-graders Lizzy Tytler (sister) and Aubrey Smith.

June 12, 2021
Joleigh Crye, Avon softball
The junior struck out 20 batters – yes 20 – while allowing one earned run as the 6th-seeded Braves beat #3 Red Jacket 8-4 in a Section V Class C1 quarterfinal. She also had 3 hits and 3 RBI. This season she has struck out 236 in 107 innings. The Braves host #7 Addison in an 11 a.m. semifinal today.

June 5, 2021
Hayley Papp, LeRoy softball
The senior threw her first career perfect game in a 15-0 win over Hornell. The sixth-year varsity player also hit two doubles to bring her career total to a Section V-record 60. The Knights (14-0) wrap up the regular season today at Hornell.

May 29, 2021
Kylie Waeghe, Palmyra-Macedon
The junior midfielder had four goals and one assist in a win over Geneva and six goals and two assists in a victory over Marcus Whitman. She leads the Red Raiders (10-3) with 43 goals and 49 draw controls this season.

May 22, 2021
Ann Brennan, Honeoye Falls-Lima
The junior ran away from the Steeplechase competition at the Bob Goodell Twilight Invitational, winning by 26 seconds (7:31). Her time is among the top nine reported in the state this spring. An AGR pick in cross country and Nordic skiing, she also won the 3,000 meters at Sutherland and is seeded first in today's Wayne Invitational in the steeplechase.

May 15, 2021
Ay'rianna Moore, Penfield track
The freshman was named the outstanding track athlete after winning the 200 (:25.51) and 400 (:59.01) at the His and Her Invitational last Saturday. She also won those same events in a 73-68 victory over Brighton in a Monroe County meet on Tuesday.

May 8, 2021
Allison Millard, Honeoye Falls-Lima volleyball
The senior libero went 36-for-36 with 8 aces in the semifinals and championship and had 91 digs to help lead the #3 Cougars outlast #2 Pal-Mac in the semifinals and sweep #4 Wayne to win their third Section V Class B title in five years.

May 1, 2021
Zoe Altobelli, Webster Thomas volleyball
The senior outside hitter led the No. 8 seeded Titans to upsets of #1 Pittsford Sutherland and #4 Pittsford Mendon in the Section V Class A quarterfinals and semifinals. Combined, she posted for 45 kills, 38 digs and 6 aces.

April 24, 2021
Lauren Kingsley, Pavilion volleyball
The sophomore posted 12 kills and 4 aces in a win over Dansville on Thursday, then 11 kills and 7 aces in a win over Geneseo as the Golden Gophers finished 8-0 in Livingston County Division III.

April 10, 2021
Parker Cummings, Pittsford Sutherland volleyball
The senior outside hitter helped lead the Knights (8-1) to three big wins. She had 13 kills and 6 digs in a sweep of Spencerport; 16 kills, 9 digs and 2 blocks in a four-set win over Irondequoit; and 17 kills, 14 digs and 5 aces in a five-set win over rival Mendon.

April 3, 2021
Abby Neill, Webster Schroeder football
The senior kicker made both of her point-after attempts and kicked off three times in the Warriors' 41-14 Week 2 loss to Pittsford. A Section V champion competing for the girls varsity soccer team for four seasons, Neill is playing football for the first time.

March 27, 2021
Jashawna Luke, Irondequoit volleyball
The senior hitter and All-Greater Rochester pick had 19 kills, 9 digs and 4 aces in a four-set comeback win over Mendon; 11 kills and 5 digs in a win over Churchville-Chili; and 14 kills, 13 digs and 4 aces in Friday's win that gave coach Marc Callari his 400th career victory.

March 20, 2021
Giavanna White-Principo, Waterloo basketball
The 6-1 junior scored 20 points to power top-seeded Waterloo to a 55-31 win over Dansville in the Section V Class B2 championship. She averaged 12.6 points and 5.7 rebounds as Waterloo completed a perfect 14-0 season.

March 13, 2021
Haley Emmick, Penfield basketball
The senior had 10 points and 17 rebounds as the 6th-seeded Patriots dethroned No. 1 Bishop Kearney for the Section V Class AA title. She also had 22 points and 5 assists in the semifinals vs. Gates Chili and 10 points and 10 rebounds in a quarterfinals vs. Fairport.

March 6, 2021
Cara Walker, Midlakes basketball
The senior celebrated her 18th birthday last Saturday by winning the Wayne-Finger Lakes Indoor Track league high jump title and then that night scored the game-winning basket in overtime vs. Penn Yan. If playing two sports in one season wasn't enough, Walker, who played soccer in the fall, just started practice for the upcoming volleyball season.

Feb. 27, 2021
Vanessa Hall, Whitesville basketball
The sophomore scored 40 points and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau for her career in a 74-19 win over Friendship and had 33 points in Thursday's win over Genesee Valley. She is averaging 38.1 points in a 6-0 start for the Blue Jays.

Feb. 20, 2021
Taylor Norris, Bishop Kearney basketball
With AGR picks Saniaa Wilson and Marianna Freeman injured, the senior forward had a monster week. Norris powered the Kings (4-0) to double-digit wins over Webster Schroeder (21 points/13 rebounds), rival Mercy (26/16) and East (29/18).

Feb. 13, 2021
Zofia Stefkanovic, Brighton Nordic skiing
She won the Section V individual title in the 7.5K Classic race by 19 seconds. She also won the Ruth Hayes Award for having the best combined time after leading the Bruins to the relay championship.

Feb. 6, 2021
Emma Clarke, Avon diving
The senior repeated as Livingston Conference champion (11 dives, 379.6 points). A former gymnast who also competes against boys in high school diving, Clarke was third at sectionals last year and was also a standout on the girls soccer team, which has won three straight Section V titles.

Jan. 30, 2021
Grace Mattern, Brighton senior Nordic skiing
The 2020 girls Nordic skiing state champion won the girls classic 3K state at Bristol Mountain on Jan. 21 and combined with teammate Zofia Stefankovic to win the 2-by-3K relay on Jan. 28 at Bristol.

Jan. 23, 2021
Cassidy Potter, Webster Thomas bowling
An All-Greater Rochester pick last season for the sectional champion Titans, Potter rolled a 712 series with a 234 high game vs. Victor. Against Fairport on Wednesday, the senior rolled a 676 series and 269 game.

Jan. 16, 2021
Shannon Hughes, Pittsford
The two-time All-Greater Rochester Alpine Skier of the Year is off to a fast start this season. Hughes won both slalom runs by more than a second during Monday night's Monroe County Alpine Ski Races at Bristol Mountain.

Jan. 9, 2021
Elena Carr, Hilton bowling
The three-time All-Greater Rochester pick is off to a strong start in her senior season, averaging 204. She has rolled games of 229 and 223 this winter and at mid-week the Cadets were unbeaten. In 2017, she set the national record for high school girls with an 831 series, including a 300 game.

Dec. 19, 2020
Natalie Kent, Newark bowling
Just a sophomore, Kent rolled games of 260 and 213 on her way to a 651 series during a 5-0 win over Geneva. She is the daughter of PBA Hall of Famer Doug Kent.

Dec. 5, 2020
Candace Tytler, Irondequoit cross country
As reigning All-Greater Rochester Runner of the Year, Tytler had a bullseye on her back but she delivered. The junior repeated as Section V Class A champion, winning by 15 seconds at Parma Park. Her time (18:34) was also 18 seconds better than Class B winner, Trinity Wells of Newark.

Nov. 28, 2020
Mingna Xu, Brighton swimming
The sophomore won the 100-yard butterfly and 100 backstroke and helped the Barons' 200 medley and 400 free relays win the first and last races of the Section V Class B championship meet. She was named co-winner as Most Outstanding Swimmer with Irondequoit's Alicia Wood.

Nov. 21, 2020
Bre DeHond, Spencerport soccer
The senior forward scored the game-winning goal in Thursday's Section V Class A title match on a header, unlocking what turned into a 3-0 win over Mercy to give the Rangers their fifth straight crown. She also had a goal and assist in a 3-1 semifinal win over Brighton.

Nov. 14, 2020
Katie Petratta, Wayne soccer
The senior exploded for five goals as the seventh-seeded Eagles rolled over No. 10 Lyndonville-Medina 7-0 in the first round of the Class B1 tournament. Petratta has 10 goals on the season.

Nov. 7, 2020
Ellie Cochrane, Avon soccer
The junior scored the game-winner and had two assists in a 3-2 win over Hornell and added four goals in a 7-0 triumph over Perry. She finished the regular season with 22 goals and 13 assists. That's tops in Section V in goals and points (57).

Oct. 31, 2020
Ali Hess, Pittsford Mendon field hockey
The senior and four-year starter has scored six goals and added three assists in three straight wins. The defending Section V Class B champions are 5-1.

Oct. 24, 2020
Maya Ikewood, Palmyra-Macedon soccer
The freshman pumped in six goals and added three assists in 7-1 wins over Waterloo and Newark and a 6-0 rout of Penn Yan. Headed into Friday the Red Raiders were 6-0 and her 13 goals and 34 points led Section V.

Oct. 17, 2020
Julia Zigrossi, Spencerport golf
The sophomore shot a 1-over par 37 to win the Monroe County Tournament of Champions on Tuesday at Ravenwood Golf Club. She and three teammates qualified for Monday's Section V championship tournament at Ridgemont CC.

Oct. 10, 2020
Anna Costello, Mercy soccer
The junior forward scored in the 20th and 28th minutes and Molly Maxwell made eight saves to give the Monarchs a tidy 2-0 win at rival Aquinas in their opener.

June 19, 2021
Penn Yan boys lacrosse
The Mustangs beat Pal-Mac 16-2 to win a 10th straight Section V championship. Coach Brian Hobart's Class D powerhouse has now won 25 sectional titles, including 22 of the past 23 years. Incredible excellence!

June 12, 2021
Spencerport baseball
Coach Larry Frisa’s 13th-seeded Rangers used seventh-inning rallies in the first round to stun #4 and defending champion Pittsford Sutherland, 3-2, and quarterfinals to beat #12 Brighton, 9-7, in the Section V Class A tournament. They also pushed top-seeded Webster Thomas in Friday’s semifinals before losing 1-0.

June 5, 2021
Ryan Dailor, Honeoye Falls-Lima track
The senior won four events Tuesday against Batavia to lead the Cougars to an undefeated regular season and division title. The valedictorian and all-state orchestra pick as a percussionist won the 3,200, 1,600 and 800 in a Section V-best time of 1:58.24. He also anchored the 3,200 relay. Last Saturday he also ran the anchor leg at the LeRoy Invitational, coming from behind to beat McQuaid in the 1,600-meter relay.

May 29, 2021
Memorial Day Weekend
We salute all of the United States military men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country.

May 22, 2021
Irondequoit softball
The team has just three seniors on its roster but coach Scott Smith's Eagles are 13-1. They also pulled off a terrific comeback on May 14, rallying from a two-run hole in the bottom of the ninth to beat Sutherland, 5-4. May 15, 2021
Pittsford Mendon softball
The Vikings are off to a 6-1 start. That includes a bounce-back win, 2-0, over Irondequoit in which senior Lexi Miskey threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts. Mendon was coming off a loss to HF-L. Congrats also to coach Scott Parsons, who also recently won his 200th career game.

May 8, 2021
Bloomfield girls volleyball
The second-seeded Bombers (16-0) swept nine consecutive sets in winning three straight Section V tournament matches to repeat as Class C2 champions. That included a championship match win over #1 seed LeRoy that featured a 29-27 final set win.

May 1, 2021
Churchville-Chili girls volleyball
The seventh-seeded Saints toppled #2 Monroe and #3 Eastridge en route to reaching the Section V Class A title match, where they host another upstart, #8 Webster Thomas.

April 17, 2021
Pittsford football
The Panthers rallied from a 16-13 deficit for a 27-24 win over Rush-Henrietta in a season-saving victory to preserve its hopes of reaching the Section V playoffs.

April 10, 2021
Hilton football
The Cadets had never beaten Aquinas -- ever -- until Wednesday's 28-14 victory over the Little Irish. Hilton (3-1) did it in classic Hilton fashion with 361 yards rushing, including 244 from senior flanker and speedster Dontae Valion.

April 3, 2021
Fairport football
The Red Raiders are 0-3, but they gave Section V Class AA contender Aquinas a scare on Thursday night in a 44-41 loss.

March 27, 2021
Section V Athletic Directors!
Since word came down from the state in late January, it has been more than two months of planning and work to make sure sports are safe for their athletes, coaches, opponents and fans. Well done!

March 20, 2021
Penfield hockey
The Patriots won the school's first Section V title, capturing the Class B title game, 2-0, over Churchville-Chili to complete a 13-2 season under 14th-year coach Nate Miller.

March 13, 2021
East Rochester girls basketball
The Bombers won the program's first Section V title since 1992 with a 54-26 victory over No. 2 Avon on Friday in the Class C1 championship. ER closed the season with a 13-1 record. Congrats to coach Mark Florack and his squad.

March 6, 2021
Rush-Henrietta girls basketball
First-year coach Renee Long's team stopped a 41-game league losing streak on Monday with a 54-35 win over Pittsford Sutherland. R-H is 1-10 but the Royal Comets keep fighting -- like Warriors.

Feb. 27, 2021
Rochester Prep Charter School Boys Basketball
The charter school has reeled off four straight wins after an 0-3 start. Senior Emmanuel Graham and junior Javier Flowers have played huge for coach Jose Barocio's squad in the win streak.

Feb. 20, 2021
Hilton hockey
The Cadets are off to their first 5-0 start since 2014. They've outscored foes 22-8 and won twice in overtime.

Feb. 13, 2021
Webster Schroeder hockey
The young Warriors upset defending Section V Class A champion Victor in their season opener, 2-1, on Caden Cranston’s goal just 59 seconds into the extra session, and senior goalie goalie Jacob Lattuca made 31 saves.

Feb. 6, 2021
Damani Barley, East basketball
The junior point guard with scholarship offers from Siena and Bryant was an All-Greater Rochester pick last winter. He averaged 16.1 points and is just one reason the Eagles are favored to repeat at Section V Class A2 champion.

Jan. 30, 2021
Batavia/Notre Dame swimming
The Batavia/Notre Dame swim team, a merged squad, finished its second consecutive perfect season after cruising to the win over LeRoy/Byron-Bergen, 85-66. That gave them a 10-0 record.

Jan. 23, 2021
Abby Unson, Gates Chili
The three-sport athletes plays goalkeeper in soccer, catcher/outfield in softball and is carrying a 218 average this winter in bowling. She may even try being the placekicker for the football team this spring.

Jan. 16, 2021
Katie Whitaker, Mercy basketball
The 6-foot-4 senior center has committed to play basketball at Furman University in South Carolina. She averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds per game as a junior while shooting 49.9 percent from the field.

Jan. 9, 2021
Alex Kenyon, Bloomfield
The senior is a three-time Section V Class D champion in diving and won two New York State Public High School Athletic Association and Federation diving crowns. He holds a 90-plus academic average and has accepted appointment to the Air Force Academy, where he plans to compete.

Dec. 12, 2020
Churchville-Chili hockey
Coach Brian Young's Saints (15-6-1 last year) have been working hard individually to get ready for whatever type of season they're allowed have this winter. As senior Max Williams said when asked if he'd wear a mask while on the ice: "I'm willing to do anything as long as I can play."

Dec. 5, 2020
Mrs. Karen Iglesia, educator
The longtime tutor and part-time high school basketball analyst sparked a Thanksgiving movement that helped feed more than 1,000 families and landed her on a few shows, including national TV with Kelly Clarkson.

Nov. 28, 2020
Honeoye cross country
The boys team captured its first Section V title since 2015, winning in Class D2. That followed up a win by the Bulldogs' girls squad a short while earlier.

Nov. 21, 2020
Pittsford Sutherland boys soccer
The second-seeded Knights repeated as Section V champs despite losing leading scorer Dylan Kladstrup to an injury in the first round of sectionals. They topped a gritty Churchville-Chili team, the No. 5 seed, 2-0, for the program's third title four years.

Nov. 14, 2020
Sophie Meuwissen, Fairport diving
The junior won the Class A diving championship last week with a score of 504.65 points, 20-plus points better than the runner-up.

Nov. 7, 2020
Josie Libby, Pittsford Sutherland
The senior and sixth-year varsity tennis player is a three-time state qualifier for the defending Section V Class B1 champions. She also has more than 100 career wins.

Oct. 31, 2020
Zach Wolfe, Webster Thomas
The senior forward, a two-sport standout (hockey), scored twice in a win over rival Schroeder and had a goal and assist in a win over Brighton. He has a team-high 10 goals for the Titans (6-1-1).

Oct. 24, 2020
Riley Rease
A senior on the Keshequa boys soccer squad.

Oct. 17, 2020
Dylan Kladstrup, Pittsford Sutherland soccer
The senior who has scored the winning goal in each of the Knights' Section V title match wins in the last three years has spent considerable time in Spain over the past year to improve his game.

Oct. 10, 2020
Emma Leonardo and Ashley Jacobs
Two of the team leaders for the Webster Schroeder girls soccer team.

Oct. 3, 2020
Connor Williams, Victor senior
The nearly 7-foot tall standout in football and basketball has committed himself to better training to get ready for college.

June 19, 2021
Mary Schwartz, Fairport Unified
A Physical Education & Adapted P.E teacher for 25 years, she helped start the Unified PE program at Fairport HS 4 years ago with LeAnna Watt. The Red Raiders' Unified basketball coach for the past 3 years and a volunteer coach the year before that, she also has been Fairport coach in Unified Bowling for two years. "I am blessed to work at a school where the administrators give us so much support!" Schwartz said. The feeling about her is mutual. "A tireless advocate for her students, Mary truly loves what she does and has created programs that our students want to join," athletic director Fritz Kilian said.

June 12, 2021
Kevin Whelehan, Hilton baseball
In his rookie season as varsity coach, he has coaxed the 4th-seeded Cadets (13-7) to the Section V Class AA title game. A 1996 Hilton grad who played soccer, basketball and baseball in high school, Whelehan counts one of his former coaches, Ory Mee, as a mentor and Mee is now his assistant. A SUNY Brockport alum, Whelehan is a middle school physical education teacher. He has coached modified/JV baseball and basketball at Hilton for 15-plus years. "The great thing was," said Cadets athletic director Mike Giruzzi, "all those years I knew I had a varsity-level coach working with those teams."

June 5, 2021
Deven York, Canandaigua lacrosse
A modified and JV coach at his alma mater for 21 years, York has gone 50-20 since taking over varsity before the 2017 season. The Braves were Section V Class B runners-up in 2017 and 2019 and are 13-1. He is also a teacher in the Canandaigua Academy district with a personality that kids gravitate to. "He puts in a tremendous amount of work throughout the year for our kids," CA athletic director, Jim Simmons, said. "He surrounds himself with a top-notch staff. They all demand excellence from themselves and every player. He has a ton of charisma and kids love being around him."

May 29, 2021
Mike Battaglia, LeRoy softball
His Oatkan Knights are off to a 12-0 start in his ninth season as coach. It's a season in which he also surpassed 100 career wins. His 2016 and 2018 squads won Section V titles. "Coach Battaglia is a player's coach," LeRoy athletic director Jamie Clark says. "He always has their best interests in mind. They love playing for him." And he loves coaching them. "Best two hours of my day," says the man they call 'Coach Bags.' A high school social studies teacher and Eastridge graduate, he started in education -- a career shift for him -- around age 40. "Bags has a tireless work ethic and always prepares his team well," Clark added. "He's compassionate, unselfish and consistent. He represents the LeRoy softball program and our school community well. We are proud to have him as our coach."

May 22, 2021
Jeff Schlagenauf, Oakfield-Alabama softball
A longtime teacher and athletic director at his alma mater, Schlagenhauf has the Hornets (7-1) off to a strong start in his first season as varsity coach after more than a dozen at lower levels. He is best known for O-A girls basketball. He has amassed 375 wins his his 29 seasons, 9 Genesee Region league titles and Section V championships in 1995 and 2019. He is a six-time GR Coach of the Year and three-time Section V Coach of the Year.

May 15, 2021
Aaron Austin, Spencerport volleyball
His Rangers achieved something very rare this year – winning a Section V Class B crown without losing a match. The Spencerport boys went 18-0 and didn’t drop a single set in the postseason. This is Austin's 14th season as coach. His teams have won 5 Monroe County Division titles and 3 Section V championships in the past five years. His 2016 squad was state runner-up in Division II. "He is an incredible coach, loved and respected by his athletes and community, and is an incredible advocate and champion for volleyball," said Rangers athletic director Jen Placito.

May 8, 2021
Jason Bunting, Greece Athena
Not only has Bunting been a dedicated coach at his alma mater, but he also has helped many teams by serving as a Monroe County chairperson and Section V coordinator. In his 25th season as coach and with a last name that fits, Bunting is a baseball guy through and through. He was on a sectional championship team in 1988 as a player and has coached four title teams. After going 20-3 in 2019, Athena is 2-0 this spring and Bunting has 343 career wins -- tops among Monroe County active coaches. An earth science teacher, he also has coached football, bowling and indoor track at Athena.

May 1, 2021
Brennan Briggs, Batavia football
The son of Section V Football Hall of Famer Jim Briggs grew up around football – and coaching – and it shows. In his ninth year as coach at his alma mater, Briggs has made a name for himself and established a winning tradition. The Blue Devils have won Section V championships in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 and take aim at No. 5 vs. top-seeded Honeoye Falls-Lima. A Cortland State graduate, Briggs also shapes young people in Batavia as a physical education teacher. His players participate often in community service.

April 24, 2021
Jess Bucinell, Penfield cheerleading
The fifth-year head coach went into labor late last Friday, which was 2 weeks before her due date. That happened to also be the eve of the Monroe County Championships, hosted by Penfield. Saturday morning at 10 she Face-timed her team from the hospital, gave them a few last words of inspiration, then at 11:09 a.m. delivered her son, R.J. About 40 minutes after that and while still on the operating room table, she watched via live video as the Patriots won their first County title since 2016. A stay-at-home mom since having twins 15 months ago, Bucinell was a Patriots assistant for seven years before becoming head coach. She was back at practice this week to help her squad get ready for the Section V Championships.

April 17, 2021
John Russ, Honeoye Falls-Lima football
John Russ wasn't always sure he wanted to be a teacher and coach, but he has become a natural mentor and strong leader at his alma mater. The 2002 HF-L graduate learned from well-established coaches for six years before taking over the Cougars in 2012. "His ability to connect with kids has resulted in the growth in our program at a time when many programs are seeing a decrease," AD Brian Donohue said. "John's care for his athletes is genuine and goes beyond their roles as players." Runner-up in 2019, HF-L will take a 5-0 record into the Section V Class B playoffs next week in a season that included a COVID-19 pause. The Cougars' have allowed just nine points.

April 10, 2021
Jay Johnson, Penfield football
Sports aren't about trophies and championships. Sometimes they're just about making lifelong memories. That was part of Johnson's pitch to his winless squad headed into Wednesday's matchup with unbeaten UPrep, which had outscored foes 129-0. The result: a 34-31 Patriots win in five overtimes. Penfield is a program that has largely struggled much of its existence, but Johnson has them on the right track. He's in his fifth season, hard-nosed and building a culture. "They had a great week of practice and prepared themselves," he said. "(They showed) a lot of heart."

April 3, 2021
John Dowd, Spencerport football
In his 11th season at Spencerport and 23rd overall as a coach, Dowd has the Rangers off to a 3-0 start, and his ability to teach extends well beyond physical education at Spencerport. Having 11 players learn how to execute the intricacies of his Double-Wing offense in a shortened season is a tall task and speaks to his ability to connect with his athletes. A Horseheads native and graduate of SUNY Cortland, Dowd spent six seasons at Oakfield-Alabama and his teams went 50-12 and won two Section V titles. He also was an assistant at Corning West, Eastridge and SUNY Brockport. His overall mark is 92-55.

March 27, 2021
J.J. Garwood, Northstar Christian basketball
He guided the Knights to their fifth Section V title in his 15 seasons, as top-seeded Northstar won by one point in the semifinals and 69-68 in the championship over Mynderse for the Class B2 crown. The Keshequa graduate was a standout shooter in the early 1990s who has built a perennial winner at Northstar (15-1). Its roster includes his son, junior guard, Ryan Garwood, who averaged 24 points to share team scoring honors with classmate Turner Harris. Earlier this season, on the same night his father won his 250th game, Ryan eclipsed 1,000 points.

March 20, 2021
Todd Julien, Pittsford Mendon
Season No. 21 with him at the helm nearly didn't happen because of the pandemic, but what a six-week season it turned out to be. Not only did Julien reach a milestone, winning his 400th career game, but it happened in the Section V Class A girls basketball championship, a 61-41 win over Brockport. He guided the Eagles to at 15-0 season, their fifth straight sectional crown and eighth in the past 11 years. Julien has a 400-63 career record. Mendon has won 27 straight games and is an incredible 86-6 over the past 4 seasons, including the 2019 state championship -- a title it still owns because there hasn't been a state tournament since!

March 13, 2021
Dan Harris, Palmyra-Macedon girls basketball
A physical education teacher at Pal-Mac, Dan Harris preaches the value of family on and away from the court. He has been an integral part of the basketball programs since 2005. He replaced coach Chip Tatro and spent 7 seasons as boys coach. He has been the girls' coach the past four seasons. Section V Class B1 runners-up last year, the top-seeded Red Raiders play Batavia in Saturday's title game again looking for their first crown since 2001. They've gone 29-8 over the past two seasons.

March 6, 2021
Rick Giuffrida, Irondequoit hockey
Giuffrida knows what it takes to be an Irondequoit hockey player because he was one. MVP and top-scorer for the 1981 Section V championship team, Giuffrida counts legendary IHS coach Al Maerz among his biggest influences. Barry Smith, his former Jr. Amerks coach, was another. For the past 17 years, Giuffrida has helped mold boys into men on the ice at Irondequoit. He recently won his 200th career game, and his gritty Eagles are 8-2-1 this winter. "Rick has a genuine passion for hockey and coaching," says Kim Schon, West Irondequoit's Director of Health, Phys. Ed and Athletics. "He has enjoyed the game as a player, coach and spectator. Those experiences come together in the care he shows for his players, which makes him the great coach he is."

Feb. 27, 2021
Mickey Marlowe, Rush-Henrietta wrestling
The Royal Comets' leader since 1993-94, Marlowe has amassed more than 300 wins and an infinite amount of strong relationships built from being a coach who does whatever it takes to pull the best out of his wrestlers. The 2020 Section V Coach of the Year, as voted by local officials, he's the longest-tenured Section V coach. Check out these words from athletic director Tom Stewart's very first evaluation of Marlowe more than a decade ago: "I am particularly impressed with your ability to connect with your athletes. You have been very successful at differentiating between athletes. This approach is difficult to learn (as a coach) but comes naturally to you."

Feb. 20, 2021
Steve Willoughby, Honeoye Falls-Lima girls basketball
Forget about the 502 wins, nine Section V titles, two state tournament runner-up finishes and winning the 2005 state championship. Steve Willoughby says the memories and relationships he has made as head coach are what matter most. Over the past 31 years, he has made an impact on so many girls at HF-L, prodding them in his own old-school way to produce their best. HF-L is also off to a 5-1 start this season.

Feb. 13, 2021
Jonah Kiehle, Livonia swimming
He guided the Bulldogs' boys program to a second straight Section V championship, this year in Class C, as Livonia qualified a whopping 21 swimmers and four divers for sectionals. They've won six straight Livingston County Athletic Association titles. A former assistant at Avon, Dansville and Livonia, Kiehle also guided the Livonia girls to Section V Class C crowns in 2017, 2018 and 2019. "Coach Kiehle brings a wealth of knowledge to the swim program," says Bulldogs AD Mark Kress. “His positive and supportive personality builds an environment that kids thrive in. He has one of the fastest growing programs in participation and recent success. The Livonia swim family is fortunate to have him."

Feb. 6, 2021
Peter Mancuso. Harley-Allendale Columbia swimming
In his 23rd season, he recently reached a milestone with his 200th career win for boys dual meets. Mancuso's boys teams have won 10 Genesee Region Division II league titles and 10 League Meet Championships. The girls have won 15 GR Division titles and nine LMCs. His career girls dual meet record is 168-47 (19 seasons). His boys won the Section V Championship in 2017, the first of two straight and also won last season. His Lady Wolves have won seven Genesee Region-Niagara Orleans Intersectional championships (winter version of sectionals for girls swimming).

Jan. 30, 2021
Jen Haggerty, Victor Alpine Skiing
A former skier as a youth and in college, she teaches skiing at Hunt Hollow and also was a key reason the Blue Devils launched an Alpine Ski program back circa 2004 when her children were youth skiers. Her youngest child, son Johnny, is a sophomore on Victor’s current squad. It is her 12th season as coach. She is also a key advocate for skiing in Section V -- and not just for her own squad -- and the Monroe County chairperson for Alpine.

Jan. 23, 2021
Greg Stahl, Brockport hockey
The Gates Chili and MCC graduate is set to begin his 11th season as coach following a brief time away from the program. He guided the Blue Devils to Section V championships in 2015 and 2017. A former All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year, he cares about the development of players as young men, not just as athletes, and believes in what sports and being part of a team can teach them. Stahl has formerly coached softball and baseball. Congrats, coach!

Jan. 16, 2021
Ari Freedman-Weiss, HF-L swimming & diving
He became only the second coach in the history of both the Honeoye Falls-Lima girls and boys swim programs in 2016, succeeding Norm Schueckler. Prior to that, Freedman-Weiss served as an assistant in both programs for a decade. Under his direction, both programs continue to grow and remain competitive. In his first season he led the HF-L girls to a Section V Championship. This past fall season, the HF-L girls won the Monroe County title. This year's boys team is off to a 4-1 start after today's victory at Irondequoit.

Jan. 9, 2021
Jim Andre, Victor boys lacrosse
After a seven-year run that is unmatched isn Section V boys lacrosse, Andre retired in late December, a decision he made for all the right reasons. The physical education teacher didn't want to miss any more games played by his two sons and daughter, a Victor girls lax player who is a junior. A Gates Chili and SUNY Cortland graduate, Andre's squads won six Section V titles in his seven years and four NYSPHSAA championships -- a state total that puts him in elite company in Section V history. His career record: 127-23. His Blue Devils also won and lost the right way with sportsmanship and class thanks to the tone set by their coaches.

Dec. 19, 2020
Krystina Barnum, Victor girls tennis
The veteran coach guided the Blue Devils to a second Section V team title in her five years as coach. Runner-up in sectionals in 2019, Victor is 76-12 under Barnum. She has coached tennis for 15 years. "She continually exceeds my expectations in her ability to connect personally with her student-athletes," said Victor athletic director Duey Weimer. "Her knack to improve a player's skills and tennis strategies is unparalleled. We're extremely proud to have her on staff and her team's success on and off the court is a testament to her character and coaching. Congratulations Krystina on this well-deserved honor!"

Dec. 12, 2020
Pete Shambo, Penfield athletics
The coach of his coaching staff, Shambo is retiring at the end of the year. He has spent 21 years as Penfield's athletic director, following 14 as a teacher/coach at Geneseo. A native of Copenhagen, near Utica, the SUNY Brockport graduate became a leader locally in the athletic administration. Shambo is a past president of Section V and in 2016 was one of 10 individuals nationally to receive a Distinguished Service Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Dec. 5, 2020
Derek Annechino, Aquinas football
The fourth-year head coach and AQ staff member since 1998 helped lead a Thanksgiving charitable movement that led to supplying food to more than 1,000 families for their holiday meal. A quality control manager for Zweigle's, Annechino has led the Little Irish to two Section V titles and the 2018 Class AA state crown in his three seasons as head coach. Aquinas is 29-5 under Annechino.

Nov. 28, 2020
Jay Laitenberger, LeRoy cross country
The eighth-grade and AP U.S. history teacher coaches cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. A Victor graduate who has coached three sports since 2005, Laitenberger led his boys to a third-place finish in Class C sectionals, but it's what they did after the race that stood out. Since sectionals were limited to seven runners per school, senior A.J. Schmidt, who had been training as an alternate, was unable to run. When the Oatkan Knights returned from their sectional race, they made sure that Schmidt got one more race on his home course and he set a personal record with the help of his teammates and members of the community.

Nov. 21, 2020
Nickie Caruso, East Rochester
To build her own championship field hockey team at her alma mater and impact young women has been extra special for Caruso. In her 10th year as coach and third shot at a title, the Bombers are champs. They closed the season with seven straight wins, culminating with a 3-2 win over previously unbeaten Pittsford Sutherland for the Section V Class B/C crown. A physical education/health teacher at ER, Caruso and the Bombers went 10-3 after going 6-12 last year. She is a graduate of SUNY Brockport, a wife and mom to Nolan (age 6) and Ashton (3).

Nov. 14, 2020
Matt Hill, Haverling
Hill took over for a legend in Bath (his former coach, Tom Hagadorn) and became one himself at his alma mater. The Rams won eight Section V boys soccer championships and nine league titles in his 20 seasons and are trying to win a third straight Class B2 crown this fall. A longtime math teacher, he was named the state's small-school Coach of the Year in 2018. A Finger Lakes CC and Keuka College alum, he is a member of FLCC's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nov. 7, 2020
Chrissy & Mike Merrill, Honeoye Falls-Lima
With three children under age 12, the Merrills model teamwork, dedication and efficiency for their players/ students by juggling coaching, teaching and family to do what they love each fall -- coach soccer. They also just made history, as each of their teams completed a perfect 10-0 regular season. Chrissy and Mike met at SUNY Geneseo and have each coached at HF-L for 15 years. Mike's boys teams have won three Section V titles from 2014-16 and Chrissy's girls triumphed in 2013.

Oct. 31, 2020
Ray Maxwell, Livonia
In his 31 years as boys soccer coach, Maxwell has built the Bulldogs into a perennial Section V power. This week, he won his 500th career match to become the fourth coach in Section V history to reach that milestone. A native of Scotland and former social studies/history teacher at Livonia, Maxwell has guided the Bulldogs to 11 sectional titles and the 2012 Class B state championship. Before that, three of his five teams at Geneseo Central won sectional crowns.

Oct. 24, 2020
Grace Wood, Honeoye
In her 27th season as the Bulldogs' head soccer coach, Wood recently won her 300th career match. Honeoye has won seven Finger Lakes league titles and three Section V crowns under Wood, a member of the first girls soccer team in Bulldogs history in 1979. She played soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball at Honeoye and went on to play college basketball at the University of Buffalo. An eight-time Finger Lakes West Coach of the Year, Wood also has coached basketball at Honeoye, where she is a music teacher.

Oct. 17, 2020
Dan Fichter, Irondequoit
A 1991 Division III All-American wide receiver at SUNY Brockport, Fichter has coached football at his alma mater since 2013 and also guided the track team to multiple Section V titles. His football Eagles won Section V crowns in 2014 and 2018. A Section V Football and Brockport Hall of Famer, Fichter is a West Irondequoit physical education teacher. He's passionate about fitness and training. His specialty: Teaching athletes the connection between the brain and body to enhance performance. He speaks at national conventions and consults for NFL and NCAA programs.

Oct. 10, 2020
Dave Marean, Wayne football
The Eagles' head coach since 2004 and a physical education teacher, Marean has won numerous Coach of the Year awards, including the 2015 Compeer Coach of the Year. His squads raise money annually for charity via a "Border Bowl" game with Palmyra-Macedon. He also started a Teacher Appreciation program for his players and founded NYS Elite Athletics to help area players get noticed by college recruiters.

Oct. 3, 2020
Todd Stewart, McQuaid cross country
The veteran coach of the Knights and race director for one of the biggest cross country invitationals in the nation shows tremendous dedication to his athletes and with his race committee makes sure this prestigious event stays prominent.

Sept. 26, 2020
Gary Ward, Wheatland-Chili
The girls soccer coach starting his 39th season has molded generations of girls through his coaching, teaching teamwork and hard work. His Wildcats have won nine Section V titles and a trio of state titles in 1991, 2016 and 2017. A member of the Frontier Field Walk of Fame, Ward's 541 wins rank second all-time in Section V history.