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

   More than 5,000 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 show and social media on Jeff DiVeronica's @RocDevo Twitter account. Combined, he and co-host Steve Bradley, have more than 60 years of experience covering high school sports.

   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, departing in 2018 to become the Director of Public Information for West Irondequoit schools.

   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.

Watch previous episodes of the show

June 18, 2022: Webster Schroeder softball -- Coach Meaghan Keil, in her 19th season, and eight players from the Warriors, including senior pitcher Molly Broccolo, share details about their run a Class A state championship -- the first in school history. Watch it now

June 12, 2022: Webster Thomas baseball -- Coach Kevin Neenan, senior pitcher Nathan Zicari and senior catcher James Bolton discuss the Titans' historic run to a second straight Section V Class A1 title. Thomas entered the postseason 9-11. No Thomas team had ever repeated. Watch it now

June 5, 2022: Canandaigua boys lacrosse -- Coach Deven York and standouts Jaxson Grant and Eric Platten recap the Braves' Section V Class B title win, the program's first in a decade, and discuss taking aim at state power, West Genesee, in the state semifinals. Watch it now

June 5, 2022: Palmyra-Macedon girls lacrosse -- Coach E.J. Burse, senior Kylie Waeghe and Molly Seither talk about the young Red Raiders winning their fifth consecutive Section V Class D crown on a last-minute goal against Aquinas. Watch it now

May 28, 2022: Victor golf -- G&G Fitness Coach of the Week Trevor Sousa and SuperSectional co-champion Carson French, senior Jack Berl and individual champion Brody Burgess joined us from the record-setting, two-time Section V championship team. Watch it now.

May 27, 2022: Newark track standout Trinity Wells. The senior former Section V cross country champion and 10-time overall track champion shares her compelling story about the effects of long-term COVID and her lungs. The virus denied her the chance to repeat as sectional champion last fall and her comeback has been slow. She and her mother/coach, Jessica, discuss the past few months and her future at Colorado State. Watch it now.

May 24, 2022: McQuaid baseball -- Coach Tony Fuller and seniors Will Taylor (P/OF), C.J. Phelps (c), Tanner DeGrazia (2B) and Aiden Stewart (SS) joined us to share details about their spring trip, 13-5 regular season and hopes of winning another Section V title. Watch it now.

May 23, 2022: Fairport softball -- With a new home stadium under construction, Fairport softball has played every game on the road. The Red Raiders still are the top seeds in Class AA. Coach Curt Johnson and seniors Juliana Haus and Morgan Kennedy joined us to talk about Fairport's quest for its first Section V crown since 2013. Watch it now.

May 15, 2022: Irondequoit boys lacrosse -- The Eagles have clinched their first league title since 2012 and won more games than any Irondequoit squad in a decade. Third-year coach and Irondequoit graduate Aaron Bottazzo and players Noah Gibson and goalie Nick Lepiane joined just talk about their season. Watch it now.

May 14, 2022: Victor girls lacrosse -- Coach Niki Frunzi's Blue Devils (15-1) are ranked fourth nationally, but they know accolades mean nothing in the postseason. They want to win the program's first sectional title since 2016. Frunzi and Alaina Andre, Caitlin Keenan, Devin Livingston, and Ava Pezzimenti joined us. Watch it now.

May 14, 2022: Hilton baseball -- Section V Class A runners-up last spring, the Cadets want to write a different ending this spring and they have the goods to do it. Third-year coach Kevin Whelehan, his son/SS Michael Whelehan and P/1B Carter Clark, who just committed to Syracuse for football, joined us. Watch it now.

May 6, 2022: Rush-Henrietta girls lacrosse -- The Royal Comets (11-1) remain the biggest threat to Pittsford's throne in Class A girls lax. Class A runners-up the past two tournaments, we check in with coach Jim DeWald and team leaders, Ally Garrett, Avery Roberts and Megan Schillinger. Watch it now.

May 6, 2022: East High baseball -- The perennial Rochester City Athletic Conference power might have the goods to challenge for the city's first sectional title in 43 years. Coach Kyle Crandall, in his 20th season, joins us with team captains, shortstop Victor Arroyo and pitcher/utility man, Michael Conrow. Watch it now.

April 25, 2022: Avon softball -- Coach Jill Terry and star Joleigh Crye tell us about the senior's dominating performances as a pitcher for the defending Section V Class C1 champion Braves and about her swimming career, which will take her to the University of Cincinnati on scholarship. Watch it now.

April 24, 2022: Irondequoit girls flag football -- Co-Coach Ranita Williams and players Anastasia Hall, Bella Quintero and Daisy Smith discuss Section V's first Girls Flag Football season, which gets under way next week, and the Eagles' team. Watch it now.

April 23, 2022: Victor boys lacrosse -- A year after losing in the sectional semifinals, nationally ranked Victor is hungry to return to being a champion. Second-year coach Dan Stone and standouts Louie Germain, Aiden Wheeler, Thomas Gravino and Sam Ricci joined us on the show. Watch it now.

April 10, 2022: Rush-Henrietta track coach Mike DeMay -- The Section V Hall of Fame Track & Field/Cross Country coach who has coached future Olympians such as Miranda Melville and Olympic hopefuls like Sammy Watson, along with hundreds of other Section V champions, shares stories about his storied career, from Newark to R-H. Watch it now.

April 10, 2022: Fairport cheerleading -- After 25 years and 22 Section V titles, coach Elaine McGurk is resigning to dedicate more time to her family. She joins us with two senior cheerleaders, Katie Carrigan and Lindsay Fox, to talk about her decision and career. Watch it now.

April 9, 2022: Palmyra-Macedon baseball -- With a strong nucleus back, the Red Raiders hope to repeat as Section V Class B1 champs. Coach Bryan Rodman and seniors Paul Goodness, Chris Finocchario and Alex Wootton join us to talk about the season. Watch it now.

April 2, 2022: Roberts Wesleyan College athletics -- Learn all about Roberts Wesleyan College, the Rochester area's only NCAA Division II school with 16 varsity sports, from Director of Athletics Bob Seagave. Watch it now.

April 2, 2022: Fairport boys lacrosse -- Coach Mike Torrelli and team leaders Josh Knapp and Jackson Monte of the two-time defending Section V Class A champions help us preview Tuesday' s showdown with rival Pittsford in a rematch of the 2021 title game and tell us more about the Red Raiders. Watch it now.

April 2, 2022: Webster Schroeder softball -- Coach Meaghan Keil and the two top pitchers for the Warriors, 2021 AGR Player of the Year Krislyn Clement and Molly Broccolo, discuss last season's first championship since 2016 and break down the strengths of Schroeder softball. Watch it now.

April 2, 2022: Honeoye Falls-Lima girls lacrosse -- Senior leaders Whitley Easton and Maeve O'Brien along with their coach and our G&G Fitness Coach of the Week, Kevin O’Connell, describe for us the culture that has helped the Cougars win nine straight Section V Class C championships and what it will take to win their first state crown. Watch it now.

March 27, 2022: NCAA wrestling champion Yianni Diakomihalis -- The former four-time state champion from Hilton recounts his third straight NCAA title for Cornell and shares some "Yiannisms" and secrets to his success, such as always looking forward, not back. Watch it now.

March 26, 2022: Bishop Kearney girls basketball -- Coach Kevan Sheppard, senior guard Kaia Goode, junior Caydence Hadley and sophomore Aniya Rowe joined us to recap the Kings' run to their second state title, this one in Class AA, and the school's first since 2013. Watch it now.

March 19, 2022: East Rochester girls basketball -- Team captains Sam Lewis, Lily Funk and Zarriah Eldridge, along with coach Mark Florack, talk about the Bombers making history as the first ER squad to reach the state final four! Watch it now.

March 19, 2022: Pittsford diver, Daley Fraser -- The third time at states was the charm for the senior, as Fraser blew away the field in winning his first state diving championship. He and his diving coach, former state champion Scott Lazeroff (Brighton), share with us how Fraser finally won it all. Watch it now.

March 19, 2022: Wrestlers Rocco Camillaci & Jayden Scott -- Only two Section V wrestlers made it to the top of the state championship podium this season, Rush-Henrietta's Scott (Rush-Henrietta) and Hilton's Camillaci. The Division I college recruits tell us how they achieved their mat dreams. Watch it now.

March 12, 2022: Aquinas boys basketball - Led by the Blackwood brothers, Mason and Myles, and Jack Bleier, Aquinas won its first Section V Class AA title since 2016. We find out how from coach Jeffrey LaFave and some of the top players for the Little Irish. Watch it now.

March 10, 2022: Pittsford Mendon girls basketball - The Vikings once lost 6 straight Section V title games; this season they won their sixth in a row under coach Todd Julien. He tells us how in this interview and credits our two other guests, senior guards Anya Coleman and Danielle Strauf. Watch it now.

March 7, 2022: Batavia Notre Dame boys basketball coach Mike Rapone. The 42nd and final season for Section V's retiring all-time wins leader ended with a 10th Section V championship for Rapone, whose Irish downed Elba 59-46 for the Class D2 crown. He shares details about the win and succession plan with this son taking over. Watch it now.

March 5, 2022: Victor hockey -- Coach Mike Ferreri and players Jackson Guck and goaltender Max Pitts recount the Blue Devils 4-OT thriller vs. Penfield in the Section V Class A hockey championship game. Watch it now.

Feb. 26, 2022: Irondequoit boys basketball coach Chris Cardon -- The 36th-year coach talks about becoming just the fifth man in Section V Boys Basketball history to reach the 500-win mark, his past, present and future with Jeff and Steve. Watch it now.

Feb. 23, 2022: Livonia girls basketball -- Section V Hall-of-Fame coach Karen Schuster, who has won multiple Section V titles as a player and coach, along with senior point guard Kelsey Stewart discuss the Bulldogs' season and quest to win their first title since the state crown in 2016. Watch it now.

Feb. 23, 2022: McQuaid hockey -- Coach Joe Dugan and defenseman Dante Coelho recap the Knights' comeback win over Portside in the Section V quarterfinals and talk about the culture and cohesive unit McQuaid has become. Watch it now.

Feb. 20, 2022: Pittsford boys swimming -- Coach Rich Schmitt and senior PJ Lang share their thoughts on the Panthers, after stumbling in a dual-meet loss in December, responding to win an incredible 20th straight Section V Class A championship. Watch it now.

Feb. 19, 2022: Brighton Nordic skiing -- Coaches Craig and Rachel Mattern along with junior Cate Anzellotti talk about the Bruins' fourth straight Section V championship, building the a culture around Bruins skiing and the dynamic of the Mattern family and their coaching style. Watch it now.

Feb. 18, 2022: Webster Schroeder hockey -- Veteran coach Steve Parshall, senior Colin Rickard and brothers Roman and Bogdan Stoliar. They are natives of Russia who recently moved to Webster. We cover hockey, garbage plates and more! Watch it now. Watch it now.

Feb. 12, 2022: Webster Schroeder girls basketball -- First-year coach Codi Mrozek, senior guard Julia Perales and super sophomore Mariah Watkins tell us what has been working to boost the Warriors' strong start. Mrozek also shares with us the impact of her father and mother, both former coaches named Battaglia, on her. Watch it now.

Feb. 10, 2022: East High boys basketball -- Coach Darrell Barley and senior stars Damani Barley and Kai McCullough joined us to talk about their quest for a third straight Section V championship. We also recap some of the Eagles' big wins and team growth. Watch it now.

Feb. 5, 2022: Section V Basketball Hall of Fame coach Al Best talks with Jeff and Steve about the history of the sport. From recruiting to breaking down many of the best players of all time, it's a deep dive into the history of the sport. Watch it now.

Feb. 4, 2022: Webster Thomas boys basketball -- Head coach Griffin Coles, our G&G Fitness Coach of the Week, tells us about some of his coaching mentors; senior standouts Jackson Kulik and Andrew Quinn explain how the Titans have reeled off seven straight wins, including stopping Mendon's 27-game winning streak. Watch it now.

Feb. 3, 2022: Batavia/Notre Dame United hockey -- Coach Marc Staley and freshman Jameson Motyka break down the team's big upset of Victor, tell us more about the merger of Batavia and Notre and the new logo/crest and explain by high-scoring Gavin Schrader is so effective. Watch it now.

Jan. 30, 2022: Rush-Henrietta bowler Keaton Ostrowski tells us about his two-handed, left-handed style that has helped him post a Section V-best 240.9 average. His coach, Brian Usselman, also shares some stories about the sophomore, including Ostrowski's 300 game during tryouts a few years ago. Watch it now.

Jan. 28, 2022: Hilton boys basketball -- Coach Troy Prince and his son, Preston, tell us about the father-son dynamic as a coach/player and about Preston's recent surge as a senior forward. He is averaging 27 points, as the Cadets (8-6) have ripped off 6 wins in their last 7 games. We also talk about Preston's future as a baseball player at Division I Niagara. Watch it now.

Jan. 27, 2022: Waterloo girls basketball -- Coach Michael Bree's Class B Indians have won 28 straight games. They're not only favorites to win Section V again, but have their sights set on more. The ninth-year coach and junior guard Natalie DiSanto share details about their defense-driven team's chemistry and work ethic, and Bree tells us how an Indiana native ended up coming to New York twice and fell in love with living in his community. Watch it now.

Jan. 21, 2022: Pittsford wrestling -- Coach Keith Pittinaro and All-Greater Rochester Wrestler of the Year Nick Sanko tells us about the rise of the Panthers. The University of Virginia-bound Sanko discusses his transformation from "mentally weak" to being a two-time Section V winner for the Panthers, the Monroe County champions and top seeds in the Section V Division I Dual Championships. Watch it now.

Jan. 21, 2022: Canandaigua girls basketball -- Coach Mike Brennan and junior guard Mya Herman tell us how defense had led the Braves to a 10-1 start. They also share thoughts on how former player, the late Courtney Wagner, continues to inspire players who were in elementary school when she passed away in 2015 after a four-year battle with cancer. Watch it now.

Jan. 20, 2022: Edison Tech boys basketball -- Winners of 5 straight, the deep and talented Inventors (11-4) have hit their stride. Third-year coach Reggie Simmons tells us about leaving Leadership for ET, and we break down with point guard Davijon Lipscomb the sophomore’s penchant for coming up big in the 4th quarter. Watch it now.

Jan. 14, 2022: Pittsford Mendon boys basketball -- Coach Bob Nally and standout Jackson Green discuss the junior swingman's bright future in basketball and football and the unselfish brand of basketball that has the Vikings 10-0 and favored to repeat as Section V Class A1 champion. They also have a Wednesday showdown with unbeaten Victor (11-0). Watch it now.

Jan. 14, 2022: Aquinas Institute hockey -- Coach Chuck Dossier and top scorer CJ Mangone break down the Little Irish's great start in becoming Section V's first 10-win team. They also discuss the tradition-rich program's quest for Aquinas' first sectional title since 2007. Watch it now.

Jan. 13, 2022: East Rochester girls basketball -- Coach Mark Florack and senior star Sam Lewis recap last year's run to the program's first sectional title since 1992 and talk about how with 4 returning starters the Bombers (11-0) have the talent and chemistry to repeat. Watch it now.

Jan. 4, 2022: Caledonia-Mumford boys basketball: Coach Dan Dickens and senior forward Kyle Wade discuss trying to win a third Section V title in four years and sending Dickens, in his 21st season, into retirement with a sectional block. Watch it now.

Jan. 4, 2022: Victor ice hockey: Coach Mike Ferreri and senior Colin McNamara break down the culture of the Blue Devils' program, which includes blending underclassmen and veterans and getting all to buy into the team-first mentality. Watch it now.

Jan. 4, 2022: Bishop Kearney girls basketball: Coach Kevan Sheppard and senior guard Kaia Goode share stories of their program's success, which includes 7 Section V titles in the past decade. Goode also details how she learned to perform and lead from teammates over her 5 seasons. Watch it now.

Dec. 18, 2021: Canandaigua/Pittsford boys swimming: Reigning Section V Class B champion Canandaigua upset Pittsford, 92-88, to end the Panthers' 90-meet, nine-year winning streak. Fifth-year Canandaigua coach Dylan Scheemaker talks about his team's mindset going into the meet and what the win means to the program. Pittsford coach Rick Schmitt, whose team has won 19 straight Section V Class A titles, and senior captain Aidan Braun discuss how they think the ultra-young Panthers will respond. Watch it now.

Dec. 17, 2021: Penfield girls basketball: The Patriots came from behind to beat Pittsford Mendon, 60-50, in an early-season showdown of reigning Section V champions. Veteran coach Mark Vogt and seniors Elisa Faklaris and Eva Elliott talk about the victory, last spring's upset of Bishop Kearney in the Section V Class AA title game and how the Patriots have maintained their hard-working culture in their program. Watch it now.

Dec. 11, 2021: Aquinas boys basketball ... The talented Little Irish have a new coach (Jeff LaFave) and a new "star" in Owen Acciari. The senior was a manager until this season, when LaFave decided to reward his work ethic with a roster spot. In the late stages of the Little Irish's season-opening win, after fans chanted Acciari's name he entered the game and hit a 3-pointer. LaFave talks about Acciari's unifying impact on his temmates and discusses why he left Gates Chli after guiding it to the 2021 sectional title. He also shares his strong belief faith and being completely honest with players and also why he chose a career in law enforcement. Watch it now.

Dec. 10, 2021: Section V hockey ... Who are the Portside Royals? They're a new Section V Class A hockey team of players from Brockport and Spencerport. The schools decided to pick a unique, new name and nickname rather than go by "Brockport/Spencerport." We interview veteran coach Greg Stahl and senior Ryan Plouffe, one of the Royals' top scorers, about the merger and much more. Watch it now.

Dec. 9, 2021: Section V girls basketball ... We start a season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Section V girls basketball tournament with an in-depth interview with Section V and state coordinator Tim Lincoln, and former Greece Arcadia star Megan Shoniker, now a University of Rhode Island assistant coach. Among our topics: How does the talent now compare to 20 years ago? What does Shoniker look for in young recruits? How much did Fairport's Caitlin Howe impact recruiting and the dreams of young players in this area? Watch it now.

Dec. 3, 2021: Penfield boys volleyball coach Mike Fusare reveals some secrets to building team unity and recounts his squad's state title run -- the Patriots' third in five years. Watch it now.

Dec. 2, 2021: Fairport boys basketball coach Scott Fitch and senior Ian Kennedy break down the Red Raiders' squad, talk about challenges in last year's two-win season and Fitch weighs in on the Isaiah Stewart-LeBron James controversy. Watch it now.

Nov. 20, 2021: First-year Honeoye Falls-Lima girls cross country coach and top runner, Ann Brennan, recap the Cougars' sectional championship and talk about HF-L finishing second at states in their first appearance in six years. Watch it now.

Nov. 13, 2021: Jeff and Steve breakdown and preview Section V football's big games. They talk with Aquinas coach Derek Annechino and McQuaid coach Bobby Bates to preview the big Class AA football championship; Victor girls volleyball coach Matt Glover discusses the comeback win for the program's fifth straight sectional title. Watch it now.

Nov. 6, 2021: Brighton football coach Stephen Lian and UPrep's Isiah Young recapping the Section V Class A1 championship game won by the Rochester charter school; Pittsford Sutherland coach Sean Hopkins and senior forward Will Field on the Knights edging Churchville-Chili, 1-0, in OT for a third straight Section V championship; Gananda junior Larisa Kotok and coach Terry Krocke following her run to the Class B state championship match; in her first varsity season, she was state runner-up. Watch it now.

Oct. 30, 2021: Spencerport football coach John Dowd and senior LB/FB Joe Marcello following the Rangers' 39-8 sectional semifinal rout of East; Victor girls soccer coach and G&G Fitness Coach of the Week Kelly Ahern; Haverling two-sport star, A.J. Brotz, a football S/WR along with goalie for the three-time defending Section V champion soccer team; Hilton boys soccer coach Mike Ellicott and junior midfielder, Alec Smith, on the Cadets' dramatic semifinal win. Watch it now.

Oct. 23, 2021: Greece Arcadia football coach Brian Shonitsky, his son and QB Brian and WR/Safety Jaden Polk after the Titans' 7-6 sectional win over rival Athena; Trojans coach Mike Husdan also joined us; Karen and Gerard Iglesia explained the origin and details about their Adopt-A-Family Thanksgiving program and discussed their local sports coverage; Pittsford football coach Keith Molinich, the G&G Fitness Coach of the Week, gave us reaction to Friday's stunning 31-21 upset of state No. 2 McQuaid. Watch it now.

Oct. 16, 2021: Aquinas coach Derek Annechino, McQuaid coach Bobby Bates and Knights QB John Mahar recap Friday’s 22-21 McQuaid win in what could be a preview of the Section V Class AA title game; Mercy's Julie Zigrossi and coach Julie Odenback discuss the junior repeating as Section V girls golf champion; Churchville-Chili boys soccer coach John Mahoney and senior midfielder Gaven Egan talk about the Saints' 11-match unbeaten streak headed into sectionals. Watch it now.

Oct. 9, 2021: UPrep football coach Isiah Young and standout lineman Sharod "Hotrod" Watkins discuss the Griffs' 30-6 win over Webster Schroeder and 5-1 start; Brighton graduate and Cleveland Indians utility man Ernie Clement tells us how he went from being a marginal Division I recruit to a major-leaguer; Spencerport girls soccer coach Jamie Schneider and senior forward Bre Hond discuss the continued dominance of the Rangers' program as they seek a sixth straight sectional title. Watch it now.

Oct. 2, 2021: ER/Gananda football coach Brian Touranjoe and senior QB Carter Lathrop and senior RB Chaunsey Gilbert discuss the Bombers' 5-0 start; Batavia Notre Dame boys basketball coach Mike Rapone talks about why he has announced that this, his 42nd season, will be the last for Section V basketball's career wins leader; Pittsford Sutherland 8th-grader Jamie Kotalik, a varsity diver and volleyball player, discusses why she decided to be a dual-sport athlete this fall, appearing on the show with her father, Jeff, and volleyball coach, Taylor Rivera. Watch it now.

Sept. 25, 2021: Honeoye Falls-Lima football coach John Russ and QB Brody Young talk about moving to 4-0 with Friday's 21-20 comeback win at Wayne on a TD with 1:20 left to play. Fairport boys soccer coach Bill Teasdale & players Garrett Kucera and Myles Palmer talk about the Red Raiders' 8-1 start and rivalry with Penfield. Race director and Knights coach Todd Stewart and Rob Bradley discuss the 56th annual McQuaid Invitational coming up on Oct. 2. The largest school-sponsored cross country meet will be the first since the passing of its founder, Mr. Bob Bradley (Rob's father). Watch it now.

Sept. 18, 2021: The first-ever all-video Connors & Ferris High School Sports Show started with our Section V football whip-around. We welcomed Brighton football coach Stephen Lian to break down our Pittsford Pub Game of the Week. Newly retired Honeoye Falls-Lima coaching legend Bernie Gardner talked about his career and was surprised by former runner and now elite fitness trainer Amber Dodzweit Riposta. Penfield girls soccer and G&G Fitness Coach of the Week Libbie Tobin was on with senior Kacie Salva to talk about their 7-1 start. Watch it now.

Our weekly Section V award recipients

May 24, 2022
Will Taylor, McQuaid baseball
The senior left-hander struck out 18 batters in a 5-0 win over Webster Schroeder on Tuesday, a week after throwing a no-hitter at Fairport. The Wofford College recruit is 4-1, has struck out 54 in 37.2 innings and walked just 3. He has not allowed a run since April 6 for the Knights (13-5), who are the #2 seeds in Class AA.

May 14, 2022
Nathan Weise, Gates Chili
The Spartans (6-8) saw their three-game win streak end on Thursday, but the senior goalie has been solid. He has made 178 saves (61%), including 13 stops in a win over Brockport and 16 in the loss to defending Section V Class C champion, HF-L.

May 6, 2022
Manny Sepulveda, East Rochester track & field
The junior captured three events at the His & Her Invitational last Saturday in Penfield. He won the long jump (22-6¼), triple jump (46-11¼) and 200-meter dash (22.27 seconds).

April 23, 2022
CJ Mangone, Aquinas baseball
The senior P/OF has been clutch for the Little Irish (6-2), who've won 6 straight. He struck out 11 in 4 innings and had 2 hits and an RBI in an 11-0 win over East Rochester; hit the game-winning, 2-run single in the 7th inning in a 7-5 win over Athena, and went 2-for-3 and pitched the final inning in Friday's 4-3 win over Canandaigua.

April 9, 2022
Noah Gibson, Irondequoit lacrosse
The College of St. Rose commit ignited his senior season by leading the Eagles to a pair of runaway wins. The attackman converted on six goals with two assists in a 15-1 rout of Gates Chili and had 3 goals and 2 assists in a 15-3 victory over Palmyra-Macedon.

April 2, 2022
Jack Nothnagle, Rush-Henrietta lacrosse
The senior attack notched two goals and two assists in wins over Aquinas (19-10) and Eastridge (18-2) as the Royal Comets opened the spring with a pair of convincing wins.

March 19, 2022
Macoy Putnam, Avoca-Prattsburgh basketball
The sophomore guard was named Class D state tournament MVP after leading the Vikings to their first state title since 1991. He exploded for 28 points and 5 steals in the semifinals and had 11 points in a 70-58 championship game win over Heuvelton. It completed a dream 27-0 season and extended A-P’s win streak to 38 games, the longest in the state.

March 12, 2022
Zach Colvin, Avon basketball
The 6-foot-1 senior forward was a key in leading the three-time defending Class C1 champions to the regionals for the first time since 2009 and topped the 1,000-point career point mark, too. The co-captain had 20 points in the sectional title game vs. Rochester Academy Charter School, 13 points and 11 rebounds vs. York and 10 points vs. Oakfield-Alabama.

March 5, 2022
Daley Fraser, Pittsford swimming
The Mendon senior became the first diver in school history to capture a state championship, winning on Friday at Ithaca College with an 11-dive score of 582.60 -- more than 73 points higher than the runner-up. He is a three-time Section V Class A champion.

Feb. 26, 2022
Rocco Camillaci, Hilton & Jayden Scott, Rush-Henrietta
Each senior capped their terrific careers by achieving their dream -- finishing on top as a state champion. Scott won at 145 pounds and Camillaci at 152 on Saturday in Albany. Both were top seeds. Scott won once previously in 2018 as an 8th-grader at 106.

Feb. 19, 2022
Ryan Garwood, Northstar Christian basketball
The senior guard scored 27 points in Friday's win over Harley-Allendale Columbia to become just the 11th player in Section V history to reach 2,000 points (he now has 2,005). Fittingly, it came on a 3-pointer. The Roberts Wesleyan College recruit has 365 career 3s -- 2nd in state history to Syracuse University's Joe Girard III.

Feb. 12, 2022
Jack Chapman, Canandaigua swimming
The junior won the 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley and also was a member of two winning relays -- 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay (anchor) -- at the Section V Class B championships. The Braves, who won easily, captured nine of 12 events.

Feb. 5, 2022
Emmanuel Torres, Eastridge basketball
The junior guard pumped in 22 points in a pair of victories over Brighton, 87-62, and Greece Athena, a 78-76 thriller. The 14-1 Lancers are on a five-game win streak.

Jan. 29, 2022
Gavin Schrader, Batavia Notre Dame United hockey
The senior forward exploded for three goals in a span of just 2 minutes, 35 seconds early in the third period to snap a 1-1 tie and ignite United's 4-2 stunner on Thursday over state-ranked No. 3 Victor. The 6-foot-4 Schrader leads United (10-4-3), which is on a 5-0-1 uptick, with 29 goals and 28 assists.

Jan. 22, 2022
Jake Pangrazio, York basketball
The sophomore guard scored 33 points, including the game-winning layup with 0.5 seconds left in overtime, as the Golden Knights (9-4) edged rival Caledonia-Mumford 66-65 on Friday. He scored six of York's seven points in the extra session. Pangrazio also scored 24 points in a 78-55 win over Letchworth on Tuesday.

Jan. 15, 2022
Mike Morgan, Edison Tech basketball
The senior guard stuffed the stat sheet in a 70-51 win over McQuaid with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals; he also pumped in 12 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in Friday's 65-57 win over Wilson for the Inventors (9-4), who have run off three straight wins.

Jan. 8, 2022
Sean Smith, Penfield hockey
The senior forward pumped in 4 goals, including a natural hat trick in the second period, in a 9-1 rout of Portside. He has 11 goals and 9 assists in 8 games for the Patriots (7-1-1), ranked 10th by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

Dec. 17, 2021
Jacob Bjorling, Canandaigua swimming
The junior won four events in Tuesday's upset of state power Pittsford, 92-88, and each was a tight finish. Bjorling won the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events and was a member of the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays for the reigning Section V Class B champion Braves (4-0).

Dec. 10, 2021
Phil Nwugwo, Victor basketball
The 6-foot-6 senior forward and Blue Devils' captain this winter had 25 points in a big win over Section III's Fayetteville-Manlius and scored all 16 of his points in the first half of a 72-47 blowout of Newark. The Blue Devils (2-0) play at rival Fairport (1-0) on Friday.

Dec. 3, 2021
Joey Crescimanni, Webster Thomas hockey
The sophomore forward scored the overtime winner -- a shorthanded goal off a pass from Dylan LaChance -- in a 3-2 victory over Canandaigua on Tuesday for the Titans (1-1).

Nov. 20, 2021
Bodie Hyde, Oakfield-Alabama/Elba football
The sophomore QB three 3 TD passes and rushed 20 times for 107 yards to lead the Aggies to a 28-23 win over Randolph in Friday's Class D state quarterfinals in Jamestown. He was 6-for-12 passing with TD tosses of 44 and 25 yards. The Aggies (12-0) play Tioga in Friday's 3 p.m. semifinals at Cicero-North Syracuse.

Nov. 13, 2021
Sam Lane, Spencerport volleyball
The senior and St. Francis commit led the Rangers to back-to-back Section V Class B titles, recording 18 kills and 6 digs in the semifinals and 12 kills in the championship match vs. Brockport. Spencerport (19-1) didn't drop a set in sectionals, going 12-0.

Nov. 6, 2021
Cody Cavuoto, Hilton soccer
The senior striker scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Monroe County Division I rival Fairport in Tuesday's Section V Class AA championship match. He also nodded home the winner in a semifinal victory, 2-1, over Penfield. The Cadets, who are 17-1-1, played at Williamsville South in Friday’s state quarterfinals.

Oct. 30, 2021
Chaunsey Gilbert, East Rochester/Gananda football
The senior running back had TD runs of 60, 50, 37 and then 60 yards again as the top-seeded Bombers rolled to a 46-8 win over No. 8 Marcus Whitman/Bloomfield in the Class C quarterfinals. Gilbert had 207 yards on just six carries.

Oct. 23, 2021
Jackson Green, Pittsford football
The junior wide receiver caught 8 passes for 149 yards, including three for touchdowns, in the Panthers' 31-21 upset of previously unbeaten McQuaid. For the season, he has 26 receptions for 527 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Oct. 16, 2021
Keefer Calkins, Bath-Haverling soccer
The senior forward, whose 37 goals lead Section V, had 2 goals and 3 assists in a 6-0 win over Wellsville, a hat trick in a 5-0 win over Letchworth/Warsaw and 4 more goals in a 5-0 win over LeRoy. He also has 9 assists for the unbeaten Rams (16-0), who have outscored foes 84-3.

Oct. 9, 2021
Jacob Miller, Brockport soccer
The senior forward racked up eight goals in three wins this week, including hat tricks in triumphs over Wilson/Monroe and Greece Athena and two goals vs. Canandaigua. The Blue Devils (9-5) have won four straight and Miller's 20 goals are tied for tops in Monroe County.

Oct. 2, 2021
Raykim Chenier, UPrep football
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior RB rushed for 307 yards and scored three TDs as the Griffins improved to 4-1 with a 42-12 victory over Gates Chili.

Sept. 25, 2021
Myles Palmer, Fairport boys soccer
The junior forward leads all Monroe County scorers with 13 goals. He pumped in seven in four wins over the past week for the streaking Red Raiders (8-1). Palmer nicked Webster Thomas for a goal in a 2-1 win and converted twice vs. Rush-Henrietta, Spencerport and in Friday's big 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Hilton.

Sept. 18, 2021
De'marion Mewborn, Gates Chili football
The senior running back rambled for 300 yards on 35 carries and scored on runs of 19, 5, 2 and 42 yards as the Spartans routed Penfield, 24-6, on Thursday. He also scored 4 times in a Week 2 win over Webster Schroeder.

May 24, 2022
Camryn Cole, Webster Schroeder track & field
The junior was the only double-winner among girls (individual events) at Saturday's Monroe County championships and set a Section V record in the process. She won the 100m hurdles in 15.05 seconds, then cleared 5-feet, 11 inches in the high jump – a sectional record and second best in state history!

May 14, 2022
Amanda Linnenbrink, Fairport softball
On Friday, the junior pitcher struck out 16 batters in a doubleheader as the Raiders beat Hilton 6-0 and 4-3. Game 1 was a 2-hitter. She fanned six in a 7-0 shutout Saturday at Liverpool and Fairport also beat Jamesville-DeWitt on 7-1 to improve to 15-5.

May 6, 2022
Ay'rianna Moore, Churchville-Chili track & field
The sophomore speedster won two events -- the 200-meter dash and 400 -- at the His & Her Invitational at Penfield last Saturday. Her time of 24.78 seconds in the 200 broke Nikki Prad's 1994 school record.

April 23, 2022
Joleigh Crye, Avon softball
The senior standout struck out 16 batters in a 5-3 win over previously unbeaten Letchworth on Thursday to up her season total to 56 strikeouts (and just 5 walks and 9 hits allowed) in 25 innings. She was also 7-for-12 at the plate (.583) to start this spring for the defending Section V Class C1 champions.

April 9, 2022
Eva Pronti, Victor lacrosse
The senior attack has helped power the Blue Devils to a 5-1 start. She had 1 goal and 6 assists in a 13-3 win over Pittsford, 3&3 in a 13-4 win over Honeoye Falls-Lima, 2&2 in a 10-9 loss to Darien and 2&3 in an 8-7 win over New Canaan.

April 2, 2022
Molly Broccolo, Webster Schroeder softball
The senior pitcher tossed a no-hitter and struck out nine in the Warriors' season-opening victory over Irondequoit. She also went 2-for-2 at the plate. Last year, she went 11-2 and struck out 132 to help lead the Warriors to their first Section V championship since 2016.

March 19, 2022
Caydence Hadley, Bishop Kearney basketball
The junior forward had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the Kings' 63-57 win over Baldwin in the Class AA state championship game. She also played great defense the final five minutes with four fouls. Hadley also had 16 points and 11 boards in a semifinal rout of Corning-Painted Post for the Kings (22-3), who also won states in 2013 (Class C). March 12, 2022
Emily Sisson, Batavia Notre Dame
The sophomore point guard scored 16 points and made three key free throws in the final seconds of a 38-34 state qualifier win over Andover/Whitesville. She also was named tournament MVP after scoring 13 points in the Section V Class D1 title game win, 39-25, over No. 1 Fillmore.

March 5, 2022
Sam Lewis, East Rochester
The senior guard pumped in 34 points to lead the top-seeded Bombers (22-1) to their second straight Section V Class C1 championship on Saturday with a 61-37 victory over No. 7 Alexander.

Feb. 26, 2022
Mariah Watkins, Webster Schroeder basketball
The sophomore forward exploded for 42 points, 18 rebounds and 6 steals to lead the third-seeded Warriors to a 69-33 win over No. 6 Honeoye Falls-Lima in the Section V Class A quarterfinals. Schroeder (15-6) faces No. 2 Canandaigua (20-1) in Monday's semifinals.

Feb. 19, 2022
Teagan Kamm, Honeoye Falls-Lima basketball
The senior center had 11 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Greece Odyssey -- her 18th double-double -- as the Cougars (14-5) closed the season with 8 wins in 9 games. She also had 18 points and 12 rebounds in a 55-50 win over Aquinas. No. 6 HF-L opens the Section V Class A tournament Tuesday at home vs. No. 11 Churchville-Chili (8-12).

Feb. 12, 2022
Ella Fadale, Brockport basketball
The senior topped the 1,000-point mark this week while staying on a season-long tear. She had 30 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in a win over Greece Olympia, pumped in 38 points in a win over Greece Athena and had 26 in a loss to Canandaigua for the Blue Devils (15-5). She has scored 30-plus points 8 times & her 25.8 average ranks third in Section V.

Feb. 5, 2022
Ellie Bergin, Pittsford Sutherland basketball
The junior guard averaged 24.6 points & 13.3 rebounds in three wins over Webster Thomas, Greece Athena and Olympia. The best effort? Her stat-stuffing 27 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks & 3 steals in 52-50 victory over Thomas.

Jan. 29, 2022
Amiyah Nunn, Irondequoit basketball
The senior point guard led the Eagles (7-7) to a pair of wins in three strong efforts in a busy week. She had 20 points and 6 steals in a win over Gates Chili, 25 points and 6 steals in a 56-52 loss to Rush-Henrietta, and 19 points and 5 steals in Friday's 60-56 OT win over Webster Thomas.

Jan. 22, 2022
Libby Snyder, Kendall basketball
The 6-foot senior center led the Eagles (11-2, 7-2) to three wins as part of their terrific start. She had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks vs. Elba; 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks vs. Lyndonville and 10 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals vs. Batavia Notre Dame.

Jan. 15, 2022
Mya Herman, Canandaigua basketball
The junior guard had 20 points and 3 steals, assists and rebounds (each) vs. Greece Odyssey; 15 points, 8 steals and 6 assists vs. Arcadia; and 14 points, 7 steals and 4 assists vs. Olympia. She shot 54% from the field in those wins for the Braves, who are 9-1.

Jan. 8, 2022
Bella Pucci, Fairport basketball
The junior guard had 17 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds in a win over Irondequoit and 21 points, 5 steals and 4 assists in a win over Rush-Henrietta, as the Red Raiders (7-3) bounced back from two holiday week out-of-section losses.

Dec. 17, 2021
Mariah Watkins, Webster Schroeder basketball
The 6-foot sophomore exploded for career highs in points (42) and rebounds (23) and added 4 blocks and 4 steals in Tuesday's 66-52 win at Irondequoit. Her previous point-total high was 30 (last season). She also made four 3-pointers and scored 26 points last Friday's loss to Penfield. She also had 16 points in Thursday's win over Hilton for the Warriors (4-2).

Dec. 10, 2021
Kylie Buckley, Livonia basketball
The 6-foot sophomore forward pumped in 37 points, just two off her career best, and added 11 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals in the Bulldogs' 85-24, season-opening win over Greece Odyssey. She also had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 9 steals in a 64-41 win over Perry. She has averaged more than 20 points in each of the past two seasons.

Dec. 3, 2021
A'miyah Nunn, Irondequoit basketball
The senior guard pumped in 29 points, dished out 5 assists and had 3 steals in a 56-39 season-opening win over Greece Athena on Tuesday and followed that with a team-high 16 points in Thursday's loss at Pittsford Sutherland.

Nov. 20, 2021
Candace Tytler, Irondequoit cross country
The senior who was named Section V's Runner of the Year turned in the top finish among all Section V runners for the second straight week, finishing 19th in the Class A state championship race at Chenango Valley State Park. That followed up her third straight win in the Section V Class championships on Nov. 6 at Letchworth State Park.

Nov. 13, 2021
Ann Brennan, Honeoye Falls-Lima cross country
A year after finishing runner-up in the Section V Class B race, she won the championship to lead the Cougars to a second straight crown and in qualifying for states. The senior became the 12th different HF-L runner to win sectionals. An All-Greater Rochester pick last year in cross country and Nordic skiing, Brennan finished 13th at states and HF-L was second as a team.

Nov. 6, 2021
Gabby Curtis, Penfield field hockey
The junior scored both goals in the Section V Class A championship, a 2-0 win over Brighton, to deliver the Patriots' second title in three years. She followed that up by scoring the winner with 97 seconds left to play in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Maine-Endwell. Penfield, which is 13-5 under coach Jillian Esposito, faces Clarence (15-1) in Saturday's state quarterfinals at Pittsford Sutherland.

Oct. 30, 2021
Maggie Cregan, Brighton soccer
The junior scored 4 goals -- all in the second half and OT -- as the second-seeded Bruins exploded to beat Churchville-Chili in the Class A1 semifinals. She has a team-high 31 goals and 8 assists.

Oct. 23, 2021
Larisa Kotok, Gananda tennis
The junior ran her record to 28-0 by winning Section V's state qualifier with a 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2 win over Brighton's Leyla Tozin on Friday. Kotok, who never played varsity tennis before this season, is on the combined Gananda/Marion team and will represent Section V at the state championships next week.

Oct. 16, 2021
Eleanor Martins, Pittsford Mendon field hockey
She had a four-goal week as the Vikings improved to 13-1-1. Martins scored twice in a 4-0 win over Brighton on Saturday, added a goal in a 6-1 win over Hilton on Wednesday and scored again in a 5-0 triumph over Webster Schroeder on Friday.

Oct. 9, 2021
Trinity Wells, Newark
The senior posted the fastest finish among girls runners from Section V at the McQuaid Invitational, finishing the new 3-mile course at Genesee Valley Park in 18:22.4 to earn the Katie Harper Memorial Plaque. Wells finished second in her race, the girls varsity race for medium schools.

Oct. 2, 2021
Alex McKenzie, Victor volleyball
The senior outside hitter had 6 kills, 6 digs and 2 aces in a win over Churchville-Chili, and 12 kills, 6 digs and 2 aces in a win over Penfield as the Blue Devils improved to 9-0.

Sept. 25, 2021
Julia Petry, Batavia football
The Blue Devils kicker made 7 of 8 point-after kicks in Friday's 55-0 win over Palmyra-Macedon. The junior also was 6-for-6 in last week's win over Geneva and is 23-for-24 in her first varsity season for Batavia (4-0).

Sept. 18, 2021
Abigail Marotta, Marion soccer
The sophomore had 3 goals and an assist earlier this week in wins over Red Creek and North Rose-Wolcott, then erupted for 4 goals in Friday's 5-0 homecoming match win over Waterloo. She has a Section V-best 16 goals for the 4-2 Black Knights.

May 31, 2022
Trevor Sousa, Victor golf
In his 13th season, Sousa led the Blue Devils (22-0) to a second straight Section V championship with a record-setting win over McQuaid and title match win over Greece Athena. He has guided the Victor boys (3) and girls (1) to four titles and been All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year five times. A 2003 Fairport graduate and Victor physical ed teacher for 15 years, Sousa has been a varsity assistant on Section V champion Victor boys volleyball and hockey teams, including two state championship hockey squads. He is energetic and passionate about teaching, coaching and most important, his family.

May 24, 2022
Curt Johnson, Fairport softball
In his fifth season, the Red Raiders (15-5) secured the top seed in the Section V Class AA tournament despite not having a home field this spring due to stadium construction. Recently retired from the Rochester City School District, Johnson has had successful coaching stints at Greece Olympia (3 years), Brockport (8 years/3 sectional titles) and now Fairport, where his teams are 61-20 and been Class AA runner-up three times. A father of former Section V softball stars who went on to play in college and even became coaches themselves, softball is in his family and his blood.

May 14, 2022
Aaron Bottazzo, Irondequoit boys lacrosse
His Eagles are 13-1 and the Monroe County Division III champions -- their first league title since 2012. It is also the most wins Irondequoit has had in a decade. A middle school physical education teacher in West Irondequoit, the third-year coach knows all about lax pride in his hometown. The 2022 squad has done much to rebuild that. Bottazzo was on the last team (2005) coached by Irondequoit legend John Pratt, whose clubs won 15 sectional titles. Bottazzo went on to play four seasons of D-1 at Robert Morris. His debut season as head coach after 10 years as an assistant was delayed in 2020 by COVID. The Eagles were 7-9 in 2021 and lost in the semifinals to eventual champ Webster Thomas.

May 6, 2022
Joe Brock Hilton tennis
Brock's name is synonymous with Cadets tennis. He has coached in Hilton since 1998 -- 24 seasons with the boys and 18 with the girls (JV/varsity). The Cadets recently recorded his 150th career win on the boys side; his girls squads have won 70-plus matches. Hilton boys have won four division titles and the girls two. Congrats, coach Brock! Thanks for your dedication the program and your student-athletes.

April 9, 2022
Elaine McGurk, Fairport cheerleading
After 25 years of watching and teaching other people's children, McGurk is stepping down as head coach of the Red Raiders' powerhouse program to dedicate more time to her own daughter, Hannah, and her cheer career. McGurk guided Fairport to 22 Section V championships, including three straight over the past 12 months. The Red Raiders also won two state crowns in recent years and eight national titles. She is a former winner of the New York State Spirit Coach of the Year Award and two-time recipient of the G&G Fitness Coach of the Week award.

April 2, 2022
Kevin O'Connell, Honeoye Falls-Lima girls lacrosse
O'Connell credits a handful of his own coaches as an athlete at Rush-Henrietta for being impactful on his coaching career, which has included nine straight Section V Class C championships and 12 crowns in the last 13 years. He says HF-L assistant coach Rick Pound also helped teach him the nuances of lacrosse, but O'Connell has been the architect. He's the only coach in the Cougars' 19-year history and understands won-lost record means nothing -- it's about the growth of his players and team on and off the field. HF-L is off to a 2-0 start this spring and hopes to break through and win its first state title. The Cougars have been state runners-up five times.

March 12, 2022
Brian Putnam, Avoca-Prattsburgh boys basketball
Very few coaches have won state boys basketball titles as a player and coach. Putnam is now in the exclusive club after his Vikings beat Heuvelton, 70-58, for the Class D crown. The ninth-year coach was a star player on Prattsburgh's 1991 state championship squad. Now, his son, Macoy, is a team leader as a sophomore. A-P, which merged two years ago, completed a dream 27-0 season. It has won back-to-back Section V titles and run its win streak to 38 straight game, tops in the state.

March 12, 2022
Jeff LaFave, Aquinas boys basketball
He may be the first Section V boys basketball coach to win sectional titles with different schools in consecutive seasons, but LaFave is about so much more than Xs, Os, Ws and Ls. A man of strong faith and Commander in the Rochester Police Dept., his motivation: Make his players better young men. This winter, Aquinas (19-3) won its first Section V title since 2016. Last year, he guided Gates Chili to its first sectional crown since 2009. He also was part of a School of the Arts coaching staff that won a sectional championship. The Little Irish (16-3) play Jamestown (19-3) in the Class AA Far West Regionals.

March 5, 2022
Mike Rapone, Batavia Notre Dame boys basketball
Section V's all-time boys basketball wins leader is going out on top. The Irish beat Elba 59-46 on Saturday to claim the Class D2 title and give their retiring coach his 10th sectional crown. Rapone will stay on as athletic director, turning the coaching reigns over to his son. His 728 victories are No. 1 in area history. In his 42 seasons as coach, Rapone has impacted hundreds of young men and as a school administrator influenced thousands. Notre Dame (19-3) won its first title under Rapone in 1981, his first season. He guided two teams to state titles.

Feb. 26, 2022
Chris Cardon, Irondequoit boys basketball
The 36th-year Eagles coach flew into rare air in the regular-season finale, becoming just the 5th coach in Section V Boys Basketball history to reach 500 career victories. His teams have won three Section V titles, been runner-up five other times and the crowning achievement was Irondequoit capturing the 2017 state championship. A Greece native, Cardon's career record is 501-289. He retired from West Irondequoit several years ago after teaching physical education for more than two decades. He is also a member of the NYS Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Cardon's dedication and passion for the sport and kids has left an imprint on Irondequoit basketball forever.

Feb. 19, 2022
Craig & Rachel Mattern, Brighton skiing
Craig is the head coach and Rachel the assistant for the Bruins Nordic Ski program, and the married couple has proven to be quite a dynamic duo. They took over as coaches in 2017. Brighton is coming off a fourth straight Section V championships on the girls' side. Their children, Grace and Miles, are skiers. Grace is a former state champion now at Bowdoin College. Miles, a sophomore, was on the Brighton team that took third last week.

Feb. 12, 2022
Jason Bovenzi, HF-L wrestling
In his 2nd year as head coach, the Greece Athena graduate and former college standout at St. Lawrence and Ithaca guided the Cougars to the school's first Section V Class B1 championship -- not that he takes all the credit for it. Bovenzi says parents who helped start a youth program several years ago deserve it, too, because before that HF-L had only a handful of varsity wrestlers. "Jason was the perfect match for us," says athletic director Brian Donohue, who needed to replace HF-L's former coach just before the start of the 2020-21 season. "He is an experienced and accomplished coach who has extensive knowledge in all facets of the sport of wrestling. Our student-athletes and families benefitted greatly from his leadership." A physical education teacher in the Pittsford CSD, Bovenzi is also in his 6th season as RIT's head wrestling coach.

Feb. 5, 2022
Griffin Coles, Webster Thomas basketball
The ninth-year coach has the Titans off to a 10-3 start and takes pride in being the caretaker of a program in which he once played. Thomas' seven-game win streak included an upset of Mendon, which had won 27 straight. A 1995 Webster graduate, Coles was a standout point guard for coach Bill O'Rourke Jr. at Webster and at SUNY Geneseo, where he is in the athletic Hall of Fame. He says O'Rourke Jr. and Coles' father, Jeff, along with former Schroeder coach Matt Spadoni have been mentors and coaching influences. A Willink Middle School teacher, Coles is a three-time Monroe County divisional Coach of the Year. He and his wife, Vanessa (a Thomas math teacher), have middle-schoolers who are active in sports.

Jan. 29, 2022
Mike DeMay, Rush-Henrietta indoor track
The Section V Track & Field Hall of Famer is among the greatest running coaches in Rochester-area history. The Newark native started coaching at R-H in 1977. His teams have won more than 38 sectional titles (245-plus individuals), 3 state championships and he has coached 10 national champions, 22 All-Americans, 23 state Federation champions and 100-plus All-Greater Rochester first-teamers. "Mike's passion and commitment to (track and cross country) are what makes him a special coach. He truly cares about his athletes," R-H athletic director Tom Stewart said. "They all know it and want to be part of one of the most successful programs in Section V history. He took a dismal program and brought it to state and national prominence."

Jan. 22, 2022
Keith Pittinaro, Pittsford wrestling
The ninth-year coach is an East Rochester native who knows what it takes to be a Section V champion because he was himself for East Rochester in the 1990s (twice). A two-time Monroe County Division I Coach of the Year, he has built the Panthers into a winner. They won the Monroe County Tournament this season and earned the top seed in the Section V Division I Dual Meet Tournament. He has a career record of 120-66. A physical education teacher in Pittsford, Pittinaro says his former high school coach Jason Bovenzi, now coach at RIT, was a big influence on his career. He was Bovenzi's assistant at Pittsford for 11 years before replacing him.

Jan. 15, 2022
Mark Florack, East Rochester girls basketball
An East Rochester graduate and "lifer" in every great sense of the term, Florack has guided the ER girls basketball team to an 11-0 start coming off last year's Section V Class C1 championship, the program's first in 29 years. This is his 6th season as head coach after 11 as an assistant. "Mark has the perfect blend of being an old-school coach with transformational leadership qualities," Bombers athletic director Jeff Onze says. "When you have a coach who truly understands the game yet cares more about his players as people, that combination makes for both outstanding connections and results on the basketball court."

Jan. 8, 2022
Kevan Sheppard, Bishop Kearney girls basketball
The 13th-year coach and Rochester native has guided his girls basketball squads to seven sectional titles, a run that included the 2013 Class C state championship. More importantly, his program has given players the opportunity to earn scholarships at colleges -- big and small. A former college player at Temple University who learned a lot about defense from legendary coach John Chaney, Sheppard is a brand ambassador for PUMA. An East High grad, he was part of a sectional title team as a player in 1996.

Dec. 17, 2021
Dylan Scheemaker, Canandaigua boys swimming
The fifth-year coach guided the Braves to a stunning upset of state power Pittsford, ending the Panthers' 90-meet, nine-year winning streak, 92-88. His Braves have won three Section V Class B title in his four seasons. The aquatics director and a physical education teacher for the Canandaigua City Schools, Scheemaker is a 2008 Fairport graduate who swam at SUNY Cortland and went on to coach there. He counts Fairport coach Mike Kennedy, former USC coach Dave Solo, Eddie Reese from Texas and Bobby Guntoro from UNC-Wilmington among his influences.

Dec. 10, 2021
Michael Bree, Waterloo girls basketball
Bree led his girls squad to the championship of its season-opening tournament. Waterloo allowed just 44 points in two games while defeating Aquinas and Canandaigua in a quality field. It is also unbeaten in 2021, having rolled to a 14-0 record and the Section V Class B2 championship in the winter season. "Coach Bree is one of the most dedicated coaches that I have had a chance to learn from in our department," said Waterloo Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics, Christal Kent. "Coach Bree is an experienced, passionate coach who truly loves the game of basketball. His decorated coaching resume includes several accolades for the teams and players that he has influenced. He is fully deserving of this honor."

Dec. 3, 2021
Brian Touranjoe, ER/Gananda football
The fourth-year head coach led the top-seeded Bombers to the Section V Class C championship with a 18-12, double OT win over No. 2 Haverling -- the Bombers' first crown since 2012. A longtime assistant under Dennis Greco, Touranjoe's squad reached the state semifinals. A retired teacher and administrator, "Coach T's" team put themselves atop the ER history books with a school-record 12 wins.

Nov. 20, 2021
Isiah Young, UPrep football
The second-year coach guided the Griffins to their best season. They won the school's first Section V Class A1 championship, downing previously unbeaten Brighton 40-8 in the title game, before losing a hard-fought matchup with Canandaigua, 16-14, on a late FG in the state qualifier. A history teacher at UPrep (9-2), he is a former Alfred University player. Young also earned his Masters degree at St. John Fisher. He has a daughter, Gemma Marie, and is engaged to Kayli Westervelt. Young counts Alfred's Bob Rankl and former UPrep coach Kala Gause among his coaching mentors.

Nov. 13, 2021
Rex Eighmey, Pavilion Girls Volleyball
A Pavilion CSD employee for 40-plus years, he guided the Golden Gophers to back-to-back Section V Class D2 championships. Pavilion (24-0) enters Saturday's state quarterfinal vs. Chautauqua Lake with a 72-0 mark in sets. It has won more than 100 straight dating to the spring season. A Pavilion graduate, Eighmey, who is in his 19th year as coach, also coaches softball. "When you think of Pavilion it is hard to not think about Rex. He is one of the main cogs in keeping the school up and running smoothly every day," AD Matt Roth said. "It's awesome to see the great success Rex has brought the volleyball program. His commitment and dedication has really paid off over the last several years. As great of a coach as he is, he's an ever better person. You'd be hard pressed to find someone with anything negative to say about Rex. He is a great example, for our athletes and students, of how to live a good life and how hard work can really pay off."

Nov. 6, 2021
Stephen Lian, Brighton football
In his 10th season as head coach of the Bruins, he guided them to an unbeaten regular season, No. 1 seed and spot in the Section V Class A1 championship. A graduate of Pittsford Mendon (1996) and Kenyon College (2000), Lian is a sixth-grade teacher at Twelve Corners Middle School. He took a 48-38 career record into Friday's title matchup with UPrep. He has built Brighton into a perennial contender. "Steve is a true leader. He has put a great deal of time along with his staff in developing our program," athletic director Nate Merritt said. "He cares about every kid in the program and they respect and play hard for him. He's a great person first and coach second. We are very lucky to have him!"

Oct. 30, 2021
Kelly Ahern, Victor girls soccer
The number of wins this fall (3) equals the number of Section V championships the Blue Devils have won under Ahern, but she knows sports are about a lot more than wins & losses. After her squad lost its sectional opener to Hilton in a lightning-shortened match that ended with 32:12 minutes left on the clock, Ahern had an idea. Instead of ending the season on that note, Victor played a 32-minute intra-squad scrimmage a few days later. "I had to do something for them," the 1995 Mercy graduate and former two-sport D1 college athlete said. A varsity coach for 14 seasons, Ahern has been an assistant at Victor, Mercy and with MCC's powerhouse women's soccer squad. A physical education teacher at Victor, she specializes in outdoor units (fly fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, ski, canoe, etc.). Ahern and her husband, Michael, have three daughters, Fionnula (age 9), Mairin (7), Keeva (5).

Oct. 23, 2021
Keith Molinich, Pittsford football
In his 15th season at his alma mater, Molinich's passion as a coach and school counselor makes an impact on his players and students each day. His team is also active in charitable work and doing things to make the community better. Molinich's advocacy has played a key role in helping many players land college scholarships. On Friday, the Panthers stunned two-time defending Section V champion McQuaid, 31-21, to improve to 6-2 and stamp themselves as a contender to capture their first Section V title since 1982. He did his undergrad work at Ithaca College and holds a Masters in Counseling from Syracuse University. He is a husband (Erin) and father of three grown sons Glynn, Jake and Wyatt -- former or current University at Buffalo players.

Oct. 16, 2021
Julie Odenbach, Mercy golf
The first lady of Section V girls golf, you won't find a better ambassador for the sport and supporter of Rochester-area players. Odenbach is and has always been supportive of Section V players -- even if they're not wearing an Our Lady of Mercy uniform. A Greece Arcadia graduate and five-time All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year, Odenbach is also serving as the Aquinas girls golf coach this fall. She has coached the Monarchs for 22 years and been Section V's girls golf coordinator and on the state committee since 2004. Mercy has won three straight Section V titles and when the girls from our area combined to win three straight team championships at states, Odenbach led them. A wife, mother and grandmother, she was McQuaid's golf coach from 2001-2014.

Oct. 9, 2021
Mike Ellicott, Hilton boys soccer
For 27 years, the Cadets could only claim 1987 as a championship season. They won states that year, too. But things changed in 2015. They are now a perennial Section V contender and it's no coincidence that has happened under coach Mike Ellicott. In his first season in 2015, he guided Hilton to its second Section V Class AA crown and the fortress he has built keeps getting stronger under the man from England. Hilton also won league titles in 2017 and 2018 and a third sectional trophy in 2018. "He is dynamic and knows the game and the kids respond to him," athletic director Mike Giruzzi says of Ellicott, whose team is 11-1-1 and coming off a big win Friday over Penfield. "But he also has a vision for the whole program and it's unified through its approach from varsity to our little kids ... every coach is on the same page."

Oct. 2, 2021
David Urbanski, Webster Schroeder boys soccer
He took over at Schroeder in 2004 at the age of 28 and has been a great caretaker of the program and of a sport he grew up learning under longtime Section V coaches John Alessi (Webster) and John Butterworth -- men he says influenced him greatly. This, his 18th season, was interrupted by a complicated case of pneumonia that led to a collapsed lung. The Webster Thomas and University of Rochester graduate spent this week, including his 45th birthday, in the hospital, but is due to come home soon. Schroeder (4-5-1) won Section V titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and was the regional champ twice and the 2011 state runner-up. He and wife, Suzanne, have 4 children, including 5-month-old twin sons.

Sept. 25, 2021
Mike Karns, Palmyra-Macedon girls soccer
The Red Raiders are off to an 8-0 start in Karns' 23rd season as coach, and he has built Pal-Mac into a perennial Class B contender. Sectional champions in 2016 and '18, the Raiders have outscored foes 33-3. Karns' career record is 259-131-30. From Athletic Director Tom Schmandt: "Mike's organization and dedication to the program is evident and his teams are fundamentally sound. They've bought into the program. They know hard work equals success. He does the extras outside of the season that also help his players develop. His approach is direct yet understanding and compassionate. He also has morphed his style to meet the ongoing changes in the times."

Sept. 18, 2021
Libbie Tobin, Penfield girls soccer
In her 20th season, Tobin has established the Patriots (7-1) as a perennial Section V Class AA power. They've won championships in 2006, 2009 and 2019. The Honeoye Falls-Lima graduate was a two-sport standout in soccer and basketball at the University of Rochester. In 1991, UR was NCAA runner-up in soccer. Tobin was head coach at Division II West Virginia Wesleyan and Division I Robert Morris before becoming Penfield's coach in 2002. She is a teacher, coach and mother of three.