Batavia High School

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For the second year in a row, the Batavia Blue Devils boys outdoor track team captured the Section V title at the host school, Honeoye Falls Lima, yesterday evening. Batavia finished with 110 points over second place rival U-Prep, which scored 88 points.

Highlights of their success include junior Anthony Ray winning both the discus throw event at 43.81 meters and shot put at 16.54 meters, setting a new school shot put record. Senior Frederick Cunningham took third place in both the triple jump and high jump. Senior Andrew Mruczek took first in the long jump with 6.64 meters.

Boys relay teams placed third in both 4x100 and 4x400 and took second in the 4x8. Senior Campbell Anderson finished fourth in both the 800-meter run and pole vault and senior Sam Bartz took fifth in the pole vault. Julio Vazquez took second in the 110 meter hurdles and fourth in the 400-meter hurdles. Eric Davis took took in both the 400-meter hurdles and 100-meter dash. Andrew Mruczek took second in the 200-meter dash.

Last year sectional winners Batavia girls outdoor track team finished last night in third place overall with 63 points. Iaya Franklin finished second place in the 100- and 400-meter dash and first in the 200-meter dash. Claire Zickl finshed fourth in the 800-meter run. Batavia girls took first in the 4x400-meter relay. Sophomore Lizzie Cohen placed first in the pole vault. Senior Tanner Kolb finished third in the discus. Edmarie Calderon-Torres finished fifth in the pentathlon.

This marks Batavia track and field with their 29th Sectional Championship in program history.

A sold-out crowd packed Batavia High School last evening for the fifth annual Mr. Batavia Competition hosted by its student government.

The mission behind the community fundraiser is to “take care of BHS,” said Lisa Robinson, student government advisor.

Twelve seniors participated in these categories: Dance, Talent, Question & Answer, Swimsuit, Lip Sync and Tux Walk.

The contestants were: Jerry Reinhart, Dominic Brown, Campbell Andersen, Casey Radka, Cody Dioogardi, Sam Bartz, Quentin Branciforte, Ryan Bieniek, Casey Ausin, Joe Allegue, Freddie Cunningham and John Currier.

Lisa said they raised a new record of $4,500 for the local charities chosen by the top three winners. Habitat for Humanity is winner John Currier's charity; first runner-up Ryan Bieniek selected All Babies Cherished; second runner-up was Quentin Branciforte, whose charity of choice is Anna’s Wish Inc.

The judges were: Kaitlin Logsdon, cocreator of Mr. Batavia, past BHS student and senior at Ithaca College; Shawna Murphy, Batavia City Schools Board of Education member; Jim DeFreeze, Batavia City Police officer; and Matt Morasco, Batavia City fireman.

Tuxedos for the event were provided by Charles Men's Shop and Reed Eye Associations donated sunglasses to the dozen seniors who competed.

To view and or purchase photos go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

A $20,000 bequest from the estate of a longtime Batavia physical education teacher is nothing short of a godsend, according to a spokeswoman for the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, a not-for-profit organization in perpetual motion to keep the music alive.

“The directors of the symphony are constantly conducting fundraisers and asking for donations, so when we get money given to us like this, we’re just unbelievably happy,” said Roxie Choate, GSO personnel director.

The GSO was one of 11 different nonprofit entities to receive $20,000 gifts from the estate of Joan Pfeifer, a gym teacher in the Batavia City School District for 36 years prior to her retirement in 1984.

Pfeifer passed away on March 11 of this year at the age of 88.

Choate said she remembered seeing Pfeifer, a lifelong Batavian, at GSO concerts.

“I saw her at the concerts, and my husband played tennis with her at times,” said Choate, adding that Pfeifer (known as Miss Pfeifer to all of her students) was her elementary gym teacher.

Pfeifer, a 1945 Batavia High School graduate, went on to obtain her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Brockport and University of Buffalo, respectively.

She was active in the community as a volunteer at United Memorial Medical Center and Meals on Wheels, and also was treasurer of the NYS Softball Officials organization, and had leadership roles in the Genesee Tennis Club and Midtown Tennis Club of Rochester.

She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church.

Choate said the funds from the Pfeifer estate will be go a long way to meeting the GSO’s budgetary requirements.

“We’re going to put part of it into an endowment fund, and we also need a new computer and a program to be able to keep track of payments to the performers, and eventually we will have to buy a new set of tympani,” she said.

David Metzler, Pfeifer’s executor, and partner in the Batavia law firm of Rybak, Metzler and Grasso, said the other beneficiaries were St. James Episcopal Church, Batavia Cemetery Association, Elmwood Cemetery, Genesee Area YMCA, Crossroads House, Genesee Cancer Assistance, HomeCare & Hospice, Humane Society at Lollipop Farms, Volunteers for Animals and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

“These charities were near and dear to her heart,” said Metzler, who noted that he knew Pfeifer for about 10 years. “She was always giving money (to various causes). Yes, she was a very generous person.”

It was a cool misty night at Van Detta Stadium where the Batavia Blue Devils hosted the visiting Wilson Wildcats for their homecoming game. First half was a bit quiet where both teams' offense could not put points on the board until there was only 1:51 left in the second quarter. J’Zon Richardson (pictured above) picked up a fumble and 75-yard-run touchdown to give Batavia the lead 6-0 after two quarters of play; two-wopoint conversion was no good.

Late in the third quarter Ray Leach recovered a fumble with one minute left on the clock and ran 70 yards for a touchdown to increase Batavia’s lead to 12-0. No extra points were scored afterward.

In the fourth quarter Cody Dioguardi ran in a 15-yard dash from Jerry Reinhart to increase the lead and secure the win for Batavia, leading 18-0. Extra point was no good.

Wilson put some points back on the board with 51 seconds left in the game. Quarterback James Totten did a lateral pass to Ricky Gamble, who threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jervon Johnson. Two-point conversion was good, but time ran out for the Wildcats and Batavia picked up their fifth-straight win.

Ray Leach carried the ball 18 times for 110 yards. Anthony Ray had 11 tackles, four for a loss of yards and one sack on the night.

The Spirit Stick was won by the Senior Class and Quentin Branciforte was named King and Alyssa Juliano was named Queen.

For more photos and to purchase prints click here.

Batavia varsity Lady Devils Volleyball Team played last night in their annual matchup at home versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and won 3 sets to 1. Batavia’s first set came out on top, winning 25 to 16, led by freshman Courtnee Yasses serving one ace and servicing numerous times. Senior Courtney Burns added five kills.

In the second set, Batavia continued to start strong going on a 10-2 run, Notre Dame called time-out. They changed their game up a little and then slowly chipped away Batavia’s lead, which eventually tied the game at 18. Batavia called time-out to regroup but Notre Dame won the set 25-21. Thea Bochicchio and Julia Streeter added combined four kills. Natalie Thorton had seven digs.

Third set, Notre Dame continued the momentum to lead by a few points 10-7, then Batavia’s Courtney Burns served an ace and Batavia called time-out. Notre Dame increased their lead to eight points until Batavia regained the serve and Courtnee Yasses started to serve. The freshman continued to win points for Batavia to tie the set 19-19, Notre Dame called time-out.

Both teams exchanged the lead until the end where Batavia won by two points 25-23 to lead two games to one after three. Batavia Junior Taylor Stefaniak had six digs and Senior Maria Canzoneri had three aces and four digs.

Fourth quarter, Batavia jumped on a lead of 16-3 then Notre Dame called time-out. The Irish made some errors that let the set slip away; Batavia won 25-10, to win the match three to one. Batavia’s Stefaniak sisters each had three kills and senior Maria Canzoneri added three aces.

For more photos and to purchase prints click here.

U-Prep and Batavia kept everyone on their toes in a hard-fought game where mistakes were made on both sides last night at Salen's Stadium in Rocheter. Pictured above is Ray Leach for Batavia, catching a pass from quarterback Jerry Reinhart to win the game with 0:07 seconds left on the clock 30-26.

Highlights of the game: First quarter – Terrance Bethel Touchdown scored early 4:25, missed two point conversion, giving U-Prep a 6-0 lead. Batavia and U-Prep exchanged the ball until Batavia recovered a fumble.  

Second quarter -- Batavia scores midway to tie it 6-6. U-Prep carried the ball and converted on a fourth down to score at 7:52 and lead 12-6. Batavia's Eric Davis goes out on a leg injury. Near the end Jerry Reinhart passed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Baker, two-point conversion is good. Batavia leads 14-12.

John Garlock recovers an onside kick, which Ray Leach scored for Batavia and led at halftime 22-12.

Second half -- Jonathan Williams touchdown for U-Prep at 6:17 thrown by Amari Masse; two-point conversion is good. Batavia's lead is cut to only two points, 22-20. 

U-Prep runs 45 yards to Batavia 10-yard line at 7:36, batavia and U-Prep exchanged a fumble and interception. U-Prep scores late in the fourth to lead 26-22 with 2:52 left.

Batavia dominated on driving down the field with 7 sconds left on a pass caught by Ray Leach. Batavia wins 30-26​.

Batavia moves to a 3-0; U-Prep moves to a 2-1 record.

To view photos and purchase prints click here.

In the photo above, senior Maggie Cecere is kicking in her second goal of the afternoon at Batavia High School, breaking a girls and boys soccer school record that was held since 1996 by Julie Redband Varland with 37 goals in a high school career.

Her 38th goal was recorded in the second half of the game with 14 minutes left and assisted by Junior Sophia Dinehart. Batavia won 2-0 over Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Maggie tied the school record scoring 20 minutes into the first half off a pass from senior Ali Moore. Shots on goal after the half were 9-1 Batavia.

Batavia came out a little sluggish in the second half but their defense held tough. Second-half shots were 7-5 Batavia.

Maggie's father, Assistant Coach Peter Cecere, embraced his daughter at the completion of the game along with teammates who celebrated their first home win; their record increases to 5-1. Batavia Head Coach Roger Hume is very proud of his team starting off strong and hope it continues into their next game -- away vs. Eastridge, Friday night at 7.

To view more photos and to purchase prints click here.

Press release:

Whether you are just learning or have some experience on the mound, this camp is designed to take you to take the individual pitcher to the next level of performance. From beginner to advanced, camp members will be be able to refine their mechanics and gain new drills for individual pitches. Cost is $50.

Each pitcher must supply their own catcher.

For more information or to register, please contact Coach Kevin Walkowski at 716-983-5809.

WHAT: Blue Devil Softball Pitching Camp
WHEN: Aug. 10th - 12th from 9 a.m. - noon each day
WHERE: Batavia High School Softball Field, 260 State St., Batavia

Press Release submitted by Batavia Outdoor track Coach Nicholas Burk.

Three Batavia track and field athletes will be competing in the 2016 NYSPHSAA Track & Field Championships, today and tomorrow, June 10-11, at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Anthony Ray (pictured far left) has had a very dominant spring in the throwing events for the Blue Devils as he was undefeated in the Shot Put and Discus during our Monroe County League schedule, earned 1st Team All Monroe County, and also won Shot and Disc at the Section V Championships.

Batavia has had a boy or girl thrower compete at the State meet, both indoors and outdoors every year under throws Coach Dan Geiger. The Blue Devil's track team is recognized as having a very strong Throws Program over the past decade. Anthony was fortunate to qualify for the Indoor State Championships in the Shot Put and Indoor Nationals in the Weight Throw this past winter and will compete in the Shot and Disc today. He goes into the meet seeded ninth in Shot and 11th in Disc.

Kiaya Franklin will be on the track for her two events as she qualified in the 200m and the 400m. Both of these events will be held today, with the chance to qualify for the finals on Saturday. Kiaya is also coming off a State meet performance for Indoor Track this past winter. Earlier this outdoor season, she captured Section V championships in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. She goes into the State meet this weekend seeded sixth in both her events with a very good chance to medal in both.

Adonis Davis (pictured far right) will compete for the first time at the State Championships for track and field and is seeded third in the Triple Jump. He is coming off a very impressive season having earned 1st team Monroe County in Triple and High Jump and won Sectionals in both events as well. Adonis is considering competing in track and field at Brockport State next year.

All three Batavia athletes helped the track team win Sectional Championships two weeks ago and now have the opportunity for some individual success at States. Good luck to our Blue Devil athletes this weekend in Syracuse.

For complete LIVE results for this weekends New York State Meet click here: http://www.nysphsaa.org/Sports/Spring/Track/ChampionshipNewsVideo.aspx

Children ages 5 to 12 years old are invited to join the Batavia High School cheerleaders at their premiere cheer camp Friday and Saturday, July 29-30, at Vandetta Stadium. The stadium is located at 120 Richmond Ave. in Batavia.

Both days are mandatory. Cost is $40 and will include a camp T-shirt and pizza on Saturday.

Camp on Friday is from 1 to 5 p.m. On Satruday, it's from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a performance for parents at noon.

There will be a cheer merchandise booth for the participants to purchase extra apparel and bows.

Registration is due by July 8.

Questions? Call Melissa Swinehart at 202-6504 or Sherri Wahr at 356-0639.

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Mail registration fee, payable to Batavia Cheer Boosters, along with a piece of paper with the cheerleader's name, age, name of parent or guardian, phone number, and shirt size to:

Batavia High School

Attn: Cheer Booster

260 State St.

Batavia, NY 14020

The boys and girls track teams from Batavia High School competed in the Class B Sectional Championships on Friday night, both earning hard fought victories.

The girls had an impressive 101 points, with Livonia coming in second place with 62. Kiaya Franklin had an unbelievable meet by winning the 100m in 12.51, the 400m in 57.69, and the 200m in 25.97. The girls 4x800 relay of Sophia Dinehart, Briana Bromley, Claire Zickl and Maddi Murray won with a time of 10:02.31. Rachel Denise won the pole vault with a jump of 9-0.

The boys had a much closer meet, scoring 124 points over defending indoor and outdoor champion Greece Olympia, which finished with 120. Anthony Ray continued his dominance in the throwing events by winning the shot with a throw of 49-3.25 and the discus with a throw of 146-8. Adonis Davis helped to seal the win two late victories in the high jump with a height of 6-4 and in the triple jump with a leap of 44-7.75. The boys meet was very competitive with the title still up for grabs with only a few events remaining.

Full results from the meet can be viewed at:

http://live.yentiming.com/#/results/meet/270

These sectional championships are the 25th team championships for Batavia track and field, both indoors and outdoors, since 2003. Both the boys and girls teams represented their school and community with a great deal of determination and poise throughout the competition. Congrats to the 2016 Track and Field Sectional Champions, the Batavia Blue Devils!

Story submitted by: Batavia Boys Head Coach Nicholas Burk, who is also pictured below receiving the boys Section V trophy from a track official.

Photos by: Steve Ognibene Photography

Press release:

Anita Strollo, the coordinator for Batavia High School’s College and Career Center, is “casting a wide net” to find more local businesses that may be interested in being part of the school’s first Hiring Fair on Thursday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at BHS, 260 State St.

“We have about a dozen so far and we’re thrilled with those businesses, but of course we’d like more,” says Strollo.

She anticipates at least 100 students will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with potential employers, providing those business representatives with the chance to meet face-to-face with a large pool of possible employees under one roof. To facilitate the process, there will be computers/laptops and Wi-Fi access for online applications, as well as quiet zones for on-the-spot interviews.

For more information, contact Anita Strollo at amstrollo@bataviacsd.org, or 343-2480, ext. 2012.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to once again sponsor the Third Annual Uganda Water Walk this Friday, April 8^th from 3 to 5 p.m. from the Batavia High School to Downtown Batavia.

Individuals, separately or as part of a group, have found or are finding sponsors for walking ($5/mile or a one-time donation).

This fundraiser helps bring safe, clean, accessible water to communities in Uganda. Walkers are encouraged to carry water jugs as a great symbolic act. Proceeds go to the Ugandan Water Project, is sponsored by the Batavia High School Z-Club.

Press release:

A panel featuring William J. Hochul Jr., United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, who oversees the prosecution of federal criminal cases in our region, and Deanna Axe, the mother of a heroin overdose victim who founded Addicted to Hope, will be held from 1:30 to approximately 3 p.m. at Batavia High School on Monday, Feb. 29.

They will be joined by representatives from local law enforcement, the medical profession, and treatment/prevention education to address the significant and dire consequences of prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction that is impacting our community.

Sponsored by Act Genesee, a growing coalition  of community volunteers whose mission is to promote healthy and safe choices through education and action, the forum is titled, “Pay Attention: Addressing Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Addiction in our Community.”

In addition to presentations by Hochul and Axe, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panel members, fill out a brief survey to help the Coalition determine the best course of action for following up on this presentation, and meet other like-minded individuals who share a concern about promoting a healthy and substance-free lifestyle for individuals and families in our community.

Coalition President Anita Strollo urges all to attend and says, “We really want to raise awareness. This is a problem that is happening. It’s here. And it is serious and devastating.” She encourages involvement from all ages, noting that, with abuse and addiction crossing all age and socio-economic groupings, so should be the awareness of and attack on these growing problems.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Benevolent Association is teaming up with the Batavia High School Student Government to hold the first ever “Serve Up Some Justice” Volleyball Tournament.

The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, in the Batavia High School Gymnasium, located 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.

The event will bring student, teacher, and police department teams together for a fun-filled evening of competition! There is a suggested $3 donation at the door and the proceeds will be presented to one or more students who wish to pursue careers in law enforcement.

So come on down and see some justice being served!

Batavia Lady Devils had been rolling on a streak, winning their last six straight games. But coming on the court in the first half Monday night, they were very flat-footed and missing opportunities.

Pittsford Sutherland came out hitting five 3-point baskets, and they held the lead by six points after the first quarter 20-14.

Batavia's senior Madison McCulley needed 12 points to reach a 1,000th-point milestone and her hopes were not good after the first half. Hitting one of one from the 3-point line, rimming a couple from underneath, the ball just would not drop for #42. Seniors Tiara Filbert led the first half with 15 points and Sam Cecere had nine.

Pittsford Sutherlands' Mary Bayer had seven points and Lena Kaufmans was three for three, ending with 11 points at the half, and Batavia was down by five, 36-31.

Coach Marty Hein and assistant John McCulley had to get their team back in the game and they did.  

Tiara Filbert came out strong with eight of the 16 points. Batavia scored in the third quarter to lead 47-43. Pittsford Sutherland started making some key errors, was missing baskets, and Batavia took advantage. 

Taylor and Ryann Stefaniak started the charge combining 12 points in the fourth quarter. McCulley sank two buckets to bring her within one point of making her milestone. At the 5:54 mark in the fourth quarter, McCulley made her third straight 3-pointer to get her 1,000th high school career point -- actually 1,002. 

McCulley went to her bench and was embraced by her players (top photo) above, her dad John, and Coach Hein.  

Final score was 71-51 Batavia who is now 8-1 and Pittsford Sutherland drops to 5-5. Next game for Batavia is tomorrow at Genesee Community College where they are hosting a tournament and playing Calmum at 7:45 p.m. in the first round. 

Pictured below is Madison McCulley along with her teammates holding signs of her 1,000th career point tonight. Last year Tiara Filbert made her 1,000th career point on Batavia's home court.

For more photos of last night's game go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

The Batavia Zonta Club will be sponsoring a toy drive for the Batavia YWCA on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Members of the Z club will be collecting your new, unwrapped toys curbside at the student drop-off loop at Batavia High School from 7:30 to 8 a.m.