Previous Sports Pages
Cassie Oursler's Shot Lifts UB Women - November 2016
Island native Cassie Oursler won the game for UB women's basketball on Tuesday, November 22nd against Duquesne. The team is now 4-0. See Buffalo News story.Alexis Fredericks Receives Honors - November 2016
Islanders Alexis and twin sister Grace both got D1 swim scholarships to Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), after swimming for Mount St. Mary's for their high school careers. Alexis recently was named NorthEast Conference Co-Swimmer and Rookie of the Week. "Fredericks earned the NEC Co-Swimmer of the Week and NEC Rookie of the Week award after turning in a series of exceptional performances in a dual meet against New Hampshire. The freshman won the 200 backstroke in 2:05.13, the best time in the NEC this season. She also finished first by more than 2 1/2 seconds in the 100 backstroke, posting the fourth swiftest time in the conference this season at 59.38. She also swam the first leg of CCSU's winning 400 medley relay team, and earned second place finishes as part of the 200 and 400 freestyle relays."
Joe Kulikowski Headed to USCAA Tournament - October 2016
Grand Island High School soccer standout Joe Kulikowski is a freshman at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry studying Environmental Resources Engineering. This past weekend, the SUNY-ESF soccer team won the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer championship upsetting the No. 1 seed College of New Rochelle, 3-1. The Mighty Oaks (10-4-1) also become the lowest seed to win the title in the last 10 years of the tournament and complete a sweep of the Soccer Championships. With the victory, SUNY ESF earns the conference's automatic bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships to be held on November 10-14 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
GI Rapids Girls 9U/10U Travel Softball Tryouts - August 2016
Interested in playing travel softball for Grand Island? A new 9U/10U developmental team is being formed to play in a local travel B league and one summer tournament. Birth Year 2007. Tryouts are at Veterans Park Field 9: Saturday, September 3rd 10:30 a.m.-12:00 & Thursday, September 8th 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to sign in. For more details email Jennifer Kopf: GIsoftball07@gmail.com.
Grand Island Boys Basketball Champs - August 2016
From left: Coach Jim Sionko, Mario Wright, Logan Sionko, Kenny Yockey, Jason Messing, Cam Sionko, JJ Wilkes, Roman Cacciatore, JB Wilkes, and Coach Ron Krysztof.
Grand Island Boys Basketball Are Champs Of 2017 Niagara Falls Summer High School League.Grand Island Vipers World Series Top 15 - July 2016
The GI Vipers played in the NSA World Series last week. The Vipers were able to showcase their talent against team from all over the east coast. In the elimination round they sent a team from New Hampshire and a team from Florida home before losing to a team from Barrie Ontario. The Vipers finished in the top 15 in their age group. Congratulations to them and what they accomplished.
Grand Island Vipers in World Series - July 2016
The GI Vipers U16 are headed to the World Series. Starting Monday July 18, the National Softball Association in conjunction with Louisville Slugger will be hosting the softball World Series here in Buffalo for the first time ever. All games are played at Sunshine Park on East West Road in West Seneca. First up for the Vipers are the New Hampshire Seacoast Shock on Monday, July 18th at 11:30 a.m. A second game will be played at 6:30 p.m. The GI Vipers have had great success in both league and tournament play over the past few years, qualifying to play in this prestigious tournament.
Grand Island Vipers - June 2016
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From left: Hallie Mingoia, Alyssa Ruminski, Maddie Koeppel, Savannah Sipe, Jenna Tavano, Jenn Hinaman, Julia Diehl, Lexi McCoy, Savannah Smith, Bailey Huber, Megan Stanley, Allyson Shoener.
The GI Vipers took second place in the gold bracket of the Battle of the Fort Softball Tournament last weekend, June 18-19.. The girls battled through hot weather conditions to try and defend their title they won last year, but came up short in the championship game. This is a good start to their tournament schedule as they are gearing up for the NSA World Series in July.Grand Island Vipers Win Opener - June 2016
Grand Island Vipers
The GI Vipers won their first game of the season beating Lewiston 12-4 by run rule. Julia Diehl,and Maddie Koeppel were perfect at the plate going 3-3. Hallie Mingoia was also perfect going 2-2 with a walk. Megan Stanley was tough on the mound, allowing one earned run with 5 strikeouts, and held Lewiston to a .190 batting average in 5 innings of work.GI Viking 17U AAU Basketball Tournament Champions - May 2016
Front row: from left are Kyle Brown (Lockport), Cordell McDowell (Lockport), James Williamson (Lockport).
Back row; Assistant Coach Jim Sionko (G.I.), Cam Sionko (G.I.), Ray Cleveland (G.I.), Mario Wright (G.I.), J.B. Wilkes (G.I.) and Head Coach Michael Wright (G.I.).
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: The Grand Island Vikings 17U/11th Grade AAU Basketball Team took first place again in their division at the Erie Spring Classic Tournament in Erie, PA on May 15, 2016. They are now (13-4) and won their 3rd tournament championship of the season. The Vikings went 2-1 in pool play and 2-0 in championship bracket to finished in 1st place with a 4-1 record in the 2016 Erie Spring Classic Tournament at Gannon University in Erie, PA on Sunday, May 15, 2016. Kyle Brown (Lockport) and James Williamson (Lockport) led the Vikings with 22 points each while Cordell McDowell (Lockport) closed with 14 points in their 72-64 victory over Buffalo Bounce in the championship game. In earlier action, Williamson nailed a half-court shot at the final buzzer to lift the Vikings to a 65-63 upset victory over Rising Stars of Clarion, PA. Brown led G.I. with 20 points, McDowell followed with 17 points and Williamson closed with 13 points to advance the Vikings to the semi-finals. Brown netted 27 points, Williamson followed with 15 points, Cam Sionko (Grand Island) and McDowell closed with 12 points each in a 74-61 win over the Bulldogs. Williamson led the Vikings with 15 points, McDowell followed with 14 points, Mario Wright (Grand Island) added 12 points, J.B. Wilkes (Grand Island) and Brown closed with 11 points each in a 63-69 overtime loss against Crossover of Erie, PA. Brown netted 20 points including five 3-pointers, McDowell followed with 14 points and Williamson closed with 13 points in the Vikings 51-36 victory over Ringers Showtime of Erie, PA in the 1st game.
Junior Viking Football & Cheerleading Registration - May 2016
If you are looking for a quality organization to provide your child with confidence and good sportsmanship, then don't miss the Grand Island Junior Vikings 2016 season registration! Registration takes place at the Nike Base Community Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road on Monday, May 16th and Wednesday, May 18th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. See flyers for complete information. Information Flyer. School Flyer.GI Viking 17U AAU Basketball Tournament Results - April 2016
Grand Island Vikings 17U AAU basketball team finished in 3rd place in Pool A with a 1-2 record at the recent 2016 Buffalo Jamfest on April 23-24, 2016. The Vikings jumped off to a 7-0 lead early in the first half and were able to tie the score 39-39 at half-time on a buzzer beater from the corner by Roman Cacciatore (Grand Island). However they could not overcome key ankle injuries to J.B. Wilkes (Grand Island) and Mario Wright (Grand Island) in a 69-87 loss to the eventual tournament champion, Cavemen Bailey of Pittsburgh, PA in the third game. Cordell McDowell (Lockport) led the Vikings with 17 points, Kyle Brown (Lockport) followed with 12 points while Devin Brandon (Grand Island) and Cam Sionko (Grand Island) added 9 points each.In earlier action, Wilkes scored 15 points, Brown followed with 14 points and Brandon added 10 points as the Vikings stormed to their 1st tournament victory by defeating the Buffalo Storm Celtics 58-37 in the second game. Brown netted 11 points as the Vikings suffered a 24-65 blowout loss in the first game to Dawson Community Blues of Montreal, Canada, the current 2nd ranked team of the Montreal Basketball League.
Carlee Conway Successful at Navy - April 2016
Photo courtesy of Naval Academy Athletic Dept., taken April 2, 2016 vs Army.
The Naval Academy Women's tennis team ended their season April 24th, 2016 with a loss to Patriot League champions, Boston University. Navy was seeded third in the conference playoff tournament. They handily beat Loyola of Maryland 4-0 in the quarter finals held Friday April 22. They met a strong #2 seed, Army in the semi-finals on Saturday. Army had beaten an injury-riddled Navy team on April 2 in their Star-Match. #3 singles player, Claudia MacKenzie was pulled in that match due to concussion protocol and #6 Carlee Conway badly sprained an ankle. At the time of the injury, Conway was leading her court, 6-2 / 2-0.This time, Navy came fully prepared and healthy. For the first time in their 9 match history, Navy won the doubles point. It came down to court 3 with Conway serving for the match, which Navy won 6-4. The match continued to the singles portion with Navy earning wins at the #6 singles with Josie Rogers, the #1 singles with Amanda Keller and closing it out was the #3 singles, Claudia MacKenzie. The finals pitted a very dominant Boston University team against third-seeded Navy. In doubles, Conway and her partner Kristine Rojo were about to close out their court, leading 5-3 and 40-love with Conway serving, when the other two courts were won by Boston University. Navy's only singles court win was at #3 singles, with MacKenzie pulling out a two-set win.
Boston repeats as the Patriot League champions and has won three out the last four years. They advance to the NCAA regional tournament. Navy finished their season with a 20-10 record. Conway finished with an 18-6 record in singles, playing predominantly in the 4th or 5th slot. Conway received accolades including tying a Navy record of 13 straight single matches and was chosen Patriot League Player of the Week, Feb. 22. Her eighteen wins was third on the team, behind Keller and Rogers who tied with 24 wins each. Conway and Rogers are both Plebes.
Grand Island Rhinos U17 Spring Shoreline Sweep- April 2016
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Pictured,sitting: Lou Fabiano
2nd row, from left: Coach Brian Ailinger, Jackson Besl, Danny Fabiano, James Franz, Cam Smith, John Griffin, Jason Miller, Jim Smith, David Pachla.
3rd row, from left: Luke Ailinger, Collin Tolsma, Lucas Robinson.
On Saturday, April 23, 2016 the Grand Island Rhinos U17 boys soccer club participated in the annual cleanup effort for the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Spring Shoreline Sweep. Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper's Spring Shoreline Sweep is the largest single-day shoreline cleanup in Western New York. Targeting shoreline sites, hundreds of volunteers come out to engage in direct citizen action that makes our community a better place and reconnects the public with our region's most valued asset - our water. Led by GIHS senior Cam Smith, the team this year concentrated their efforts at Spicer Creek and were able to collect a lot of garbage and recyclables. Last year the Rhinos participated in the Shoreline Sweep at Buckhorn State Park.GI Viking 17U AAU Basketball Tournament Champions - April 2016
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Pictured,sitting: Lou Fabiano
2nd row, from left: Coach Brian Ailinger, Jackson Besl, Danny Fabiano, James Franz, Cam Smith, John Griffin, Jason Miller, Jim Smith, David Pachla.
3rd row, from left: Luke Ailinger, Collin Tolsma, Lucas Robinson.
On Saturday, April 23, 2016 the Grand Island Rhinos U17 boys soccer club participated in the annual cleanup effort for the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Spring Shoreline Sweep. Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper's Spring Shoreline Sweep is the largest single-day shoreline cleanup in Western New York. Targeting shoreline sites, hundreds of volunteers come out to engage in direct citizen action that makes our community a better place and reconnects the public with our region's most valued asset - our water. Led by GIHS senior Cam Smith, the team this year concentrated their efforts at Spicer Creek and were able to collect a lot of garbage and recyclables. Last year the Rhinos participated in the Shoreline Sweep at Buckhorn State Park.GI Viking 17U AAU Basketball Tournament Champions - April 2016
Pictured, front row, from left, are Devin Brandon (Grand Island), Cordell McDowell (Lockport), Kyle Brown (Lockport), Connor Buzby (Grand Island); back row, J.B. Wilkes (Grand Island), Tyler Moskala (Grand Island), Ray Cleveland (Grand Island), Mario Wright (Grand Island) and Head Coach Michael Wright (Grand Island).
Grand Island Vikings 17U AAU basketball team finished in 1st place with a 4-1 record at the recent 2016 Northeast District Region Invitational Tournament in Rochester, NY on Sunday, April 17, 2016 and won their 2nd straight championship of the season in the 17U/11th Grade Division. Kyle Brown (Lockport) led the Vikings with 29 points including five 3-pointers in a 54-48 victory over Rampage of Rochester in the championship game. Mario Wright (Grand Island) followed with 12 points and Cordell McDowell (Lockport) added 11 points in the win.In earlier action, Brown scored 22 points, J.B. Wilkes (Grand Island) followed with 14 points and McDowell added 13 points in a 59-68 loss to Rampage. Brown netted 20 points, McDowell followed with 13 points, Wright added 12 points and Wilkes closed with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 69-58 win over Ranger Elite 11th of Rochester. Devin Brandon (Grand Island) scored 16 points, Wright followed with 15 points, Brown added 11 points and McDowell closed with 10 points in a 63-61 overtime win over Team Intensity. Brown netted 17 points and McDowell followed with 16 points in a 55-48 win over Buffalo Storm Elite.
Submitted by Coach Michael Wright.
GI Viking 17U AAU Basketball Tournament Champions - April 2016
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Pictured, front row, from left, are Kyle Brown (Lockport), Cam Sionko (Grand Island) and Cordel McDowell (Lockport); back row, coach Michael Wright, Garrett Robinson (Grand Island), Tyler Moskala (Grand Island), Mario Wright (Grand Island), Ray Cleveland (Grand Island), Roman Cacciatore (Grand Island) and J.B. Wilkes (Grand Island).
The Grand Island Vikings 17U AAU basketball team won the championship in the 11th Grade West Division at the recent 2016 Buffalo Storm "Brian Dux" AAU Tournament. Kyle Brown (Lockport) led the team with 25 points in a 62-42 victory over Buffalo Storm Elite in the championship game to finish 4-0 at the 2016 Buffalo Storm "Brian Dux" AAU Tournament on Sunday, April 3, 2016. J.B. Wilkes (Grand Island) followed with 10 points and Cam Sionko (Grand Island) added 9 points in the win.In earlier action, Brown scored 25 points, Mario Wright (Grand Island) followed with 14 points and Roman Cacciatore (Grand Island) added 8 points in a 70-52 win over the Buffalo Titans. Brown netted 27 points, Cordel McDowell (Lockport) followed with 13 points and Devin Brandon (Grand Island) added 8 points in a 74-55 win over Buffalo Storm Elite. Brown scored 17 points including 5 three pointers and Wilkes scored a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in a 52-42 win over the Buffalo Storm.
Grand Island Women's Golf Association - April 2016
The Grand Island Women's Golf Association at Beaver Island Golf Course welcomes all 9 and 18-hole women golfers to join their Tuesday morning league. The golf season starts Tuesday, May 3rd and runs for 18 weeks of play thru August 30th. Tuesday tee offs start at 9:00 a.m. for 18-hole golfers with 9-hole to follow. Please contact Maureen Steck, 773-6206 for membership questions or sign-up. Annual dues $35 with $10 first time joining fee. Weekly greens fees are $18.00 for 18-holes and $12.00 for 9-holes plus $2.00 weekly tee fee. Senior rates ($7.00/$12.00) also apply. Cart rental costs $22/$12 per cart. Join asap and attend the opening luncheon at Elden's at River Oaks on Saturday, April 16 and meet all the league members.GI Viking Modified Hockey News - April 2016
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Pictured, from left, first row: Tyler Baughman, Stephen Leone, Nick Ratajczak, Ryan Pinzel, Wil Worral, Sean Vanini, Tucker Legget, Mike Valle, Mike Juntunen, Mitch Fussillo, Bobby Curry, Jack Randle, Dylan Bush.
Second row: Assistant Coach Tom Giordano, Assistant Coach Anthony Leone, Brian O’Neil, Martin Castner, Pat Dworak, Billy Weiberg, Tyler Hunt, Jack Dlugokinski, Charles Piggot, Cam Davis, Assistant Coach Bill Cline, Head Coach Marvin Pawlowski. Not pictured: Manager Rob Ratajczak, Franchise Holder Scott Morrow.
Congratulations to the Grand Island Viking Modified Club hockey team going 4 and 0, finishing 3rd place in the WNY Modified Hockey Tournament, April 1 - 3, 2016 at Bud Bakewell Arena in North Buffalo
Islanders Win at Riverworks Tournament - March 2016
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Grand Island Middle Schoolers, Molly Leggett and Allison Hill, were part of the Tonawanda Lightning 14U Girls Team that won their division in the GLGHL(Great Lakes Girls Hockey League) tournament held at Riverworks over this past weekend. Congratulations ladies!NJPE Girls 12U Purple Wins the GLGHL Championship - March 2016
From left, back: Asst. Coach Randy Gall, Head Coach Joe Chadima, Asst. Coach Mark Pinzel.
middle: Alex Franke, Sara Primiano, Meghan Pinzel, Amy Andrews, Faith O'Connor.
front: Tessa Morris, Maddy Flory, Julia Hoffman, Reese Gall, Lexi Seider, Juliet Chadima.
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NJPE Girls 12U Purple Wins the GLGHL Championship at Riverworks Tournament 3-2 in OT!Niagara down 2-0 to the Depew Saints after the first, kept fighting back with a goal from Tessa Morris assisted by Alex Franke and put them to a one goal deficit at the end of two. The fight continued and the girls never gave up. Late in the third Lexi Seider scored with a great pass from Maddy Flory to tie the game. The contest led into overtime and was a tough battle. Juliet Chadima faced many shots in the game, especially in OT with a big glove and pad save that kept the Eagles alive. With 2:16 left in OT, the game came down to a faceoff in the offensive zone. The draw was cleanly won back to Sara Primiano. Sara looked and fired on the net, her game winner beat the opposing goalie under the pad and across the goal line. The game was won by the whole NJPE Girls 12U purple team. The Championship was earned by each of the girls who have worked hard all season to conclude with the raising of the trophy.
Carlee Conway-Tennis Player of the Week - February 2016
Photo courtesy of Navy Athletics
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Navy freshman Carlee Conway has been named the Patriot League Female Tennis Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday, February 22nd. Conway teamed with junior Summer Ralston to post a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles over Florida State's Ariana Rahmanparast and Lana Rush this past Saturday. Florida State, who is ranked 36th in the nation, won the doubles point, 2-1, en route to a 7-0 win over Navy. On Sunday, Conway won at No. 1 singles against Florida A&M's Alexis Dean, 6-3, 6-4, to help Navy post a 6-1 win over the Rattlers.The Grand Island, N.Y. native has won 11 straight singles matches and is 13-3 overall this season. She is also 10-7 in doubles play. Significant wins have been against Army, St. Bonaventure, St Joseph’s, Villanova and Richmond.
Jeremy Figler Still in the Game - February 2016
Thanks to Roman Figler for sending in a link to an article in the "Baltimore City Paper" about his son Jeremy, a back-up goalie for the Baltimore Blast's Indoor Soccer team. Jeremy has been traveling worldwide playing the game since he left Grand Island after graduating in 2010. See article by Dante Barboy here.Grand Island Day at UB Women's Basketball Game - February 2016
