March 2019
Genesee Men’s Lacrosse Announces Captains for 2019
The Genesee Community College men’s lacrosse coaching staff recently announced their captains for the 2019 season. Awarded the honor of leading the Cougars this spring are returning captains Mathew Anderson and Samuel Koczwara. As well as first year captains, Jason Chiodo, Ian Dolac and Jake Smeader.
Mathew Anderson, a four year varsity letterman was a two time 1st team All State and All conference defender from Groham, Maine. In 2018 as a freshman Mat was selected to Region III Second Team and started all twelve games he played in. Mat is majoring in Business Administration and made the President’s list in fall 2017.
Jason Chiodo, started all 15 games at attack last year. He was selected to 2nd Team All American and 1st team Region III. Jason had 47 goals which was good for 9th in the country, he added 21 assists for a total of 68 points. In high school he was selected All American in both 2016 & 2017. Jason is majoring in General Studies.
Ian Dolac, a defensive midfielder played in thirteen games last year. Ian is one of the best defensive midfielders to come through Genesee and will be an essential part of our defense this year. Ian is majoring in General Studies.
Samuel Koczwara, a midfielder from Mount Hawthorn, Australia was on the Australian National Team for the U19 World Championships in 2016, and recently made the Australian U23 team. As a freshman last year Sam had 9 goals and 3 assists. He is majoring in Business Administration.
Jacob Smeader, a transfer from the University of Buffalo wrestling program. In high school at defense he was selected to All WNY 1st team as a senior. Jacob has been a leader since the day he joined our program and will be another very important member of our defense this season. He is majoring in health studies.
Genesee will begin their season at home on Saturday, March 9 as the #3 Cougars welcome #8 CCBC Essex at 1pm. The game will be streamed live on www.geneseeathletics.com The complete men’s lacrosse schedule is available by going to www.geneseeathletics.com Fans can use #cougarPRIDE while posting on social media.
Genesee’s White and Anthony Commit to Four-Year Schools
Genesee men’s soccer players Ross White and Leo Anthony are both continuing with their soccer careers. White will be attending Harding University and Anthony will be attending Cincinnati Christian University this coming fall.
Ross White will be majoring in Sport Management while attending Harding University. “I wish everyone the best in whatever they want to do after Genesee”, White said. The Harrogate, England native will be making an impact for the Bisons, an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Great American Conference. This season, White scored four goals and added two assists, and served as the team captain.
Leo Anthony will be attending NAIA Division I Cincinnati Christian University in Ohio, majoring in Sport Management. “I am forever grateful for the help and opportunities that Genesee has given me. The staff and students always treated me well and I have made friends for life and memories I will always have”, Anthony said. Anthony scored three goals and added four assists this season for the Cougars.
Both White and Anthony were part of the Cougars’ 2017 NJCAA Division II Men’s Soccer National Championship team and this past season, reached the NJCAA Division II Men’s Soccer National Semifinals.
Jaeleigh Cruz Signs LOI With Genesee Women’s Soccer
The nationally-ranked Genesee Community College women’s soccer team is announcing their eighth signee of the season, Jaeleigh Cruz. Cruz, a native of Silver Creek, NY is a two-sport athlete who will be majoring in Psychology when she arrives on campus for fall, 2019.
Jaeleigh is a 5’1” defender and had three assists in her senior season. Jaeleigh was also a captain of her team and a three-year varsity player. She was named League Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, along with being First Team All-League. She was also First Team All-League in 2017 and Second Team All-League in 2018. She is also a basketball player for Silver Creek, where this season, Jaeleigh scored 224 points. Academically, Jaeleigh is a high honor roll student. Outside of school sports, Jaeleigh is a member of the Lakeshore Lightning Soccer Club.
“She’s not afraid to engage is physical play, handles pressure well, and is a solid distributor” says Silver Creek Head Coach, Kevin Rice. Genesee Head Coach Jeff Reyngoudt commented “Jaeleigh is a player with grit and a strong worth-ethic”.
Genesee coaches Jeff and Macy Reyngoudt are finishing their recruiting for the upcoming season. Both are confident that the team that is coming on campus and returning will be just as strong as the 2018 Cougars. The 2018 squad competed in the Elite 8 of the NJCAA Division II Women’s Soccer National Championships.
Softball Signs Szwaczkowski
The Genesee Community College softball team is pleased to announce that Emily Szwaczkowski has signed her Letter of Intent to attend and play softball at Genesee Community College.
The Perry, NY native plays catcher for Perry Yellow Jackets, who competes in Section V, part of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYPHSAA). She is captain of her team and has earned most improved accolades. Emily is also a member of the Yellow Jackets basketball team. She will be majoring in the Nursing program at Genesee as she inspires to be a nurse practitioner.
In the classroom, Emily is in the top 20 of her class, a member of National Honor Society, and a member of the Roberts Wesleyan Honors Choir. Emily’s role model is her mom because of how she helps anyone who needs it. She likes to sing outside of playing softball and she also enjoys hanging out with her friends and family.
The 2019 softball team (1-7) will host Onondaga Community College on Thursday, March 28 at 3pm in their 2019 home opener.
Genesee Swims Well at Swimming and Diving National Championships
The Genesee Community College swimming and diving team competed at the 2019 NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships hosted by Erie Community College March 6-9. The men’s team finished seventh overall with 193 points. The women finished 10th overall with 66 points after four days of intense competition.
The first day saw Libby Richardson place sixth in the consolation race of the 200IM and placed 14th overall. Ferran Martinez placed second in the consolation race and 10th overall in the men’s 200IM. The relay team of Ferran Martinez, Tyler Stachowiak, Ryan Mahaney, and Brandon Brown placed seventh in the men’s 800 Free Relay.
Thursday saw the women’s relay team of Libby Richardson, Natalie Amico, Rayelle Merrill and Ana Carolina Cerezer Pinto place ninth in the 200 Freestyle Relay. Libby Richardson placed 14th in the 50 Backstroke. Natalie Amico was 12th overall in the 100 Butterfly and was an alternate in the 50 Backstroke. The men’s relay team of Evan Fix, Ryan Mahaney, Brandon Brown, and Carlitos Sanchez break the school record by three seconds and place sixth overall in the 200 Freestyle Relay. The 400 Relay team of Ryan Mahaney, Ferran Martinez, Brandon Brown, and Carlitos Sanchez placed seventh in the 400 Relay final and first in their heat. Ferran Martinez was seventh in the 400 IM Final. Ryan Mahaney finished fifth in the consolation race, 13th overall in the 100 Butterfly. Carlitos Sanchez placed eighth in the consolation race, 16th overall in the 50 Backstroke. Tyler Stachowiak finished 10th overall in the 200 Free. Evan Fix, Brandon Brown, and Weston Head placed 14th, 15th, and 16th overall respectively.
Friday saw Libby Richardson continuing her strong performances as she finished 11th in the 100IM Final.
Ferran Martinez swam well and placed seventh in the 200 Fly Final. Ryan Mahaney finished 15th overall. Tyler Stachowiak placed 10th in the men’s 500 Free. Brandon Brown and Weston Head finished 15th and 16th respectively.
Saturday saw the relay team of Libby Richardson, Natalie Amico, Ana Carolina Cerezer Pinto, and Rayelle Merrell placed eighth in the 400 Free Relay, taking off 19 seconds off their qualifying time. Natalie Amico finished 12th in the 50 Fly. Libby Richardson placed 13th in the 200 Backstroke Final. Ferran Martinez placed ninth in the men’s 200 Breaststroke Final. The relay team of Tyler Stachowiak, Ferran Martinez, Brandon Brown, and Carlitos Sanchez placed seventh in the 400 Free Relay.
Noeth and Castillo Commit to UNOH
Genesee baseball players Colin Noeth and Brian Castillo are both continuing their baseball careers as both have committed to the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH). The pair will be playing for the NAIA UNOH Racers.
Colin Noeth, a Byron-Bergen graduate had a 5.61 ERA his freshman season that saw him go 5-3 in 11 appearances. Brian Castillo, a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico has been a solid catcher for the Cougars. Castillo has also had timely hits to propel Genesee to some wins during fall ball this past fall.
“Colin and Brian have been great players for us”, comments Genesee Head Coach Skip Sherman. “Both athletes will strive to do their best at the next level”, Sherman added. The pair will be playing for the UNOH Racers of the NAIA. The Racers compete in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and this past season, made it to the Avista-NAIA World Series for the first time in program history.
The Cougars are energized and ready for the 2019 season to begin. The season will begin with the annual trip down south for Spring Training in March. For the complete baseball schedule, head to www.geneseeathletics.com
The New Courier 