TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Davis Excavating was crowned tournament champions in the Michael Swendsen benefit softball tourney on September 16 and 17. Pictured are Jeff Meyer, bottom left, Micah Wilcox, Josh Smith, Mike Cole, Brett Hopkins, T.J. Branning, Jake Hopkins, Michael Swendsen, standing left, Andrew Dutton, Joel Turner, Wally Kulik, Kyle Rizzi Jr., Chris Teeple, Jim Davis and Keith Paranich.

Michael Swendsen Benefit Softball Tourney

Davis Excavating takes Swendsen tournament title

American Electric fails in comeback bid as community supports ailing carpenter

By RICHARD A. ROSS

COCHETON CENTER, NY — There was no shortage of rallying spirit at the softball benefit tournament for Michael Swendsen, a local carpenter rebounding from a May diagnosis of brain cancer and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Swendsen, who is lively and positive, was on hand for nearly every inning of the September 16 and 17, eight-team tournament, organized by Ron Canfield of Ronny’s Ringers.

Akin to Swendsen’s rallying verve, the teams locked in the final two-game battle for the title had their own comeback stories. American Electric, which benefited from the acquisition of standout pitcher Tim “Chopper” Ackermann and the leadoff hitting of Billy Nordenhold, played the best softball of the young team’s history.

click for story

Cross Country

Monticello’s Devine and Tri-Valley’s Roosa are victorious harriers

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY - The thundering herd of runners in the boys race at Monticello High School was barely down the first rise from the school and on their way around the outside of the track as Monticello’s Brendan Devine pulled out into the lead.

The distance between Devine, who is one of Section Nine’s premiere runners, and the rest of the pack continued to widen on the new course designed by Monticello coach Pete Wysochanski. Devine, who finished 15th in the Class A state meet last year at Queensbury, set a new course record with a blistering 15:36.9 in the 3.1 mile run.

click for story

Soccer

Officials let play get out of hand as game is marred by injuries

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY - Make no mistake about it. Soccer is a contact sport, which pits players against each other, often at full speed, and injuries are sometimes a part of the equation.

But unlike football that involves intended bodily contact, the object in soccer is to play the ball, not the player.

That said, it is the duty of officials to keep the game in check and to issue cards as often as necessary to prevent reckless play that can lead to serious injuries.

click for story

Also in this issue:

• Liberty’s Punt, Pass and Kick draws kids galore
• Chester sends a message in dominating win over Eldred
• Lady Panthers net victory over Lady Bulldogs
• Briefs
• Bulldogs bulldoze LMR for first win of the season