FROM PRESS ROW: DINARDO, COLE NAMED ATHLETES OF THE WEEK; UNSUNG HEROES, BREAKOUT STARS, SIX TO WATCH NAMED (2022-01-10)

It was a busy week of sports with some huge performances in every sport last week.

There were athletes qualifying for states in swimming and diving. There were hug wins on the wrestling mat and the hardwoods, and bowlers and track and field athletes put up big showings all week long.

This week’s athletes of the week, unsung heroes, breakout stars and six to watch feature athletes from every different sport in the area.

Here’s a look at this week’s award winners.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK:
JENNA DINARDO, CORNING, GIRLS’ HOOPS:
DiNardo helped lead the Hawks to two wins this week, as they moved to 7-1 on the season.

The Hawks standout had 14 points in a big win over Horseheads to kick off the week.

In a win over Ithaca the guard had 15 points for the Blue Raiders.

She’s been a key player for the Hawks all season long.

CULLIN COLE, HORSEHEADS, SWIMMING:
Hit the state standard in three events for the Blue Raiders at the Invitational at The Glen.

Cole won both the 50 and 100 free to make states in both. He swam a 21.88 in the 50 free and a 47.70 in the 100 free.

Cole also teamed with Li Shoonfon, Emmett Hanson and Alexander Villegas to hit the state standard in the 400 free relay with a 3:18.58.

UNSUNG HEROES;
JACKSON COOK, HORSEHEADS, BOYS’ BASKETBALL:
Had just one basket in the Blue Raiders comeback win over Elmira, but boy was it a big shot.

Down six late in the fourth quarter Cook hit a big three-pointer to get Horseheads within three.

When Alex Daugherty and Amauri Truex followed with threes the Blue Raiders came back from 20 down to get the win.

Cook is a steady floor general for the Blue Raiders, and a vocal leader on the court.

GABBY MILAZZO, EDISON, GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:
Milazzo may not be the biggest player on the floor, but she plays bigger than nearly anyone you will find.

She hustles for every ball and is a glue player for the Spartans.

Milazzo also is a good outside shooter, and she hit two threes in Edison’s win over Watkins Glen.

BREAKOUT STARS:
EMMA ROMANSKI, HORSEHEADS, GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:
The Blue Raiders guard missed the start of the year with an injury.

Since returning to the lineup Romanski has been a key contributor for Horseheads.

She had 15 points in a win over state ranked Elmira.

She’s provided another outside shooter and a strong inside presence for the Blue Raiders this season.

CLAYTON SMITH, CORNING, WRESTLING:
The eighth-grader has come up big for the Hawks this season.

He had a key win in a victory over Maine-Endwell and then having a comeback overtime win against Marathon at the Greg Partridge Duals.

With the Hawks shorthanded recently Smith has been taking on a bigger role for Corning.

SIX TO WATCH:
JAYDA FELKER, CORNING, GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:
Had a big game to help the Hawks beat Horseheads, scoring 12 points in the victory.

Followed that up with a seven-point effort against Ithaca.

The junior has been a force for the Hawks as the season has gone on.

MICHAEL RENNELLS (HORSEHEADS) & RYAN OAKES (ELMIRA), BOWLING:
Rennells had a huge day as the Horseheads boys beat Elmira in a one-point match.

Rennells shot a 686 series, with a big 268 first game. He followed that up with a 216 and a 201.

Oakes had an equally dominant day as the Elmira girls beat Horseheads.

She shot a 621 series with a middle game of 244 in between a 171 and a 206.

ANTHONY FIERRO & JORDON TAYLOR, EDISON WRESTLING:
The two Edison wrestlers had huge days for the Spartans at the Odessa-Montour Duals.

Fierro was 4-0 with three pints and Taylor was 4-0 with two pins. Both were named the outstanding wrestlers at their weights.

Fierro also had a pin in an Edison victory over Lansing earlier in the week.

DJ CORNFIELD, CORNING, T&F:
Had a strong day for the Hawks at Houghton College.

He won the triple jump at 36-feet, 9-inches and he showed he is good in both track and field events, with two top-five finishes as a runner.

He was fourth in the 1000 in 2:54.77 and fifth in the 600 in 1:34.31.

HORSEHEADS SWIMMING & DIVING:
The Blue Raiders had a dominant day at the Invitational at The Glen.

Li Shoonfon made states in the 200 IM while Emmett Hanson qualified in the 200 and Aaron Verkleeren made states in diving, while Joshua Scibek just missed states taking third in the event.

Shoonfon, Cullin Cole (mentioned above), Alexander Villegas and Hanson made states in the 400 free relay.

AMAURI TRUEX, HORSEHEADS, BOYS’ HOOPS:
Truex has been one of the best players in the area this year.

He had 28 points in a victory over Elmira, as the Blue Raiders rallied from 20 points down.

Truex gave the Blue Raiders the lead in the final minute on a go-ahead three-pointer.