FROM PRESS ROW: HUNTLEY, KENNEDY THE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK; UNSUNG HEROES, BREAKOUT STARS, SIX TO WATCH NAMED (2022-03-15)

As the winter sports season winds down there are still big performances each week from local athletes.

This past week included a pair of regional basketball finals, state bowling and nationals for track and field and included some big time efforts by local athletes.

Let’s take a look at this week’s athletes of the week, unsung heroes, breakout stars and six to watch.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK:
EMILY HUNTLEY, HORSEHEADS, BOWLING:
Huntley had a big day in the composite competition (the competition for Division I and 2 individuals who weren’t on state qualifying teams), at the state championships.

Huntley finished ninth out of the 66 bowlers with a six-game total of 1,250.

Over the six games Huntley averaged 208.33.

The six games for Huntley included a 211, 183 and 210 for a 559 and then a 183, 266 and 242 for a 691.

The 266 game by Huntley was the sixth highest game by any of the 66 bowlers.

CAMERON KENNEDY, CORNING, BOWLING:
Kennedy had a huge day in the team competition as the Hawks finished third as a team.

Corning had a big day as a team, nearly rallying over the final three games to win a state title, before finishing third.

Individually Kennedy had the third highest series of any of the bowlers in the team competition.

Kennedy shot a six-game total of 1,341 for an average of 223.50.

Kennedy shot 174-219-245 and he shot 194, 277 and 232.

Kennedy’s 277 game was the third highest game of the day. He was just one pin away from having the second highest series overall and just one pin away from the second highest game of the day.

UNSUNG HEROES:
JENNA DINARDO, CORNING, GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:
If you haven’t heard about DiNardo by now, you should really watch the Hawks and see what kind of athlete she is.

DiNardo constantly does things that don’t show up in the box score, like she idd on Sunday when she raced the length of the court to knock the ball free on a Warwick fast break after a steal as the Hawks advanced to the state final four.

DiNardo also had a big day shooting the ball, hitting four threes in the game. She had three in the first half, including two in the opening quarter as the Hawks raced out to a big lead.

MATT GENSEL, CORNING, T&F:
On a team with two other runners that won a state title, and had a state runner-up finish during the indoor season it can be hard to gain headlines.

But, Gensel is a consistent force for the Hawks and a key element to their success.

At New Balance Nationals he played a big role in helping the Hawks 4x1600 relay take second and he helped the DMR finish fourth.

BREAKOUT STARS:
JAYDA FELKER, CORNING, BOYS’ BASKETBALL:
Felker had eight points in the Hawks regional final win, but she also had one of the biggest shots of the win.

With under two minutes to go and Warwick having cut the deficit to two, Corning got the ball downcourt and found Felker on the baseline and she quickly hit a jumper to push the lead back to four.

The shot helped key the Hawks two-point win.

REED WALRATH, CORNING, BOYS’ BASKETBALL:
He might have had just two points in the regional final, but Walrath’s size made an impact against the big Mt. Vernon team.

Walrath provided a big boost off the bench this year, and could play an even bigger role for the Hawks next year.

SIX TO WATCH:
SARAH LAWSON, CORNING, T&F:
The Corning runner is an All-American after he fifth place finish at New Balance Nationals in the 5000 meters.

Lawson ran a PR 17:23.06 to earn the All-American status.

CORNING RELAYS, T&F:
The Hawks had three relays earn All-American status over the weekend.

At the New Balance Nationals the team of Jack Gregorski, Ashton Bange, Gensel and Tevin McLaren finished second and in the DMR the same four finished fourth.

At Nike Nationals the team of Lennart Jensen, Gyasi Ruffi, Lauren Gerow and Megan Kirk had a fourth-place finish to earn All-American status.

ISAIAH HENDERSON, CORNING, BOYS’ BASKETBALL:
The Hawks junior had a big offensive game in the loss to Mt. Vernon in the regional final.

Henderson had 17 points in the game.

Henderson was 9-for-9 from the foul line in the game and he hit two threes for the Hawks.

JOSEPH ENDERLE, CORNING, BOWLING:
The Hawks bowler was seventh among all bowlers in the team competition at the state championships, helping the Hawks finish third as a team.

Enderle shot 1,301 for a 216.83 average. He had games of 211-245 and 242 and 201, 242 and 160.

The 245 game was the 16th highest game on the day.

MEGHAN STURDEVANT, CORNING, BOWLING:
She had a tie for the highest game among all girls bowlers in the team competition at the state championships with a game of 167.

The Corning bowler was 13th overall in the team competition at the state championships, helping the Hawks to a sixth-place finish.

Sturdevant shot a 1,135 total for six games, shooting 167-211-267 and then 174-180 and 136. She had a six-game average of 189.17.

KELLIE ZOERB, CORNING, GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:
Zoerb was the Hawks leading scorer in their regional final win over Warwick on Sunday at the Visions Memorial Arena in Binghamton.

Zoerb led the Hawks with 15 points, including 11 points between the second and third quarters of the win.