Jeff DiVeronica
- Director of Public Information, West Irondequoit Central School District
New York
Husband | Dad | Director of Public Information, West Irondequoit CSD | Democrat & Chronicle sportswriter for 2+ decades
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Articles by Jeff DiVeronica
Lancaster, Frontier see girls volleyball seasons end in Far West Regionals
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save VICTOR – In a high-caliber volleyball match filled with big swings of emotions and plays, the Lancaster girls couldn’t match Fairport’s firepower and lost in Saturday’s Class AAA Far West Regionals in four sets at Victor High School. Game scores were 18-25, 25-14, 25-20 and 25-23. Complete coverage: High school championships A full slate of high school sports championships is happening this weekend in Western New York and around the state.
Will South photo
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save Coach Thomas Sproull and Williamsville South celebrate a victory against Pittsford Sutherland in the Class A girls volleyball Far West Regionals.
Resilient Williamsville South earns spot in girls volleyball state semifinals
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save VICTOR – When the big points arrived Saturday in crunch time of each set, Williamsville South answered the bell, not once or twice, but all three times. South swept Pittsford Sutherland 3-0 with game scores of 25-21, 25-23 and 25-23 to win the Class A girls volleyball Far West Regionals at Victor High School.
Seasons end for Niagara-Wheatfield, Southwestern girls soccer teams
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Save WEBSTER – The big bright lights on the new, high-definition scoreboard at Webster Schroeder High School showed that the Niagara-Wheatfield girls soccer team was losing – and losing big – in Saturday’s Class AA Far West Regionals. By halftime, when powerful Spencerport led 6-0 after scoring from here, there and everywhere, the result felt like a foregone conclusion. The Rangers were the better team.
Clarence softball heads to state final four with regional victory
By Jeff DiVeronica Special to the News WEBSTER – “Help yourself” is a phrase pitchers often hear when they’re batting. Clarence pitcher Ella Zobel heard it in the first inning Saturday and promptly blasted a two-out solo home run to give her team to an early lead. But the Red Raiders wouldn’t have won their Class AA Far West Regional softball matchup with Rush-Henrietta 12-6 if the junior didn’t also help herself with clutch pitches to wiggle out of jams and also get solid defense behind her.
Jamestown football season ends in Class A regional loss to Hilton
By Jeff DiVeronica Special to the News HILTON – Throughout a nine-game winning streak that started in mid-September, Jamestown found ways to win. The Red Raiders ran out of answers on Monday night. Jamestown dug itself a 21-0 hole in the first 13 minutes thanks in part to a fumbled punt and the first of two interceptions returned for touchdowns and lost 49-34 to Section V champion Hilton in the Class A Far West Regionals.
Denise Williams charged with insurance fraud
Denise Williams, in jail for alleged murder of husband Mike Williams, appears in Leon County Court on three new counts of insurance fraud. Jeff DiVeronica, @RocDevo
Chris Collins leads effort to end gun control law
From 2017: Rep. Chris Collins has proposed federal legislation that would make illegal key parts of New York's SAFE Act. Collins' bill is called SAGA — the Second Amendment Guarantee Act. Jeff DiVeronica
Mike Bidzerkowny and his father have worked for Zweigle's for 85 years
People from all over the Rochester region will consume hundreds of pounds of Zweigle's hot dogs and other products on the Fourth of July. It's a culinary tradition unlike maybe any other locally unless you consider the Nick Tahou's Garbage Plates. Zweigle's opened in 1880 and 137 years later is still going strong. Company president Julie Camardo-Steron is the great, great granddaughter of founder, C.
Off-season? What off-season? High schools and athletes ramp up summer training
Last month during the girls lacrosse Class A state semifinals, an athletic administrator from Long Island area sidled up to Pete Shambo as the Penfield athletic director watched the Patriots fall behind against North Rockland. “I want to hear more about this fitness program you have,” the Section VIII coordinator told Shambo.
Penfield powers up its strength and conditioning
Led by trainer Joe Aratari, Penfield coaches and athletes are going all-in just as other schools ramp up their summer sessions. (June 29, 2018) Jeff DiVeronica
All-Greater Rochester Girls Lacrosse Team Spring 2018
Meet the AGR team, including Player of the Year Katie Smolensky
All-Greater Rochester Softball Team Spring 2018
Meet the AGR team, including Player of the Year Katie Sidare
Pitcher Katie Sidare comes up aces for Victor softball and is AGR Player of the Year
Rewind to November and Victor's first winter workout. It's 6:15 a.m. and players are handed an index card and asked to write down something about themselves. One scribbled, "I'm not a morning person," remembered softball coach Shelly Collins. She didn't forget what Katie Sidare jotted down, either. "I want to be the No. 1 pitcher on varsity," the sophomore wrote. Bold? Indeed. All the rookie right-hander did was back it up every time she took the ball.
Katie Smolensky grew up watching Brighton win lacrosse titles, then led the Barons to one
Katie Smolensky is one of those girls who grew up on Brighton lacrosse and knew what she was getting into when she decided to make it her sport. From 1998-2008, the Barons won 11 straight Section V championships, then added titles in 2011 and 2013. Her older sister, Lauren, was on the 2013 squad. But coming into Katie's senior season this spring she'd never been on a championship team.
Here's your winner of D&C high school sports Play of the Season
Spencerport junior catcher Sydney Brongo made a diving catch of a bunt and turned it into a double play this spring. Congratulations to her and Spencerport athletics which will receive a $300 donation from the D&C. Jeff DiVeronica, Virginia Butler
Local chiropractor hopes to cash in at the World Series of Poker's Main Event
Matt Otto has a standard phrase for Dr. Russ Campanella the last time he sees the local chiropractor before Campanella heads off to Las Vegas in late June for his annual poker trip. "I tell him that I want him to do well, but I don't want him to win too big because I'm counting on him to take care of me," says Otto, 58, a Mendon resident who has been one of Campanella's patients for about 12 years.
Local chiropractor Campanella talks poker prowess
Russ Campanella, 44, has played in 3 World Series of Poker Main Events in Las Vegas. Jeff DiVeronica
Judge tosses New York parent’s lawsuit over basketball player’s ejection
State Supreme Court Justice J.
Judge Odorisi throws out case, saying courts shouldn't get involved in sports 'squabble'
State Supreme Court Justice J.
Elite former McQuaid big man Isaiah Stewart grabs spot on Team USA squad
Former McQuaid Jesuit basketball star Isaiah Stewart has earned a roster spot for Team USA on its Under-17 men's basketball World Cup team, which was announced Thursday. Thirty players had been working out under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff, which includes Fairport boys basketball coach and Team USA assistant Scott Fitch, for the past week at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Finalists announced for All-Greater Rochester Athletes of the Year
Ten high school athletes have been named finalists for the Democrat and Chronicle's 2018 Female and Male Athlete of the Year awards. The awards will be presented at the Rochester Press-Radio Club's 69th annual Day of Champions Dinner Monday night at the Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center. Jim Thome, who will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown next month is the featured speaker.
Pal-Mac's Cody Eckerson was at a concert in Buffalo when L.A. Angels offered a contract
The first high-five Cody Eckerson received after being offered a contract to play pro baseball for the Los Angeles Angeles was from ... a security guard he didn't know. A day after the disappointment of not being selected in last week's 40-round Major League Baseball Draft, the Palmyra-Macedon graduate was at a "Taste of Country" concert at Buffalo's Coca-Cola Field on Friday night. His agent called saying the Angels would be phoning in a few minutes to talk.
Game-saving snag takes Play of the Week!
Victor shortstop Santino Rosso made a leaping catch in the Section V Class AA baseball championship game to help the Blue Devils win the crown. (June 13, 2018) Jeff DiVeronica, Virginia Butler
Hot goalie stymies Brighton girls lacrosse in state championship
Manhasset goalie Krissy Kowalski was tough to beat all afternoon, especially in the last 10 minutes of a 6-4 win for the state championship. Jeff DiVeronica
Brighton hung close with Manhasset, but Indians goalie Krissy Kowalski stopped the Barons
When the final horn sounded on Saturday's Class B state championship, the ball fittingly ended up in the cradle of the player who was the difference in the game. Brighton and Manhasset each had plenty of talented playmakers, but Indians goalie Krissy Kowalwki was the reason the Section VIII champions won, 6-4, at SUNY Cortland. “Their goalie played exceptionally, exceptionally well today.
A loss for a lacrosse title but Penfield still proud
The Patriots lost 10-5 to Syracuse CBA but took their surprising season to the final day. Jeff DiVeronica
The Patriots tied it up early put played from behind all day and this time couldn't rally
CORTLAND — The Penfield girls lacrosse team came up short Saturday in its bid to capture the school's first state title. The Patriots lost 10-5 to Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy at SUNY Cortland. Penfield (16-6) had won 10 straight games dating to a May 4 loss to Fairport. This was a Patriots team that found itself by learning its roles and playing unselfishly and together, coach Wayne Smith said.
Big Blue wrecking crew: Victor athletic program becomes dominant force
VICTOR — Ron Whitcomb received some advice back in 1991 when he was deciding whether to leave his alma mater, East Rochester, to become the new athletic director at Victor Central Schools. "Take the job," outgoing AD Jeffrey Crane told Whitcomb. "Victor is a sleeping giant." Crane, West Irondequoit's superintendent since 2003, couldn't have been more right, and Whitcomb, now 63, plans to use Crane's analogy in his own retirement speech in the next few weeks.
Ruling on Red Creek basketball parent's appeal case against Section V expected June 22
No decision was made Thursday regarding the case brought by a Red Creek parent challenging Section V's lack of an appeals process for athletes who are ejected from games. But State Supreme Court Justice J. Scott Odorisi made it very clear he thinks the Hall of Justice is no place for high school sports. Odorisi said he will issue a ruling in writing on June 22.
Victor: Secrets to its sports success
Coaches Sean Rucker, Jim Andre and Shelly Collins and retiring athletic director Ron Whitcomb Sr. discuss about the Blue Devils’ success. Jeff DiVeronica
Decision awaited in lawsuit against Section V over Red Creek basketball player's ejection
The final week of the high school sports season may bring some closure to a saga that started in late February when a Red Creek basketball player was ejected from a Section V Tournament game. Justice J. Scott Odorisi is scheduled to rule on a motion to dismiss "and other matters," according to Section V attorney Robert G. Lamb, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hall of Justice in Rochester.
As Selena Hidalgo-Calderon is honored Sunday, the search continues for her missing son
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday in Marion to honor Selena Hidalgo-Calderon, the 18-year-old woman who was found dead May 24 in the woods behind a farm in Sodus where she worked. The service was announced in a release from the Workers' Center of Central New York Saturday. Hidalgo-Calderon, a native of Guatemala, and her 14-month-old son, Owen, went missing May 16 and the child has still not been found. Sunday is Day 12 of the search.
Katie Smolensky helps stir the lacrosse attack that led Brighton back to the state semis
HONEOYE FALLS — Katie Smolensky may stand only 5 feet 4 inches tall, but the senior midfielder swings a big lacrosse stick for Brighton. “She’s a little girl with a big personality,” fellow team captain Caroline Lederman said of her classmate. “She works hard to make sure everyone on our team is working together, and off the field there’s no better friend than Katie ‘Smo.’ We actually went to preschool together. We’ve been best friends for quite some time.” They’re going out in style, too.
Sheriff suspends search for missing boy; mourners remember mom, Selena Hidalgo-Calderon
Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts is suspending the search for a 14-month-old who disappeared along with his mother May 16. "At this time we have expended all of the current information and clues that we have, so we are going shut down the search," Virts said after 12 days of searching for Owen Hidalgo-Calderon.
Sheriff suspends search for missing boy; mourners remember mom, Selena Hidalgo-Calderon
Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts is suspending the search for a 14-month-old who disappeared along with his mother May 16. "At this time we have expended all of the current information and clues that we have, so we are going shut down the search," Virts said after 12 days of searching for Owen Hidalgo-Calderon.
Who are the 10 Section V teams still alive for state championships? We've got you covered
After the dust settled on the penultimate weekend of the 2017-18 high school sports season, 10 Section V teams are still in the hunt for state championships and three of them are from Victor. Let's count down the survivors, 4-3-2-1: 3 in baseball: Victor (AA), Canandaigua (A) and Avon (C).
Sheriff suspends search for missing boy; mourners remember mom, Selena Hidalgo-Calderon
Wayne County Sheriff Barry Virts is suspending the search for a 14-month-old who disappeared along with his mother May 16. "At this time we have expended all of the current information and clues that we have, so we are going shut down the search," Virts said after 12 days of searching for Owen Hidalgo-Calderon.
Mount Morris man charged with DWI, manslaughter in death of 3-year-old after car accident
A 48-year-old Mount Morris man has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after his car struck and killed a 3-year-old boy on Lyell Avenue on Saturday night in Rochester. Frank Cassata has been charged with second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter, DWI and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Lacrosse: Katie ‘Smo’ makes Brighton go
Brighton senior Katie Smolensky is the team’s top scorer and has led the Barons back to the state semifinals. Jeff DiVeronica
Girls lacrosse: Penfield overpowers Lancaster 17-5 to reach state Class A semifinals
HONEOYE FALLS —The name Nesselbush has literally been synonymous with Penfield lacrosse and basketball for a decade. Five sisters, all smart and athletic, have played key roles for the Patriots since 2008. It happened yet again Saturday night when Nina — the last in the Nesselbush line, the baby of Marlene and Robert’s girls — scored five goals in the first half to power Penfield to an easy 17-5 win over Lancaster in the Class A Far West Regionals at Honeoye Falls-Lima.
Powered by their rabid fan base, Knighthawks lacrosse keeps flying high
To say Rochester's once stellar reputation as a minor-league sports city has taken a hit in recent years would be like saying Roseanne Barr has had a bad week. Two short-lived professional soccer teams are gone and a third, the once-proud Rhinos, is on life support. Rochester's long-standing outdoor lacrosse franchise, the Rattlers, also relocated to Dallas in November and call the Cowboys' practice facility their home stadium.
Rochester Knighthawks Round Table With Jeff DiVeronica
Democrat and Chronicle reporter Jeff DiVeronica sits down with five long-time Rochester Knighthawks fans before the team's NLL Finals home matchup against the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday. All game footage provided by the Rochester Knighthawks. BRODIE INGUAGGIATO, JEFF DIVERONICA
Aquinas lax rebound goal is Play of the Week
Showing great persistence, Brigid Flaherty scored twice (the first acrobatic goal was negated) but she converted again off a rebound. This is the last week so upload your videos of great Section V plays for a chance at a donation to your school! Jeff DiVeronica, Virginia Butler
Isaiah Stewart trims list of college basketball elite programs he'll choose from to 10
Isaiah Stewart has trimmed the list of elite college basketball programs he is considering to 10. The former McQuaid Jesuit big man made the announcement via Twitter late Wednesday night, posting the logos of the 10 programs. They are (in the order he listed): The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward left Rochester and McQuaid last August to enroll at La Lumiere School, a prep school powerhouse in LaPorte, Indiana.
HF-L overcomes slow start to capture 7th straight girls lacrosse title
EAST ROCHESTER — A regular-season schedule usually replete with quality Class A and B opponents such as Penfield, Rush-Henrietta, Pittsford, Brighton and Spencerport gives the Honeoye Falls-Lima always girls lacrosse team confidence this time of year that no matter what their record is, it's Section V’s best small-school team. As it turns out, maybe too much confidence.
Victor defeats Fairport again to win Section V Class AA softball title
BROCKPORT – The Victor Blue Devils adopted a motto this season that coach Shelly Collins heard at a softball clinic. It’s about being a “jungle tiger” and not a “zoo tiger.” Zoo tigers operate on a schedule, Collins said. They know when they’ll get fed. But jungle cats, well, they have to go find their food and adjust to changes in their environment. “If something happens that we’re not used to, if you’re in the jungle you have to adapt,” Collins said, repeating what she told her players all spring.
Clutch hits power Victor softball to another crown
The Blue Devils pulled away from Fairport late for an 11-2 win and Class AA title. Jeff DiVeronica
Penfield girls lacrosse back on top after dethroning Pittsford in semis and R-H for title
EAST ROCHESTER — After watching Pittsford celebrate in front of them three of the past four years, the Penfield girls are back on top in Section V lacrosse. The fourth-seeded Patriots topped No. 2 Rush-Henrietta 8-6 on Tuesday night at East Rochester High School to capture their first Class A crown since winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Junior attack Morgan Cox led the way with four goals and added an assist.
Varone's walk-off walk gives Victor comeback win over McQuaid
It's very likely that in the years to come Chris Varone will tell anyone who'll listen about that time in his high school when his Victor baseball team played at Frontier Field and he smashed a home run to centerfield measured at 420 feet. Varone was back at it again on Saturday at Frontier when the Blue Devils faced defending champion McQuaid for the Section V Class AA championship.
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