Gowanda Sports Report for April 15

The only Gowanda Central School sports team that was in action before the Easter recess was the JV baseball team. They played their second game in two days at home against North Collins on April 6 and won 15-6 to raise their record to 2-0.

Jamie Jensen started on the mound and picked up the win. He was relieved by Cole Smith and Chris Cook.

The "baby" Panthers played very well defensively, which included Josh Balzer's throw to the plate from right field to cut down a runner.

Both the varsity and JV teams have home games against Springville over the Easter break before the league games begin the third week in April.

Gowanda Central School graduate Kevin Brown is running indoor and outdoor track at Roberts Wesleyan College. The freshman is concentrating on the 1500-meter run and will also run the Steeplechase in selected competitions. Brown is the GCS record holder in the Steeplechase event. He has already traveled to West Virginia to participate outdoors this spring.

Another GCS graduate, Katie Griffin went 3 for 5 with five runs batted in during a recent college softball game against Penn State Altoona. Griffin is one of the top hitters and plays the infield for Medaille College. Her team competes in the Allegany Mountain League.

Little League Baseball is gearing up for another season. Pre-season scrimmages are now taking place around the area. Gowanda is coming off a impressive season in which their 11-12-year-old all-star team won the District 38 championship for a record second consecutive year.

Little League Baseball began play in Gowanda back in 1959 with eight teams.

The co-ed youth soccer program for children ages 5-10 is making plans for their summer session to begin the third week in June. Fundamentals, drills and scrimmage games will be held each week. Previous soccer experience is not mandatory. Informational flyers regarding the program will be sent home from school next month.

Gowanda Recreation recently added another basketball hoop at St. John Park. The main court will have lines painted on it within the next month. A summer league for high school students if there is enough interest could take place in July and August at the Park.

The nearby North Collins Men's Recreational Softball League that began play last year has added two teams for this season. Play will begin in May with all games scheduled at the Marion Fricano Park on Route 62, just outside the village limits.