West Seneca East’s Varsity “E” Club and Girls Athletic Association recently announced their respective Athletes of the Month for January: Andrew Oak, Joe Schaumloeffel, William Korczynski, Kristen Sikorski, Sharon Martens, Kayleigh Wasielewski, Bailee Gallivan and Alexis Wilson.

Oak, a junior on the boys swimming team, was nominated by coach Dave Papke because he “has been a vocal leader on this team all season long, and he continues to do his best while overcoming obstacles put in his path. He is an integral part of keeping our team motivated and together.”

The West Seneca East Athletes of the Month for January were, from left: front row - Sharon Martens, Alexis Wilson, Bailee Gallivan, Kayleigh Wasielewski, Kristen Sikorski; back row - Andrew Oak, Joe Schaumloeffel and William Korczynski. Schaumloeffel, a senior on the wrestling team, was nominated by coach Brian Schaal because “he has been doing really well since winning the Akron Tournament on Dec. 29.”

Korczynski, a senior goalie on the boys hockey team, was nominated by coach Dan Goldie because “he is dedicated to the team; he’s at all the practices and games and always performs to the best of his ability. He has kept us in every game that he has played in, allowing an average of 2.5 goals per game.”

Sikorski, a junior on the girls hockey team, was nominated by coach Peter Tonsoline after she had one goal and six assists in the team’s games in January prior to her nomination. Sikorski is the lone East player on the league’s top scoring line, as she centers West’s Erin Gehen and Molly Sikorski.

Martens, a first-year freshman on the girls bowling team, was nominated by coach Bill Morrissey because “she has a great attitude and works hard to improve her game.”

Wasielewski, a senior on the girls indoor track team, was nominated by coach Paul Gregoire because “Kayleigh continues to be a standout performer on the team. She is currently ranked among the section’s top 10 and has qualified for sectionals in the high jump, long jump and 55-meter hurdles. She has done an exceptional job of balancing her commitments to track with her education and is a great role model to the many young athletes on our team — both on and off the track.”

Gallivan, a senior on the girls basketball team who was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Springville Tournament, was nominated by coach Sam Gioia because “she has the attitude every coach looks for in a player. No matter what the score or circumstances, she never gives up. Bailee always gives everything she has from start to finish, even fighting through injuries, just to help her team out. For Bailee, the team always comes first.”

Wilson, a sophomore on the cheerleading squad, was nominated by coach Kristen Staychock because “Alexis has an incredibly positive attitude and is always willing to try new things. Her dedication to the team is far beyond expectations. She is always pleasant and polite and is a role model for her team members — and the entire school.”