Ernie Clement set an MLB postseason record in 2025. On Tuesday night, the Brighton High alum was among those honored at ESL Ballpark as part of the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s 2026 Celebration of Champions.
Clement connected on 30 base hits in the 2025 postseason to set a new MLB postseason as he helped the Toronto Blue Jays to the American League pennant and a spot in the World Series. A 2014 graduate from Brighton, Clement went on to play at the University of Virginia before Cleveland selected the infielder in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Clement was one of three named Athlete of the Year along with Bishop Kearney’s Haley Winn and Pittsford’s Christopher Lillis.
Selected second overall in the 2025 PWHL by the Boston Fleet, Winn helped Team USA to an Olympic gold medal at the Milano/Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
A gold medal winner in the 2022 Beijing Games, Lillis grabbed the top spot on the podium at Milano/Cortina in mixed team aerials.
Former Greece Athena standout Wrianna Hudson was presented the Elliott Cushing Award for the local athlete who has excelled on the national sports level. Hudson, a member of the Florida State Women’s Soccer team, scored the winning goals in both the semifinal and final as the Seminoles clinched the NCAA Division I title.
Monroe’s Terrell Cunningham was named the ESL Coach of the Year. Cunningham led Monroe High to the 2025 NYSPHSAA Class B championship. In doing so, the Redjackets became the first Rochester City School District team to win a state championship in football.
Livonia’s Ray Maxwell received the Major Donald Holleder Award for exhibiting the highest level of sportsmanship, character, courage and achievement. Maxwell, who finished his 41st season as head coach of Livonia boys’ soccer, is the all-time wins’ leader in Section V history with 580. Maxwell’s teams won 16 Section V titles and were NYS Class B Co-Champions in 2012.
Ryan Kimball and Joe Thyroff garnered the Charlie Wagner & Christine Wagner Welch Founders Award for promoting sports on a local level.
Kimball is the owner and founder of the Kickball League of Rochester (KLOR), a fun, co-ed, social league appealing to all adults in the greater Rochester area over the age of 21. KLOR has citywide participation with over 800 teams and 8,000 to 11,000 adults annually. The league has donated over $200,000 to local charities over the years.
Thyroff is one of the most accomplished tennis coaching careers in Section V history. His accomplishments and and commitment to student-athletes has made him one of the most respected caoches in Section V and New York State.
The Rochester Knighthawks’ Craig Rybczynski was named the Gary Smith and George Beahon Sports Media Award recipient. Rybczynski is the longest-tenured broadcaster in National Lacrosse League history. He has served as the Knighthawks’ radio and television play-by-play voice for 24 seasons.
St. John Fisher Director of Athletics and Recreation, Jennifer Granger received the Jean Giambrone Award for her commitment to local women’s sports.
Granger has been part of the university’s intercollegiate athletics program for more than two decades. She has worked with institutional leaders in the development of new athletic programs, including men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s wrestling, men’s volleyball and women’s rowing.
Retired President & CEO of ESL Federal Credit Union, Faheem Masood earned the Morrie Silver Award for contributions in promoting local sports. During his tenure, ESL significantly increased its philanthropic investments in the community, providing more than $153 million in grant funds to the area’s nonprofits.
Jillian Ambler (SUNY Geneseo) and Sierra Doody (SUNY Geneseo) garnered the Rich Funke Jr. & Jerry Flynn Local College Athlete Award.
Ambler (Fairport, NY), a junior Child Education major, was voted US Track and Field College Coaches Association Niagara Region Field Athlete of the Year, and the Empire Eight Conference Field Athlete of the Year for her record-setting indoor track season. Ambler earned two First Team All-American honors by placing second in the long jump and foutth in the 60m Hurdles at the Division III NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in March.
Doody (Webster, NY), a senior Geography major, was voted the US Track and Field Coaches Association Niagara Region Track Athlete of the Year and the Empire Eight Conference Track Athlete of the Year.
The five-time DIII All American competed in the Outdoor NCAA Championships in the 800m in May, her 10th NCAA Championships at SUNY Geneseo.
Diane Noga recieved the Rochester Press-Radio Club Eddie & Kevin Meath Club Member Service Award.
Noga has been a part of Greece Little League for the past five decades. Noga along with her husband, Gene were the inaugural recipients of the ESL Volunteer of the Year Award at the 2003 Press-Radio Club Day of Champions Dinner.
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