Aquinas celebrates a historic fall sports season as three of its teams—Girls Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Cheerleading, and Varsity Football—each claimed Section V titles in their respective divisions. These victories not only showcase the athletic excellence of our student-athletes but also reflect Aquinas’ commitment to fostering growth, success, and achievement, made possible through the dedication of our coaches and the support of our community.
Girls Varsity Volleyball
The AQ Varsity Volleyball team made history on November 8, 2024, by winning the Section V Class B Championship. Our Lady Irish (15-7) defeated Hornell (16-3) in straight sets, clinching the program’s first sectional title since 2010. The victory was a dominant one, with our players showcasing their strength, skill, and unity throughout the match.
Senior Abby O'Meara was named the Class B Tournament MVP, after delivering a stellar performance in the final match. O'Meara’s leadership and offensive contributions were crucial to Aquinas' victory. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team along with teammates Michaela Hartter ‘25 and Addison Bardwell ‘25, both of whom had significant impacts on the court throughout the tournament.
The Team advanced to the New York State playoffs, where their journey ended in a tough match against Fredonia. Despite the loss, the team’s remarkable run to the state tournament solidified their place as one of the top programs in Section V.
Girls Varsity Cheerleading
The AQ Varsity Cheerleading team claimed the Section V Class C1 Game Day title for the second consecutive year on November 9, 2024, further solidifying their dominance in the competition. The team earned a total of 80.2 points, defeating Pal-Mac (74.8 points) to capture the top spot in the Class C1 competition.
Unlike competitive cheerleading, which takes place in the winter, Game Day Cheerleading features routines similar to those seen on the sidelines during football games. The competition is based on showcasing stunts, tumbling, and crowd-leading routines that energize fans and support their teams during games.
Aquinas has become a powerhouse in this emerging category, having won the first-ever Section V Game Day Championship in 2023. Their back-to-back titles are a testament to the program's enduring excellence, school spirit, and unwavering athletic support, led by the dedication of Head Coach Taylor Hermon (Cook) ’11.
Coach Herman was named Section V Class C1 Coach of the Year—for the sixth time! A true testament to her dedication, leadership, and commitment to Aquinas cheer. And Cheerleader Rachael Henry ‘25, received the prestigious Nancy Saxton Leadership Award, honoring her exceptional leadership and team spirit! .
Varsity Football
The AQ Varsity Football team is once again atop Section V, capturing their first Section V Class AA title since 2018 with a commanding 48-14 victory over Rush-Henrietta on November 15, 2024. The third-seeded Li’l Irish (9-2) dominated the final at Bob Boozer Field at SUNY Brockport, with standout performances from junior Jeff Logan III, who earned MVP honors for his contributions on offense, defense, and special teams.
Logan was a force on both sides of the ball, including an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter, giving AQ a 17-7 lead. Senior Derrion Battle, named the game’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player, rushed for 154 of his 188 total yards on the ground. Quarterback Trent Buttles, a sophomore, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another, helping to propel Aquinas to an easy win.
On defense, Lucas Leone, the Most Outstanding Defensive Player, led the charge, helping to limit Rush-Henrietta to less than 100 yards from scrimmage. Leone, Section V's all-time tackles leader, was part of a stingy defense that completely shut down the Royal Comets' offense.
“It feels great. It’s back home,” Logan said after the win, referencing Aquinas’ return to Section V glory after a six-year title drought. The victory was especially sweet for Head Coach Moe Jackson, who guided the team to the championship in only his second year at the helm. Jackson, a former Section V champion at Marshall, led the Li’l Irish to their 16th sectional title.
Aquinas will now face Christian Brothers Academy in the NYSPHSAA Class AA Semifinals on Saturday, 11/30/24 @ 6:00 p.m. at Vestal High School.
A Fall Season to Remember
With sectional titles in volleyball, cheerleading, and football, the 2024 fall season has been a historic one for AQ. These remarkable achievements reflect the hard work, dedication, and spirit of our student-athletes and coaches. From the court to the field to the sidelines, the teams’ have exemplified what it means to be Li’l Irish—driven, resilient, and always striving for excellence.
Congratulations to all teams!
Facts were taken from 3 outside sources including the Democrat and Chronicle and Rochester First. Links to each article are below: