Fan voting is now under way for the first Buffalo Fan Awards Network (FAN) event honoring local legends from high school, college and professional sports. The gala event will take place on Thursday, May 21 at Shea's Performing Arts Center.
Two of Fredonia's athletes are up for two awards each on buffalofanawards.com. The winners are chosen by the fan's by voting on the Web site. Each athlete has a profile with photographs and some video links.
Fredonia wrestler Kenny Betts is a nominee for Male Athlete of the Year and Wrestler of the Year. Meanwhile, teammate Carlene Sluberski has a chance to win Female Athlete of the Year and Wrestler of the Year.
Betts is a two-time state champion, two-time state runnerup, Western New York's all-time record holder for pins in a season, as well as second and third place with 39 and 38 respectively.
See FAN AWARDS, Page B2
He is New York State's all-time wins record holder with 269 and he is only the second Section 6 wrestler to become a five-time sectional champion. He is near the top in the nation with 186 career pins.
He earned a Proclamation from the Chautauqua County Legislation officer for Wrestling Accomplishments and a Proclamation from the State Senator's office for his Wrestling Accomplishments. He was recently honored by the Chautauqua County Hall of Fame.
Sluberski is a New York State second-place finisher, first woman in New York State history to place at the state boys' wrestling tournament, she finished her career with 117 victories (most in New York State for a woman) and season record of 50-5 (state record for female wrestlers). She is a two-time state qualifier and 2008 Most Outstanding Wrestler at State qualifier (first woman to win a Section 6 championship in wrestling).
She has received the Inspirational Award, 2008 Women's Folk-Style National Champion in Oklahoma City, OK., and 2008 Women's Free-Style National Champion (Fargo, ND). Sluberski earned a proclamation from the County Legislation office for her wrestling accomplishments and attended a Congressional Student Leadership Conference in 2008.
"I play sports because it challenges me both physically and mentally," she said. "Sports also generate amazing feelings and rewards, especially when you succeed, that you can't find anywhere else."
The Buffalo FAN awards show is produced by Fan Awards Network, which honors high school, college and professional athletes nationwide through a network of premier local sports awards show.
Additional information about the Buffalo FAN awards event is available at FanAwards.com
