The New York State firematic tournament season has ended for the year with the Spencerport Fire Department Red Onions drill team ending the season on an impressive note. The Red Onions finished first place in all seven of the western New York tournaments. Even more impressive, the Red Onions finished fourth in the 2003 State tournament where 50 teams from across the state compete for the title of state champs. Other top state teams are: Islip - 1st, Manhasset Lakeville - 2nd, Central Islip - 3rd, and Bay Shore tied with Spencerport in 4th place. The Red Onions were able to score points in five of the eight events at the state tournament. Results of the Western New York tournament season: Spencerport - 1st, Point Pleasant (Irondequoit) - 2nd, Henrietta - 3rd, Main-Transit (Amherst) - 4th, and North Greece - 5th. The Red Onions team was made up of 20 firefighters from the Spencerport Fire Department who practiced during the week and compete in tournaments on weekends. The tournaments and practice help keep the members in shape both physically and mentally. It is a lot of hard work, builds camaraderie and keeps the firefighters skills sharp, according to participants. The Red Onions tournament team has also helped with recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters for Spencerport. Tournaments are run like a track meet. There are several different events and the cumulative score from those events ranks the teams for that tournament. The events have the firefighters climbing ladders, stretching hose, spraying water, pumping water, and hauling buckets of water up a 24 foot ladder (resembling the old days when leather buckets were used to throw water onto the fire). Visit the following web site for more information: www.redonionsracing.com or www.fdracing.com. |
