Jonathon Norcross
Ballston Spa & Saratoga Swimmers Team Up For States
BALLSTON SPA — Not all competitors are enemies. In fact, sometimes they’re friends. At the Ballston Spa High School pool on Monday, one could find both Scotties and Blue Streaks practicing together in preparation for an upcoming state championship.
The harmonious session was the result of girls varsity swim and dive coaches Ted Snyder and Joshua Muldner, from Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs, respectively. The two have been friends for years. And with states on the way, they decided to (temporarily) join forces.
“Ballston Spa and Saratoga had an amazing dual meet this year and these girls battled hard against each other in their meet. These differences miraculously blend away,” Coach Muldner said.
Three local girls are heading to the swim and dive state championships this week: Jillian Ferrie and Addison Kenney from Saratoga, and Sarah Blaum from Ballston Spa. They’re all coming off impressive performances at sectionals.
Blaum, an eighth-grader, took first in both the 100 fly and 100 free. “My relays both did amazing too,” she said. “So, it was really good.”
The Saratoga girls made school history, according to Muldner. “[Ferrie] had her highest placed finish ever at sectionals at two events,” he said. “She is now eighth all-time in school history in the 200 IM.”
Not to be outdone, Kenney broke the school record in the 100 backstroke. “That was a 17-year-old record,” Muldner said.
But the record-setting may not be done.“For my fly, I’m trying to go for the other school record, which is like a half-second drop from where I’m at,” Kenney said.
Kenney will have an opportunity to do so at states in Webster, New York on Friday and Saturday.
Blaum said she was feeling excited but “pretty nervous” about her first state championship. “I just want to see how it feels, have fun,” she said. “It’s kind of a test run, basically.”
Luckily, the elder Kenney and Ferrie seemed to be taking Blaum under their wings. Ferrie admitted that her first experience at states was “kind of intimidating.”
“It’s a little nerve-wracking,” Kenney said. “At the same time, it’s such an intense meet that there’s a really good energy and you feel proud of what you’ve done and accomplished.”
The Saratoga swimmers firmly believe in their coach’s mantra, “trust the process.” Ferrie defined what that meant. “Even if you’re not there now, you will be there,” she said. “You just have to wait and keep trying your best. You’ll get there.”
Fans can follow the action at states in real-time via the Meet Mobile app. Results will also be posted to the website Swim Cloud.
Saratoga Wrestling Preview: “We’re Looking to Kick the Door In”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga varsity wrestling team is preparing for another season, and aiming for “lofty but realistic goals,” according to coach Jake Zanetti.
“I feel like last year was a really good year for us as far as putting ourselves on the map,” Zanetti said.
The Blue Streaks faced some fierce competition last season from Burnt Hills and Ballston Spa. Although Saratoga couldn’t quite beat those opponents, they lost by only one match.
“We were on the wrong side of it, but we were right there with them,” Zanetti said. “That kind of put us on the map, and this year we’re looking to kick the door in and be on the winning side of those duels.”
The team has some returning success stories, as well as promising newcomers. Two Blue Streaks wrestlers competed in the state tournament last year. Junior Taylor Beaury finished seventh, and senior Pat McKinley qualified. This year, McKinley will return as a heavyweight.
Coach Zanetti said that junior Gianni Delgado will “make waves.” He also praised a group of sophomores that have been wrestling since seventh grade; Danny Dacey, Luke Stoutenburg, Hayden Passaretti, and Trey Edwards.
Zanetti praised his assistant coach and youth head coach Brendon Polcare for doing “a great job with our feeder program, the youth kids… he’s pumping those kids out year after year.”
“I do think we’re going to have a pretty tough lineup, start to finish, lightweights to heavyweights,” Zanetti said.
“We just want to compete every time we’re out there, whether we get the win or not. We want to put our best foot forward and at least compete to the best of our ability.”
Coach Zanetti also shared a preview of this year’s tentative lineup...
101 — Brendan Stoutenburg (7)
108 — Jayden Burke (9)
116 — Kyle Edwards (12)
124 — Chase Matter (10, 4th at Sectionals)
131 — Taylor Beaury (11, Section Champ, 7th in NYS)
138 — Luke Stoutenburg (10)
145 — Danny Dacey (10)
152 — Hayden Passaretti (10)
160 — Trey Edwards (10)
170 — Gianni Delgado (4th in the Section)
215 — Pat McKinley (12, Section Runner-Up, NYS Qualifier)
285 — Logan Devizzio (11)
Kranicks Re-Hired As Track Coaches
SARATOGA SPRINGS —Art and Linda Kranick have been re-hired as coaches of the Saratoga Springs girls varsity indoor track team. The Board of Education’s decision on Thursday, November 9 to re-appoint the Kranicks came in the midst of an ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse in the cross-country program led by the Kranicks. It’s unknown when exactly the results of the investigation will be announced.
Saratoga Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The following student-athletes from Saratoga High School participated in a National Letter of Intent signing ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Cross Country & Track
Anya Belisle - University of New Mexico
Emily Bush - Providence College
Genevieve Duchaussee - Northeastern University
Amelia McBain - Penn State University
Baseball
Michael Mack - Northeastern University
Christian Mello - University of Albany
Camden Rhude - Indiana
University of Pennsylvania
Rowing
Catherine Fox - University of Washington
Madelyn Nolan - Rutgers University
Ava Voorhies - University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Lacrosse
Carter Hills - Quinnipiac University
Carly Wise - Clemson University
Football
Rodell Evans - Cornell University
Softball
Ryann Soltis - Goldey-Beacom College
Field Hockey
Mia Bolster - Wagner College
Crew
Paul Cuneo - Syracuse University
Diving
Angelina Damiano - Indiana State University
Golf
Kellen Dean - Xavier University
Schuylerville Falls Short in Nail-Biter Title Game
TROY — During halftime, the sun began to set, cooling off the field and turning an afternoon game into a Friday night contest under the lights. The crowd busted out their blankets and hand warmers. But as the air chilled, the intensity on the field began to boil.
At the half, Fonda-Fultonville led the Schuylerville Black Horses 18 to 14. With just 22 seconds left in the second quarter, Fonda completed a short pass into the endzone to put them ahead. But a two-point conversion attempt failed, keeping Schuylerville within just one touchdown of the lead.
The Section 2 Class C title game was a contest between two contrasting offenses: Fonda’s pass game, and Schuylerville’s run game. But the Black Horses’ strategy suffered a major blow in the third quarter when running back Martin Flanders Jr. was sidelined with a knee injury.
“Martin is a critical part of who we are on both sides of the ball,” said Coach John Bowen. “Losing him there was a huge loss.”
Landen Cumm scored a rushing touchdown in the third quarter to put the Black Horses ahead by three. But Fonda fired back with a long pass completion that set up a touchdown of their own, putting them ahead once again, 25 to 21, with only four minutes left in the third.
In the final quarter, Schuylerville’s defense was able to force a punt, giving them one more opportunity to reclaim the lead. With a little over six minutes left in the game, the Black Horses went for it on fourth down. The grandstands rumbled in support of both teams. But Schuylerville couldn’t reach the markers and faced a turnover on downs.
A long pass attempt by Fonda resulted in a pass interference call that was loudly protested by fans of the Black Horses. With less than a minute left on the clock, Fonda then sealed Schuylerville’s fate with a rushing touchdown. The final score: Fonda 31, Schuylerville 21.
“We really love this group of kids,” Bowen said. “They gave us everything they had.”
Although Schuylerville’s season has come to an end, the focus is already shifting towards next year.
“We’ll get back to the drawing board,” Bowen said, “and hopefully start working on taking that next step in 2024.”
Jacobsen Rugs Celebrates 100th Anniversary
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A century ago, Calvin Coolidge was president, the first pitch was thrown at Yankee Stadium, and a man named Charles “Jake” Jacobsen entered the rug business.
Jacobsen Rugs celebrates its 100th anniversary in November. According to President Frank Asef, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works for the Jacobsen showroom at 543 Broadway in downtown Saratoga. The store’s entire inventory will be 35 percent off through December 16 to mark the occasion.
Asef said that Saratoga customers favor traditional over modern rugs, especially designs from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Afghanistan. “We get a lot of customers from Lake George. We sell a lot of the big sized rugs.”
Although it’s been nearly 100 years since Jake Jacobsen founded the company, his memory still looms large over the current owners. “I love him,” Asef said of the company’s founder. “I didn’t get the chance to meet him but he is in my heart.”
According to Jacobsen Rugs, founder “Jake” Jacobsen served in World War I and met a superior officer who introduced him to Middle Eastern rugs. Upon returning home, Jake opened his first rug store in downtown Syracuse. Before long, duty called once again and he saw action in World War II. He fought in the Italian campaign, and was among the first Americans to enter liberated Rome.
He first purchased Turkish rugs abroad in 1932, then later journeyed across Europe and the Middle East to find more rugs to sell in the States. When abroad, he bought rugs directly from rugmakers.
Over the last century, more than 100,000 handwoven rugs have been sold by Jacobsen Rugs. In 1990, the Saratoga location opened and has been selling rugs from around the world ever since.
For more about Jacobsen Rugs visit jacobsenrugs.com.
VBC Holds Annual Breakfast
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Veterans Business Council held its annual breakfast on November 1 in anticipation of Veterans Day. The keynote presentation was delivered by veteran Ryan Smithson. Smithson authored the memoir “Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI.” Smithson is a SUNY Albany grad who spoke about the “transformative power of creativity.” More information about the VBC is available at www.saratoga.org.
Toys for Toga Returns
SARATOGA SPRINGS —3,000 toys and $8,000. No, it’s not Santa’s workshop budget. These are the goals set for the 11th annual Toys for Toga holiday drive. Now through December 10, new and unwrapped toys can be donated to more than 80 participating businesses in Saratoga County. 100 percent of the donations will be split evenly between the Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Home Services, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.
For participating locations, visit www.toysfortoga.com.
Robots Rumble in Ballston Spa
BALLSTON SPA — Students stood safely behind glass panes as the robots began to rumble. The bots moved with remarkable speed, fetching purple cubes and sometimes colliding with one another. Teams of judges and referees watched the mayhem from a safe distance outside the steel enclosure. For some, emotions ran high.
“The hardest part of a competition is probably the struggle of coping with failure,” said Alaina Bottisti, a member of the Ballston Spa High School robotics team. “You will get down on yourself or even shed a few tears, but in the end…the only thing failure can do is make you grow.”
The Robot Rumble Off-Season Robotics Competition occurred at Ballston Spa High School on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Fourteen teams from New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts participated in the event. Regional participants hailed from Ballston Spa, Albany, and Lake Placid.
“I love the variety of teams that participate and enjoy the event more than anything,” said Ballston Spa robotics team member Gavin Lafountain. “Seeing so many different teams in one place outside of regionals, and at our school of all places is really awesome and rewarding.”
The off-season battle allowed teams to recruit members, mentors, and sponsors in preparation for the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition in March 2024. MVP Arena in Albany will host the event.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competitions challenge participants with strict rules and limited resources. Teams must raise funds, design a brand, and build robots that can accomplish tasks such as quickly grabbing objects and dropping them into a bin.
The competitions give students practical engineering experience that can lead to continued interest in the field.
BSpa robotics team member Julia Cressman said she plans to pursue engineering in the future and has “already visited several colleges in the region.”
“I’ve chosen robotics because I aspire to be an engineer, and robotics is a great start to getting into a STEM pathway,” she said. “FIRST robotics competitions are competitive, but friendly, and are a great way to develop your STEM experience.”
For additional information about the program, contact Ballston Spa Science Coordinator Diane Irwin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-884-7150 ext. 2317.
Saratoga Schools Offering Free Breakfast and Lunch
SARATOGA SPRINGS —All students enrolled in the Saratoga Springs City School District are now able to receive free breakfast and lunch meals.
The cost-free meals are the result of the USDA’s expanded Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP rules dictate that free breakfast and lunch offerings must be complete meals.
According to School Lunch Program Director Eric Bush, a complete meal consists of protein, fruits, vegetables, milk, and grain. Students will “have to take at least three of the main components for it to count,” Bush said.
The free meals were first offered on November 1. No action is required for students to be eligible.
