BROADALBIN — The Schuylerville varsity girls track and field team captured its third-straight Section 2, Division 3 championship last week at Broadalbin-Perth High School, accumulating 122 total points.

Keira Rogan had a spectacular outing, winning the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, and the 2000m steeplechase. Nikki Stark won the 100m hurdles, setting a school record with a time of 15.24. Stark also took first place in the 400m hurdles.

Other strong performances at Broadalbin included Meaghan Lynch (3rd in the 100m and 200m, 2nd in the long jump and triple jump), Adeline Ballou (2nd in 1500m and 3rd in the 3000m), Ryan Stark (2nd in pole vault), Campbell Bailey (4th in the pentathlon long jump and shot put) and Taylor Brown (5th in the 800m). The girls 4x800 relay team also finished third.

The girls are scheduled to compete at the Section 2 state qualifier on May 30 and 31 at Guilderland High School. 

The Black Horses boys team finished seventh at sectionals, with a number of strong individual outings including James Lynch (2nd in 3000m steeplechase, 3rd in 1600m, 3rd in pole vault),

Levi Michaud (2nd in high jump), Tristan Stallone (4th in the 1500m), and Gavin Winacott (4th in 3200m).

Saratoga Springs High School senior Kellen Dean advanced out of the U.S. Open local qualifier earlier this month at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville. 

He finished second among all competitors, shooting a 2-under 70 to become one of five players that moved on to final qualifying. He’ll continue his journey to this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club on June 13-16.

Saratoga TODAY asked Dean about his performance in the local qualifier, as well as his future plans.

Q: How did you feel about your performance in the qualifier on May 13? Did you meet or exceed your expectations?

A: I was very happy with my performance at Albany Country Club. I was very happy with how I battled back after a double bogey on hole three. Going into the event my expectations were to qualify so I definitely met my expectations.

Q:  What parts of your game do you think are the strongest, and what areas are you working on?

A: I believe my strongest part of my game is my short game and wedging. I always feel like I have an advantage on the field when I am chipping or have a wedge in my hand. You can always work on your putting because it can always be better, but lately I have been working on hitting more fairways off the tee with my driver.

Q:  What are your goals for the future?

A: I have a lot of summer tournaments this year I still have to qualify for but my biggest goals going into this year is to qualify for the US Jr Championship and PGA Jr Championship this summer. Another goal for this year was for my golf game to be sharp heading into my freshman year in college at Xavier University, and to be able to make an instant impact for the team.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Sunlight reflecting off the water. The scent of pine trees. A light breeze carrying with it the rehearsals of a live orchestra. The most zen place in all of Saratoga Springs might be the Spa State Park, where summer yoga classes will be held June through August.

“When you’re outside, it’s this really beautiful alchemy of everything working all together, the way it should be, the way it was originally meant to be,” said Amy DeLuca, the founder and teacher coordinator of Yoga in Spa State Park. “One of the things that yoga does is it helps to get you into that parasympathetic nervous system where it’s more restful, and you need that. We need that right now.”

Yoga in Spa State Park launched in 2013, offering classes on the lawn in front of the reflecting pool. Years later, when the pandemic hit and yoga studios suddenly closed, the program grew rapidly. “It was a huge plus for everybody during a very challenging time,” DeLuca said.

The program now includes year-round classes held in the Roosevelt II Pavillion during the colder months. Summer classes take place under the brick arches of the Administration Building behind the Spa Little Theater. The classes are donation-based, with a suggested contribution of $15, but participants can pay what they wish. DeLuca said nobody is ever turned away. The only thing necessary for taking a class is a yoga mat. 

DeLuca has six teachers at the moment, some of whom are teaching three classes per week. They’re all “highly certified,” DeLuca said, with some having twenty years of experience. “What makes us unique is that these teachers, including myself, have a clear focus about what we feel yoga can be, the benefits that it offers.”

Beginners are more than welcome. “We as teachers, because we’re experienced, know how to do variations and modifications so that anybody, any size, in any condition can really benefit from the first class,” DeLuca said.

The program’s summer schedule begins on June 1, with at least one class occurring every day of the week. Classes include “Foundations of Flow,” “Intuitive Yoga Flow,” “Gentle Yoga,” and “Vinyasa Yoga.” No pre-registration is required. For more information, visit the Yoga in Spa State Park Facebook page at www.facebook.com/YogaInSpaStatePark.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — After an independent investigation earlier this year determined that the Saratoga Springs City School District investigated “most, but not all” complaints made against members of its athletic program, the district discussed the results of a second independent review at a May 22 Board of Education meeting.

The review, summarized at the meeting by Dr. Glenn Lungarini, executive director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, praised what Lungarini called Saratoga’s “long-standing culture of excellence,” but also offered some recommendations for improvements.

• Lungarini said that while it’s not uncommon for athletic directors to have multiple roles, assigning too many responsibilities to the position can mean that “you’re resigning yourself to the idea that each of those is going to be done to the best of their ability part-time.”

• Lungarini suggested the district formalize athletic and coach handbooks, an idea previously raised by Superintendent Dr. Michael Patton, so that everyone involved in the athletic program is more aware of their roles and responsibilities.

• Lungarini said the district should be mindful of providing equal access to boys and girls sports, citing the example of the state of the baseball field compared to the softball field, which has a temporary fence.

• “Everybody talked about buses,” Lungarini said, referring to the district’s bus driver shortage. He suggested that parents be notified sooner if there are no buses available so that carpools and other methods of transportation can be arranged. 

The remarks about transportation issues came on the heels of voters approving the 2024-2025 budget, which cut two transportation department positions: a bus mechanic and a bus dispatcher. Both positions sometimes served as bus drivers as well.

Dr. Michael Patton said that the full report from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference would be posted online so the public could review all of Lungarini’s recommendations.

MIDDLE GROVE — Lake Desolation was not so desolate last Wednesday afternoon when a small crowd gathered to celebrate Tinney’s Tavern, the lakefront restaurant and bar that reopened after undergoing several renovations. On hand were local community members and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

“I just can’t tell you how much we appreciate the support that we got from the local community already. It’s really truly what a local community should be about,” said Tinney’s co-owner Sean Willcoxon while surrounded by his family. “Here in Greenfield, Middle Grove, and the local communities, it truly is supported by everyone and we take great pride in joining that.”

On tap were a variety of craft beers, including a refreshing Saranac Blueberry Blonde Ale enjoyed by at least one local reporter.

Tinney’s Tavern is now open for business at 498 Lake Desolation Road in Middle Grove.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Gaffney’s, the popular bar and restaurant on Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs, has been listed by the Scott Varley Team of Keller Williams Capital District for $4.6 million, and a well-known Saratogian has floated the idea of buying it. 

Gaffney’s was put up for sale after facing potential foreclosure. The listing states that the sale is for the real estate that houses Gaffney’s, not the actual business itself. The property, built in 1967, includes commercial space plus ten rental apartments.

When the Instagram account Around Saratoga Springs posted news of the property’s sale, Barstool Sports founder and owner Dave Portnoy asked his 5 million followers, “Should I buy?”

Portnoy is a frequent visitor to the Saratoga Race Course and owns property on Fifth Avenue next to the Oklahoma Training Track. Last year, he acquired an area variance from the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals so that he could demolish the existing ranch-style home and build a new one.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A recently announced $35.2 million construction project at the Saratoga County Airport aims to be done in time for next year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. But in the meantime, private jets are jockeying for possession of coveted parking spots.

When major sporting events come to town, airports, especially smaller ones, can become overwhelmed by visitors. “There’s limited space,” said Janine Iannarelli, an international broker of private aircraft. “There’s already a base population there. There’s an expectation for a certain amount of incoming traffic, but then you add a significant event and you can ratchet up that traffic by as much as 100, 150 percent.”

With a new terminal building and hangar space in the works, the airport is certainly growing. But it may not be enough. The 20,000-square-foot hangar will be big enough to fit two corporate jets. “That’s really rather small,” Iannarelli said. 

Iannarelli, a horse racing enthusiast who spends her summers in Saratoga, said that although most Belmont visitors flying private will head to the Saratoga or Albany airports, increased plane traffic could also be felt as far north as the Burlington International Airport in Vermont, and as far south as the Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.

“The fact that you see an interest in traveling specifically to a sporting event like this shines new light on the value of the Saratoga County Airport,” Iannarelli said. “The airport is there not just for the pleasure of people, but it’s going to serve a more important purpose as the area develops.”

According to Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett, the current economic impact of the airport exceeds $10 million. Barrett called the airport “a vital gateway to our local economy.”

Prior to the recent construction project, the airport was also working on adding a six bay Tee-hangar for additional aircraft storage. The new terminal and adjoining 20,000-square-foot hangar are expected to be completed by June 2025 when another influx of Belmont attendees is expected.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Belmont t-shirts. Belmont jewelry. Belmont posters. Belmont shot glasses. Belmont cigars. It seems like everywhere you go on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs, there’s a piece of Belmont memorabilia to buy. 

With local officials estimating that the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival could have an economic impact of $50 million in four days, it’s perhaps no surprise that local businesses are getting in on the action.

Union Hall Supply Co., at 437 Broadway, unveiled this week a limited edition Belmont collection designed by East + Lake. The line includes a “History in the Making” t-shirt, a purple sweatshirt adorned with a crown, and a red top with the outline of a pair of flowers.

At 368 Broadway, Impressions of Saratoga is offering a wide range of Belmont swag, including hats, shirts, shot glasses, cups, mugs, and the 2024 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga poster designed by Greg Montgomery.

At James & Sons Tobacconists, one can light up a Rocky Patel-made exclusive Belmont cigar with a Honduran binder and a Sumatra wrapper. One stick costs $15 and a box of ten cigars will run you $150. The mild to medium smoke will “please aficionados and beginners alike,” said James & Sons.

deJonghe Original Jewelry at 470 Broadway has limited edition Belmont charms available in sterling silver, 14k white gold, and 14k yellow gold, with prices that start at $135. “The Belmont Saratoga race is a remarkable opportunity for people to discover Saratoga, the charm of its historic downtown and the shops and restaurants that make this town unique,” said Evan deJonghe.

As previously reported by Saratoga TODAY, the projected $50 million economic impact figure was calculated by simply adding up four days of economic activity at the annual 40-day summer meet. In other words, the impact of Belmont may be more or less the same as a typical busy track weekend. Whether or not visitors are as excited for the uniqueness of Belmont at Saratoga as locals are, there will certainly be plenty of mementos available for them to bring home.