Blue Streak Hall of Fame Inductees Include Current Coach/Teacher
A plaque honors former Saratoga Springs athlete and current coach Jake Zanetti as a 2024 inductee into the Blue Streak Hall of Fame. Photo via Saratoga Athletics X account.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs City School District inducted six former Blue Streak athletes into its Hall of Fame last Friday, including current Physical Education Teacher and Coach Jake Zanetti.
The ceremony, held in the Meade Teaching Auditorium at Saratoga Springs High School, welcomed Kelsey Briddell, Lindsey Frank, Derrick Legall, Tina Villa-Gac, Charles “Chip” Williams, and Zanetti into the Blue Streak Hall of Fame.
“It was a special night for sure. My whole family was there,” Zanetti told Saratoga TODAY.
“[I’m] so happy and lucky to have been raised, coached, and surrounded by great Saratoga people.”
Zanetti, a 2005 Saratoga Springs High School graduate, made significant marks in both wrestling and track & field. In track & field, he lettered in five varsity seasons, finished 3rd in the 2005 NYSPHSAA Track and Field Championships, placed 5th in the NYS Federation in pole vault, and set a school record with a height of 14’9”. He also won numerous invitationals and dual meets throughout his career in the vertical jumps at the Suburban Council Championships, Colonie Relays, and Hudson Falls Invitational. In wrestling, Zanetti earned 108 career wins, was a Class A Sectional Champion at 145 pounds, and was a three-time champion of the Saratoga Invitational Tournament. In both sports, he was named to multiple All-Section, All-Conference, and All-Saratogian honors.
After high school, Zanetti continued his pole vaulting career at the State University of New York at Cortland, where he became a Division 3 collegiate athlete. His career at SUNY Cortland culminated in a NCAA National Championship victory in Pole Vaulting in 2009. Currently, Zanetti is a physical education teacher at Lake Ave Elementary, and also coaches high school golf and wrestling.
Kelsey Briddell, class of 2014, played both field hockey and track & field at Saratoga Springs High School. During her career, Briddell was a four-year varsity field hockey player, earning All-State honors in 2013 and serving as co-captain that same year. A versatile attack/midfield player, she also helped lead the ADK Club Field Hockey team to victory at the U16 National Indoor Championship. In track, she was a key member of the undefeated 4×100 Suburban Council Championship relay team (2013-2014) and placed 6th in the state in the 4×100 relay in 2014.
Briddell continued her athletic journey at the University of Albany, where she became a four-year starter for the field hockey team. Her accomplishments included selection to the All-Rookie Team, winning the America East Conference Championship, and earning America East All-Tournament Team honors. Her talent extended to the international stage as well, representing the U.S. National Teams and competing in the World Championships with the FIH Pro League.
Lindsey Frank, class of 2019, made her mark as a dual-sport athlete in both field hockey and lacrosse. A four-year varsity starter in both sports, she set numerous records at Saratoga Springs, including 60 career assists, 82 career goals, 21 single-season assists, and 29 single-season goals. Her lacrosse skills earned her US Lacrosse All-America honors in both 2018 and 2019, as well as being named the Times Union Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. She was also a 1st Team All-New York selection and a Suburban Council First Team All-Star.
After high school, Frank continued her lacrosse career at the University of Richmond, where she had a historic 2023 season, tallying 90 points (3rd in program history) from 67 goals (a program single-season record). By the end of her Richmond career, she ranked in the top 10 in program history in points (234), goals (164), assists (70), and draw controls (182). She later joined Northwestern University as a graduate student, where she contributed to the Big 10 Lacrosse Championship and earned Honorable Mention USA Lacrosse Division 1 Preseason All-American honors in 2024. She also played one year of field hockey at Northwestern, helping the team achieve a National Division One NCAA runner-up finish in 2023.
Tina Villa-Gac, class of 2004, is a track & field athlete known for her achievements in shot put and discus. Over her six years of varsity competition (1998-2004), she earned numerous accolades, becoming a three-time Suburban Council and Section 2 Champion in both indoor and outdoor track & field events. She ranks 3rd all-time at Saratoga Springs High School in both discus and shot put, and she holds the distinction of being 10th all-time in Section 2 for discus. She qualified for the New York State Outdoor Championships from 2000 to 2004. In 2003 and 2004, she qualified for the Indoor National Championships in both discus and shot put, finishing 9th in the nation in 2003 and 8th in 2004.
After graduating, Villa-Gac attended the University of Buffalo as a Division 1 scholarship athlete, where she not only won a MAC Championship in shot put but also served as team captain and President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Derrick Legall has dedicated over 30 years to supporting the youth and sports programs in Saratoga Springs, both within the city and the school district. His efforts have made a lasting impact on the community, from serving as head of the Saratoga High Booster Club to leading the West Side Little League. Under his leadership, the West Side Little League flourished, and he played a pivotal role in the rebuilding of the West Side Little League Field and Ballpark. In 2011, Legall was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Saratoga Wilton Elks #161 Lodge. He also serves on the Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission.
Charles “Chip” Williams, class of 1974, played football, basketball, and baseball. As a guard on the basketball team during the 1973-1974 season, Williams earned Foothills Council All-League honors. In baseball, he helped lead the team to the Foothills Council League Championship in 1974, finishing the season with a batting average of over .300. On the football field, he earned All-American honors.
The 2024 Blue Streak Hall of Fame inductees were selected by a committee composed of current and former coaches, high school administrators, community members, and current and retired athletic directors. A trophy case in the lobby of the blue gym holds plaques in honor of the Hall of Fame members.
