SARATOGA SPRINGS — After an impressive Suburban Council win, the Saratoga Springs Varsity Boys Golf is headed to the state tournament in the spring. 

Placing ahead of Shenendehowa and Shaker, the Saratoga Varsity Boys Golf Team became the Suburban Council champions by 19 strokes, with all boys scoring under 80. Since their Suburban Council win, they have competed in sectionals and state qualifiers. 

“In sectionals we shot in 3rd place and were 7 strokes off the lead, but they rebounded at the state qualifiers and took 3 of the 11 spots at the state tournament,” said Jake Zanetti, Varsity Boys Golf Coach.

Competing at the state tournament this spring will be Kellen Dean and Carter Sica, with Declan Ladd as a second alternate. 

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“They put pressure on themselves for a perfect season,” said Zanetti. “They want to be undefeated, they want to win the Suburban Council, and sectionals, and make it to the state tournament.” 

Zanetti noted that in addition to the boys’ own determination and hard work, a great deal of their success can be credited to local instructors and pros like Anders Mattson, Bob Cain, Kevin Hughes, and Brandon Risler. 

“They pump out high level junior and youth golfers year-in and out, and dedicate countless hours of time and energy into our players,” said Zanetti.

The team alternates between practicing and hosting opponents at both Saratoga Spa State Park and McGregor Links Country Club. Zanetti mentioned that owners Bill Richardson at the Spa and Joe Kehn at McGregor have been generous and accommodating getting the boys on the courses. 

“It is a great partnership with the community,” said Zanetti. “Michael Decker, the first-year pro at McGregor, and his staff have been excellent throughout the entire season in juggling schedules and providing tee times, as well as a top-rate golf course. The boys feel very ‘at home’ at both courses.” 

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville Girls and Boys Varsity Soccer programs hosted Glens Falls for their annual Kickin’ Out Cancer games on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The games served as fundraisers to raise money and awareness for cancer through a gift basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and a half-time walk around the track with pink balloons for donation. Close to $6,000 was raised, and all proceeds went towards the Beth Roberts Scholarship Fund. Varsity Girls played at 5 p.m. and Varsity Boys played at 7 p.m., with both teams picking up 4-0 shutout wins for a great night of fundraising. 

The Varsity Girls Team divided their scoring evenly between each half. Macy Koval and Victoria Piteri each had 2 goals. Piteri added an assist and Gabby Everleth also recorded an assist. Claire Pelletier-Hoblock had 3 saves for Schuylerville in goal, and Robbie Gorton had 7 for Glens Falls. 

Four different players scored on the Varsity Boys Team. Ryan Piteri, Chris Jones, Sam Tyler, and Corey Cottrell each had a goal, while Piteri tallied two assists. Balasai Witt played well for the Horses while Jack Motsiff had a solid game for the Indians. Both keepers, Ayden Grieve and Griffin Brophy, also played very well. 

Schuylerville’s Varsity Girls record is 8-7-1, while the Varsity Boys record is 9-2-1 in the league and 10-3-1 overall. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic Girls Volleyball Program hosted their 13th annual Saints Spike Out Cancer fundraiser and Pink Day game on Friday, Oct. 15. They raised $1,560, and all proceeds from the day and both the JV and Varsity match were donated to the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center of Saratoga Hospital. 

The Varsity Girls defeated Cambridge 3-0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-9) to complete a successful day of fundraising. 

Liz Best had 7 service points. Ella Constantino had 8 service points, 6 aces, and 3 assists. Allison Motler had 15 service points, 5 aces, 7 assists, and 3 kills. Elizabeth Whelan had 7 service points, 2 aces, and 2 kills. Kara Wengert had 15 digs. Charleigh Wagner had 7 service points, 2 aces, and 2 kills. Jacqueline Fornabia had 6 service points, 4 kills, and 1 block. 

Highlights for Cambridge include Gabby Fazioli with 1 kill and 6 digs. 

SCHUYLERVILLE— Schuylerville most recently faced off against Cobleskill on Friday, Oct. 15. In a game that was called in the second quarter due to weather, the Black Horses pulled off a 16-0 win to claim the Class C North Division Title. 

Schuylerville scored off L. Cumm’s 11 yd. TD run and L. Sherman’s 1 yd. TD, with J. McGarrahan and Sherman adding to the score with a two-point conversion run each. 

Schuylerville, 5-0 in the league and 7-0 overall, is ranked No. 3 in the state in Class C. 

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O. Sherman, the leading passer so far this season, is 23 for 42 for 296 yds. and 1 TD. Sherman also leads with 350 total yds.

Lead rusher is L. Sherman with 59 carries for 215 yds. and a long of 18 with 3 TDs. 

Taking the lead in receiving is O. Bolduc with 7 receptions for 190 yds. with a long of 29. 

Leading scorer is L. Cumm with 4 TDs so far this season. 

The Black Horses are on the road this Saturday (10/23 @ 2:30 p.m.) at Susquehanna Valley. 

Contact the Recreation Department at 518-587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions. 

Basketball Early Registration End Dates Approaching

Openings still exist in the Rec. Department’s basketball programs. Early Registration ends Oct. 17 for boys’ and girls’ leagues. Don’t miss out! For more information visit www.saratoga-springs.org/2628/Youth-Basketball. 

Tiny B’Ball (Parent/Child Program) 

Tiny B’Ball co-ed program for ages 3-5 introduces participants to the fun and excitement of basketball through games and activities. 

Fall Session is from Nov. 6 to Dec. 18 (no Nov. 27). Winter Session is Jan. 8 from Feb. 12. The program will be held on Saturdays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Saratoga Rec. Center. Fees (per session) are $55 for City residents and $65 for non-City residents. Fees after Nov. 1 or Jan. 3 are $80 for City residents and $90 for non-City residents. Coordinators are Wesley Clark and George Parker. 

Girls and Boys League 

Girls and Boys Leagues for grades 2-12 focus on fun team play and sportsmanship, as well as skills development. Please be sure that you are committed to the program prior to signing up. If you drop out after teams are formed, it will affect the entire team. Players are placed on a team through a draft; no requests are allowed. Grade breakdowns are preliminary; registration numbers will dictate grade alignment. 

Girls League 

League runs from Nov. 6 to Feb. 12, weeknights from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays; practices and games are scheduled in one-hour slots. Grade 2-3 are Mon./Sat. Grades 4-5 are Thurs./Sat. Grades 6-8 are Mon./Sat. Grades 9-12 weeknight varies/Sat. Fees are $95 for City residents and $115 for non-City residents. Fees after Oct. 17 are $120 for City residents and $140 for non-City residents. 

Skill evaluations for grades 2-3 and 4-5 is Saturday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. Skill evaluations for grades 6-8 and 9-12 is Saturday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. 

Coordinators are Wes Clark and George Parker. Coaches meeting is Oct. 21, 6 p.m. at the Rec. Center. 

Boys League

League runs from Nov. 6 to Feb. 12, weeknights from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays; practices and games are scheduled in one-hour slots. Grade 2-3 are Tues./Sat. Grades 4-5 are Thurs./Sat. Grades 6-8 are Wed./Sat. Grades 9-12 weeknight varies/Sat. Fees are $95 for City residents and $115 for non-City residents. Fees after Oct. 17 are $120 for City residents and $140 for non-City residents. 

Skill evaluations for grades 2-3 and 4-5 is Oct. 23 at 2 p.m., and again at 3 p.m. for grades 4-5. Skill evaluations for grades 6-8 is Oct. 23 at 4 p.m. Skill evaluations for grades 9-12 is Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. 

Coordinators are Wes Clark and George Parker. Coaches meeting is Oct. 21, 6 p.m. at the Rec. Center. 

Fall Bowling Cancelled 

The Rec. Department has cancelled their Fall Bowling program. They are looking at offering another session after the holidays, details have not been finalized. Email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions. 

Get in the Ring: Boxing Camp

Openings still exist in the Rec. Departments Oct. 25-29 Boxing Camp. The camp is co-sponsored with Saratoga Youth Boxing and is aimed at teaching 8–15-year-olds proper boxing technique and conditioning. Visit www.saratoga-springs.org/2626/Boxing—Fall-Program for more information and to register. 

GLENS FALLS — America’s original extreme sport is back in Glens Falls. The Adirondack Stampeded Rodeo brings the excitement of professional rodeo to Cool Insuring Arena for the 30th year on Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. 

Don’t miss the thrill of professional bull riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and more as top cowboys and cowgirls from around the country compete in Glens Falls. 

With rodeo action enhanced by a professionally produced sound show, the Adirondack Stampede offers all the thrills of a two-hour roller coaster ride – complete with hardcore competition, crowd-pleasing entertainment, and a show for all ages to enjoy. 

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. each night. The rodeo performance begins at 7:30 p.m. All spectators and contestants are invited to the post-rodeo round Round-up Party at 10 p.m. in Heritage Hall on both Friday and Saturday nights. Party admission is $2 per person. 

Tickets for the Adirondack Stampede Rodeo are on sale now at the SeatGeek Box Office at Cool Insuring Arena or via www.coolinsuringarena.com. Ticket prices start at $20 for adults and $12 for youth and seniors. Group discounts are available by calling the Box Office at 518-798-0202. For updates about the rodeo, find the Adirondack Stampede Rodeo on Facebook. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Section 2 Girls Golf Sectionals and State Qualifiers were held on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at McGregor Links Country Club. 

The tournament marked the second time for this event. The inaugural Sectional and State Qualifier was held Oct. 11, 2019, at Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Club. The 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID-19. 

The top nine qualified for the NYSPHSAA Girls Golf State Championships to be held June 4-6, 2022, at McGregor Links; two alternates are also named. 

The top nine are: Kennedy Swedick (sophomore, Albany Academy for Girls), Nicole Criscone (junior, Albany Academy for Girls), Jillian Rawson (sophomore, Albany Academy for Girls), Samantha Von Rohr (freshman, Albany Academy for Girls), Hanna Mitchell (sophomore, Guilderland), Megna Naidu (junior, Guilderland), Dannah Smith (sophomore, Schalmont), Shea White (senior, Albany Academy), and Shea Hildenbrandt (senior, Academy of Holy Names). The two alternates are Cambell Kennedy (junior, Shenendehowa) and Maria Jackson (junior, Saratoga).

Other local girl golfers that competed and placed in the top 25 were Cammy Porter (senior, Saratoga) who tied teammate Maria Jackson for 11th. Emma Duval (junior, Ballston Spa) tied for 19th. Alexa Cate (senior, Saratoga) was 22nd. 

The following teams qualified to compete for the team championship: Albany Academy, Bethlehem, Guilderland, Niskayuna, Saratoga Springs, Shaker, and Shenendehowa. Albany Academy (295) won the team championship and will compete in the State Championships in June. Saratoga came in at fourth place (407). 

Dottie Pepper, former LPGA Professional and current television golf analyst and reporter was the guest speaker at the awards ceremony following the competition. 

Highlights from the 2021 Girls’ Golf Season:

There are 121 girls competing on 17 girls’ golf teams across Section 2. There are 38 additional girls competing on boys’ teams at 25 other Section 2 schools. In total, there are 159 girls playing on teams from 42 schools in Section 2. 

There were 58 girl golfers competing in the Sectional and State Qualifier, chosen from a field of 85 submitted by coaches for consideration. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Out of an abundance of caution, Saratoga Bridges will host their 21st Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge virtually again this year. This popular community event features a 5K and 10K with proceeds benefiting their essential non-funded or underfunded services and assisting with the unanticipated expenses incurred by the pandemic. 

The organization invites the community to join them to run, walk, & move “Together But Apart.” By being virtual, the 5K and 10K can be run, jogged, or walked anywhere and anytime between Oct. 16 and Oct. 30. Although they do not have an official course this year, participants can stay on their Saratoga State Park course – https://bit.ly/2SOK1a1 – and look for the designated mile markers. Otherwise, www.mapmyride.com provides alternative routes. They encourage people to drive the route first to check the safety of the shoulders and sight lines. 

Individuals, friends, families, coworkers, and corporate are welcomed to register at tinyurl.com/SBGPC21 and receive a long-sleeve moisture wicking shirt. Once finished, participants need to report their time by Oct. 31. Race shirts can be picked up at the administrative office (16 Saratoga Bridges Boulevard, Ballston Spa; M-F 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Please use their official hashtag #SBGPC21 and tag them @saratogabridges. Prizes will be awarded for: Most Business Team Participants, Most Family Team Participants, and Most Spirited Participants. For more information, contact Brigid at breilly@saratogabridges.org or 518-587-0723 ext. 1242. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Sunday, Oct. 17, Saratoga Casino Hotel will host a “Racing Under Saddle” exhibition race during its matinee racing program. The race, sponsored by the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association (SHHA), will have an estimated purse of $6,000 which will be equally distributed among the participants. 

Racing Under Saddle (RUS) is immensely popular in many European countries. Also known as Monte Racing, RUS involves Standardbred racehorses (usually trotters) being raced under saddle instead of pulling a sulky. Wagering is not permitted on RUS races in the United States. 

This year, all participants in the RUS event are women. Michelle Crawford, spokeswoman for the RUS group, said “Since the race is being held in October, we decided to make it a breast cancer awareness race. The blanket awarded to the race winner will be black and pink.”

Crawford added, “RUS puts a spotlight on the versatility of the Standardbred horse. After racing, many Standardbreds go on to succeed in a variety of disciplines including Dressage, English, and Western pleasure, pleasure driving, and hunting/jumping. Standardbreds really can do it all.” 

Saratoga Casino Hotel looks forward to hosting this exciting RUS event and hopes it will draw a large crowd. Fans in attendance will have an opportunity to enter to win a photo in the winner’s circle or a ride in the starting car, sponsored by the SHHA. 

Saratoga Springs v. Bethlehem 

Saratoga Springs had a 27-7 victory over Bethlehem, after a scoreless second half for both teams. 

In the first quarter, Nate Siewert, who was involved in all four of the Blue Streaks touchdowns, got the scoring started with a 38 yd. TD run. Siewert, senior quarterback, then made a 46 yd. TD pass to Chris Youngs, senior receiver. 

In the second quarter, Bethlehem scored their first and only touchdown of the game on a 22 yd. pass from Landen Kawczak to Anthony Gibbs. In response, the Blue Streaks scored twice more on 37 yd. and 44 yd. TD passes, both from Siewert to Christian Mello. Siewert ended the game with 204 passing yds. and 91 rushing yds. 

The Blue Streaks are now 2-3. They play CBA next on Friday, Oct. 15 at home, while Bethlehem will face off against Schenectady. 

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake v. Albany

BH-BL faced off against Albany in their homecoming game, defeating the Falcons 49-0 to continue their winning streak. 

Spartans’ Michael Puglisi scored off the first drive of the game with a 2 yd. TD run. Also in the first quarter, Rocco Mareno had a 44 yd. TD run. 

The score was 42-0 at the half, after Puglisi scored on 34 yd. and 3 yd. TD runs, Quarterback Tyler Manning scored on a 1 yd. TD run, and Manning threw a 60 yd. TD pass to Puglisi, all in the second quarter. 

The Falcons offense had the ball the entire third quarter but failed to score. 

In the fourth quarter, the Spartans capped their scoring with Michael Frattarola’s 62 yd. TD run. 

Manning was for 4/5 for 114 yds. and 2 TDs. Frattarola rushed for 101 yds. on 8 carries. Puglisi rushed for 81 yds. on 6 carries, 4 for TDs. Jaleel Joseph had 5 carries for 53 yds. Mareno caught 3 passes for 61 yds. 

Other highlights include: 

Luke Zoller and Kevin Carney each had an interception. Michael Sbuttoni was perfect for extra points. 

BH-BL’s record is 4-1; their only loss was to Shaker the first week of the season. They will face their rivals, the Ballston Spa Scotties, at home on Friday, Oct. 15.

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Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne Mountaineers v. Johnstown

Johnstown had a 44-0 shutout win over Corinth/Hadley-Luzerne on Friday, Oct. 8. 

Highlights for the Mountaineers:  Rushing, Devin Robarge (#11) had 15 carries for 67 yds., and Avery Wood (#27) had 2 carries for 8 yds. Quarterback Colin Berg (#8) completed 4 passes for 21 yards. Receiving, Robarge caught 2 passes for 13 yds. and Anthony Sarnelli (#13) caught 1 pass for 8 yds. 

Johnstown stats were unavailable. 

The Mountaineers play Hoosick Falls on Friday, Oct. 22 for their senior game. Johnstown is on the road in Fonda-Fultonville on Friday, Oct. 15.