Photo of the Section 2, Class AA girls tennis champions via Section 2 Athletics.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity girls tennis team won the Section 2, Class AA championship last Friday, defeating the previously undefeated Guilderland 6-3. It was the Blue Streaks’ first sectional title since 2013.
To reach the championship game, Saratoga bested Colonie 9-0 in the quarterfinals before dispatching Shaker 8-1 in the semifinals.
Following their victory against Guilderland, Saratoga was next scheduled to face off against Class A champs Queensbury for a shot at regionals.
Despite not winning sectionals in more than a decade, Saratoga’s girls tennis program has produced a number of success stories in recent years. Last year, the doubles team of Clare Dooley and Addison Jones competed in the state championships after a strong showing at sectionals. The previous year, that same tandem brought home the Section 2 doubles title.
Sheryl Campbell of Clifton Park climbed all 46 of the Adirondack Mountains’ High Peaks, thus becoming an official Adirondack 46er. She documented her journey in a new book, “Climbing the 46 High Peaks: A Journey of Discovery and Healing.” Photos of Campbell with a Buffalo Bills flag atop mountain summits provided by Campbell.
CLIFTON PARK — Hiking in the Adirondacks can yield a spiritual yet sometimes terrifying aura that is hard to capture in words.
Some authors have tried to explore the mysteriousness of the dense, 5,000-square-mile mountain range. Liz Moore’s 2024 novel “The God of the Woods” hints at the perhaps otherworldly secrets lurking amongst the peaks. Other writers, such as Jon Krakauer with his nonfiction books “Into Thin Air” and “Into the Wild,” have tried to understand the psychology of adventurers and climbers who are willing to sacrifice everything to conquer both nature and their own fears.
A new memoir by Clifton Park-based yoga instructor Sheryl Campbell delves into many of these themes through the lens of a personal journey that includes challenges ranging from treacherous cliffs to a cancer diagnosis to self-doubt to dealing with divorce. And it’s a story that involves, in a rather profound way, the Buffalo Bills.
During her quest to become an Adirondack 46er by climbing all 46 of the range’s High Peaks, Campbell brought a Buffalo Bills flag with her to every summit.
“It wasn’t just fabric,” Campbell writes in her book, ‘Climbing the 46 High Peaks: A Journey of Discovery and Healing.’ “It was home. It was pride. It was a reminder of where I came from and who I was becoming. Raised in West Seneca, I grew up with the rhythms of football season etched into our family life. The Buffalo Bills weren’t just a team, they were a symbol of resilience, community, and undying hope.”
Campbell told Saratoga TODAY that she came across a number of Bills fans while climbing the 46 peaks, and her interactions with those fans helped her feel more at home.
“I felt like I didn’t know these people, but in the mountains, my hometown was present, sprinkled everywhere with Bill’s Mafia,” Campbell said. “So, it really gave [me] that sense of community. You always say, ‘Home is Western New York.’ But your home is wherever you create it, and it’s the people that you surround yourself with. I felt closer to my hometown as I was going through this experience… It gave me that sense of belonging that maybe was missing for a long time.”
One of Campbell’s most challenging climbs was, ironically, Allen Mountain (ironic because the Bills are currently led by their reigning MVP quarterback Josh Allen). During the ascent, as they neared the summit, Campbell’s friend and fellow hiker sat down and gave up. Campbell was stunned by her friend’s defeatism and was unsure of how to handle it. She continued up the summit alone and on the way back down, was delighted to see her friend charging forward.
“The pride I felt in that moment is hard to put into words,” Campbell writes. “I knew she would show up. Deep down, I had never doubted it. Witnessing her push through her doubt, and seeing her conquer the mental and physical walls, filled me with overwhelming joy.”
Of course, Campbell faced many more hurdles along her journey, including her climb of Saddleback Mountain’s treacherous cliffs. Campbell had to scale the rocks like a spider, clinging on to any crevice or crack that could support one of her limbs. She feared that the weight of her backpack might send her tumbling backwards, cascading down the unforgiving chunks of stone.
“I felt the most fear in my life,” Campbell said. “I couldn’t hike after that for a couple months. I thought I had PTSD or something because you couldn’t shake the feeling. Even talking about it right now, I can feel my body like I’m there, I’m responding to it.”
Though this terrifying moment is burned into Campbell’s memory, so too are the many instances of joy and laughter and profundity scattered across the book. When climbing Whiteface, Campbell writes about an experience in which she could feel her deceased grandmother’s presence, “subtle yet unmistakable, guiding me, watching over me. It was a spiritual moment, one of many the mountains have gifted me, and one I will treasure forever.”
The book itself is structured like a football season, beginning with the pre-season and ending with the celebration of a Super Bowl victory. Campbell felt like she had won her own kind of Super Bowl by becoming an Adirondack 46er, but she also has an unwavering sense of optimism about the Bills’ future.
“They will make it to the Super Bowl,” Campbell said. “Even the last two games that have been gut-wrenching, I still have faith. I still believe. I feel it in my heart. You have to have that faith. You have to believe to receive.”
Campbell wants her book to inspire her readers, just like the Bills have inspired fans like her. As Josh Allen continues his pursuit of a Super Bowl, Campbell hopes her audience will be motivated to embark upon their own challenges.
“If my story inspires even one person to take a brave step forward, to trust themselves, or to keep climbing despite the challenges, then all of this is worth it,” Campbell writes. “Here’s to the quiet strength in every step, and to the beautiful, unexpected adventures waiting just beyond the horizon.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA (SRYMCA) Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Allison D’Antonio as the organization’s new CEO. She is the first woman to hold the position.
Since joining the Saratoga Regional YMCA in 2017, D’Antonio has served in several leadership positions, including vice president of operations and, most recently, interim CEO. According to a news release announcing the appointment, she advanced major operational improvements, strengthened member and staff experiences, and guided the organization through a period of transition and growth.
“Allison’s deep understanding of the YMCA mission and her proven leadership across multiple areas of our organization make her the ideal person to lead us into the future,” said Scott M. Peterson, chair of the SRYMCA Board of Directors. “This is an exciting time of growth for the SRYMCA, and we are confident in Allison’s ability to expand our reach and deepen our impact across the region.”
D’Antonio previously held roles with the Capital District YMCA and the Alliance of New York State YMCAs, where she directed the statewide healthy living portfolio. Her experience spans operations, childcare, fundraising, facilities, membership, and health and wellness.
“It’s a tremendous honor to serve as CEO of the Saratoga Regional YMCA,” said D’Antonio. “The Y has been at the center of my professional and personal life for many years, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact it makes in the lives of families across our region. Now, more than ever, we are working to ensure that the SRYMCA continues to serve as a bedrock of the community where people of all ages and backgrounds come together for connection and movement. I’m excited to lead our incredible team of dedicated employees and execute on our mission to grow our reach even further.”
The SRYMCA recently acquired the Glens Falls YMCA and is preparing to launch expanded programming and capital improvements.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will host a Breeders’ Cup handicapping seminar and viewing party on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
The program kicks off with the seminar, featuring Brien Bouyea and Michael Veitch, who will analyze the races, answer questions from the audience, and make predictions. Along with enjoying the racing action in the Hall of Fame theater, guests will have the opportunity to win prizes throughout the afternoon by correctly answering Breeders’ Cup trivia questions. Food will be available for purchase from Ted’s Fish Fry (from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Beer and wine will also be available for purchase, and water will be complimentary.
Tickets are not required for the event, but those who pre-register will receive a complimentary racing-themed poster. Pre-register here: https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Breeders-Cup-Watch-Party
Spa Catholic 8th grade volleyball player Brooke Nucera earned 15 assists and 6 aces against Waterford-Halfmoon on Oct. 3. The performance helped the Saints earn one of 10 straight victories. Image via SCC Saints Athletics.
The Schuylerville varsity boys’ soccer team participates in a “pink game” against Glens Falls on Oct. 1. Photo via the Schuylerville Black Horses Varsity Club.
BLACK HORSES END REGULAR SEASON WITH 6-GAME WIN STREAK
The Schuylerville boys’ varsity soccer team ended their regular season with a bang, securing six straight wins to finish the year with an 8-4-2 overall record and an undefeated 8-0 league record, allowing them to enter the Foothills Council Tournament as the top seed.
On Oct. 3 against Amsterdam, Schuylerville nabbed a 4-1 win. Dean Barraclough led the Horses with 2 goals and an assist, while Colden Harrison scored and tallied an assist.
On Oct. 6, the Horses shut out Queensbury 2-0. Both of Schuylerville’s goals were scored in the second half as Brodie Janik and Thomas Tyler found the net, with William Brandt picking up an assist. The back line of Janik, Seth Frydel, Ryder Winchell, Shane Barraclough, and Hayden Peck played well for Schuylerville.
To close out the regular season, Schuylerville dominated Hudson Falls 8-0 on Oct. 8. In that contest, Marvin Aguilar recorded a hat trick and Dean Barraclough notched a brace and 2 assists.
Foothills Tournament action was scheduled to get underway on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
SENSATIONAL SAINTS EXTEND WIN STREAK TO 10
The Saratoga Central Catholic varsity volleyball team extended its win streak to 10 straight games last week after a 3-1 victory over Hoosic Valley. Prior to that contest, the Saints had back-to-back 3-0 shutout wins against Cambridge (on Oct. 6) and Waterford-Halfmoon (Oct. 3).
Standout 8th grader Brooke Nucera earned 15 assists and 6 aces against Waterford-Halfmoon, bringing her season total to 41 assists. Against Cambridge, Gia Roche had 9 kills and 5 aces, Andi Brown had 10 digs and 3 aces, and Emery Moser had 11 assists and 3 blocks for Spa Catholic.
The team also held its annual Pink Day on Oct. 14, hosting a match against Stillwater to help raise awareness for breast cancer.
B-SPA GIRLS SOCCER SQUAD IMPRESSES WITH 3 SHUTOUTS IN A ROW
The Ballston Spa girls’ varsity soccer team won three straight games this month, shutting out Columbia 3-0 on Oct. 11, Niskayuna 1-0 on Oct. 9, and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 3-0 on Oct. 7.
Against Columbia, the Scotties’ Haley Wiltsie earned 2 goals and Liv Wheaton chipped in the third; Leah Szmarz had the lone goal against Niskayuna; and Szmarz, Wiltsie, and Riley Froschauer each earned one goal apiece against Burnt Hills.
The team’s overall record stood at 9-4-1 prior to an Oct. 15 game against Averill Park.
SPA CATHOLIC GIRLS’ SOCCER RESULTS
The Saints girls’ varsity soccer team has had ups and downs this season, beginning sluggishly with 5 losses and a tie before then going on a hot streak with 4-straight victories in mid-to-late September. Since then, it’s been a mixed bag, with 4 losses and 2 wins.
On Oct. 3, the squad shut out Watervliet 2-0, with Alison Fuller scoring both goals for Spa Catholic. Goalie Grace Shaefer earned 6 saves. On Oct. 2, the team failed to score a goal, falling to Whitehall 1-0 in a double overtime contest. On Sept. 30, the Saints again couldn’t put points on the board, losing 3-0 to Corinth.
SARATOGA FIELD HOCKEY FALLS TWICE
The Saratoga Springs field hockey team lost to Bethlehem Central 1-0 on Oct. 8 before falling to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 5-0 on Oct. 10. Despite the pair of losses, the Blue Streaks had a 11-4 record heading into a Friday contest against Guilderland. The team also had a five-game win streak from Sept. 19 to Oct. 3.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2025 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale, held Tuesday in Saratoga Springs, NY, established new records across the board. This year’s renewal set historical highwater marks for gross, average, median, and top price.
The gross for 206 sold was $6,150,000, a 57% increase over last year. The average rose 80% to $47,674 while the median rose 72% to $25,000. Two offerings eclipsed the previous sale record, and one tied the previous top price.
Showmethemagic (Hip 98) sold for $260,000 to Thorndale Farm to top the single-session sale. A stakes placed winner by Power Broker, Showmethemagic is represented by one foal of racing age, a two-year-old of this year. Believe in Magic (Not This Time) is a stakes placed winner at 2 with earnings of $45,180 to date. She carries a foal from the first crop of Cogburn on the same cross as her winning offspring. She has a yearling filly by Epicenter and a weanling colt by Golden Pal.
Twenty New York-bred weanlings sold for six figures or more, with four sold in excess of $200,000. Eight weanlings sold at or above that price point in 2024. Leading this year’s high-priced weanlings were:
• A colt by Yaupon (Hip 62), sold for $240,000 to Mahmud Mouni from the consignment of Sequel New York, agent. The bay colt is out of the winning Ghostzapper mare Owl Moon, dam of four winners to date, including stakes placed Blue Strike (Smart Strike). Hip 62 was bred in New York by Sequel Thoroughbreds & Milan Bloodstock.
• A colt by champion freshman sire and leading second-crop sire Vekoma (Hip 4), sold for $230,000 to En Fuego Stables from the consignment of Rhapsody Farm. The chestnut colt was bred in New York by Rhapsody Farm.
• A colt from the second crop of dual Breeders’ Cup winner Golden Pal (Hip 99) sold for $210,000 to Cherry Knoll Farm from the consignment of Garrencasey Sales, agent. The chestnut colt is out of the sales-topping Power Broker mare Showmethemagic and is a half-brother to Believe in Magic, a stakes-placed winner at 2 this year. Hip 99 was bred in New York by Ahlschwede Family & Dr. Scott Pierce.
• A filly by Vekoma (Hip 170) sold for $210,000 to MWG from the consignment of Gracie Bloodstock, agent. The chestnut filly is the second foal out of the 7-time winning Midshipman mare Bella Figura, herself a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Crimson Cat. Hip 170 was bred in New York by Highclere.
The Fall Sale’s success followed this summer’s two-night Saratoga Sale, which shattered previously established records for gross, average, and median, including topping gross sales of $100,000,000 for the first time in the sale’s history.
Photo from the 2023 Saratoga Springs fire and police Holiday Hockey Classic provided by Chris Stewart.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The annual Saratoga Springs Fire and Police Holiday Hockey Classic will return to the Weibel Ice Rink on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
Admission to the game is the donation of a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Franklin Community Center’s Holiday Assistance Program.
The program supports low-income families in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County by providing gifts to children during the holidays. The program relies on generous donations from community members. The Holiday Hockey Classic offers members of the Saratoga Springs Fire Department and Saratoga Springs Police Department the chance to contribute by uniting the community for an evening of hockey in support of a meaningful cause.
Anyone who would like to contribute but cannot attend the hockey game can drop off toys at collection boxes stationed at the following Saratoga Springs locations until Nov. 14:
• Bread Basket Bakery, 65 Spring St
• Saratoga Springs Fire Department Station #1, 60 Lake Avenue
• Saratoga Springs Fire Department Station #2, 166 West Avenue
• Saratoga Springs Fire Department Station #3, 16 Henning Road
• Saratoga Springs Police Department, 5 Lake Avenue
Jaden Cheng finished tied for third at the Skidmore Fall Invitational last weekend. Photo via Skidmore Athletics.
GOLF TEAM FINISHES THIRD, PLAYERS WIN LIBERTY LEAGUE AWARDS
The Skidmore College golf team shot a third-round 286 on Sunday to finish third out of 17 teams at the Skidmore Fall Invitational at the Saratoga Spa State Park Course. The Thoroughbreds finished behind only Amherst and Trinity and were 10 strokes ahead of fourth-place NYU.
Jaden Cheng and Rudraksha Banerjee both shot 2-under 70s on Sunday. Cheng’s brought him under par for the tournament (74-71-70—215) to finish tied for third. The first-year birdied 10, 11, 14 and recorded par on 14 out of the other 15 holes for the 70. Banerjee (76-76-70—222) tied for 26th. His third round featured five birdies. As a team, Skidmore was second with 42 birdies for the tournament and fourth with 166 pars.
“We played solid this weekend and made a nice run today to finish third, which gives us great momentum into the offseason,” said Head Coach Tom Oppedisano. “Congrats to first-year Jaden Cheng on his third-place individual finish. And a huge thank you to Saratoga State Park Golf Course for being a great partner.”
Cheng was selected as the Liberty League Men’s Golf Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 12. Patrick McLaughlin also earned Performer of the Week honors.
Skidmore’s golf team will return to play in the spring with five tournaments before the Liberty League Championship in late April.
TENNIS TEAM COMPLETES FALL SEASON
The Skidmore College men’s tennis team completed its fall schedule over the weekend as it hosted the Skidmore Open against several of the nation’s top teams at the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center. Mahen Bitkuri had a first-round victory (7-5, 6-4) in the C Flight Singles draw against Swarthmore’s Nicholas Choo. The first-year player dropped his quarterfinal match despite forcing a first-set tiebreak.
Also in the C Flight, Nika Mori battled from a dropped opening set to force a third-set tiebreak against Nathan Jackson of Middlebury. Kyle Lundberg and Ege Topbas advanced to the semifinals of the Doubles C Flight thanks to a 6-4 win over their opponents from Denison.
The men’s tennis team will pick up its schedule in February for the beginning of its dual-match slate.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SQUAD WINS TWO
The Skidmore College volleyball team hit .410 as a unit while sticking St. Lawrence at 17 in all three sets in a sweep on the road over the Saints on Friday evening. Skidmore, now at 9-8 overall, improves 2-2 in the Liberty League at the halfway point of its conference schedule. First-year Chloe Heitman powered the Thoroughbreds. She finished with 12 kills on 23 swings (.391 percentage) with three aces, two blocks (one solo), and six digs. Maya Stolarz and Natalie Pedersen both had nine kills. Pedersen added a solo block, while Stolarz had three digs, a block, and an assist. With the victory, Skidmore has now defeated St. Lawrence in four consecutive seasons.
Prior to that win, the Thoroughbreds defeated Vermont State University Castleton in four sets (25-12, 20-25, 25-19, 25-13) on Oct. 7. Skidmore used kills from eight different players while hitting .219 as a team including a .407 mark in the decisive fourth set. Heitman led the way with 12 kills with four digs. Stolarz had nine kills to go with three blocks and three digs.
Up next, the volleyball squad will travel to William Smith on Saturday, Oct. 18.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The memory of Olivia Allen, a Saratoga Springs High School grad who succumbed to leukemia in March 2024, continues to reverberate across the community and beyond.
Allen played for the field hockey team, which recently posted a photo of socks they wear in her honor. “Live Like Liv,” the words written on those socks, has become both a charitable foundation and a motto designed to memorialize Allen and draw inspiration from her life.
In May of last year, the Saratoga lacrosse team raised $10,000 for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s LaCROSSe Out Cancer campaign. They repeated the feat in May of this year, this time raising $16,000 in support of childhood cancer research.
In July, Kelly’s Angels gave two $1,500 “Live Like Liv” scholarships to local students Katelyn Hogan and Charlotte Grobarcik.
“Liv will forever be remembered for her radiant spirit and the positive impact that she made,” writes the Live Like Liv Foundation on its website. “Above all, Olivia is known for her ability to love which knew no bounds, and her family’s love for her was equally boundless. To her friends and family, Olivia was known for her infectious smile and genuine kindness. She was fun, determined and empathetic. Her ability to brighten even the darkest of days will be remembered fondly by those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. Liv’s legacy will endure through the memories, lessons, and love she shared with the world. She leaves behind a profound impact on all who knew her, a legacy of bravery, compassion, and courageousness that will continue to inspire us all.”
Allen graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2023 and planned to attend Florida State University to study nursing. She played for the Blue Streaks field hockey and gymnastic teams.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Lauren O’Connor, a 2024 Olympian and member of the Saratoga Rowing Association, placed 10th overall at the World Rowing Championships last month in Shanghai, China with a time of 7:42.99. She earned the top-10 finish after placing 4th in the B Final.
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, O’Connor competed in the quadruple sculls B final, finishing third with a time of 6:31.71. Her quad team placed ninth overall. Following the games, she visited the White House alongside the rest of the Olympic and Paralympic teams.
“We sat and watched men’s gymnastics with Simone [Biles] and Jordan Chiles and they were explaining men’s gymnastics to us,” O’Connor said about her Olympic experience during an event at the Saratoga Springs Public Library last year. “[We sat] with the entire women’s rugby team as they’re just watching their sport being played. It was very cool to get that information from the person that is literally the best in the world at it.”
