DELMAR — Saratoga Springs Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Team started their season against Bethlehem this past Tuesday. In a close away game for Saratoga, Bethlehem came away with the win, 11-8. 

For Saratoga, Thomas Bobear had 2 goals, Huck Patton had 3 goals and 2 assists, and Robby Fox had 1 goal and 5 assists. Will Kiernan and Graham Corcoran also scored 1 goal each 

For Bethlehem, Ben Cardinal had 2 goals and an assist, Tyler Richards had 4 goals and an assist, and Jackson Carrol had 1 goal and 2 assists. Jack Lucey and Greg Sanchez both recorded 1 goal and 1 assist. Nate Hussar and Jones Dane also scored 1 goal each. 

In goal for Saratoga, Owen Leary had 4 saves, allowing 7 goals, and Ian Whitcomb had 6 saves, allowing 4 goals. 

In goal for Bethlehem, Colin Novak had 6 saves and allowed 8 goals. 

Saratoga was originally scheduled to start off their season with a home game against Shaker, but that game has now been moved to June 4. 

Congrats to this week’s Athletes of the Week – Hannah Barber, Caroline Maloney, and Akhila Venkat!

Hannah Barber

Hannah is from Saratoga Springs and is in 6th grade. Hannah has been dancing since she could walk, and has been formally enrolled in dance for eight years. 

Hannah has been with her amazing ballet instructors at Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet for over four years, and has continued learning virtually from them. She has performed with the New York City Ballet at SPAC in Coppélia in June 2019. She auditioned and was selected again in 2020 to perform in Swan Lake prior to the COVID-19 cancellation of the performance. Hannah’s dream to perform as Clara in The Nutcracker came true in 2019. 

She has found a silver lining during this pandemic, and has had the opportunity to learn ballet virtually each week from former and current members of the New York City Ballet. She was accepted into ballet summer intensives for 2021 at the School of American Ballet Young Dancer Program, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Academy East and NYSSA. 

Hannah is also a great student, having made high honor roll for all three quarters. She works hard to achieve her big dreams, and hopes to one day dance at Lincoln Center as a member of the New York City Ballet. 

Caroline Maloney

Caroline is from Wilton. She is 12 years old and in the 7th grade in the South Glens Falls CSD.

Caroline started taking ballet classes at age 7. She performed in the NYCB Coppélia in 2019, and was chosen as an understudy as a gesture for Swan Lake in 2020, although it was cancelled due to COVID. She will be attending the NYSSSA ballet this summer, and was also accepted to the Ballet Academy East’s summer program in the advanced level. 

During the stay-at-home directive, Caroline spent countless hours working hard at ballet and taking virtual classes, including attending five weeks of Ballet Academy East and periodically taking zoom classes with Dena Abergel, Children’s Ballet Master of NYCB.

She also takes her academics very seriously, and has been a high honors student throughout middle school. She also plays violin in the middle school orchestra and is in the school chorus. 

Caroline aspires to be a professional ballet dancer and looks up to her dance teachers – Cristiane Santos, Joan K. Anderson, and Lisa McBride. It has meant so much to her that her teachers formed SSYB, which is where she always wants to be with her dance family. 

Akhila Venkat

Akhila is a 10th grader at Shenendehowa high school. She fell in love with ballet when she took her first lessons at Austin City Ballet when she was four. She enjoyed the opportunity to perform with the NYCB at SPAC. 

When she is not dancing, Akhila loves being outdoors, skiing in the winters and biking in the summers. To de-stress she watches videos and plays the piano. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (KY), seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, and 13-time champion steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2021 Hall of Fame class. American Pharoah and Pletcher were elected in the contemporary category in their first year of eligibility, and Fisher was chosen by the Museum’s Steeplechase Review Committee, which meets once every four years. 

The class of 2021 will be enshrined along with the 2020 inductees – trainer Mark Casse, jockey Darrel McHargue, horses Tom Bowling and Wise Dan, and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, J. Keene Daingerfield, Jr., and George D. Widener, Jr. – on Friday, Aug 6., at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Museum website at www.racingmuseum.org. An announcement regarding public attendance at the ceremony will be made at a later date. 

For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, please visit www.racingmuseum.org.

SCHUYLERVILLE — Gloversville visited Schuylerville for the final game of the Fall 2 season. Schuylerville opened up the scoring 7 minutes in when Liam Armstrong sent a cross that Matt Stampfli finished for the early lead. The Horses would create some opportunities, but it was Gloversville who would find the equalizer when Doug Cook found the back of the net with 10 minutes remaining in the half. The second half was much like the first half, as Schuylerville’s Reid Rockhill sent a ball across the middle and Sam Tyler placed it past the keeper for a 2-1 lead. Schuylerville would see it out and come away with the 2-1 win. Both teams played a clean, great soccer game. Griffin Brophy had 2 saves for the Horses, and Justin Kemmet had 10 saves for Gloversville. The Horses saw 5 seniors play their last game and will be greatly missed – Cam Wian, Garrett Hutchinson, Troy Soriano, Matt Stampfli, and Nick O’Leary. 

Schuylerville — Schuylerville Varsity Football faced Hoosick Falls in the Class C Championship on Saturday, May 1. They finish their season undefeated, with a 34-15 win over Hoosick Falls to claim the title. 

The first points of the game went to Schuylerville, when a failed punt by Hoosick Falls was recovered by Abruscato in the end zone. The 2 pt. conversion was completed by Dwyer. 

In the second quarter, Dwyer scored on a 47 yd TD (2 pt. conversion unsuccessful). O. Sherman also scored on a 25 yd TD (2 pt. conversion unsuccessful). 

In the third quarter, McGarrahan scored on a 12 yd TD, and the 2 pt. conversion was completed by Dow to O. Sherman. 

Hoosick Falls got on the board in the fourth quarter, when Mackey scored on a 59 yd TD pass from D’Agostino (kick was good). Colegrove returned the ensuing kick for a 75 yd TD, and the 2 pt. conversion was completed by D’Agostino to Blake. 

Schuylerville wrapped up their scoring in the fourth quarter with a 15 yd TD pass from O. Sherman to Bowen (2 pt. conversion unsuccessful). 

Schuylerville had 313 total yards. Dwyer rushed for 73 yds on 6 carries and 1 TD, O. Sherman rushed for 35 yds on 8 carries and 1 TD, Dow rushed for 47 yds on 4 carries, and McGarrahan rushed for 28 yds on 9 carries and 1 TD. O. Sherman was 7/15 on passing attempts for 121 yds with 1 TD. Receiving, Dow had 3 catches for 69 yds and Bowen had 3 catches for 43 yds and 1 TD. On defense, Max had a sac and Abruscato had a fumble recovery in the end zone for a TD. 

Hoosick Falls had 204 total yards. Their top rusher was Nealon who had 24 carries for 79 yds. D’Agostino was 9/13 on passing attempts for 137 yds with 1 TD. Receiving, Mackey had 5 catches for 89 yds and 1 TD, Colegrove had 2 catches for 24 yds, and Blake also had 2 catches for 24 yds. On defense for Hoosick Falls Mackey had a sac. 

WILTON ­— A local teen’s foul shooting skills have advanced him to the Elks National Hoop Shoot Finals.  After winning the National Regionals of the Elks Hoop Shoot competition, Evan Rosettie, from the Town of Wilton, competed in the Elks National Hoop Shoot Finals on Saturday, April 24. Both competitions were done virtually. 

On April 1, Evan competed in the Boys’ 12-13 Year Old Division of the National Regionals of the Elks Hoop Shoot competition. He was crowned the winner after making 24 out of 25 free throws, more than his competitors, who were state champions from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

On April 24, Evan advanced to the Elks National Hoop Shoot Finals, where he made all 25 of his free throws. He then shot 5 sets of 5 for tiebreakers, in the event that other contestants also make all 25 shots. Evan’s score will be compared against eight other National Regional winners. 

The Elks National Hoop Shoot is a free foul shooting contest for youth ages 8 to 13, and advances through local, district, state, and regional contests before the National Finals. Six national champions are selected, and their names are permanently inscribed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Normally, the annual National Finals are held in Chicago, but were conducted virtually this year due to COVID-related restrictions. The winners will be announced on May 15. 

“We never would have imagined he would have gotten this far,” said Kara Rosettie, Evan’s mother. “So many kids do this, but he is just so dedicated.” 

Evan has been playing basketball since second grade, when he joined Gavin Park’s Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Program with his friends. He also plays on the CDYBL (Capital District Youth Basketball League) team for Saratoga and the Saratoga Battle AAU team. To practice for his competitions, Evan spent an hour almost every day in the gym working on his shooting. 

The last local teen to get this far in the Elks Hoop Shoot competition was Joe Girard III, who now plays basketball for Syracuse University. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Little League (SSLL) held their opening ceremonies this past Saturday, April 24. 

The opening event this year was split into three different ceremonies to avoid crowds and allow for social distancing. At each ceremony, Abby DeGregory, daughter of board member Tim DeGregory, and Nora Taliaferro sang the national anthem. Caden Cameron, who is in his first year in the Majors Division, read the Little League Pledge for each ceremony as well. 

Jackets were handed out to the 12-year-old boys who will be transitioning out of Little League after this season. The jackets are personalized with each kid’s name, and were generously donated by Mrs. Fitzpatrick. Mrs. Fitzpatrick, who was in attendance, is the wife of a late sponsor of many years. There will still be a Fitzpatrick’s team this year, as there is every year. 

The SSLL has 6 different divisions/levels of play from ages 4 to 13 years old, including a Challenger Division for individuals with disabilities. 

Monica Isenovski, Marketing and PR Manager for the SSLL, says that everything the league does is made possible by the board members and volunteers, some who don’t even have children in the program anymore. Such as SSLL President, Derrick LeGall, who has been volunteering for approximately 20 years. 

“Many of them don’t even have children in the league anymore, but they continue to devote their time because of the wonderful experinces their families have had,” said Isenovski. “And, they wish to continue that for the next generation of little leaguers.” 

Congrats to Athlete of the Week – Audrey Letts!

Audrey is a senior at Saratoga Springs High School and rows with the SRA (Saratoga Rowing Association). She trains crew all year round, and competes in the fall and spring. Some of her rowing accomplishments include being selected to row at the Head of the Charles her sophomore year and junior year, competing in the Scholastic Nationals in the 2v 8+ her sophomore year and placing third, and also being selected as a sophomore to represent SRA at Youth Nationals in the 8+. Audrey has been recruited to row Division I at The George Washington University (GW) in the fall.

When Audrey is not rowing, she is Irish Dancing. She has been dancing for almost 12 years, and has performed in local parades, at independent living facilities, and at schools. 

Some of her academic accomplishments include maintaining a high honor roll GPA for all four years of high school, taking a total of nine AP classes by graduation, participating in Tri-M Music Honor Society, being selected for the Chamber Orchestra, and participating in the National Honor Society. At GW, she plans to major in Biology on a pre-med track. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Johns recently brought his Visible Project to a group of dancers who learn their skills at The Dance Factory, located in the Wilton Mall. Coach discussed the key words that are integrated in his Act With Respect Always program, and specifically shared his thoughts about kindness and positivity in one’s life. You can contact Coach Johns at www.actwithrespectalways.com or at his email, acejohns@aol.com. 

PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Athletes form the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center performed exceptionally well at the Punta Cana World Cup in the Dominican Republic, capturing four total medals. Kell Berliner (26) took a gold in the 81kg division and jumped 20 slots on the world ranking list (WRL) to a career high #100. Nicole Stout (23) was also golden as she won the 70kg weight class and entered the WRL for the first time at 70kg at #117. Stout has recently moved down from 78kg where she is ranked #84. Melissa Myers (25) earned her first international medal taking a bronze at 70kg, losing only to JMJC teammate Stout in the semis. Myers enters the WRL for the first time and sits at #148. Max Alaynick (20) took his first international medal, winning a bronze at 81kg and enters the WRL at #236. Alex Alaynick (25) was 5th at 81kg, which puts him on the WRL for the first time as well, coming in at #260.