SARATOGA SPRINGS — In the past 20 years, the Saratoga Springs varsity girls’ swim and dive team has achieved some impressive regular season records, including going 7-1 in 2006. But all of those seasons were surpassed this year when the Blue Streaks won every single one of their meets.

The unbeaten streak was solidified last week when Saratoga bested Shenendehowa for the second time this season.

“Shen has historically been great, and they are this year too,” said Coach Joshua Muldner. “I was probably as surprised as anybody when we pulled ahead at that first meet.”

The Blue Streaks launched their season with back-to-back victories against Shen and Niskayuna, another school that has long been a tough challenger for Saratoga. Muldner called those meets and the final rematch against Shen “super intense.”

The successful season is due, in no small part, to a lethal combination of experienced, record-setting seniors and a freshmen class that exceeded expectations. 

Among the veterans, senior Gianna DiMaggio broke multiple pool records (at Albany and Schenectady) as well as a school record, solidifying her place among the best divers both in Section 2 and in Saratoga Springs history. Muldner called her “a force to be reckoned with on the boards.” DiMaggio and another Blue Streak diver, sophomore Amelia Covey, have qualified for the New York State Championship meet scheduled to take place next month. (The last time Saratoga sent two divers to states was in 2019.) 

Meanwhile, the rookie team of Victoria Lill, Maeve Moynahan (an 8th grader), Skylar Panetta, and Catherine Kim broke all three freshman relay records this season.

“We have eight seniors this year and their leadership has been amazing,” Muldner said. “But it’s really the combination of the two forces: My new girls, who joined the team and meshed really well, and my seniors who set the tone for the team and carried on traditions… It’s like a very cool perfect storm of seniors who lead by example and are great role models at both ends of the pool, diving and swimming, and then new girls who are coming in who are not afraid to step outside their comfort zone and work really hard to get better.”

Next up for this talented group is the Section 2 Division I Championship, scheduled to take place Nov. 6-8 at the Shenendehowa Aquatic Center in Clifton Park. The state championship in Webster, New York is set for Nov. 21 and 22.

“This was a very special season with a lot of great girls and I’m just excited to be on this journey with them,” Muldner said. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic girls’ golf team finished its regular season with a winning record of 8-7 after an independent schedule that included matchups against Saratoga Springs, Shenendehowa, Ballston Spa, and Queensbury.  

This year’s roster included seniors Lily Norton Captain and Taylor Boldt; juniors Maddison Norton and Eva Nucera; and freshman Lauryn Duell. Norton was one of only 49 golfers to qualify for this year’s Section 2 tournament. 

“The team consistently improved throughout the season and worked hard in doing so,” Coach Mike Ponticello told Saratoga TODAY. And with three players returning next season, Ponticello remains “very optimistic” about his team’s future.

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.