CLIFTON PARK — The Annual Deanna Rivers 518 Softball Tournament was held Sunday, June 11, celebrating the life of Deanna Rivers, who died tragically 10 years ago.
“Thank you, Debbie, Brian, Jenna and the Rivers Foundation, for your generous donation to Act With Respect Always,” said Coach Rich Johns, founder of AWRA. “l have such admiration for your amazing family.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic senior Justin Duscher officially signed his college commitment on Monday, stating his intent to play Division III college basketball at Northern Vermont University-Lyndon.
Duscher said he was attracted to Lyndon’s small-school atmosphere and coaching staff, saying it is “a great opportunity.”
“It’s always been a dream for me to play in college, and it’s something that I’ve worked for years and years,” said Duscher. “Coach (David) Pasiak, he gave me a great opportunity to come in. They have really good team-oriented guys on the squad that I really liked.”
“Justin has a very good feel for the game,” said NVU-Lyndon head coach David Pasiak in a press release. “He’s an unselfish passer who has a knack for getting the ball to his teammates on time and on target. He is also a good perimeter shooter, and he takes pride in doing the little things well. He gives us additional depth and versatility on the perimeter. Justin is going to develop into a very good player here as he fills out and adjusts to the college game. Above all of that, he’s extremely team-oriented and positive, and will lift our team on the court and off.”
Duscher averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game during his senior year, according to SCC head coach Shea Bromirski. Duscher was the Saints’ team MVP and was named to the Wasaren League Exceptional Senior All-Star team the release says.
Duscher, who transferred to Saratoga Catholic from Saratoga Springs High School prior to his junior year, thanked his coaches and teammates for their support.
“The whole community’s really supportive in general, and that really helped me see success here,” Duscher said. “Coach Bromirski, he’s been a real big help for me.”
Bromirski said Duscher is a “really talented player,” and emphasized his leadership abilities.
“(Justin) can shoot, he can pass. He guards multiple positions,” said Bromirski. “We were pretty small, so we asked him to guard some pretty big guys. He did that pretty well for us. He adds a ton of value with his leadership, and his positive attitude. He’s a great young man. We’re lucky to have him, and we’re going to miss him.”
Duscher said he first began working with Bromirski at a young age through Dags Basketball, saying it was “really nice” to share his final high school season with the coach.
“It was a surprise when he came over here, and now it’s really cool to be able to share this experience with him,” Duscher said.
“He had been here an extra year than me, so he was kind of helping me get my feet wet,” Bromirski added. “I’ve known Justin for a long time, so I leaned on him to be a leader. The kids respect him. He’s a great kid. It’s not just basketball practice, he’s like that every day.”
Duscher said his experience at Saratoga Catholic was “great,” and said he is excited for his college experience.
“I was hoping that he would have a chance (to play in college), and I think he’ll make the most of it for sure,” said Bromirski. “He knows what it takes to be a part of something bigger than himself.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association today announced its lineup of four giveaways for the 2023 meet at historic Saratoga Race Course. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. The 2023 Saratoga Race Course giveaway schedule is as follows:
Friday, July 21: Cooler Jug Presented By NYRA Bets
The first giveaway of the season is a Saratoga-branded, 64-ounce red and white cooler jug. Presented by NYRA Bets, this cooler jug features a wide mouth screw-on cap and a flip top spout.
Friday, August 11: Dri-Fit T-Shirt Presented By FOX Sports
Fans can showcase their enthusiasm for Saratoga Race Course with the second giveaway of the season: a red Dri-Fit T-shirt, emblazoned with the Saratoga, NYRA Bets and FOX Sports logos. The shirt is 100% polyester. Two unisex adult sizes will be available: medium and extra-large.
Friday, August 18: Bucket Hat
This one-size-fits-all hat features the traditional red Saratoga logo embroidered front and center. The hat is 100% cotton.
Friday, September 1: Tote Bag Presented By Saratoga Casino Hotel
This red and white polyester tote bag includes a white mesh side pocket providing extra storage, while a top zipper keeps cargo.
Fans in attendance will receive a coupon for a free, premium giveaway with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. Fans must present a coupon at designated locations on track to receive a giveaway.
Highlighted by the 154th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 5, the 2023 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 13, and continue through Monday, September 4.
Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from closing week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — New York Elite FC and Capital United Soccer Club have announced the merger of their exclusive female soccer programs effective July 1, under the new name Capital Elite Futbol Club (Capital Elite FC). This partnership will join two long-standing premier soccer clubs in the Capital Region and will improve opportunities for local female players to compete competitively.
“We’re excited to bring two exclusive female soccer programs together with the goal of raising the level and standards of girls soccer in the Capital Region and beyond,” stated Liz Villamil, representative of Capital Elite FC.
Regularly scheduled games offer players the opportunity to apply their newly-acquired skills within a positive and supportive environment. Capital Elite FC firmly believes that developing a player’s self-confidence is pivotal to their growth on and off the field.
“Both soccer clubs boast highly regarded coaches and have achieved remarkable success on regional and national levels,” stated Kevin Smith, representative of Capital Elite FC. “This collaboration presents a remarkable opportunity for players across the region.”
Capital Elite FC will be holding tryouts for the upcoming 2023/24 season later this month. Tryouts are free of charge and require online registration to secure a spot.
Please make note of the following dates and locations:
Tuesday, June 20 at Glen Hollow Park
Thursday, June 22 at Niskayuna Soccer Park
Monday, June 26 at McBride Fields
Wednesday, June 28 at McBride Fields
To streamline the process, female soccer players born between 2012 and 2016 will have their tryouts at 5 p.m., while those born between 2005 and 2011 will have their tryouts at 6:30 p.m. All eligible players are encouraged to register and showcase their skills during these sessions.
For more information, and to register for tryouts, please visit www.capitalelitefc.com.
BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Athletics Hall of Fame Committee honored the inductees into the 2020 Ballston Spa Athletic Hall of Fame after the ceremony was paused for three years due to the pandemic. The celebration of the 2020 inductees was held on Saturday, May 20 at the Ballston Spa High School.
Five individuals and two teams were inducted:
• Rosina Brooks (athlete)
• Steven Hart (athlete)
• Regan Johnson (athlete)
• Patrick Shaw (athlete)
• Mark Thomas (athlete)
1992 Men’s Soccer Team: Nick Alexander, Chris Brandt, Tom Cutbush, Gilbert DeLucia, Ted Gordon, Jason Gorman, Chris Hebbard, Scott Horner, Matt Kolesar, Zach Komon, Bryan Kozlowski, Tim Le, Tim Lucey, Josh McCann, Jason Miller, Dave Perez, Bill Powhida, Art Rastinehad, Aketza (Ace) Sabin*, Jeff Semanscin, Randy Simmons, Matt Ward, John Williams (Coach Wayne Akey)
2006 Women’s Volleyball Team: Christine Staulters Copacino, Meghan Crozier, Christie Fodera Hoover, Jessica Lawlor, Casey Wright Leach, Jacqueline Cinella Rich, Katie Sheeran, Grace Smisloff, Katie Staulters Suppes, Jillian Thibault, Kristie Gratto Webber, Chryesse Wells (Coach Sylvia Bertrand).
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Foothills Council has released its softball All-Stars for 2023, with several members of the Schuylerville varsity team receiving honors.
Junior pitcher Sophia Wahl was named a Foothills All-Star, while sophomore outfielder Riley Keefer and junior shortstop Grace Kilburn were each named to the Foothills First Team.
Sophomore catcher/infielder Taylor Dennis and junior infielder Sophie Bodnar were named to the Foothills Second Team, while junior catcher Cat Carpenter was named an Honorable Mention.
The Black Horses finished the season with an 11-10 record, falling to Mechanicville in the Section 2 Class B Quarterfinals.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs girls’ lacrosse sophomore Janie Baringer was an impact player for the Blue Streaks this season, finishing as one of the team’s top scorers and helping them to the Section 2 Class A Championship.
Baringer played a major role in the Blue Streaks’ title-winning season, recording 41 goals and 45 assists on the year. Saratoga varsity head coach Jennifer Furze said Baringer is an “amazing” passer.
“Janie plays our low attack, and she plays behind the net,” said Furze. “She was instrumental in our attack.”
Baringer recorded a goal and an assist in the Section 2 Class A Championship, helping the Blue Streaks to an 8-5 win over Shaker on May 24. She scored two goals and added three assists in Saratoga’s 9-7 loss to Suffern (Sec.a 1) in the NYSPHSAA Regional Finals.
“(Janie is) a very dedicated lacrosse player,” Furze said. “She works hard in the offseason, and in-season, putting extra time and energy in after practices to become the best player that she can be.”
Baringer was named a Class of 2025 Girls Rising Star by US Club Lacrosse, and has twice participated in the Athletes Unlimited Futures games. She was also selected to participate on the New York Upstate team at the 2023 American Select Games in Milford, Delaware.
Baringer also routinely travels to Syracuse to play with her club team, the Salt City Snipers Pink.
“She’s got some really fun trick shots that we enjoy watching,” said Furze. “Because she is that position behind the net, she does a really nice job placing the ball into the eight (meter arc). … She came up really big on the field.”
MIDDLETOWN — Five local athletes capped off the outdoor track and field seasons in grand fashion on June 10, ending the spring season by earning NYSPHSAA State Championships in their respective events.
The Saratoga 4 x 800 relay team, consisting of Alycia Hart, McKinley Wheeler, Emily Bush, and Sheridan Wheeler, won the NYSPHSAA State Championship, while Ballston Spa’s Harriet Healey won the Division 1 State Championship in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Blue Streaks’ relay team combined for a time of 9:05.05, beating second-place Northport. Sheridan Wheeler also placed third in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:22.13), while Amelia McBain earned a second-place finish in the pole vault (12’ 3”).
Genevieve Duchaussee finished third in the pentathlon (3,218), while Emily Bush placed sixth in the 1,500-meters (4:29.94).
On the boys side, Joao Dos Anjos Neto finished sixth in the pole vault for the Blue Streaks (14’ 0”).
Ballston Spa junior Harriet Healey took home the NYSPHSAA Division 1 state title in the 400-meter hurdles, with a time of 1:02.01 besting Cornwall’s Caigan Leonard, who placed second. Gabrielle Bozeth also placed eighth in the 200-meter dash for the Scotties (25.64).
GALWAY — The Galway Central School District has announced the 2023 Inductees into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame. Galway’s Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame recognizes and honors student athletes, coaches, teams, and community members who have made significant contributions to the Galway athletic program. Individuals were nominated for their service, performance, dedication, and commitment to Galway Athletics by members of the Galway community. A selection committee then voted to induct the following athletes, community members, and teams into the Golden Eagles Athletic Wall of Fame.
The following individuals were honored at the Wall of Fame Ceremony on June 7, along with the 2022 inductees.
2023 INDUCTEES
• Kyle Leach, Class of 1998
• Harleigh Leach Chwastyk, Class of 1996
• Scott Beatty, Class of 1983
• Brittany Orminski, Class of 2015
• David Neahr (Legacy), Class of 1971
• Ed Palmer (Legacy), Class of 1953
• Brita Donovan, Ed.D. (Community)
2022 INDUCTEES
• Jodie Evans, Class of 1993
• Emily Orminski, Class of 2015
• Douglas DiCerbo, Class of 1987
2016 Volleyball Team
• Emily Smith
• Hannah Bramer
• Carlee Hortsmann
• Emma Smith
• Lindsey Zawisa
• Sydney Crawford
• Schuyler Arnold
• Hannah Hofmann
• Brittany Kenyon
• Casey Dunleavy
• Brooke Martin
• Samantha Munchbach
• Annelise Ostrowski
• Abbie Pritchard
• Samantha Grant
• Anna Gardner
• Paul Munchbach (Legacy), Class of 1971
• Robert Stangle (Legacy), Class of 1951
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs High School recently celebrated the following student-athletes for their commitment to compete at the collegiate level:
• Lauren LaFountain – SUNY Plattsburgh
• Connor Baird – SUNY Geneseo
• Mason Cartier – Clarkson University
• Aidan Rosettie – Nazareth College
• Maria Jackson – Johnson and Wales University – Charlotte Campus
• Carly Fay – University of Rhode Island
• Vincent Devito – Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Zaynah Aparece – Russell Sage College
• Casey Everett – Clarkson University
• Amelia Hurt – Hartwick College
• Evan Rando – SUNY Plattsburgh
• Emma Furze – SUNY Oneonta
• Allie Shamberger – Roger Williams University
• Orion Lansing – SUNY Brockport
• Emma Landers – SUNY Geneseo
• Andrew Walsh – Clarkson University
• Angelina Rodriguez – Le Moyne College
• Min-Syun Chen – Hartwick College
• Anuhea Fuimaono – University of Albany
