Ballston Spa wrestling champion Mia Collins poses with State Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. Photo provided by Adam Kramer.

ALBANY — State Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh celebrated Mia Collins, a girls wrestling state champion from Ballston Spa High School, earlier this week at the State Capitol in Albany. Collins was presented with a copy of a legislative resolution that honored her championship season.

Collins, a junior, captured the 2024 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Wrestling Championship title in the 132-pound Division over top-seeded Alexa Doxey of Newfane High School at the Syracuse Research Corporation Arena and Events Center in January.

Prior to the final match, Mia recorded a 38-second pin in her first match; a reversal with 17 seconds remaining to win a 6-4 decision in her quarterfinal bout, and then put together a second-period pin in the semifinals.

Mia’s victory capped off an undefeated regular season record of 10-0. She was the first New York State Girls Wrestling Champion from Ballston Spa High School.

In light of her recent accomplishments, Mia Collins has garnered a National ranking of eighth in her weight class. 

Players from Saratoga Springs and Colonie run the bases during the 10th annual Challenger Baseball Game, held at the West Side Recreation Park in Saratoga. Photo by Super Source Media.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — More than 150 spectators attended the 10th annual Saratoga Springs Little League Challenger Baseball game at the West Side Recreation Park last Saturday night.

The game had a cheering section of special education teachers, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapy assistants.

Derrick Legal, President of the Saratoga Little League, said the Challenger Division was the brainchild of Paul Salway, a prior board member. Since the program’s launch a decade ago, more than 40 players and families from across Saratoga County have enrolled every year. The program provides an opportunity for players with differing abilities to play baseball. 

Robert Kelly, District Coordinator for Special Education at the Saratoga Springs City School District, said his goal is to send a team to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the Little League World Series is held. “Our players and families are great and will work hard to accomplish this goal together,” Kelly said.

Fox Sports racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale reports live from a paddock. Photo via Pottheiser Photo/New York Racing Association.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fox Sports will be providing full coverage of this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course. The broadcast will be split across several channels, including Fox, FS1, and FS2. The action can also be streamed live on the Fox Sports app and FoxSports.com.

Frank Mirahmadi, who announces the annual summer meet at Saratoga, will call the Belmont Stakes. He’ll also announce all other races airing on Fox from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.

Thursday, June 6

Full coverage of the first day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will air on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. 

Friday, June 7

Coverage for day two will be split across two networks: FS2 and FS1. Tune in to FS2 for coverage from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., then switch over to FS1 for additional coverage from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 8

Belmont Stakes Day will be aired across three networks: FS1 (10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Fox (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.), and FS2 (7 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.)

Beginning at 4 p.m., Fox’s pre-race show will be anchored by Curt Menefee, multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss, and retired jockey Richard Migliore. Also providing coverage will be Fox Sports wagering expert Chris “The Bear” Fallica, handicapper Jonathon Kinchen, Emmy Award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi, and racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale.

Sunday, June 9

The final day of the festival will be broadcast on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., then FS1 from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Coverage will conclude on FS2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Flier image via 518 Softball social media accounts.

MALTA — The inaugural 518 Futures High School Softball Classic will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. at the Luther Forest Athletic Fields in Malta. The event will include an All Star game and a home run derby.

Participants from the Saratoga region include:

Saratoga Springs

Jackie Cutting – pitcher/outfielder
Natalie Conroy – third base
Olivia Tetreault – outfield
Sarah Decker – catcher

Ballston Spa

Madelyn Perrone – first base
Livia Wiltsie – pitcher/utility
Carlie Koebbeman – outfield
Calleigh Sisk – catcher

Schuylerville

Sophia Wahl – pitcher

For more information on the softball classic, or to purchase tickets, visit www.518softball.org.

The Schuylerville varsity girls track and field team celebrates its third-straight sectional title at Broadalbin-Perth High School last week. Photo by John Schmitz.

BROADALBIN — The Schuylerville varsity girls track and field team captured its third-straight Section 2, Division 3 championship last week at Broadalbin-Perth High School, accumulating 122 total points.

Keira Rogan had a spectacular outing, winning the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, and the 2000m steeplechase. Nikki Stark won the 100m hurdles, setting a school record with a time of 15.24. Stark also took first place in the 400m hurdles.

Other strong performances at Broadalbin included Meaghan Lynch (3rd in the 100m and 200m, 2nd in the long jump and triple jump), Adeline Ballou (2nd in 1500m and 3rd in the 3000m), Ryan Stark (2nd in pole vault), Campbell Bailey (4th in the pentathlon long jump and shot put) and Taylor Brown (5th in the 800m). The girls 4×800 relay team also finished third.

The girls are scheduled to compete at the Section 2 state qualifier on May 30 and 31 at Guilderland High School. 

The Black Horses boys team finished seventh at sectionals, with a number of strong individual outings including James Lynch (2nd in 3000m steeplechase, 3rd in 1600m, 3rd in pole vault),

Levi Michaud (2nd in high jump), Tristan Stallone (4th in the 1500m), and Gavin Winacott (4th in 3200m).

Photo of Kellen Dean provided.

Saratoga Springs High School senior Kellen Dean advanced out of the U.S. Open local qualifier earlier this month at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville. 

He finished second among all competitors, shooting a 2-under 70 to become one of five players that moved on to final qualifying. He’ll continue his journey to this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club on June 13-16.

Saratoga TODAY asked Dean about his performance in the local qualifier, as well as his future plans.

Q: How did you feel about your performance in the qualifier on May 13? Did you meet or exceed your expectations?

A: I was very happy with my performance at Albany Country Club. I was very happy with how I battled back after a double bogey on hole three. Going into the event my expectations were to qualify so I definitely met my expectations.

Q:  What parts of your game do you think are the strongest, and what areas are you working on?

A: I believe my strongest part of my game is my short game and wedging. I always feel like I have an advantage on the field when I am chipping or have a wedge in my hand. You can always work on your putting because it can always be better, but lately I have been working on hitting more fairways off the tee with my driver.

Q:  What are your goals for the future?

A: I have a lot of summer tournaments this year I still have to qualify for but my biggest goals going into this year is to qualify for the US Jr Championship and PGA Jr Championship this summer. Another goal for this year was for my golf game to be sharp heading into my freshman year in college at Xavier University, and to be able to make an instant impact for the team.