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).

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).

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Yoga in the Spa State Park program has returned this summer, offering a chance to participate in yoga classes, workshops, trainings, and more, all in the serene setting of the Saratoga Spa State Park.

Classes are held outdoors under the brick arches at the end of the administration building. In case of weather, indoor classes take place in the Roosevelt II Building. Outdoor summer classes will be held from June through August, while fall classes begin after Labor Day.

Amy DeLuca, a co-founder and co-coordinator of the program, said it is ultimately “a healing art in a healing location.”

“The Spa Park was built for healing,” DeLuca said. “It makes sense that we should be doing this.”

Classes cover a variety of yoga styles, and are led by DeLuca and fellow program co-coordinator Judy Pawlick, who are both 500-hour registered teachers, as well as other instructors including Anna Muench-Witt, Joe Dopp, Julie Coluccio, and Sara Martin.

DeLuca said that Yoga in the Spa State Park is “a studio without walls,” allowing participants to relax and decompress while accompanied by the sounds of nature.

“I love that idea, because I wasn’t doing yoga outside until I did this,” said DeLuca. “And there is a big difference.”

DeLuca said participants “really embrace” the outdoor setting, and said she enjoys seeing what it does for students.

“I say to beginners, ‘This will be like nothing you do, taking a yoga class,’” DeLuca said. “There’s a different vibe. … Yoga’s just an aspect of my life that I’m just really happy I have.”

Classes began in June, and are offered each day of the week, according to the released schedule. They are free to attend, with no registration required.

While donations are accepted, the group does not solicit or ask for specific amounts, DeLuca said.

“It is donation-based, and that has served us,” said DeLuca. “Our mission is simply to offer donation-based yoga classes both outside and inside in this iconic setting.”

The group also offers teaching opportunities, with three instructors certified to teach 200- and 300-hour teacher training, said DeLuca.

All classes are offered in the morning, with DeLuca adding that yoga can be an early activity for both local residents and visitors.

“So many people come to Saratoga year-round, especially in the summer,” DeLuca said. “If you want to go to the track at 1:00, you can take a class with us at 8:30 or 9:00.”

The program also has mats and blocks available for participants who do not have their own. DeLuca said classes typically range between six to ten people.

“I might show up and there will be one person there. I’ll still teach that class,” said DeLuca. “That’s just how I see yoga. … It is something I love.”

BALLSTON SPA — Six graduating student-athletes from Ballston Spa High School officially signed letters of intent to play Division I and II collegiate sports at a ceremony on Thursday.

Four seniors on the varsity boys lacrosse team will be competing in college. Sean Dwyer, Dominick Zichelli, and Troy Gottmann each committed to The College of St. Rose, while Charlie Burmaster committed to Franklin Pierce University.

Shane Slezak is committed to The College of St. Rose for baseball, while Jacob Armer is committed to St. Bonaventure University for track and field.

Dwyer said the trio of St. Rose lacrosse commits are “super close,” noting that they have played together from a young age.

“I think the chemistry is going to be off the charts there, because I’ve been playing with them for so long,” said Dwyer.

“Yeah, we already know how each other plays, so it’s going to be a lot easier to develop chemistry, like he said,” added Zichelli.

Zichelli said he is excited to spend four more years with his teammates, while Gottmann added the three players are like “a family.”

“They’ve got my back, I’ve got theirs,” said Gottmann. “It’s always been like that, and it’s not going to stop in college.”

Burmaster, who will play lacrosse at Franklin Pierce, said the Ravens’ coaching staff stood out in his decision, and offered thanks to his teammates and coaches for their support.

“They’ve really helped me grow as a player and a person, on and off the field,” Burmaster said. “I really give them credit for giving me the opportunity to be able to look at and go to a good college like this.”

Franklin Pierce and St. Rose are each members of the Northeast-10 Conference, with Burmaster adding that he is looking forward to facing his high school teammates.

Slezak, committed to St. Rose for baseball, said the school is “a perfect fit” for him.

“They have a very good business program, and that’s what I’d like to pursue,” said Slezak. “Everything just all added up for the decision to go there.”

He said his time with the Scotties’ varsity baseball team “meant a lot.”

“I learned a bunch from Coach Nobles,” Slezak said. “My teammates, I’ve played with them all since I was very young. So being able to go out there and compete with all of them, it was a very good time.”

Armer, committed to St. Bonaventure for track and field, said the campus felt like a “second home already” upon his first visit. 

“It feels great,” said Armer of his commitment. “My coaches supported me, my teammates supported me, my family. The drives to practice, the meets, everything.”

Armer said he is looking forward to competing with his new team.

“Just seeing where my new coaches and my team can take me, what I can do with myself and the hard work that I put in,” Armer said.

See below for a full list of Ballston Spa student-athletes who signed letters of intent to Division I and II schools on Thursday:

• Jacob Armer (St. Bonaventure University, Track and Field)

• Charlie Burmaster (Franklin Pierce University, Lacrosse)

• Sean Dwyer (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)

• Troy Gottmann (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)

• Shane Slezak (The College of St. Rose, Baseball)

• Dominick Zichelli (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)

CLIFTON PARK — Each year, the SAANYS Region 6 Board holds its annual Leadership Breakfast in order to recognize leadership in all of its forms in schools. The breakfast, held at the Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park, recognized student leaders (in grades 5-12), senior scholarship winners, and leaders among their administrative colleagues. 

Coach Rich Johns received the Excelsior Award for his leadership and continued work in the field of education through his Act With Respect Always message.