First time Pan Am Team member, Kell Berliner (white uniform) in action at the US Nationals earlier this year. Photo by Roy E Nanjo, provided by Jason Morris Judo Center.
CALGARY, Alberta — Seven athletes from the Jason Morris Judo Center in Glenville have qualified to compete for the USA Team in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from Sept. 15-16.
The Pan Ams are significant due to the fact an athlete can earn valuable points on the world rankings toward qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
Hannah Martin will be making her seventh appearance at the Pan Ams at 63 kg, with her best result being a bronze medal in 2013, 2017, and 2019. Nicole Stout will be competing in her fifth Pan Ams at 78 kg.
Nate Keeve is heading to his fourth Pan Ams at 100 kg, with his best result being a bronze medal in 2021. Ari Berliner is competing for the third time, taking bronze at 66 kg in 2022. Kell Berliner, Alex Knauf, and Melissa Myers all will be making their Pan Am debut in Calgary.
The Jason Morris Judo Center has now placed at least one athlete on the Pan Am team for 20 straight years. The JMJC has placed four athletes on the team seven different times and had three athletes on the team five times. Ari Berliner, Keeve, Knauf & Martin also represent the New York Athletic Club. Four-time Olympian and JMJC owner Jason Morris will accompany the group to Calgary to coach them.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The week of Eric Hayden’s first game as head coach of the Saratoga Springs varsity football team was certainly an eventful one.
On Thursday, Aug. 31, Hayden and his wife Danielle welcomed their second child, Bo Michael Hayden. The Haydens also have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Payton.
Less than two days later, Hayden was on the sideline for his first victory as the Blue Streaks’ head coach, a 35-7 win over Albany.
“Definitely an eventful week,” said Hayden. “Not a lot of sleeping, but a lot of great things happening. When you get to hold your baby boy for the first time, and everyone’s got good health coming out, that’s just an amazing experience.”
Hayden credited his assistant coaches for their help preparing for the season-opening win over the Falcons.
“Our staff is amazing, with John Barber, Jon Coons, and Craig Durant,” Hayden said. “They had everything set up, they were in a great spot. I tip my hat to them, because I couldn’t do it without them.”
Prior to taking over the program, Hayden was an assistant coach with the Blue Streaks, coaching the offensive and defensive lines as well as special teams, he said.
This week, Saratoga begins Class AA play, hosting Ballston Spa (1-1) on Thursday night. The Blue Streaks are coming off a 21-20 loss against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake last week.
In 2022, the Blue Streaks finished 5-5, falling in the Section 2 Class AA Playoffs to CBA.
Hayden said that while the Blue Streaks have a talented group, it is also one without a ton of experience. He said he is excited to watch the team grow throughout the season, noting that, “The sky’s the limit for the group here.”
“Very coachable kids that work very hard, and every day you see them growing,” said Hayden. “Every day, you see a new lightbulb that just went on. …They can be a dangerous group, because you just don’t know what to expect.”
Hayden said the team has a strong group of returning players, naming defensive end/tight end/wide receiver Christian Mello, running back/receiver Rodell Evans III, quarterback Jack Rigabar, receiver/safety Caleb Casey, and center Jayden Cox among others.
Hayden also said the team’s defensive backfield is strong this year, and said the Blue Streaks’ wide receiver group does “a phenomenal job too.
“I really like what our defensive backfield has to offer,” said Hayden. “The style of defense that we play, those guys all have to be able to cover and tackle. This group that we have is pretty good at it, and pretty special at it.”
Throughout summer practices leading up to the team’s season opener, Hayden said some of his main points of emphasis were conditioning and limiting penalties.
“The big message we sent in camp is we have to practice harder than the games,” said Hayden. “I told them, ‘If you’re in better shape and you can limit the penalties, you’re in good shape.’”
The Blue Streaks open league play tonight with a Route 50 rivalry game and a goal of returning to the postseason, with Hayden saying, “This team is hungry.”
“They’ve seen what they can do. We really started building the momentum last year,” Hayden said. “They have that very much in their eyes right now. It’s cool that we have a good amount of guys coming back that have been there, because now they know what it takes. Hopefully they can teach our young guys that as well.”
BALLSTON SPA — Coming off a strong 2022 season in Class A, the Ballston Spa varsity football team is back in Class AA this year and looking to take things “a day at a time.”
Scotties’ head coach Jason Ohnsman acknowledged the Class AA schedule will be a “week-in, week-out gauntlet of quality competition.”
“It’ll be different, and it’s something that not a lot of these kids have ever experienced,” said Ohnsman. “But definitely something we’re looking forward to.”
While the Scotties graduated a strong 2022 class that included players such as Darrien Insogna, Aidan Davis, Isaac Turenne, and Troy Gottmann, the team also has a strong group of returning players.
Ohnsman said impact players for Ballston Spa this year will include quarterback Nico Savini, receiver/linebacker Blaine Zoller, and others including Brayson Cornick, Nick Orzel, Jacob Powell, Kala’i Makanani, and Michael Stamper.
“Having those guys back is always nice, because they kind of have a very calm demeanor about maybe more intense situations, because they’ve been there before,” Ohnsman said.
Cornick said the team is hoping to approach each game “one by one” throughout the season, something that was emphasized by Ohnsman.
“Defensively, we’re just trying to hit hard and compete,” Powell added. “Trying to dictate what the offense does, don’t let them dictate what we do.”
Ohnsman praised the team’s leaders for “setting a tone” throughout summer practices leading up to the Scotties’ Week Zero game against Liverpool (Sec. III), a 61-44 loss.
“Football can be tough, in the sense that it’s a lot of practicing, a lot of lifting, and you only get a couple games every year,” said Ohnsman. “We try to be very compartmentalized in the fact that we just want to focus on what we’re trying to accomplish today, because ultimately, if we can stack those days, we’ll be in good shape.”
Savini also said the team is aiming to take each game one by one, with Cornick adding that they are excited to compete.
“We’re all very close this year, so it’s like going out and playing with your best friends,” said Cornick. “It’s just fun.”
Ballston Spa hosts Amsterdam at 7 p.m. Friday. The Scotties will open Class AA play at Saratoga Springs the following week.
While the team is aiming for a playoff appearance, Ohnsman again emphasized that the Scotties are simply focusing on what is in front of them day to day.
“I’d be silly if I didn’t think these guys were thinking playoffs, but we’re trying to focus on getting there first,” Ohnsman said. “That’s a byproduct of our process. If we can handle the things we do day to day, week to week, then that ends up coming to fruition because of those things we’ve done previously.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS —After kicking off a successful inaugural half-season in January, Saratoga Springs-based C3 Hip-Hop Dance Co. is preparing to begin its first full season this September, offering kids a chance to connect and perform in the local community.
C3 was founded by Julie Labate, a Miami native who grew up dancing with a variety of teams in the local area.
After moving to Saratoga Springs, Labate started C3 with the hopes of establishing a program of her own. C3’s initial half-season began in January, with Labate saying the first months “went great.” She said there were 36 kids and three different teams participating in total.
“It was really neat watching everything come to life,” Labate said.
The teams performed in the local community several times throughout the year, including performances in the auditorium at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, at The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and at the Saratoga Race Course.
“I like to give them performance opportunities, because I think it brings out that next-level feeling, that out of body, larger than life, on-stage feeling,” Labate said.
C3 also held a year-end recital at The Night Owl, which Labate described as “a big outdoor celebration.”
“The kids performed, but the parents stuck around after,” said Labate. “I wanted it to be the community coming together to celebrate an awesome first season, as opposed to just having them up on stage, watching them, and departing.”
Labate said the company is looking forward to beginning its first full season this September. C3 will host tryouts on Sept. 10, with the season set to begin on Sept. 17.
She noted the first half of the season will be focused on training and skill-building, while the second half of the season will be focused on performance routines.
“This full season, we have so much time to really dig in, and actually get the kids trained and have time for team bonding, have time for get-togethers,” said Labate. “It’s just an even greater opportunity for the connections that the kids are already making, to really dig into them.”
C3 is also expecting to grow this fall, with Labate saying she is expecting to “more than double in size.” She said they will offer two teams at both the peewee and junior level in addition to a “mini-team” for ages three and up, as well as the possibility of both an intermediate team and an advanced team, depending on the number of kids who try out.
“So, I have kids of the same age practicing on both Sundays and other kids of the same age on Mondays,” Labate said. “They have more flexibility with what works best for their family and their scheduling.”
Signups are available at c3hiphopdance.com. Labate emphasized that C3 will continue to perform around the local community, saying they are set to return to the Festival of Young Artists next summer, and noting that the intermediate team and the potential advanced team would plan to begin competition this season.
“Kids who want to do anything above the novice level need to attend a tryout,” said Labate. “When they try out, they get placed onto whatever skill level they’re ready for.”
Labate said it is meaningful to see the impact on the kids, noting many of them have become friends and “found their home” at C3.
“A lot of parents told me that a lot of these kids were still trying to find what activity worked for them. Then they found hip-hop, and it’s like they found their thing,” she said. “It’s a larger than life, surreal feeling to watch kids be that connected to it.”
And while she noted the company is expecting to grow significantly this season, Labate emphasized her goal of maintaining a personal connection with every kid.
“I just want it to be a sustainable homebase for people,” said Labate. “I think that the kids are starting to feel that, and I’m starting to feel that as well, because of the way that it’s impacting families.”
Snapshot from last year’s Saratoga Bridges Great Pumpkin Challenge, 2022. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Bridges will host its 23rd annual Great Pumpkin Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 30, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The event includes a 5K, 10K, and Kid’s Fun Run, starting and finishing at the Columbia Pavilion in the Saratoga Spa State Park, according to a press release. The races are NET Chip-timed.
The fundraiser benefits Saratoga Bridges’ essential non-funded or underfunded programs, services and activities, as well as assists with rewarding their staff.
Individuals, friends, families, coworkers and corporate teams can register at saratogabridges.org. The registration fee is $25 through Friday, Sept. 15. The registration fee increases to $30 beginning Saturday, Sept. 16.
Online registration will end on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. After Tuesday, September 26, registration will only be available in person at 16 Saratoga Bridges Blvd. in Ballston Spa on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 27 and 28, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 29 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. No registration will be available after this time.
Saratoga Bridges will also be holding a virtual option for $30. T-shirts will be mailed to virtual participants. Times for virtual can be submitted to the timing company. The first 1,500 registered will receive a long-sleeve moisture wicking shirt.
Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd males and females in each age group. There will be giveaways, refreshments, donated food and beverages, favorite pumpkin and costume contests.
For more information on volunteering or about the event, contact Pamela Polacsek at ppolacsek@saratogabridges.org or 518-587-0723 ext. 1255.
Three local high schools have received academic honors from the NYSPHSAA for the 2022-23 school year.
Ballston Spa High School, Saratoga Springs High School, and Schuylerville High School were all named NYSPHSAA ‘Schools of Excellence’ for the 2022-23 school year. To qualify as a School of Excellence, three-fourths of the school’s varsity sports teams must receive the Scholar-Athlete team award, according to the release.
“The School of Excellence and School of Distinction Awards highlight the best student-athletes in New York State,” said NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas in the release. “For 234 member schools to be honored for their commitment to academics as well as athletics is a testament to the outstanding leadership and student-athletes we have in this state.”
Saratoga Springs High School has 31 varsity teams, while Schuylerville High School has 26, according to the NYSPHSAA website. Ballston Spa High School has 23 varsity teams.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs senior Ryan Farr has been nominated as a Boys High School Soccer All-American Player to Watch for the 2023 High School Soccer All-American Game.
Farr, a forward, led the Blue Streaks last season with 20 goals and 11 assists. He was named Suburban Council and Section 2 Class AA Boys Player of the Year, and also earned First Team All-State and All-Region selections, said head coach Jeff Geller.
Farr is one of just four boys in New York State to be nominated, along with Drew Leardini (Lewiston-Porter), Kyle Milburn (Spencerport), and Thomas Poz (Garden City), according to the High School Soccer All-American website.
The Saratoga Springs boys soccer team opens its regular season with a home contest against Averill Park on Sept. 5 at 4:15 p.m.
MALTA — Kenny Tremont Jr. will hang up his helmet after the Malta Massive Weekend at Albany-Saratoga Speedway this year. To honor his final laps, the Super DIRTcar Series Feature on Saturday, Sept. 23, will be 115 laps and pay $11,500 to win – a nod to Tremont’s famed #115.
“The right thing to do is to honor him, being it is his last race ever and it’s taking place at one of his main tracks he’s raced his entire career at,” Lyle DeVore, who runs and promotes Albany-Saratoga Speedway, said in a statement. “I got thinking, we’re going 100 laps, why don’t we go another 15 and make it 115 laps and make it $11,500 to win.
Tremont, 61, of West Sand Lake, has spent most of his career racing regularly at Albany-Saratoga, collecting 13 track championships and 81 wins. In addition to his success in Malta, Tremont has scored five Super DIRT Week titles – one in a Big Block and four in a Small Block Modified – won 15 Super DIRTcar Series races and has collected 392 total wins across 20 different tracks – 143 of them at Lebanon Valley Speedway.
After the checkered flag falls on Lap 115, Tremont will park his #115 Modified in the trailer for the final time. It’s a thought he hasn’t let linger. But he also knows it won’t be his last time at a racetrack. Tremont’s legacy will carry on through his son, Montgomery Tremont, as he helps him build his racing career.
For more information on the event, visit albany-saratogaspeedway.com.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —With approximately 185 members throughout the Capital Region, the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club is running a sailing program for STRIDE Adaptive Sports for individuals with disabilities.
Every Monday evening in August, students learn the basic principles of sailing including: boating safety, points of sail, sailboat handling, sail trim and racing strategies. Participants learn to sail both through classroom instruction and on the water. Weather permitting, they complete the program with a mini-regatta.
According to Mary Kate McCarty, Board Publicity Chair, “It’s very rewarding for instructors and students alike, and the local community is very supportive of our program.”
The club was founded in 1957, and has a strong emphasis on sailing, racing, and sailing instruction. For more information about the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club, visit sailsaratoga.org.
