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Local Athletes Seek To Become The Next ‘American Ninja Warrior’

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Four local athletes will compete this summer for a chance to be named the next ‘American Ninja Warrior’.

Geoff Snyder, André Patnode, Jenson Little, and Nicole Van Oort, all of whom coach or train at the Saratoga and Albany Ninja Labs, were selected to compete in the upcoming seasons of the CBS show ‘American Ninja Warrior’, where contestants attempt to complete a series of obstacle courses.

Three of the four contestants have been selected to compete in past seasons as well. Snyder competed in Season 9, while Patnode and Little competed in Season 14. Little also competed on the show during Season 10.

“Honestly, I’ve just been working since then to get back and give it one more try,” said Snyder, who is the head team coach and a co-owner of Ninja Labs. “I never felt like I did as well as I could have. Since 2017, I’ve just been continuing to work out, to train, hoping that one day they would give me a call again.”

Patnode said he was a fan of the show, and got into competition after the opening of a local Ninja gym.

“I told myself when I turn 50, I want to try out for the show,” said Patnode, who has been selected in two consecutive years. “With Ninja, I just felt accepted. No matter how good you do or how bad you do, they are there to support.”

Little, who will be competing for the third time, said he will “know what to expect” this year.

“I know that I just need to go out and prove myself, because I know I am capable of it,” said Little.

To apply for the show, prospective contestants fill out an application and film a three-minute video discussing why they would be a good selection for the series.

“It’s basically a three-minute video about who you are, what you do, how you train, what makes you stand out, and why you’d be a good contestant,” said Snyder.

Snyder said he discussed his friend Kevin Bogus, who passed away last year. Bogus worked with Snyder in the Fort Plain Central School District, and was a trainer at the Albany Ninja Labs.

Snyder said shortly before Bogus passed away, the two had a conversation about the previous year’s auditions for American Ninja Warrior. Snyder said he had not been selected, and was unsure if he would apply in the future.

“He was like, ‘Geoff, you’ve got to keep going, man,” said Snyder. “I don’t know if he had anything to do with it, if the stars aligned, but it seems to be happening here. To get one more shot at it, it’s hard to kind of put it into words how you feel.”

Patnode said that his video this year began with him skydiving out of a plane in an ‘American Ninja Warrior’ shirt. Last year, he scaled a silo in Ballston Lake for the video’s opening. Patnode also said he discussed his late mother.

“She was my biggest supporter, my biggest fan, and I know she’s going to be with me on this whole journey,” said Patnode. “This is giving me motivation, that she’s going to be with me and watching me. She’s going to be there.”

Little said that he spoke about his experience as a transgender man, saying it would be meaningful to be able to show representation within the sports world.

“For me to get out there and show that there are trans athletes, and we are in sports and we should belong in sports,” Little said. “To show kids and other adults that we should be allowed in those spaces means everything to me.”

Snyder stressed that simply being selected does not guarantee a competitor will be featured on the show. He said that his run in Season 9 of the series was not aired. Patnode and Little said the series used some footage of them for teasers at the beginning of the show, but also did not air their runs.

“Oftentimes, you have a less than 1% chance of being picked each year, because there are so many applicants,” said Snyder. “Just to have the opportunity to compete and be a part of it is an incredible experience.”

The qualifying round will take place at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, beginning in mid-March. 

Contestants who finish in the top portion of the qualifying round advance to the semifinals, which will be filmed at the same location at Universal Studios. Finishers in the top portion of the semifinals advance to the finals, filmed in Las Vegas.

And the opportunity to compete again, and to do so alongside familiar faces, “is just a really awesome thing to have,” Snyder said.

“That’s just the cherry on the sundae,” said Snyder. “We train together a lot. For all of us, this is something that we’ve all been shooting for.”

10 Saratoga Wrestlers Advance to Section 2 Division 1 Championships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Photo provided by Kim Delgado. 

GUILDERLAND — The Saratoga Springs varsity wrestling team put forth a dominant effort at the Section 2 Division 1 Class 1 Individual Championships, with five Blue Streaks placing first in their weight classes, and ten advancing to the Section 2 Division 1 Championship meet.

Taylor Beaury, Gordon Murray, Gianni Delgado, Lorenzo Paleschi, and Patrick McKinley all earned first-place finishes in their respective weight classes. Chase Matter, Vito Spadafora, and Kyle Edwards placed third in their weight classes, while Danny Dacey earned a fourth-place finish for the Blue Streaks. 

Hayden Passaretti also placed fifth for the Blue Streaks at 132 pounds. All ten wrestlers will advance to this weekend’s Section 2 Division 1 Championships at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

At 126 pounds, Beaury pinned Colonie’s Jacob Podeswa in the quarterfinals, defeating Arcangelo Losee of Shenendehowa by a 4-0 decision in the semifinals. Beaury beat Shen’s Brandon Deuel by an 8-0 major decision in the championship match.

Murray won at 152 pounds by pinning Niskayuna’s Jake Relation in the quarterfinals, earning a 16-4 major decision over Shaker’s Nick Arier in the semifinals. In the championship, Murray pinned Shen’s Nick DiMonda at 1:42.

At 160 pounds, Gianni Delgado earned three straight pins to open the bracket, defeating Elijah Roe (Colonie), Evan Relation (Niskayuna), and Hamidullaha Faqeer (Albany). Delgado earned a 13-5 major decision over Shaker’s Donovan Deguire in the championship match.

In the 189-pound bracket, Paleschi pinned Niskayuna’s Nathan Wuttke in the quarterfinals and pinned Schenectady’s Anthony Paradine in the semifinals before a 12-4 major decision victory over Quincy Bonville of Bethlehem in the championship match.

McKinley, in the 215-pound bracket, pinned Shaker’s Nicholas Whyte in the quarterfinals before earning an 11-2 major decision over Guilderland’s Antonio Cipollo in the semifinals. McKinley won the championship match with a 12-7 decision over Colonie’s Jaydon Aquirre-Hamlin.

Saratoga had the most individual winners of any team in Class A, and had the second-highest team score (210.5 points).

82nd Season at Saratoga Harness Begins

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Sea Shadows, the 2022 Saratoga Harness Horse of the Year. She is trained by 2022 leading trainer and Horseperson of the Year Melissa Beckwith and driven by Hall of Fame Driver Wally Hennessey. Photo by Melissa Simser.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Live harness racing has returned to Saratoga Casino Hotel for its 82nd season beginning Saturday, Feb. 4. The 2023 schedule will consist of 150 racing programs running through mid-December.

“We’re expecting some great racing this year,” said Race Secretary Peter Iovino. “We have over $18 million in purses, averaging $120K in purses per program.”

In addition, the track will be hosting NY Sire Stakes races starting in June, featuring the best New York bred horses in the state who will race for over $1 million in purses. The premier event of the season will be the 14th Annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace with a $250,000 purse on Saturday, July 22.

“As in the past, we’re confident this race will attract a field of top pacers looking to break the track record of 1:48:4 set by Dancin Yankee in the 2014 Gerrity,” Iovino said.

The winter, spring and fall schedule will include matinee racing on Sunday, Monday and select Tuesdays, post time 12 p.m. and Saturdays, post time 5 p.m.  The summer live racing schedule will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with a post time of 6:45 p.m. 

For a complete live racing schedule, go to www.saratogacasino.com.

Registration Open for Saratoga Miss Softball 2023 Spring Season

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Registration is now open for the upcoming Saratoga Miss Softball season until March 5.

Saratoga Miss Softball is open to girls aged 4 to 16, and there are no residency requirements. Games are played at Veterans Memorial Park at 10 Adams Rd in Saratoga Springs. There are four levels offered: T-Ball (ages 4-5), Mini-Minor (ages 6-8), A Level (ages 9-12), and AA Level (ages 13-16).

To register or find more information, visit saratogamiss.com.

Saratoga, Ballston Spa Athletes Claim Section 2 Indoor Track Championships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SCHENECTADY — Numerous athletes from the Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa varsity indoor track teams took home championship wins at the Section 2 Indoor Track Championship Meets at Union College on Jan. 28 and 29.

Eight athletes from Saratoga won Section 2 Division 1 titles across five events. Sheridan Wheeler won the Section 2 Division 1 Girls Championship in the 3,000-meter run, while Amelia McBain won the sectional title in the pole vault.

The Blue Streaks’ team of Anya Belisle, McKinley Wheeler, Heidi Berglund, and Emily Bush won the Section 2 Division 1 Girls Championship in the 4 x 800 relay. Genevieve Duchaussee won the Section 2 Division 1 Girls Championship in the shot put, and Mason Talarico won the Section 2 Division 1 Boys Championship in the 1,600-meter run.

Ballston Spa saw six athletes win Section 2 Division 2 Championships in a total of six events. 

Scotties’ senior Isaiah Hannah captured the Section 2 Division 2 Boys Championship in both the 45-meter dash and the 50-meter hurdles, while Harriet Healey won sectional titles in both the 300-meter dash and the 600-meter run. 

Healey was also a part of the Scotties’ sectional-winning 4 x 200 relay team, along with Petrina Zborovsky, Anna Zito, and Livia Wiltsie. Madalyn Wilson won the Section 2 Division 2 Girls Championship in the 1,500-meter race walk.

See below for a list of top finishers from both schools:

Saratoga Girls

The team of Anya Belisle, McKinley Wheeler, Heidi Berglund, and Emily Bush won the Section 2 Division 1 Championship in the 4 x 800 relay (10:06.35). Amelia McBain won the Section 2 Division 1 Championship in the pole vault (12’ 3”), also placing fifth in the 50-meter hurdles (8.37) and the triple jump (34’ 0.5”). 

Sheridan Wheeler took home the Section 2 Division 1 title in the 3,000-meter run (10:12.33), with McKinley Wheeler in second (10:21.72) and Berglund fifth (10:59.59). 

Genevieve Duchaussee won the Section 2 Division 1 title in the shot put (33’ 11”). McKinley Wheeler placed third in the 1,500-meter run (4:49.77), with Sheridan Wheeler in fourth (4:50.27).

Bush finished second in the 1,500-meter run (4:43.59) and third in the 1,000-meter run (3:04.70). Duchaussee placed third in the 300-meter dash (43.74) and seventh in the 600-meter run (1:45.92). Belisle finished fourth in the 1,000-meter run (3:05.55) and eighth in the 600-meter run (1:47.77), while Natalie Wilding took eighth in the 1,000-meter run (3:22.72).

Claire Braxton finished third in the pole vault (8’ 0”), while Leah Harden and Sloane Mulcahy tied for fourth in the high jump (4’ 8”). Lily Collins placed 10th in the 300-meter dash (47.85).

Saratoga Boys

Mason Talarico won the Section 2 Division 1 Championship in the 1,600-meter run (4:31.52). Owen Blaisdell took second place in the 1,000-meter run (2:46.26), while the team of Aidan Slavett, Nathaniel Providence, Alex Lansford, and Charles Dybala finished second in the 4 x 400 relay (3:54.80).

Ethan Straughter placed second in the long jump (19’ 8.75”) and sixth in the 45-meter dash (5.92), while Connor Varian finished third in the 300-meter dash (40.18). Thomas Isenovski took third place in the 3,200-meter run (10:13.42), with Hudson Shaw fifth (10:19.03) and Max Vogel in 10th (10:55.35).

Joao Dos Anjos Neto finished third in the pole vault (12’ 0”) and fifth in the long jump (18’ 6.5”), while Michael Briscoe placed fourth in the pole vault (10’ 0”). Dybala was fourth in the 600-meter run (1:34.30), with Gianangelo Lanza in sixth (1:36.41).

Caleb Yuhasz took sixth in the 1,600-meter run (4:56.32), while Evan Rando placed seventh in both the high jump (5’ 2”) and triple jump (37’ 1”). Samuel Bernd placed fourth in the shot put (39’ 3.5”), while Luke Dacey finished 10th in the 1,000-meter run (2:59.28).

Ballston Spa Girls

Harriet Healey won the Section 2 Division 2 Championship in the 300-meter dash (43.40) and the 600-meter run (1:45.53), also winning as part of the Scotties’ 4 x 200 relay team with Petrina Zborovsky, Anna Zito, and Livia Wiltsie (1:57.03).

Madalyn Wilson won the Section 2 Division 2 crown in the 1,500-meter race walk (10:26.67), also taking third in the 3,000-meter run (11:32.65). Wiltsie took third in the 45-meter dash (6.43), with Zborovsky fourth (6.47).

Zborovsky also placed seventh in the long jump (13’ 3.5”), with Ashley Beck sixth (14’ 0.75”). Zito finished seventh in the 50-meter hurdles (9.37) and ninth in the 300-meter dash (47.65).

Sarah Himmelwright finished second in the 1,500-meter racewalk (10:39.22), with Amy Taylor in third (10:39.46).

Ballston Spa Boys

Isaiah Hannah won the Section 2 Division 2 Championship in the 45-meter dash (5.74) and the 50-meter hurdles (7.18). Hannah, along with Kala’l Makanani, Alijah Burgess, and Michael Stamper, placed second in the 4 x 200 relay (1:45.07).

Makanani also finished second in the 300-meter dash (39.93) and ninth in the long jump (17’ 0.5”). Stamper placed third in the 45-meter dash (5.93), while Silas Bashant took fifth place in the 600-meter dash (1:35.56) with Jacob Armer (1:36.25) in eighth.

Armer also finished 10th in the 1,000-meter run (2:57.38), while Joseph Sabatino took seventh place in the high jump (5’ 2”). Joseph Fodera finished eighth in the 1,600-meter run (5:00.69), with Matthew Meerdink in 10th (5:07.48).

Koval Guides Schuylerville Girls Basketball to Win Over Amsterdam

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Schuylerville’s Macey Koval (12) looks to drive to the hoop during the Black Horses’ 57-52 win over Amsterdam on Feb. 1. Photo by Super Source Media Studios.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville varsity girls basketball team held on for a big 57-52 victory at home over Amsterdam on Friday, powered by 24 points from senior Macey Koval.

The Black Horses jumped out to an 18-13 lead after one quarter, but the Rams hung around, cutting the deficit to 32-29 at halftime. Schuylerville used a strong defensive third to push the lead back to six, and held on through the fourth for a 57-52 victory.

Koval led all scorers with 24 points in the win. Amanda Pflieger had 13 points for Schuylerville, hitting a trio of three-pointers, while Lauren King added nine points. Anika Buff had eight points, with Sophie Bodnar adding three points for the Black Horses.

Annika Fedullo led Amsterdam with 16 points in the loss. Felise Fowler added 11 points, while Natalee Agresta and Rosalie Sculco each had 10 points. Liana Brown added three points, while Sharazade Cooper had two points for the Rams.

Schuylerville turned its momentum into another win on Monday, cruising past Gloversville 56-30 on the road. The Black Horses are 10-8 overall, and have won five straight games.

Amsterdam hosted Broadalbin-Perth on Monday, falling 53-45. The Rams are 9-8 overall, and will play South Glens Falls in the Foothills Showcase on Feb. 12.

Schuylerville Girls’ Indoor Track Wins Foothills Championship

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Photo provided by Schuylerville Central School District.

SCHENECTADY — The Schuylerville girls’ indoor track team won the Foothills League Championship at Union College on Jan. 22. Every athlete scored either individually or in a relay, while the team won 8 of the 16 events contested. In addition, several athletes broke Schuylerville school records throughout the season in various events.

The Black Horses girls’ team finished with a team score of 134 points, with second-place Scotia-Glenville finishing with 114 points.

“The team has put in a tremendous amount of work this season, often training in difficult weather conditions,” said Assistant Coach Justin Vianese. “They have approached every challenge with a positive attitude. Their efforts have enabled them to realize their goals, whether a personal record, school record, or team championship. It’s great to see the athletes believe in themselves and know their hard work has paid off.”

See below for results and records from the Schuylerville varsity track teams:

Girls’ Results

45m – Meaghan Lynch (1st, 6.53)

600m – Alayna Wian (1st, 1:52.20)

1500m – Keira Rogan (1st, 5:01.05)

3000m – Keira Rogan (1st, 11:09.30)

Long Jump – Ryan Stark (1st, 15’ 4.25”)

Pole Vault – Ryan Stark (1st, 9’ 6”)

Triple Jump – Ryan Stark (1st, 34’ 4.75”)

4x400m – Hannah Yonkin, Nikki Stark, Riley VanCott, Megan Vianese (1st, 4:36.8)

Boys’ Results:

45m – Sam Dwyer (1st, 6.03)

School Records

Kiera Rogan: Rogan holds the new school record for the 3000m, with a finishing time of 10:28:66. Rogan beat the previous record by 26 seconds during the Dec. 10 Tri County Indoor Track League Meet at Union College. Rogan also holds the new school record for the 1500m, with a finishing time of 4:50:83. Rogan beat the previous record by 15 seconds.

Nikki Stark: Nikki Stark set the new school record for the 50m hurdles with a time of 8.70. Stark broke the old record of 9.14 from 2016. Starks also holds the new school record for the 200m hurdles with a time of 30.24. Stark broke the previous record by more than 9 seconds at the Jan. 8 Ed Cepiel Invitational in Springfield, MA.

Ryan Stark: Ryan Stark holds the new school record for the indoor triple jump with a jump of 34’ 1”, eclipsing the old record of 34’ 1/2”. Stark beat the previous record at the Armory High School Holiday Classic in NYC on Dec. 29.

Meaghan Lynch: Meaghan Lynch set the new 45m school record with a time of 6.53 seconds. Lynch beat the previous record of 6.54 seconds at the Foothills League Championship at Union College on Jan. 22.

Ballston Spa Wrestlers Advance to Section 2 Division 1 Championships

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

BURNT HILLS — Three Ballston Spa wrestlers earned first-place finishes in their respective weight classes, helping the Scotties capture the team championship at the 2023 Section 2 Division 1 Class 2 Tournament on Feb. 4.

Ballston Spa’s Ralph Keeney, Connor Gregory, and Darrien Insogna placed first in their respective weight classes, while Tristan Hinchcliff, Cameron Hinchcliff, William O’Connor, and Jacob Perkins finished as runner-ups in their weight classes.

Tyler Perkins placed third at 132 pounds, while Cole Donnelly placed third at 285 pounds. Quinton Warlikowski earned a fourth-place finish at 102 pounds, and James Capasso earned a fourth-place finish at 145 pounds. Gavin Whipple and Anthony Prastio each placed fifth in their weight classes.

All 13 wrestlers will head to the Section 2 Division 1 Championships this weekend at Cool Insuring Arena.

At 110 pounds, Keeney pinned all three of his opponents, defeating Amsterdam’s Breyana Montalvo in the quarterfinals, Queensbury’s A.J. Spero in the semifinals, and South Glens Falls’ Dylan Keech in the championship match.

Gregory, wrestling at 160 pounds, pinned Burnt Hills’ Andrew Martin in the quarterfinals and pinned Scotia-Glenville/Galway’s Alwalid Bourkia in the semifinals. Gregory earned a 3-0 decision over Queensbury’s Lucas Schell in the championship.

Insogna won at 215 pounds by pinning Burnt Hills’ Julian Goss in the semifinals, and pinning Averill Park’s Connor Byers in the championship match. 

Tristan Hinchcliff advanced to the championship at 118 pounds by earning a 12-5 decision over Mohonasen’s Nico Rivera in the semifinals, falling to Burnt Hills’ Tyler Whiteley by a 5-2 decision. Cameron Hinchcliff pinned Ben Taylor (Burnt Hills) in the semifinals at 126 pounds, losing an 8-6 decision to Averill Park’s Jacob Hanlon in the championship.

O’Connor, wrestling at 138 pounds, won a 9-4 decision over Queensbury’s Timothy Paculavich in the semifinals, and was pinned by Burnt Hills’ Gabriel Goss in the championship. Jacob Perkins beat Thomas Pawlinga (Burnt Hills) by 5-3 decision in the semifinals at 172 pounds, losing a 3-2 tiebreaker decision to Averill Park’s Elias Goosmann in the championship.

The Scotties finished with the top overall team score at the tournament, with 248.5 points. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, the host school, was second with 243 points.

Saratoga Catholic Boys Basketball Earns Senior Night Win Over Waterford-Halfmoon

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Pictured with family members are the Saratoga Catholic varsity boys basketball seniors, from left: Kam Cox (14), Matt Murphy (33), Aidan Dunne (5), Justin Duscher (25). Photo by Super Source Media Studios.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Central Catholic varsity boys basketball team got back in the win column on Senior Night, honoring the Saints’ four seniors with a 41-35 victory over Waterford-Halfmoon on Tuesday.

“We’ve come a long way,” said head coach Shea Bromirski, who credited the seniors for their leadership. “It’s a classy group. We have really good kids here.”

Senior Justin Duscher, who led the Saints with 15 points, said it was meaningful to have the senior ceremony and noted the closeness of the Saratoga Catholic squad.

“I came here last year, and these guys welcomed me with open arms,” said Duscher. “This team’s a really tight-knit group of guys. It’s a special moment.”

Saratoga Catholic has four seniors: Kam Cox, Aidan Dunne, Justin Duscher, and Matt Murphy. 

Dunne said it was an exciting night, saying his teammates “mean the world” to him.

“They’re like the closest group of friends you could have,” Dunne said. “You’re with them every day.”

The Saints led 9-5 after a low-scoring first quarter, and the defensive affair carried into the second, with Saratoga Catholic taking a 17-12 lead into halftime. 

Dunne had nine points in the first half to pace the Saints, who limited the Fordians to just five made field goals in the half. Bromirski said that defense has been a main point of emphasis for the Saratoga Catholic team this season.

“That’s what we hang our hat on, is the defensive end of the floor,” said Bromirski. “That’s something we talk about every day in practice. … They bought in to playing that end of the floor.”

But Waterford-Halfmoon opened the second half on a 12-0 run, jumping to a 24-17 lead with 3:27 left in the third. Duscher, the Saints’ leading scorer, stepped up at the end of the quarter, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to cut Waterford’s lead to one entering the fourth. 

Bromirski said that Duscher making big shots is “what he’s done for us all year.”

“Every time that we’ve won a close game or done something, he’s been our guy who makes big shots for us,” Bromirski said. “He’s one of the best kids I’ve ever coached, one of the best people I’ve ever coached.”

The teams traded baskets early in the fourth, with the Saints taking the lead for good on a basket by Aidan Crowther with 3:24 remaining. Duscher then scored to give Saratoga Catholic a 36-33 lead, and a steal and fastbreak for Hunter Fales made it 38-33 with 2:08 left.

The Saints held strong defensively in the final minutes, sealing a 41-35 win with free throws from Duscher. Bromirski said the team came alive late after “doing the little things.”

“I talk to these guys religiously about (how) the ball goes in the hoop when you do the right things,” said Bromirski. “When you’re playing as hard as you can, and you’re getting every loose ball, somehow the ball starts to find the basket.”

Duscher’s 15 points led all scorers, while Dunne added nine in the win for the Saints. Ronan Rowe had six points, Fales and Crowther each had five points, and Ryan Gillis added one point for Saratoga Catholic.

Derrick Ponture and Anthony Scunziano each had 13 points for Waterford-Halfmoon. Matt Soden added five points, while Nate Griner had four points.

Saratoga Catholic (11-8) will play Waterford-Halfmoon again on Friday in a Wasaren League crossover game, with the Section 2 Class C Tournament to follow. 

“Our resume’s pretty good. I would think that we would be somewhere in the top half of the Class C bracket,” Bromirski said. “… Then we’ll see who we play on Tuesday, and we’ll go from there.”

“Just to lock in,” said Dunne of the team’s mindset. “I don’t think we’re playing our best basketball right now, but we were a couple weeks ago, and we can get back to that.”