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Displaying items by tag: championships

SARATOGA SPRINGS — This past Sunday, The Saratoga Blue Streaks brought home the championship trophy, for the first time in 30 years by defeating Bethlehem, 69-58 at the Class AA championship game.
 
Each year a new group of students tries out for the team, and each year the teams have a different approach to the season. This year Coach Mike Ushers had his team working on their goal from the very first day of practice.
 
“We talked about trying to be a tough defensive team. That’s something our guys have really bought into and take pride in,” said Coach Ushers. “When we work hard on a defensive end, it seems to help us play better on the other end of the floor.”
 
This season started off with a few ups and downs, and that their performances in a few early season games were not up to par. But the team knew that they had a fighting chance at making the 
playoffs once their game started to improve.
 
“It was great to see them mature and grow into their roles as the season went along. We had a lot of new faces and guys that were in smaller roles last year that had to step up and take on more responsibility this season,” said Coach Ushers. “It took a few games and a couple of months to figure out how we were gonna play our best. It’s been great to see them play their best when it matters most.”
 
Seven players are seniors and will be graduating in June. Coach Ushers has not yet thought about how he will shape his team for next year, as he tries to focus on one year at a time. Right now, he just wants his team to finish out their season strong. 
 
The Blue Streaks basketball team will be playing out in Syracuse this Saturday, March 9, as they compete against West Genesee in the Section III championships. The game will be held at Onondaga Community College at 3:45 p.m. 
Published in Sports
Wednesday, 20 February 2019 19:00

Blue Streaks Head to the Mat for State Championships

 
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two wrestlers from Saratoga Springs High will compete in the state championships in Albany this weekend.
 
This 2018-19 Season has been rewarding for the Saratoga Blue Streaks wrestling team, with an overall standing score of 0.826.
 
Each season a coach is presented with a new team, and not only is it their job to get each wrestler to compete at their best ability, but to utilize each member of the team to help each other achieve their personal best.
 
“This year coming in I knew we had a good group of seniors that were gonna lead our team. They held up their end of the bargain,” said Coach Kris West.
 
The key to success for this team was the coaches’ focus on maintaining their intensity throughout the season despite the mental and physical grind of the sport. Finding a balance to avoid burn out tends to revolve around the team’s tournament schedules.
 
“During the middle of the year, we have some tough individual tournaments that we gear up for… We kind of ramp up the intensity and then we kind of dial back and let the kids recover a little bit,” said West.
 
Two of the team’s leading wrestlers this season include senior Brant Robinson, weight class 195 and junior Eric Griskowitz, weight class 138 will take to the mat this Friday, Feb 23. Should the two place they will compete the following day.
 
In order to prepare his athletes for championships, Coach West sought out notably tough competition for the meets preceding states. This past year Robinson has wrestled at least five sectional champions, and Griskowitz went to the mat against multiple state qualifiers.
Wresting Bart 
Bart Robinson (right). Photo provided.
 
“I think they’re (Griskowitz and Robinson) in good shape and I think they’re ready to have a good tournament,” said Coach West. “They each are in good positions where if they wrestle good, and wrestle to their abilities they can have a good tournament.”
 
The 2019 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Wrestling Championships will be held at the Times Union Center in Albany (Section 2) on Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23.
 
Published in Sports
Friday, 10 March 2017 11:38

Three Streaks Take Gold

SARATOGA SPRINGS – It was a major weekend for Saratoga athletics, with three Blue Streaks netting state titles across two different state meets on March 4.

At the NYSPHSAA 2017 Indoor Track & Field Championships in Staten Island, senior Nick Cavotta bested his personal record as well as the overall Saratoga Springs High School record in long jump to claim the state title, while sophomore Kelsey Chmiel set a meet record on her way to claiming the state title in in the 3,000 meter event.  Meanwhile, a short ways east at the Nassau County Aquatic Center, junior Zac Zwijacz swam his way to the state title in the 200 meter freestyle event. 

For Cavotta, it was a day of firsts and bests.  With his win last Saturday at the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Complex, he claimed his first ever state title with a 23 foot jump.  In the process, he bested his own personal record for long jump by four inches, and set the overall record for his school by two. 

“Obviously I was a little nervous, my first state meet,” Cavotta said.  “But I was just excited to be there, cause I knew I didn’t have anything to lose.  I was just trying to have fun.

Cavotta’s winning jump came last after five others.  Before making the jump, he started to get the audience clapping in hopes of feeding off the positive energy.  Prior to jump, he noted that he had been having difficulty jumping from the board, the point from which a jump’s length is measured.  He had been starting his jump a little bit behind the board, negatively impacting his results, and so was sure to practice jumping from the right point prior to real jump.  Beyond that, Cavotta said that his main strategy was to just keep a level head and focus on the jump.

“They were all really, really good,” Cavotta said of the other competitors.  “It was just good to be with the best competition in the state and knowing that I could actually perform with them.

For Chmiel, the hope for her performance in the 3,00 meter event was simply to focus and best her personal record.  In the end, she bested the competition by 23 seconds.  Going forward, her focus remains the same, getting her times down.

“I knew they were fast,” Chmiel said of her competitors.  “So I just wanted to get out fast too.”

Although it was not his usual individual medley event, on account of recent hip problems, Zwijacz put in a strong performance in the 200 meter freestyle, claiming the state title with a time of 1:38.62.  His coach, Bill Asay, remarked that Zwijacz showed impressive consistency in speed throughout his swim, which he believes is what propelled him to victory.

“He’s got a lot potential and talent, and he’s not taking it for granted,” Asay said.  “That’s the mark of a champion.” 

The atmosphere was amazing and everyone was really competitive so everyone knew it was the time to compete,” Zwijacz said.  “The other athletes all had their own strengths and were everything you would want in a race.  I respect them all.”

Moving forward, Cavotta and Chmiel are focused on preparing for the national level competition, which is being held in New York City this weekend.

“I’m feeling a little more confident after the state meet,” Chmiel said about the upcoming national meet.

Zwijacz said that he is focused on maintaining his sustainability going forward, as well as improving his times.  Asay hopes that his hip problems will subside so that he can go on to once again compete in individual medley events next season.

Published in Sports
Friday, 11 October 2013 09:43

Voter’s Guide-County Supervisor Races - Galway

Candidates from  Galway answered the following questions:

Q1: What are the three most critical issues facing Saratoga County today and in the near future?

Q3: Given the growth in population and economic development in Saratoga County, what is your vision for the next ten years?

Q3:What is your motivation for running for this office ? What special skills, knowledge, experience or training do you bring to this position?

 

 

Regina Doi

Q1: Saratoga was the fastest growing county in the Capital Region and eight of our towns were among the top 100 fastest growing towns in the state. Considering such rapid growth, the three critical issues facing the county are: Affordable Housing and Social Services, Sustainable Development, Cost/care for Aging Infrastructure Regardless of issues facing the County, it's my goal to have Galway folk know the county issues and encourage them to voice their opinions so that I may act on their behalf.

Q2: For Galway I envision agriculture, small businesses and workforce commuters choosing a well-planned rural quality of life over that of unplanned housing sprawl. I’ll encourage young families to invest by strengthening Galway's economy through the creation of a chamber of commerce, service business districts (ie. pharmacy), a farmers and artists network that caters to tourism, and work with the county for the establishment of a daily work bus run to reduce the amount of commuter traffic.

Q3: For 5 years as the Galway Library director, I’ve listened to folks wish that our Town Government was more transparent, responsive and reachable. It's time to give voice to our Town Tax Payers and act on their concerns. My leadership has proven to our tax payers that: I am accessible, my management skills are fiscally sound, I communicate the library’s services, and actions on a weekly basis to the public, I use current web technology for outreach, I diligently pursue grant funds, and  I care”.

Paul E. Lent

Q1: The county must rebuild its fund balance to provide for a good financial foundation. We must find a way to manage ever increasing state mandates that strain county resources. Saratoga County has a large infrastructure of highways, bridges, buildings and other systems all of which require monitoring and good management to keep costs in check and yet keep this infrastructure up-to-date so it is efficient and effective.

Q2: Over the next 10 years the county must develop cost effective ways to deal with managing the growing demands on our county infrastructure and our public safety services due to increased population. I see the county taking well-thought out and methodical steps to meet those demands while keeping costs in check. I see building on the achievements it has made such as the development of the Zim Smith trail system for all residents to enjoy

 and balance green space needs with growth.

Q3: My motivation to run for the position of Supervisor is to continue to serve the residents of Galway as I have as a member of the Town Board, as Deputy Supervisor and past Chairman and member of the Galway Planning Board. My blend of private sector senior management experience combined with my many years of service in county government as Director of Emergency Services for Saratoga County has provide me with the required experience, knowledge and training to be an effective Town Supervisor. 

 

Published in News
Friday, 06 September 2013 12:39

Primaries Heat Up

The primary for Saratoga County Sheriff is on Tuesday September 10, Noon - 9 p.m.

Published in News

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2013 Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County elections are expected by many to feature several hard-fought and closely contested elections. 

Published in News

Blotter

  • New York State Police The New York State Police announced that it issued 5,576 tickets during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. The campaign began on Friday, March 15, and continued until Sunday, March 17. During the campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors detail. State Police also ticketed distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. State Troopers arrested 132 people for DWI and investigated 199 crashes, which resulted in 25 people being injured and no fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also…

Property Transactions

  • BALLSTON Heather DiCaprio sold property at 473 Garrett Rd to Justine Levine for $288,000 Sharon Willman sold property at 99 Jenkins Rd to Charles Lemley for $165,000 CORINTH George Montena sold property at 422 Oak St to Stephen James for $142,250 Mark Makler sold property at 313 Oak St to Sabrina Sinagra for $195,000 GREENFIELD Landlord Services of Upstate New York sold property at 1935 NYS Rt 9N to Cochise Properties LLC for $210,000 MALTA  Linda LaBarge sold property at 35 Snowberry Rd to Qu Haozheng for $270,000 Dennis Mitchell sold property at 60 Village Circle North to BGRS Relocation…
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