Displaying items by tag: championships

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.

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. 

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

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