Schenectady High School’s boys’ swimming and diving team wrapped up its third straight Aqua League championship last week with a 23-point victory at Amsterdam.
The Patriots won 10 of 12 events and outscored the Rams, 103-80, to run their league record to 5-0, and three-year league mark to 13-0.
Schenectady senior Chris Lotano broke two of his school records at Thursday’s meet, in the 100 free (48.01) and 50 free (22.17). His 50 free performance came on the opening leg of Schenectady’s
triumphant 200 free relay.
Schenectady previously beat Aqua League opponents Albany Academy, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Canajoharie and Albany, and Suburban Council opponents Mohonasen/Schalmont, Niskayuna and Ballston Spa. The Patriots
(8-3 overall) also placed sixth at the 35-team Long Island Invitational, with Lotano placing third in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 back, one spot ahead of teammate David Woods.
“I’m hoping that’s a preview of the sectionals,” Schenectady coach Brian Melanson said. “I’ve been very pleased with how the team has stepped up in the big meets.”
Nineteen of Schenectady’s 24 athletes have qualified for this weekend’s sectional championships.
drago award winners
Longtime volunteers Joe Healey and Tom Isabella have been named this year’s Joseph Drago Award winners, an honor given by the Schenectady Basketball Club for those who exemplify loyalty and passion toward Schenectady’s basketball program.
Healey and Isabella both serve as volunteers with the Schenectady High School boys’ and girls’ freshman teams, respectively. Healey has also been an officer and coach in Schenectady’s youth program since 1991, while Isabella has been instrumental in the organization and running of the high school’s Arthur Hilliard Tournament.
Previous Drago Award winners were Cy Kolod, Tony Cristello, Tony Anapolis, Joe and Patty Flacke, Cindy and Butch Owens, and Linda and Al Dettbarn. The award is given in memory of
Joseph Drago, a longtime Schenectady resident and dedicated fan of Schenectady basketball.
duncan to wagner
Ballston Spa’s Steve Duncan, who earned several honors for his offensive and defensive play last fall, will continue his football career at Wagner College of the Northeast Conference.
Duncan was named a Daily
Gazette All-Area first-team defensive back, while coaches of the Class AA Empire Division tabbed him as their Offensive Player of the Year. Behind the two-way standout, Ballston Spa (7-2) earned a share of the Empire Division championship, and reached the Section II semifinals.
Duncan rushed for nine touchdowns and 810 yards, averaging over 10 yards per carry, and turned half of his six receptions into touchdowns. On the defensive side, the 5-10, 180-pound senior made 66 tackles with an interception and a fumble recovery.
“I think he’s one of the best
defensive players in the section,” said Ballston Spa coach John Bowen. “He’s a kid that can cause so many problems.”
more commitments
Niskayuna senior forward Jake Johnson, a two-time Section II Class AA all-star, has signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Division I Lafayette College.
Johnson was an impact player last fall, scoring 10 goals in Suburban Council play, and then excelling in the Section II Class AA tournament as Niskayuna captured its first championship since 1984. Johnson scored two goals, his second in the fourth overtime, in Niskayuna’s 3-2 quarterfinal win over Guilderland. He also assisted on Tyler Gansfuss’ overtime goal in a 1-0 title-game win over Bethlehem.
The list of Section II football players headed to the University at Albany has grown with the addition of Catholic Central defensive back/quarterback Chris Bouchard and Chatham kicker Sean Kenny.
here and there
Glens Falls senior forward Jared Woodell scored a career-high 40 points in Friday’s 74-67 win over Broadalbin-Perth. Cody Robinson of Ballston Spa (44 vs. Troy), David Briski of Coxsackie-Athens (42 vs. Taconic Hills), Jake Bowman of Schenectady Christian (41 vs. Schoharie) and Malcolm Austin of CBA (40 vs. Catholic Central) have also produced 40 or more this season on the boys’ side, while Courtney
Galuski of Cohoes amassed 45 against Schalmont. . . .
Colonie’s 1,600-meter relay team ran the fourth-fastest time in Section II history Saturday at the New Balance Collegiate Track and Field Invitational, clocking a 3:25.42. Nick Santos (51.0), Tyler Stewart (51.2), Derrick Ingleston (51.8) and Jim Kehrer (51.2) joined for the stellar performance, and placed fourth overall. . . .
Record-setting Shenendehowa wrestler Hunter Meys appears in Sports Illustrated’s Feb. 11 edition in its “Faces in the Crowd” segment. The senior is cited for setting the national high school career pin
record with 203, and is the second Section II athlete to be so honored by SI this winter, following Galuski, who hit 15 three-pointers against Schalmont. . . .
Shenendehowa coach Jim Carrese will be among the guest speakers and former major league pitcher Mike Marshall will be the keynote speaker at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s fifth annual baseball coaches clinic Feb. 29 in Cooperstown. To register or for more details, contact Lloyd Mott
(690-0771).
Categories: -Sports-
