Section II Well Represented on State Girls Cross Country

The New York State Sportswriters Association girls cross country honors were announced and as usual Section II made a lot of noise.

Class A

Estela Smith (Saratoga) – First Team, Keelin Hollowood (Saratoga) – Second Team, Taylor Driscoll (Saratoga) – Third Team, Lizzie Predmore (Shenendehowa) – Third Team, Maryanna Lansing (Shaker) – Fourth Team, Olivia Morrow (Saratoga) – Fourth Team, Tara Peck (Saratoga) – Fifth Team, Bailey Kowalczyk (Shenendehowa) – Fifth Team.

Class B

Alyssa Drapeau (Burnt Hills) – Second Team, Leah Triller (Holy Names) – Third Team, Catherine Malloy (Holy Names) – Fourth Team, Meagan Roecker (Burnt Hills) – Fourth Team, Jolie Navatka (Queensbury) – Fourth, Team, Dani Martino (Burnt Hills) – Fifth Team, Jordan Casey (Burnt Hills) – Fifth Team, Allison Fernandez (Burnt Hills) – Seventh Team, Anastasia Monsen (Burnt Hills) – Seventh Team, Schuyler Pruyn (Burnt Hills) – Seventh Team, Jacqueline Willsey (Holy Names) – Seventh Team.

Class C

Alicia Clark (Granville) – First Team, Vicky Houser (Greenwich) – First Team, Madaline Montague (Greenwich) – First Team, Sarah Lapham (Greenwich) – Third Team, Tori Spiezio (Greenwich) – Third Team, Jamie Kasma (Fonda-Fultonville) – Fourth Team.

Class D

Courtney Tedeschi (Berne-Knox-Westerlo) – Second Team, Megan Erickson (North Warren) – Third Team.

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Five area soccer players made the 2011 NSCAA High School All Region 2 team.

Junior defender Alice Hayden of Hoosick Falls landed a spot on the girls list.

Senior midfielder Michael Jenkins of Shenendehowa, senior midfielder Massimo Smiroldo and senior forward Tommy Osipitan, both of Colonie, and senior forward Morgan Smith of Saratoga were named to the boys team.

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The Shenendehowa High School wrestling team ranks in a tie for first (for large schools) in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association poll.

Queensbury occupies 12th and Columbia 15th.

In small schools, Hudson Falls is rated 14th, while Duanesburg and Corinth are tied for 20th.

The boys basketball state poll shows CBA of Albany 11th in Class AA. Green Tech is situated 18th in Class A. Three area schools were recognized in Class B. Watervliet is eighth, Mekeel Christian Academy takes 15th and Catskill 19th.

In Class C, Greenwich occupies 14th, Hoosick Falls 17th and Lake George 19th. Argyle holds down the 10th spot in Class D.

Saratoga's ice hockey team is eighth in Division I rankings.

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More good news about the Burnt Hills girls volleyball team, which won the state Class A championship at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Twelve players earned an average of 96.428 for third among New York State Public High School Athletic Association schools for scholar-athletes. Port Jervis took first place with 96.531.

Natalie Ziskin, Lizzy Morton and Siena Wilder received all-state team recognition.

The Burnt Hills football team was fifth with an average of 94.799.

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The state wrestling tournament will be held at the Times Union Center on Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26.

If you need any information about this two-day event please visit www.nysphsaawrestling.com. Everything you want to know is there.

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The Schenenectady High School football cheerleaders will fly out on Dec. 30 at 8:15 a.m. to compete in the Gator Bowl (Jacksonville, Fla.).

The cheerleaders are scheduled to attend a closed competition for the teams participating in the halftime show on that same day.

Florida and Ohio State will play in the Gator Bowl.

On Dec. 31, the girls will be performing in the Gator Bowl parade in addition to rehearsals. The following day features more rehearsals and then Jan. 2, showing their talent at halftime of the game.

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Retiring Amsterdam High School football coach Pat Liverio was recognized at the annual end-of-season banquet.

AHS Football Booster Club president Phil Carbone said, "We did have a nice sendoff for Pat. We acknowledged his service, and all of his accomplishments while coaching for AHS and Congressman Paul Tonko was present to speak to the assembly of people at the Bert Derose Theatre at the high school. Our guest speaker for the night was former offensive lineman standout and most successful player Pat coached, Josh Beekman formerly of the Chicago Bears."

The Booster Club presented both Liverio and offensive coordinator Bob Noto with plaques that were engraved with their records and a couple of inspiration quotes to recognize them as the elite coaches they were.

Liverio spoke to the players and made a special tribute to the seniors on the team. That group of boys, which includes his son, Nick, will always hold a special place with him and he was proud to be leaving with them. At the end, each captain took turns with a speech thanking the "Coach" for everything he has done and meant to them.

Prior to the ceremony, the Section II Class A banquet took place where Liverio was recognized for his service and presented with a plaque. Lastly, the Amsterdam School Board also presented him with an award at their last meeting.

If you have an item of particular interest, whether it's about a player, coach, or team on the high school level, send me information and we'll see what we can do. Please direct all suggestions to mcollar7@hotmail.com.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Article by Mike Collar