Section II’s Top Track Performers Take the Spotlight Over The Weekend

If you wanted to see some of the best track and field talent in this area, then you had your choice on Saturday.

Kyle Plante (Colonie) and Natasha Brown (Albany) were locked up in a 100 meter race at the Colonie Relay Carnival.

The final results showed Plante squeaking out a close victory, 11.8 to 11.9.

And that wasn't the end for the outstanding Colonie star. She helped the sprint medley relay and 300 hurdles relay squads pick up victories.

Meanwhie, Shaker continued its success winning invitationals this season, taking first with 106 points. The boys side featured Shaker taking first., 120 points.

Emily VanDenburgh had an excellent day setting a meet record in the long jump, and taking part in the winning triple jump relay.

Kayla Miller of Bishop Maginn was a winner in the 100, and long jump and ran a leg on the first place 400 relay en route to earning the Marsh Galotta Invitational top athlete honor.

Middleburgh's Courtney Paser, the meet's outstanding female track performer, finished first in the 800, 1,500 and 1,600 relay.

Her teammate, Shania Marotta won the discus and captured the top female athlete award.

Middleburgh's Jonathan Zapata took the spotlight in the 400 hurdles, 110 hurdles and was named the top male track athlete.

Brendan Archer won the high jump and second in the shot put and took the outstanding field award.

Schoharie's Skyler VanDerwerken excelled in the 3,200 and pole vault and was part of the winning 1,600 relay for win top male athlete honors.

Schoharie won the boys title and Middleburgh earned the girls crown.

In the George Muse Relays at Glens Falls, Drew Duguid of Bethlehem took the spotlight in the triple jump and long jump. Parker Ruetz and Luke Mosca were the top performers in the discus and pole vault, respectively.

The girls ledger saw Queensbury's 6,400, 3,200, 800, shuttle hurdle and distance medley relays prevail. Olivia Paolino was the top athlete in the triple jump and pole vault.

Glens Falls' Zoe Doolittle starred in the discus and shot put.

The Fonda-Fultonville Relays saw several impressive performances. Matt White and Luis Laboy of Amsterdam took the long jump title and played a key role in the 400 relay victory.

Laboy also teammed up with Chris Rost for the triple jump victory. The host Braves won the three hurdle events.

Voorheesville girls prevailed in the 1,600 sprint medley and high jump relays.

In baseball, Fort Plain knocked off Hoosick Falls, 4-2, to win its tournament championship. Marcus Failing excelled on the mound while Trent Douglas, Chris Hanifin and Ray Ponte were the offensive stars.

Lansingburgh got the best of Fort Ann, 8-2, in a non-league game. Fort Ann is the state's second-ranked Class D team.

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NYS Boys Basketball team

Collin Stewart (Mekeel Christian Academy, Class B), Jordan McBride (Mechanicville, Class C) and Joey Lufkin (Argyle, Class D) were named to the first team of the New York State Sportswriters Association 2011-12 boys’ basketball all-state list.

The following Section II players were recognized for state honors.

CLASS AA

Trahmier Burrell (Troy) 4th team, Joe Krong (CBA) 9th team, Javion Ogunyemi (Troy) 10th team, Cameron Dobbs (Guilderland) 11th team.

CLASS A

Jelani Currie (AlbanyAcademy) 4th team, Cam Girard (Glens Falls) 13th team.

CLASS B

Collin Stewart (Mekeel Christian Academy) 1st team, Jordan Gleason (Watervliet) 2nd team, Antione Johnson (Watervliet) 4th team, Griffin Kelly ( Watervliet) 10th team

CLASS C

Jordan McBride (Mechanicville) 1st team, T.J. Smith (Schoharie) 3rd team, Alex Lilac ( Hoosick Falls) 5th team, Joe Estramonte (Greenwich) 6th team, Will Bromirski (Cambridge) 8th team.

CLASS D

Joey Lufkin (Argyle) 1st team, Brett Ullman (Sharon Springs) 2nd team, Robert Sprague (Fort Ann) 3rd team, Josh Horton (Argyle) 4th team, Christian Peterson ( Hawthorne Valley) 6th team.