Red Storm look to hold spot atop CVAC SARANAC LAKE FOOTBALL
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake football team doesn’t have a deep roster and has limited experience, but the aim remains the same. The Red Storm want to be in contention for another championship. As the defending Section VII, Class C champion, Saranac Lake enters the season with a roster of 25 players. The Red Storm will rely on a mix of young newcomers and a handful secondyear starters to find success in what looks to be a competitive schedule this fall. “I think our youth is going to be a factor early in the season, but if we stick with it, hopefully with our work ethic we should be competitive and hopefully in the hunt for a championship,” head coach Eric Bennett said. “We had the best summer participation in all my years of coaching. We’ve had roughly 60 percent of our kids between varsity and JV participating in our summer workouts. That’s incredible.” Two key players Saranac Lake looks to replace are Joe Viscardo — Section VII’s all-time career leader in receiving yards — and starting quarterback Will Coats. Saranac Lake will see last year’s backup signal caller, DJ Morgan, start at quarterback this fall. Meanwhile, Bennett said the team is still looking to see who will step into passcatching roles. The Red Storm were hit with a set-
The
Roster
Seniors Hunter LaHart Emery Swanson Jarrett Ashton Ward Walton DJ Morgan Wyatt Foley Brandon White Matt Kratts Thurston Fox Zach Tracy Emmett Bevilacqua Sean Lincoln Billy Bentz Perry Winch Nick Woodard Kyle Lewis Gabe Nelson Juniors Rylan Christy Ryan Meyer Robert Wenske Jacob Shipman Dawson Hough Jonathan Hewitt Sophomore Ben Munn Freshman Rhett Darrah
back at that position in the preseason after senior Emery Swanson broke his wrist playing lacrosse. Heading into his third varsity season, Swanson will be sidelined early but is expected to return. So far, Ward Walton, one of five captains, brings the most experience to the roster among Saranac Lake’s group of receivers. “We have a number of young receivers, but we don’t have any clear-cut kids so we kind of have a big old shootout for receivers
LaHart and Ben Munn, who is a sophomore. For the first time in years, a freshman is on the roster as Rhett Darrah starts at safety and will also be Saranac Lake’s backup quarterback. One of Saranac Lake’s strengths, both in terms of size and experience, will be on the line. Among the 10 players listed as linemen on the roster, eight are returning seniors, including captains Thurston Fox and Sean Lincoln. Bennett said his team will
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have its hands full this season in an effort to defend its title. He expects Saranac Lake’s two Class C rivals, AuSable Valley and Saranac Central, to provide tough competition. Although it’s not affecting the Red Storm varsity team this season, participation in the Saranac Lake football program has been opened up to student-athletes from Lake Placid High School. One player from Lake Placid has joined the Red Storm junior varsity squad and another is playing
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and defensive backs right now,” Bennett said. “We’re giving everybody a chance and seeing who percolates to the top.” Bennett said Morgan, who is also a captain, brings a toughness and running ability at quarterback. He’ll be joined in the backfield by one of the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference’s top runners in senior Jarrett Ashton, who was secondteam all-league a season ago. Two newcomers expected to make an impact at running back are Hunter
(Photo — Jen Moore)
on the modified team. “Unfortunately we were hoping for a greater participation and maybe we’ll have a better outreach program next year,” Bennett said. “We’re excited with the kids we have and hopefully they’ll bring good news back to their community. “This is an extremely hard-working, cohesive team,” Bennett continued. “We haven’t seen a lot of individuality. The kids have really bought into the work ethic, they’re doing things the right way and we haven’t had any disciplinary issues. They’re doing everything a good team would do.”
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Tupper Lake attack starts in the trenches
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer TUPPER LAKE — With the absence of a junior varsity program, low numbers and limited experience have usually been factors weighing against Tupper Lake’s varsity football team during recent seasons. That may be the case again this fall as the Lumberjacks take on their Section X schedule, but head coach Dennis Klossner likes what he sees in the 22-player roster the team will put on the field this fall. This year, the ‘Jacks will center their team around the area where they have the most experience, and that’s in the trenches on both sides of the line. And after that, they’ll be looking for a mix of newcomers and veterans to step into new roles in a season Klossner hopes will be a competitive one. “We’re really looking for our interior linemen to lead the way,” Klossner said. “That’s where we have the most experience. We have some big guys there, not huge but they are strong and they know the game of football.” Tupper Lake does have to replace to all-star linemen Logan Savage and Jordan Young, who were seniors a year ago, but three others are returning starters and only one of them is a senior. The senior is Chad Charland, who will line up at tackle, and be joined by junior center Jaden LaValley and junior guard Kyler teRiele. Ben Lanthier, who played tight end in 2016, has made the move to tackle, and Brayden McCottery will also be a major contributor along the line. “I feel we have a nice interior line, and with only one senior there, I’m not really looking ahead but we should have a good group there for the next two years.” Brennen McComber was Tupper Lake’s starting quarterback as a sophomore in 2016, but that position will
Seniors Drew Denis Cody Pioli Ryeleigh Shore Christian Johnson Austyn Patoine Chad Charland Juniors Noah Cordes Brennen McComber Aiden Amell Ben Lanthier Kyler teRiele
Roster
have a new face as junior Noah Cordes takes over under center. McComber and sophomore Skyler Pickering will handle most of the ball carrying duties as Tupper Lake’s starting running backs. “Noah was a receiver last year, but we made the switch because we like having McComber and Pickering in the backfield,” Klossner
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
Braydyn McCottery Jaden LaValley Chris Gilman Brad McLear Bryce Richards Sophomores Skyler Pickering Ryan Picerno Dawson Walton Josh Smith Haedyn Farnsworth Kodee Hill
said. “Noah is a smart kid, he’s tall and he has that football instinct. He really reacted well in our scrimmage. He has promise. Because Noah doesn’t have a lot of experience, at this point we’re going to be more of a running team and as we progress, we’ll be looking to incorporate more passing into our offense.” When Cordes does take to
the air, wideouts Drew Denis, Bryce Richards, Christian Johnson, Kodee Hill and tight end Brad McLear will be among his targets. On defense, Tupper Lake will line up in a four-man front with the same faces leading the offense setting the tone on the other side of the line. Other key defenders include Pickering, McComber and senior Ryeleigh Shore, who will all be playing in the secondary, and Richards and Lanthier, who will both be at linebacker positions. As the only Class D team in Section X, Tupper Lake will head into action with a roster that’s low on numbers, which ultimately means that it will be all hands on deck each week for the Lumberjacks.
“We play ironman football,” said Klossner, who expects his team to fare better than last year’s group that came away with just one victory. “Our main goal is to be competitive. We want to limit our mistakes, we’re
(Enterprise file photo — Lou Reuter)
TUPPER LAKE FOOTBALL
hoping to be injury free and we’re looking for all 22 players to contribute. If things go well, I think with this roster we have a really good opportunity to put ourselves in a position to win some ball games.”
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Red Storm veterans blend with newcomers
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE Sports Writer SARANAC LAKE — With a new but experienced coach at the helm, the Saranac Lake cross-country running team is geared up and excited to continue its winning ways. Coach Bill Peer, who was also the varsity coach in the 2000s, is happy to be back
in the saddle. “It was an opportunity to come back, so I came back,” Peer said. “It’s fun, so I came back. It’s a nice team, nice group of kids. “I think our boys team probably has more experience. I think we’re a little untested on the girls side, team-wise,” he said. “We have a couple of good run-
Roster
BOYS Seniors Lauchlan Cheney-Seymour Tyler Martin Juniors Anderson Gray Adam Hesseltine Sam Branch Quinlan Peer Jacob Alberga Colton Clement Sophomore Griffin Smith Freshmen Micah McCulley James Catania Peter Fogarty Tucker Jakobe Connor McMinn Justin Duprey GIRLS Seniors Madison Grimone
PAGE 4
Maggie Peer Hannah Brogan Abbie Wolff Sierra O'Mahoney Madelynn Munn Madison Moon Kalee McLean Juniors Erica Swirsky Ryley Fischer Sophomores Molly Bell Rosemary Crowley Sylvie Link Frannie Newman Robyn Rutgers Sarah Samperi Willa Evans-Kummer Freshmen Gwen Mader Jamie Everritt Leena Keal Eighth-grader Evelyn Eller
ners on the girls side, (and) the boys will really be determined if they stay healthy. “We have a lot of depth on the boys team, but we have to stay healthy at the top.” Peer said he expects good things from Anderson Gray, Tyler Martin and Lauchlan Cheney-Seymour for the boys team this season. “We’ve got a few returning upperclassmen on the girls side,” coach Joe Garso, who mainly works with the girls team, said. “But we’ve got some great new young recruits that are first-year, so it’s pretty nice. I think Madison Grimone is probably our best runner right
from the get-go, and I think because we’ve got some young blood coming in we’re going to have to see how things shake out and see who ends up filling in the rest of the top spots. “I don’t think we’ve got a clear top-seven yet, so it’s kind of exciting.” Gray, a junior with a lot of running experience, thinks the team has improved over the last few years and is looking forward to a strong season. “I couldn’t ask for much more,” Gray said. “We’re just really, really packed this year and I’m really looking forward to running with
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these great guys.” Gray has been training all summer, and added that he has racked up a lot of miles since school has been out. “The main thing was mileage this summer, just pack on the mileage,” he said. “The longer days are about 11 miles. It’s been hard at times, but I just have to think of why I’m doing it.” Martin, a senior, is optimistic going into his third year of running cross country. “I feel like track (and field) is more individual and this is really good team bonding,” Martin said. “I run track and indoor track. It’s a fun school year.”
(Enterprise photo — Justin A. Levine)
SARANAC LAKE CROSS COUNTRY
Despite strong performances last year, some of the runners are looking forward to taking on their rivals from previous years. “I’m looking forward to beating Saranac,” Grimone, a senior, said. “And everybody improving their times from last year.” As a team leader, Grimone said the younger kids on the team mesh well as they join the varsity ranks. “I’m heavy on recruiting the younger girls to come and run,” she said. “They all seem to like it, so it’s not hard to keep them coming back. We’re a pretty tightknit team.”
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Blue Bombers reload after successful season LAKE PLACID CROSS COUNTRY
Roster
BOYS Seniors Tim Kelleher Scott Schulz Juniors Jesse Izzo Sophomores Gunnar Anthony James Flanigan Kai Frantz Michael Skutt Freshmen Warren Clark Spencer Daby Zach Gavin Van Ledger Eighth-grader Max Flanigan
(Enterprise photo — Justin A. Levine)
GIRLS Senior Alex Hartnett Juniors Lily Flanigan Sara Rose-McCandlish Sophomore Anya Morgan Freshman Marli Damp Eighth-grader Annie Rose-McCandlish
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE Sports Writer LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid boys crosscountry team finished second in the state last year, and some returning youngsters are hopeful they can step up to help repeat that success. With just two seniors and a junior returning on the boys side, coach Mel Frazer is optimistic about her team’s chances this year, and perhaps even more bullish about the team’s standing in the years to come. “We lost some key people for the boys, but I have some new runners,” Frazer said. “I can kind of guess my top five, but then to know who’s going to have spots six and seven, I could go back 10 runners and it will probably depend on who has a good race, which is awesome.” Frazer said the girls team also looks strong, but faces some stiff competition from other schools. Frazer thinks a few of her girls will go to the NYSPHSAA Class D
championship meet as individuals. Frazer said several of the kids on the team involved with New York Ski Educational Foundation winter sports programs, and that she will coordinate with the NYSEF coaching staff on training schedules. Due to the young age of the Blue Bombers, some underclassmen will have an opportunity to take on leadership roles. Freshman Marli Damp and sophomore James Flanigan each have a few years of varsity cross coun-
try running under their belts and are looking forward to another successful season. “I’m pretty excited for this year because I’ve grown a lot since last year, so I think I’ll see a difference in my times,” Flanigan said. “We had a lot of older, faster guys last year, so I’m going to have to move up and take some of those positions back. I gotta make up for losing those guys, so it’s a little pressure but I think it’s good for me.” Damp, who ran spring track as a seventh-grader and
varsity cross country last year as an eighth-grader, said taking on a leadership role so young is both challenging and rewarding. “I think we’re going to be pretty good,” Damp said. “I just want to be a good example for everyone on the team by finishing my workouts and just putting effort into it and being as positive as possible. “I don’t mind being one of the leaders since I’m so young.” Damp also competes on
the NYSEF ski team, and is taking care not to do too much too fast. “I’m just making sure I don’t burn myself out early,” she said. “Running is pretty much cross training for me, but I still love it and I’m just making sure I don’t go too hard too early and then by the time I’m a senior be slow and run-down.” With last year’s strong showing at the state championships, Frazer said the boys team is ranked higher statewide than in years past.
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“Right now we’re ranked sixth in the state, which is higher than what we ranked last year going in, and we ended up second by three little points,” Frazer said. “It’s hard because a lot of the other teams didn’t really have any graduating seniors, but when you look at the lineup this year, a lot of them have three to four seniors. “So since we’re young, I think this year they’ll do great still and keep Lake Placid up there,” she said. “They’re motivated, so that’s good.”
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PAGE 5
Optimism runs deep among Tupper runners
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE Sports Writer TUPPER LAKE — A young Tupper Lake girls cross country running team has high hopes for the season, and the boys have big dreams of their own. Led by veteran coach and Ironman world champion triathlete Amy Farrell, the Lumberjacks lost use of their home course this year due to a capital project at L.P. Quinn Elementary School. But despite the lack of a homefield advantage, Farrell sees a lot of promise in her young teams. “We have most of our kids back from our team that won sectionals in Class B,” she said. “Some of our older kids are still working, so we haven’t had everybody together yet, but it’s a fun group and our modified kids are keeping right up with our varsity kids.” Team leader Tess Klossner graduated in the spring, but Farrell said other
PAGE 6
BOYS Seniors Justin Walsh Quinn Shaheen Ryan Savage Ben Casagrain Ian Berg Juniors Matthew Whitmore Jack Skiff Connor Jessie
Roster
kids are stepping in to fill that role. “Right now we only have two varsity girls,” she said. “But they’re both very good leaders and helpful with the modified kids. “It’s nice because we have a nice little group. Everyone’s involved. They all get along and help each other, so it’s not like the modified kids are distanced from the varsity.” Even the two girls on varsity are young, with junior Kasandra Sipler and sophomore Sandra Kwasniak stepping in to fill the role of team
Alexander Dukette Sophomores Riley Gillis Patrick Cote Jayce Clement
GIRLS Junior Kasandra Sipler Sophomore Sandra Kwasniak
leaders. “It’s hard because she (Klossner) was kind of the person that everyone looked
up to,” Sipler said. “But now that person seems to be me because I’m the oldest and been around the longest.” Klossner, Sipler and Kwasniak each made it to the NYSPHSAA meet near Binghamton last fall as individual runners, and Kwasniak wants to make that trip again this fall. “I want to get into states, but I also want to place fairly decent in states,” she said. “Because last year was my first year, so now I just want to shoot a little bit higher.”
Due to a general lack of athletes, several Tupper Lake sports, including cross country, lack a junior varsity team and only have modified and varsity competitions. But the lack of a development team isn’t stopping
(Enterprise photo — Justin A. Levine)
TUPPER LAKE CROSS COUNTRY
Farrell from seeking another boys sectional title. “I’d like to see that,” she said. “We’ll know more when everyone is off work and they’re back running together. But they’re running well as a group. We’ll see what they’ve got.”
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Saranac Lake enters the land of the unknown
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer SARANAC LAKE — After losing 11 seniors to graduation, Saranac Lake coach Josh Marlow said he’s heading into the unknown with his boys soccer squad this season. With a 22-player roster, Marlow knows his numbers are solid again. He also knows there is talent among the group of eight players who are returning veterans. A big question, however, is how a large contingent of new faces will develop and fare competing for the first time as varsity players. “I’ve never gone into the season with so many question marks,” Marlow said. “It’s going to be interesting. I don’t know what we have in the cupboard. We are young and inexperienced at the varsity level. We have a lot of potential and growing into the game. It’s going to be a process.” Saranac Lake will have to make up for the scoring it lost from a season with the graduation of forward Ethan Wood, who was one vote shy of being named the
Seniors Dzihad Cecunjanin Jackson Carlisto Colden Celeste Devan Kidd Brian Sullivan Brett Dawson Abraham Newton Sawyer Chase Jesse LaPlante Juniors Christian Monty Griffin Pelish
Roster
Northern Soccer League’s Division I most valuable player. This fall, the Red Storm will be look for senior Sawyer Chase to step into the role as the team’s top threat on the front line. “Sawyer Chase deferred to Ethan last year, and now he wants to be the guy,” Marlow said. “He’s got a ton of speed, he’s a physical player and he should score of pile of goals this year. He played at a prep school over the summer and has really worked hard at improving his game.” Chase was Saranac Lake’s second-leading scorer in
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
Daniel Foley Marshal Moore Victtor Moraes Terence Fogarty Camden Reiley Steven Bearce Owen Yando Quinlan Peer Sophomores Nicholas Kelting Jacob Adams Freshman Colter Cheney-Seymour
2016 and is one of three team captains along with Jackson Carlisto and Brian Sullivan. In addtition to Chase, Abraham Newton is a returning senior who can put the ball in the net. Sullivan and Quinn Peer will anchor Saranac Lake’s defense and be joined on the back line by juniors Devan Kidd and Griffin Pelish. Midfield starters are expected to be Carlisto, fellow senior Dzihad Cecunjanin and Colter Cheney-Seymour, who is the lone freshman on the team. A newcomer to the team is senior Brett Dawson, who played football and ran on
(Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)
SARANAC LAKE BOYS SOCCER
the Red Storm’s cross country team last year. He’s an aggressive athlete who will start in net for Saranac Lake. “He’s the best raw goalie we’ve had in a while,” Marlow said. “Boy, did that kid put in the work, and he’s loving playing the position. He does things that you just can’t teach and it will be exiciting to watch him.” For the first time, Saranac Lake will compete as a Class C team in the playoffs, even though the team will still take on its traditional schedule against Section VII’s larger Class B schools. Although Marlow said the Red Storm will be a work in
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progress, he is happy with how his players are interacting. “This team just has a tremendous work ethic,” he said. “The guys are very
unselfish — willing to do anything for the team. They’re pretty green, but they work hard. I’m looking forward to see how we compete.”
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PAGE 7
Young guns step in to replace the old guard LAKE PLACID BOYS SOCCER
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer LAKE PLACID — After riding experience, size and talent to its fifth-straight Section VII, Class C boys soccer title a year ago, Lake Placid will turn toward a slew of young guns this season in an effort to notch its sixth crown in a row by the time the playoffs roll around. The Blue Bombers graduated 10 players, including Stuart Baird, who was the Northern Soccer League’s Division II most valuable player, and coach Stuart Hemsley said he’s hoping a fresh group of youngsters can keep the winning trend alive. “The ninth- and 10thgraders are going to be the backbone of the team with the help of the seniors,” Hemsley said. “We’re small, quick and young. We’ve gone from seniors to freshmen, and at this point I’m cautious about trying to coach too much into them early in the season. I’m just letting them play.” Senior Jaso Hannula leads Lake Placid into action this season as a returning firstteam all league defender and one of the most talented players in the North Country. “Jaso is in a league of his own,” Hemsley said describing his longtime sweeper. “He’s going to lead from the back. He’s going to score goals and he’s going to shut down the opposition. He’s going to make everyone on this team a better player.” Juniors Hayden Plank and Cooper Holmes will join Hannula as Lake Placid’s starting defenders. Key midfielders include Jarell Paul, sophomore Tyler Hinckely and freshman Joose Kahkonen. When it comes to quickness on the attack, senior forward Carter Grady has plenty of it, and is expected to be one of the producers along the front line. “Carter’s speed is second to none,” Hemsley said. “As
PAGE 8
Seniors Tony Matos Jaso Hannula Carter Grady Jarell Paul Malik Cecunjanin Colin Bentley Justin Briggs Juniors Jacob Novik Matt White
Roster
the school record holder in the 100 meters, the kid has an afterburner after his afterburner.” Junior Jacob Novick steps
Joaquim Benavides Cooper Holmes Hayden Plank Colin Brandes Sophomores Tyler Hinckley Sebastian Narvaes Remi Borden Freshmen Matthew Brandes Joose Kahkonen
into the role of Lake Placid’s starting goalkeeper after playing that position on junior varsity in 2016. Hemsley described his goalie as a
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“When it comes to the opposition, it’s going to come from everywhere this year,” Hemsley said. “I’m looking forward to a new rivalry with Saranac Lake soccer that we haven’t had. Would I predict a sixth straight title? I’m not going to predict that at this time, but I’m excited with this team. I’ve got players that can come off the bench and the level of play will not drop. I’ve got four or five that can come up the bench with pace. I’m just going to let the kids play.”
great shot stopper who is aggressive. Sophomore Sebastian Narvaes is also expected to be a playmaker for the team. A year ago, Lake Placid only had to contend with Seton Catholic and AuSable Valley when it came to the postseason. This fall, that number has increased to four foes, as Saranac Lake has dropped to Class C for the first time and Northern Adirondack has moved back up from its status as a Class D squad last season.
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TUPPER LAKE GIRLS SOCCER
Lumberjacks build on last year’s victories
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE Sports Writer TUPPER LAKE — With several wins under its belt last year, the Tupper Lake girls soccer team is looking to bring that momentum into the season this year. After a drought of several winless seasons, the Tupper Lake girls soccer program finally started to find the back of the net last season. And first-year head coach Zack Arthur, who was an assistant coach last season, thinks his relatively young team can continue to improve now that the players have had a taste of winning. “We have a lot of the same players, (but) we lost a lot of the seniors,” Arthur said. “But a lot of our core team is still here, so we’re going to keep building with them. We’re working on our fitness primarily at this point
Seniors Alexis Degrace Keira Methot Juniors Kaylee Adams Allie Bishop Emily Burns Marah Liscum Sophia Martin Maddy Mousaw Emma St. Pierre
Roster
early in the season because we know we’ve got the skills already sort of in the bag.” Arthur said the team lost seven players to graduation, and is now sporting just two seniors. But with no junior varsity program, the eight juniors and nine sophomores on the team have already logged plenty of varsity play. Arthur said his two seniors have stepped in to fill the gap of the players who grad-
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
Ciera Toohey Sophomores Ava Cuttaia Claire Denis Lauren Denis Stephanie Fortune Kate Harriman Loran Kavanagh Cassidy Kentile Jenna Leonard Shannon Soucy
uated in the spring. “Keira (Methot) and Alexis (Degrace) have absolutely stepped up,” he said. “They lead the warmups everyday. They are very good about being here on time and making sure everyone else is. They (know) the right way to be a captain where they pick up the balls instead of making the younger kids do it. They lead by example.” “It’s kind of scary.
Actually, no, it’s really scary,” Methot said. “Because I’ve always watched everyone do it before me and now it’s like our turn. We encourage a lot of them because they’re new to varsity, all the kids that just came up.” Degrace said her senior season is shaping up to be bittersweet. “All the games and our senior night, that’ll be nice,” Degrace said. “It’ll be sad, but good.” Arthur is expecting big things from some the girls this year, and thinks the focus on fitness early in the year will pay off for the team. “Loran Kavanagh is a good up-and-coming player. She’s probably going to play midfield or striker,” Arthur said. “She scored a couple goals for us last season, and
we’re hoping she can do the same. “Sophia Martin is a running monster, she can go forever. So I’m hoping she’ll be a midfield force this year as
well. And we’ve got a couple strong defensive players as well. We’ve got Emily Burns, Kate Harriman, Allie Bishop — they’re all going to be really strong for us.”
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PAGE 9
Bombers mesh new and old into cohesive unit
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid girls soccer team will field a mix of upperclassmen and newcomers, and will compete with a new head coach at the helm. Brenden Gotham takes over the reins from longtime head coach Heather Brewer, who is on maternity leave. Gotham will lead a Blue Bombers squad of 22 strong that ranges from freshmen to seniors, and it’s a group he expects to be a competitive force in the Northern Soccer League Division II race. “I am very excited about our chances to be competitive this season,” Gotham said. “Unfortunately, coach Brewer cannot coach this year, but I will do my best to keep her team and the momentum she has built moving forward.” Lake Placid will be anchored in nets by senior Shelby Jewtraw, who starts at keeper for the third season. She is one of just five seniors on a young team. Forward Morin Bissonette and defenders Camille Craig, Ashley Strack and Jenn Godin are Lake Placid’s other seniors. Craig provides the Blue Bombers’ defense with toughness at the sweeper position, She’ll be joined on the back line with varsity newcomers Rylee Preston and Shannon Bentley, as well as Strack and Godin. A strength of Lake Placid should be at midfield, with
Seniors Morin Bissonette Camille Craig Shelby Jewtraw Jenn Godin Ashley Strack
juniors MacKenzie Kondrat and Lindsey Rath leading the way. Kondrat returns after being named a firstteam Division II midfielder in 2016. Rath is back as a third-year starter. Junior Meghan Byrne also provides Lake Placid with some scoring punch and will line up at either
Roster
Juniors Meghan Byrne Sophia Adragna Trinity Baillargeon Shannon Bentley MacKenzie Kondrat Lindsey Rath
midfield or forward. Byrne was a second-team Division II selection as a sophomore. She netted four goals and recorded two assists in 2016. “MacKenzie Kondrat will be such a strong presence in the midfield and is the glue that keeps us together this year,” Gotham said.
Makeda Thompson Sophomores Eliza Barney Alyssa Hoffman Bea Hollander Sam Jubin Ali Magurk
Two young players, sophomore Bea Hollander and freshman Lydia Bullock, are expected to be two of Lake Placid’s top scoring threats on the front line. One reason there are so many young players in the lineup this season is Lake Placid is not fielding a junior varsity squad this fall.
Brook Paries Elise Pierson Carsyn Rissberger Freshmen Lydia Bullock Rylee Preston Natalie Tavares
But Gotham said he really likes what he has seen in the early going from that group.
(Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)
LAKE PLACID GIRLS SOCCER
“The talent in the freshmen and sophomores is really promising,” he said.
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Seniors lead the way for Tupper Lake spikers
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE Sports Writer TUPPER LAKE — The Tupper Lake volleyball team is heavy with seniors this year, and that combined experience looks like it could lead to another successful season. After more than 40 girls tried out for the team, head coach Diane Helms was in the unenviable position of having to make cuts. “We had a few that cut themselves and a few that I moved back to the lower level just so they could grow,” Helms said. With school nurse and former volleyball player April McClain taking over the modified squad this year, Helms sees a lot of promise in the upcoming crop of Tupper Lake volleyball players. But the seniors on the team bring with them loads of experience, as many have been playing in the Tupper Lake system since middle school. “I’ve had these girls with me since they were 9 or 10 years old,” Helms said. “Most of them have been captains at one point or another. “I think we’ll be pretty strong.” Senior Rebecca Delair played volleyball on a Massena club team all winter and is bringing a lot of experience and command to the court this year. “I played in Massena and Madrid-Waddington and I learned how to work better as a team and how to come together,” Delair said. “My approach was better and I think I became a better leader. Seniors Hannah Lanthier Maddie Kentile Rebecca Delair Mackenzie Dailey Alamanda King Juniors Kayley LaPierre
“I think I became an overall better leader. It’s really cool to see modified girls look up to you and want to be like you. And even girls on the varsity team that are freshmen or sophomores look to you for
guidance. It’s a really rewarding feeling for working so hard.” Senior Maddie Kentile is
looking forward to ending her high school volleyball career on a positive before heading off to possibly
Roster
Caitlynn Flemming Mariah Burnette Sophomore Sierra LaValley Freshmen Kylin Strader Rilee Frezzo Elaina Daniels
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017
attend medical school or become a physician’s assistant. “I just hope that we have a
(Enterprise photo — Justin A. Levine)
TUPPER LAKE VOLLEYBALL
good season,” Kentile said. “Win or lose, I just hope we get along good and try to be the best we can.”
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PAGE 11
SARANAC LAKE VOLLEYBALL
Storm’s changing of the guard
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer SARANAC LAKE — There’s a changing of the guard for the Saranac Lake volleyball team this fall, and it’s a big one. Except for two returning juniors, the Red Storm will feature a new lineup as they head into the CVAC. Captains Danielle Gonyea and Marissa Gibbs are the lone student-athletes back from a varsity squad that saw 11 players graduate from a team that finished with a 9-9 record during a very competitive 2016 campaign. Second-year varsity coach Mike Navarra said although he has what amounts to an entirely new team, those players have stepped up from a solid Red Storm volleyball
program overall. “I think we’ve done the work. It’s not really rebuilding from scratch because we have a good modified coach as well as a good JV coach,” Navarra said. “Those programs are a complement to the varsity team. We have two coaches teaching the basics of the sport, so what I see coming up is individuals who have learned some skills, but definitely need to be exposed to the varsity level challenge. “I think Marissa and Danielle will be key as far as leadership qualities on the court,” Navarra continued. “I think they will help, especially with the sophomores, when it comes to keeping their composure at all times. You need to
LAKE PLACID VOLLEYBALL
keep your technique and mechanics solid, because once your mind goes, then your body starts to follow.” Sydney Andronica, a sophomore, will have big shoes to fill in replacing Olivia Atkinson, who led the CVAC in defensive digs a season ago. “I’m looking at repeating that with Sydney,” Navarra said. “She’s a super athlete. Looking at her footwork when we did ladders and stuff like that, she just stood out. It’s just getting her skills to match her athleticism.” Madie Gay and Katie Gay provide the Red Storm with height and should be an impact moving up from junior varsity. Navarra said Holly Kurtz will be among Saranac Lake’s defensive specialists.
The Saranac Lake volleyball team, front row from left: Hannah Gochenaur, Holly Kurtz, Sydney Andronica and Kelsey McCarthy. Back row: Coach Mike Navarra, Nora Glover, Kaity Burat, Katie Gay, Madie Gay, Danielle Gonyea and Marissa Gibbs.
Blue Bombers strive for No. 5
By LOU REUTER Senior Sports Writer LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid volleyball team has a nice string of four Section VII, Class C championships going, and the Blue Bombers would love to see that number increase to five this season. Lake Placid enters its Champlain Valley Athletic Conference schedule with a roster of nine, which includes five who return with varsity experience. Longtime coach Donna Moody said not only would she like to see her squad notch a fifth-straight crown, she’s also hoping for a record of .500 or better during a regular season that appears to be up for grabs. “Looking at the teams, I think it’s going to be wide open this year,” Moody said. “I think it’s all going to come down to who is the most consistent on the court and who brings their ‘A’ game. I think we have a lot of good parts, and for the early season we’re playing well together.” Seniors Graci Daby, Laurel Miller and Kaleigh McKillip will serve as the Blue Bombers’ captains. As a threeyear varsity player, Daby
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(Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)
Front row, from left: Frankie Hathaway, Jasmine Zhang and Sara McKillip. Back row: Rose Burns, Barrett Smith, Laurel Miller, Kaleigh McKillip, Olivia Sawyer and Graci Daby.
brings the most expereince to the court and is expected to be one of the team’s stronger hitters and setters. Competing in her second year at the varsity level, Miller is also a setter and hitter, while McKillip will specialize as a hitter. Seniors Frankie Hathaway and Olivia Sawyer also return for their second varsity seasons. Jasmine Zhang, Barrett Smith and Rose Burns are first-year varsity team mem-
(Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)
bers as juniors, and sophomore Sara McKillip rounds out the roster as a sophomore. In addition to shooting for a .500 record or better, Moody said steady improvement is another goal the Blue Bombers will look to accomplish. “We want to work hard every day, and win or lose, we want to come off the court every match being a little better,” Moody said.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017