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CCHS Chronicles

Vol. 2, No. 1

October

2016

JUST FOR FUN

Test yourself. Answers are contained in the articles and

confirmed on the last page of this issue.

1. Which college donated its team’s jerseys for one of our

teams?

2. Which teacher used to own a horse?

3. Which teacher runs the CCHS internship program?

4. Which teacher owns a basketball camp?

5. Which teacher would like to help cancer patients?

6. Which teacher taught at Holy Spirit School?

7. Which teacher helped coach the Girls’ Soccer Team?

8. Which staff member is the mother of two CCHS graduates?

9. How much did the Fun for Funds Day raise?

10. Which team lost in the Sectional finals?

11. Which team is Section II Class B Sectional Champs?

FIRE GUTS FIELD HOUSE ON EVE OF

SECTIONAL GAME

by Samia Baker

Early Friday morning, October 21st, Catholic Central and

Bishop Gibbons received news that their football team's field

house, located at Bishop Gibbons High School, had caught on

fire. When asked about the field house, Holy Trinity Head

Coach John Barber said “We’ve put a lot of hard work into

transforming that into our home.” The fire was deliberately set

at around 2:00 a.m. and it destroyed all the football team's

equipment, just one day before the first Sectional playoff game

in the combined team’s three-year history.

Local news channels broadcast the story prompting people and

schools to help Holy Trinity and donate football equipment so

that the Pride would be able to play at Hoosic Valley the

following day. The community showed an overwhelming

amount of support. The Recovery Sports Grill st arted a Go

Fund Me page, with a goal of ten thousand dollars. So far, the

Holy Trinity football team has raised about eight thousand

dollars through this site. As for equipment, schools including

Schenectady High School, and colleges including UAlbany,

Union, and RPI donated items such as helmets and shoulder

pads. UAlbany donated football jerseys to the team, as well as

helmets. Holy Trinity Pride stickers were hastily applied to the

helmets.

Unfortunately, Holy Trinity lost to a powerful Hoosick Valley

team on Saturday afternoon, October 22, by a score of 46-12,

on a rain-soaked field. but the Pride proudly represented

Catholic High and Bishop Gibbons and the community which

rallied to support them.

Read an excellent report by J. Allen,

www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Defeat-a-victory-of-spirit-

10133543.php; and a complete follow-up by P. Nelson,

www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cops-eye-potential-

suspects-in-Bishop-Gibbons-10414382.php.

NEW TEACHERS AND STAFF 2016

by Kay Valley, Shriya Matta, Greg Stamas, Jaclene Reith, and Johanna

Noakes

Each year brings not only new students but also new faculty

and staff to CCHS. Here is a little about each of them:

Coach Courtney Barry, the new Health and Physical

Education teacher, was born and raised about forty minutes

south of Catholic Central in Nassau, NY. A graduate of

Ichabod Crane High School,

Coach Barry began her collegiate

education at Hudson Valley

Community College, and

completed her Bachelor’s degree

in physical education at SUNY

Cortland in 2014. Currently,

Barry is working towards her

masters in health education at

Sage College in Albany.

Barry has always. loved working

with children and being active, so

she decided to incorporate both in

a career teaching physical and health education. Coach says

that the students at Catholic High are “some of the best kids I

have ever met in my life,” and that she “truly enjoys teaching

and being with the students here every day.”

Welcome Back, Crusaders!

By now you are acclimated to your new classes and teachers. The Fall Sports season is over! Read about our teams which

did exceptionally well. One overcame adversity on the eve of Sectionals and another won a Sectional title for the second year

in a row. As you read consider becoming a reporter for The Chronicles. This year the Chronicles will be emailed to all our

alumni. Go Crusaders! - The Editors

WHAT’S INSIDE

News Page

Fire Guts Field House 1

New Teachers and Staff 2016 1

Homecoming & Spirit Week 3

Fun for Funds 3

Student Council 2016-17 4

Fall Blood Drive 4

Sports Pages

Holy Trinity Football 4

CCHS Repeats as Girls’ Tennis Champs 5

Girls’ Soccer 6

Girls’ Volleyball 6

Cross Country 7

Boys’ Soccer 7

Late Breaking: Honors for Cross Country 8

CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016

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Besides teaching Health and Phys. Ed., Barry also serves as the

girls’ Varsity Soccer team’s assistant coach and will be one of

the girls’ Varsity Basketball team’s assistant coaches during

the Winter.

Special Education teacher Mrs. Nancy Bechand has worked

at Lansingburg High School for 23 years. She grew up in

Voorheesville. Both her parents and numerous relatives were

teachers and professors and her father was an assistant

principal. In high school Ms. Bechand was part of a dressage

drill team. (Look this up!) but had to give up her beloved

horse when she left to attend Elmira College. She majored in

education and earned her Master’s degree in Special Education

from Russell Sage College.

Mrs. Bechand says she “loves it here” because Catholic High

students are great, polite and helpful. On the first day of school

this year she was impressed when a CCHS student held a door

open for her! Mrs. Bechand has a teenage daughter and a son.

Mr. Matthew Curtain is the new accounting and marketing

teacher; he also is in charge of

the internship program. Mr.

Curtain is originally from East

Greenbush. He went to Columbia

High School and attended SUNY

Cortland. Mr. Curtain also enjoys

sports and music. Mr. Curtain has

told us how much he loves

teaching at Catholic High and

how hardworking all his students

are. Also Mr. Curtain also serves

as Assistant Athletic Director and

has guaranteed a teacher win in

the upcoming Winter Classic.

Mrs. Laurie Dahl works as the Administrative Assistant in

the guidance department alongside Sister Monica and Mrs.

Kettering. Ms. Dahl says she

enjoys “assisting the counselors

with the student’s needs –

especially the Seniors in their

preparation for college.” Ms.

Dahl has two children who

attended Catholic Central –

Megan Dahl (Class of 2006) and

Christopher Dahl (Class of 2009).

Ms. Dahl says the students and

faculty have been “very

welcoming” and she also “looks

forward to the day when she

knows each student by name.” Outside of Catholic High, Ms.

Dahl enjoys scrapbooking, making quilts, reading, and baking.

Mr. Kevin Galuski is the new CCHS Athletic Director.

Previously he was the Assistant Athletic Director for

Equipment and Operations at the University at Albany for 16

years. He also served as the Director of Operations for the New

York Giants training camp during the 13 years the Giants had

training camp at UAlbany. Mr. Galsuki has also worked as

equipment manager for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena

Football League.

Mr. Galuski’s career started in 1995 when he was a graduate

student at the College of St. Rose. Mr. Galuski says, “My goal

is to be supportive and guide our student athletes during a time

when they are the most impressionable.”

Mr. Richard Gilooly teaches Economics and Participation in

Government to the 12th graders as

well as 7th and 8th grade U.S.

History. He previously taught

numerous Social Studies courses

at Bishop Maginn H.S. for 16

years and served there as

Assistant Principal, Head Boys’

Basketball Coach, and Social

Studies Department Chair. He

also was a college basketball

coach at HVCC and RPI and is

the owner of the Slam Dunk

Basketball Camp. Once upon a

time he was a 1996 Catholic

Central graduate.

Mr. Michael Kane is Director of Maintenance at CCHS. Mr.

Ray Bissette, who is in charge of

Building Maintenance, says that

he and Mr. Kane “work well

together” and are “getting things

done.” Mr. Kane’s experience

includes 23 years in the Air

Force, and the Air Force Reserve.

Mr. Kane and Mr. Bissette want

to encourage any interested

students to contact Ms. McGuire

about the summer work-study

program available to CCHS

students. And, by the way, have

you noticed the spiffy purple

“accent wall” in the Library?

Mr. Ali Ropri is the new Physics, Anatomy, and AP Biology

teacher at Catholic Central. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Mr.

Ropri moved to Latham, NY, with his family when he was

seven years old. He attended Shaker High School, and earned

his Bachelor’s degree in Physics at Siena College. Mr. Ropri

has a Master’s degree in

biomedical engineering and is

currently working on his PhD in

biomedical engineering through

SUNY Binghamton. He was

inspired to continue his education

in the field of biomedical

engineering at SUNY Binghamton

after his brother was diagnosed

with cancer. Mr. Ropri hopes his

work will help others like his

brother endure chemo therapy and

other related treatments.

When he is not working at Catholic High, Mr. Ropri enjoys

playing cricket, serving as a volunteer researcher with one of

his professors, and brushing up on his linguistic skills. (He can

speak Urdu and Hindi, and is very familiar with Arabic.) He

describes the students at Catholic High as respectful and

hardworking, and is looking forward to the rest of the

academic year.

CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016

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A new face you might have seen walking through the halls of

Catholic Central is Brother Edgardo Zea, better known as

Brother Ed. You most likely saw him in his Franciscan robe

during the feast days of St. Francis. Brother Ed is a native

Spanish speaker from Peru, which makes him such an

important and valued addition of

our Spanish department. He grew

up in Peru and received his first

college degree in biology. He then

studied at Siena College for

Spanish Education. After that, he

received two more master’s

degrees at UAlbany; one in

Literature, and the other in

Cultural Studies. Before teaching

at Catholic Central, he taught at

Columbia High School and Holy

Spirit School.

Brother Ed loves theater and absolutely loves Netflix! Brother

Ed played tennis in college and he likes talking with and

getting to know the new people he has met at CCHS.

HOMECOMING & SPIRIT WEEK

by Greg Stamas

One lasting tradition at Catholic Central is the week leading up

to the Homecoming Football Game and Dance. This week is

known as Spirit Week.

Spirit Week 2016 got off to a colorful start on September 19th

with the “Color Wars” dress down. The CCHS middle school

dressed in their best neon attire while freshmen showed their

best animal print, sophomores with tie-dye, juniors with

“Blackout,” and seniors with “Red, White, and Blue.”

Tuesday, students could dress up with a friend for “Dynamic

Duo Day” or they could be their favorite superhero.

Wednesday, students participated in “Elderly vs. Babies”

where they could choose to dress up like an elderly person or a

baby. Thursday, Crusaders could wear the 2016 Homecoming

t-shirts that were designed by our own Kay Valley (Class of

2018) and Collin Fogarty (Class of 2019).

The Homecoming t-shirt this year were breast cancer

awareness-themed and the proceeds went towards breast

cancer research. On Friday, students dressed in as much purple

as they could for “Crazy Purple Day.” Students wore purple

socks, bandanas, and some even painted their face purple.

Maura Callahan (Class of 2018) was voted by the student body

as wearing the most purple.

Festivities continued later that day at the Homecoming

Football Game. The Holy Trinity team faced off against

Granville. Despite the rain, numerous CCHS students,

supporters, friends, and families came together to support Holy

Trinity. Holy Trinity won 14-7. There was CCHS apparel for

sale, a 50/50 drawing, fireworks, and the National Anthem was

sung by our own Sarah Ingalsbe (Class of 2017). Taylor

Engster (Class of 2017) said that “It was such a touching

moment at the end of the game when we all sang the Alma

Mater after winning.”

The next day, Homecoming Week concluded with the High

School Homecoming Dance. The 2016 Homecoming Court

included five girls and five boys from the senior class –

nominated by their classmates. The girls on the ballot

included: Alyssa Brimmer, Rachel Backstrom, Jaclene Rieth,

Kelly Stanton, and Zoe Wood. The candidates for the King of

the Court included: Dylan Behunin, Doug Combs, Nolan

Lavalle, Matt Korkemaz, and Greg Stamas. The 2016

Homecoming King and Queen were voted by the school body

and the results were announced at the dance. The Homecoming

Queen was Alyssa Brimmer and the Homecoming King was

Greg Stamas. The dance received many positive reviews from

Crusaders who attended. One senior, Bayly Lammon, said that

“it was bittersweet having this be our last homecoming. It was

a lot of fun and I’m going to miss going next year.”

FUN FOR FUNDS

by Abby Kacensky

"Fun for Funds," formerly known as the Walkathon, takes

place at Catholic High every fall. During the Walkathon,

students would raise money and then put academic classes

aside and enjoy a 5k walk on the Troy bike path. However, due

to safety issues, the day was changed to the name “Fun for

Funds Day” and was moved to the school campus.

This year, Fun for Funds took place on October 7th. Student

Council and Social Media Club student volunteers set up four

stations around the school where students would report every

30 minutes. Social Media Club played a big role in setting up

games for the students to play. There were three games;

Temple Run, Angry Birds, and Candy Land. The student

organizers planned games to play that were also fun to play on

the app store.

At the first station, students had to run underneath hurdles and

jump over pool noodles while trying not to get tagged. The

students who went the longest time without getting tagged

CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016

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won. The winners of Temple Run were Ian Spoor with a time

of 1:35, Jonah Wygel with a time of 1:30, and Patrick Casale

and Cameron Gemmill both avoiding a tag for 1:09.

The second station was the "Angry Birds" game where

students had to throw kickballs at boxes with pictures of pigs’

heads pasted on them which represented the online version of

"Angry Birds." Students who completed this task received

candy for knocking down 6 of the pigs. Everyone tried very

hard at this one!

Candy Land was set up around the four corners of the school.

At every corner contestants were asked a trivia question and, if

they answered the question correctly, they received candy.

Other stations were set up in the gymnasium, the front yard of

the school, as well as the soccer field.

In the gymnasium students played a variety of different team

building games. On the front yard, students played “duck-duck

goose” as well as the "human knot." On the soccer field,

students were able to walk around and sing to some karaoke.

At 10:30, all students were sent to the gymnasium to watch a

volleyball match of the Varsity football team vs. the Varsity

Volleyball team. The girls won the game 15-8.

After the games were over, prizes were given out to students

who collected the most amount of money pledged in each

grade. Next there was a drawing for prizes from all students

who brought in pledges of at least $100. Once prizes were

given out, students were able to go back home to enjoy a nice

four-day weekend. Every student who turned in a pledge of at

least $100 was able to dress down for four school days the

following week. Mrs. Ginny Bariteau, Director of

advancement said the students raised $20,000. For the school’s

operating fund. It was a great break from classes, a day to

enjoy and laugh with schoolmates, and, everyone agreed, one

of the most enjoyable ways to raise money for the school.

STUDENT COUNCIL 2016-17

by Sarah Ingalsbe

School has only been in session for two months, and Student

Council has already success-fully organized several activities.

Members are hard at work every week, working to make this

school year the best one yet.

Starting right off the bat with Homecoming and Spirit Week,

members of the Student Council worked to make sure that the

school building, as well as the gymnasium, was decorated to

represent our Crusader Pride. They also organized a fun pep

rally to keep the spirit up. The work did not stop after

Homecoming, however. It is just beginning.

The Executive Board of the Student Council recently had their

annual retreat, led by Mrs. Sedlak and Sister Monica. At this

meeting, the council planned events for the upcoming year and

discussed how they could improve from last year with the goal

of getting the entire student body involved in more activities.

They developed many ideas for all grade levels, such as

themed dances, a school shopping trip, and an international

week. Although all events are not officially set yet, the

members of the Council are determined to work hard to put

their plans into action. Greg Stamas, Senior member of the

Executive Board, says, “It was great to collaborate with

everyone from all different grades to help plan out the year.

It’s going to be a really fun and successful year!”

Did you know that not only class Presidents, Vice Presidents,

and homeroom representatives can make a difference at

CCHS? If you are a student who wants to get involved, you

are welcome at the weekly Student Council meetings on

Wednesdays in the library. Share your ideas with classmates,

homeroom representatives, class Presidents, or even Mrs.

Sedlak. The Student Council will always do its best to make

your voice heard and your ideas known.

NEWS SHORT

The Fall Blood Drive, held on October 13, netted 12 pints of

usable blood. Moderator Mrs. Rizzo wants to thank Cassie

Burch, student coordinator, and all students who helped and all

who donated blood. There will be another drive in the Spring.

The Spring Drive is usually bigger because more students have

become old enough to donate.

SPORTS PAGES

HOLY TRINITY FOOTBALL

by Samia Baker

For the first time since the team began play in Class C and

merged with Bishop Gibbons and Saratoga Catholic four years

ago, Holy Trinity qualified for Sectional play. Finishing the

season with 5 wins and 2 losses, the Crusaders were scheduled

to play Hoosic Valley on Saturday October 22 when disaster

CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016

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struck. At about 2 a.m. on Friday morning October 21 a fire

was started at Notre-Dame-Bishop Gibbons high school in the

field house that housed all the football uniforms and

equipment, locker room and weight room. (The facility also

housed other sports equipment including track and baseball.)

It was a total loss but, thanks to community support and

contributions, the Holy Trinity squad was able to compete the

following day. Unfortunately, there was no fairy-tale ending

and the team lost to a strong Hoosic Valley team by a score of

46-12. The silver lining was the spirit of the team and the

community that supported them. The team then went on to

play well in a crossover game against Watervliet High School

on Thursday, October 27 losing in overtime with a more than

respectable score of 12-6.

Overall, it was a very good season. In three years Head coach

John Barber, Assistant Head Coach Colton Barber, Line Coach

Gary Chrys, and Running Back Coach Matt Kiser have put

together a solid program. One of the team’s biggest wins was

the homecoming football game. Not only was the homecoming

football game exciting to watch, the Seniors say it was one of

the best games they ever played. David Quell said, "It felt great

because from the beginning we looked like the dominant team

and it showed in the end.”

Catholic Central's four Seniors are Dylan Behunin, Ryan

Gross, and captains; Douglas Combs and David Quell. The

Juniors from CCHS who represent Holy Trinity are: Jacob

Cross, Nick Pacini, Luke Clement, John Paul Loughlin, Tom

Thayer, Joe Forster, and Andrew Vogt. The underclassmen

from CCHS were Trevol Maloney, Matt McLoughlin, Nick

Pacini, Alex Prior, Jonah Sawyer, Byron Bennett, Thomas

Downey, Luke Geddes, and John Siple.

When asked about their 2016 season, Head Coach John Barber

said, "The season has been a success and very proud of the

kids that have worked all summer and all season long. Playing

only 4 seniors and still working with the two schools it was

hard for the kids to work together and become one team. The

seniors this year have showed very good leadership and have

helped the large number of juniors and underclassmen prosper

in our program." Captain Dylan Behunin reflected "We play as

a team and when the moment presents itself we rise to the

occasion."

Fellow captain, Douglas Combs, described it as being an

“amazing experience” that he will “never forget.”

CCHS REPEATS AS GIRLS’ TENNIS CHAMPS

By Megan Schubmehl

CCHS is Section II, Class B Girls’ Tennis champions, for the

second year in a row. On Tuesday, October 20 the team faced

Icabod Crane on the courts of Averill Park High School on a

day when temperatures reached 85 degrees. Last year’s team

was victorious against Colonial Council rival Schalmont by a

score of 4-3 matches. This year four seniors stepped up to lead

a team that was strong and deep and went on to win by a score

of 5-2 matches.

Throughout the season the team played many strong teams in

the Colonial Council from Ichabod Crane to Holy Names and

Albany Academy. The team’s League record was 8-4. The

girls came together as a team with all 19 team members

contributing to the team’s success. The team is sad to say

goodbye to its Seniors but are determined to work to continue

the program they helped build.

The team was comprised of 6 Seniors (Captains Ava Sweeney,

Taylor Engster, and Emily Spoor and Alanna Benitez, Kiara

Maher, and Maya Manfred), three Juniors (Angie Blaisdell,

Jenna Piscitella, and Megan Schubmehl), four Sophomores

(Emily Carlow, Lauren Costello, Rose Murphy, and Keeghan

Nadeau), three Freshmen (Sarah Boucher, Pascal Friend, and

Julia Mooradian), and two Eighth-graders (Maggie Daniels,

and Helena Friend).

Ava Sweeney, who has been the number one singles player for

CCHS since she was in the 9th grade won her final match 7-5-

6-1. In the second and third singles matches, Taylor Engster

won 6-1, 6-2 and Emily Spoor won 6-3, 6-1. The doubles

team of Alannah Benitez and Helena Friend easily won their

number one singles match with a score of 6-1, 6-1

The second doubles team of Emily Carlow and Jenna Piscitella

came back to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, to help win the title.

Some of our Seniors expressed their thoughts of the season and

winning sectionals back to back. Taylor Engster, who was a

Captain this year, said “It was a fun and emotional experience

winning sectionals. I was so proud of everyone. We all

worked so hard throughout the season and I am going to miss

it. We got the job done and was exciting to receive some much

attention for this accomplishment”. Emily Spoor, another

Captain said “Winning Sectionals was an incredibly exciting

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experience. Everyone worked hard, both during sectionals and

throughout the entire season and it felt wonderful to have all

that hard work pay off. I had a great time being a part of this

team this year, and I really felt like we supported and

encouraged each other as a team. We also had a lot of fun

together and I am going to miss being on this team next year.”

Doubles player, Kiara Maher reflected, “This season was so

much fun! I had a great time with the team and I'm so proud of

all we accomplished. I can't believe this is my last year but I'm

glad that I got to experience winning sectionals for the second

and last time. Couldn't have asked for a better team or season.

Coach Russ Hesselton has announced (repeatedly) that it has

been his intention to step down after this year. In seven years

he has built an exceptional program. Assistant Coach Gallati

says, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Coach

Russ.” He is a gentleman, and a real pro, and he always has the

best interests of the girls in mind. He will be impossible to

replace.”

Coach Hesselton said “this is the perfect ending to the season

and the best possible way to enter retirement, I thank all of the

girls that have played throughout the years, each year our team

became a little bit bigger and a little bit better. It is the whole

team that makes for a winning season, not just any one

person.”

The entire team and both coaches would like to thank the

Seniors for all the years that they have given to building a

strong team at CCHS. The players would like to thank Head

Coach Hesselton and Assistant Coach Mrs. Gallati for helping

in everything that they have done this season. Girls from

different grades and skill levels on the time this year and

created a team that truly showcased every single girl’s talent.

Congratulations are due to all who worked hard to insure a

great season and another win at Sectionals.

GIRLS SOCCER

by Colleen McDonnell

The Girls’ Varsity Soccer team has the challenge, year after

year, of proving themselves better than the last. With the team

going to the Sectional Semi-Finals for the past four years and

becoming the Section Champions in 2014, they always have

deep history to uphold. The girls were 12-2-1 on the year with

big victories over Class AA Columbia and league rival

Voorheesville, as well as a well deserved tie against 2015 State

Champion Schalmont during the regular season.

This year the Crusaders defeated Holy Names by a score of 4-0

in the first round of Sectional play. On Saturday afternoon

October 29, the team faced Schalmont on a rain-soaked field.

in the semi-final match. The Crusaders played hard but fell

short. The final score was 3-0, Schalmont.

The team had come a long way. Most of the girls admit that

they had a bumpy start giving up a tie and a loss in the first

two weeks of the regular season, but with the support of long

time head coach Dan Carpenter and new assistant coach,

Courtney Barry, the girls regrouped and became a consistent,

hard-working team day-in and day-out.

“This year has been the year where I think we’ve all clicked

the most and always played as a team,” said junior Hannah

Field. “We always have each other’s backs and are never

blaming anyone. It’s always a team effort and, I believe it is

what has allowed us to beat teams like Voorheesville and come

this far.” Senior Jaclene Reith said “Our team has become

stronger than we have ever been.

Captain and fourth year Varsity player Kelly Stanton added,

“We are one big family. We laugh hard and play soccer.”

It is not just the girls that had fun either. Assistant Coach

Courtney Barry came into the season a little nervous about

meeting twenty new faces, but the girls quickly accepted her

into their family. “They are the best group of girls I have ever

worked with. They make everyday fun and exciting.”

The team graduates seven seniors this year, including Captains

Kelly Stanton and Colleen McDonnell, Jaclene Reith, Lindsay

Honsinger, Bayly Lammon, Emily Mitchell, and Alex Jones.

Among the returning players for next year are junior Captains

Hannah Field and Emma Field along with goalie Kay Valley.

Other returning players will be Emily Frodyma (11th), Ruth

Piperata (11th), Catherine Lee (11th), Lauren Foster (10th),

Madison Peek (10th), Claudia Fountain (10th), Delany Graber

(10th), Emily Drake (9th), Grace Field (9th), and Sophia

McDonald (9th).

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

by Sarah Ingalsbe

The CCHSgirls’ volleyball teams have had a very rewarding

season this year. Both the JV and varsity teams finished with

winning records and definitely proved their strength on the

court. The JV team had a record of 10-4 and the Varsity 12-5.

The teams supported each other at games and work on and off

the court to continue to build Catholic Central’s volleyball

program. Their success again this year will hopefully help the

program grow.

Our Varsity girls started the season by scrimmaging Troy High

and winning. This set high hopes for the season and boosted

the confidence of the team. Their first official league game was

a tough loss against Holy Names, who finished in first place

for the Liberty Division. The Varsity went on to defeat

Schalmont, Watervliet, Cohoes, Ichabod Crane, Tamarac,

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Ravena, and Albany Academy, but fell short to Voorheesville,

Cobleskill, and twice to Holy Names.

Although it is always tough to lose, the team kept their heads

up and continued to push forward for some more wins. Junior

middle hitter, Bella fanning says, “We came to every game

mentally prepared and determined for another win.” “We

worked our hardest every single game, regardless of whom we

were playing,” adds senior “Libero” Jenny Picarillo. This was

Coach Jackie Griffin’s fourth year as varsity coach. “We’ve

had a successful season, and the team has worked hard since

day one. We had strong leadership from our captains and

moved well as a team on the court.”

October 28th was a tough night night especially the eight

senior players. For Jenny Picarillo, Alyssa Brimmer, Sarah

Ingalsbe, Cassie Burch, Emily Hogan, Zoe Wood, Abby

Lammon, and Hannah Myers. It was their last time playing

volleyball as crusaders. The girls faced Columbia in the first

round of sectionals and unfortunately fell short, losing in three

sets but fighting hard until the end. Senior Emily Hogan

says,”Although it wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for, we

fought hard for the entire game and played as a team.” Jenny

Picarillo adds, “We gave that game all we had, and we never

gave up.” Coach Griffin had a few comments to make about

the team as well. She says, “I am extremely proud of the work

ethic of our team, and the hours we put in over the season

really paid off. We fought until the end and stayed positive.

For Jenny Picarillo, Alyssa Brimmer, Sarah Ingalsbe, Cassie

Burch, Emily Hogan, Zoe Wood, Abby Lammon, and Hannah

Myers, this will be their last season playing volleyball as

crusaders. Juniors Cecelia Hunt and Megan Rumenapp and

Freshman Julia Tenney round out the team.

Junior setter, Megan Rumenapp says that the seniors are

amazing and great team players. Junior right side hitter,

Cecelia Hunt says, “All the girls have been very welcoming

and really helped transitioning to a new team for me. We have

had a great season, and I’m going to miss the seniors even

though I’ve only known them for a few months.

CROSS COUNTRY

by Staff

Last year, CCHS Mathematics teacher Mr. Dempsey

served as assistant to Head Coach Wally Foley on the

Cross Country, team. This year Head Coach Dempsey set

his sights high and sent out an ambitious summer practice

schedule to perspective runners. For those who applied

themselves, the summer regimen has paid noticeable

dividends in faster times.

Running in the Colonial Council Championships at Saratoga

State Park on Friday, October 28, Junior James Faraci crossed

the finish line in seventh place and 8th Grader Sarah Mattfeld

placed 8 in the Girls race.

This Fall the CCHS Boys’ team posted a record of 4-6 and

finished 5th in the Liberty Division of the Colonial Council.

The Girls’ team had a record of 1-9 and finished in 6th place

among the girls. Initially the girls were forced to forfeit their

meets because they did not have enough runners, but with the

addition of two middle school girls, Ava DeShaw and Sarah

VanDenburgh, the girls won their dual meet against

Lansingburgh.

In Colonial Council league dual meets, James Faraci placed

first in 3 meets and 3rd and 4th in the other two. 8th grader

Sarah Mattfeld also placed 1st among girls in 3 dual meets and

2nd and 4th in the remaining two.

The harriers participated in only one invitational meet this

year, the Rensselaer County meet on October 21. James Feraci

and Sarah Matttfelder each finished in 5th place and Spencer

Daley finished first in the Freshman Division. Coach

Dempsey intends to enter more invitational meets next year.

Rounding out the boys’ team was 12th grader Bradon

McFerran, 11th graders Joseph Farley and Nolan Cleary, 10th

graders Jared Jiminez and Ian Spoor, and 9th grader Nick

Farley. The girls’ team includes 12th grader Madison Miller,

9th Grader Sarah Insull, and 8th graders Ava DeShaw and

Sarah VanDenburgh.

The team also added a new assistant coach, Andres Jiminez

who worked with the runners on their upper body strength.

James Faraci says he enjoyed the greater structure and more

demanding work outs this year as well as the improved times

that resulted.

Qualifying runners will be participating in one more event the

Section 2 State Championships to be held Friday, November 4

at Saratoga State Park.

Coach Dempsey wishes congratulate every member of the

Cross Country Team for their dedication and hard work and to

remind everyone that Indoor Track begins November 7.

Everyone wishing to participate must be medically cleared.

BOYS’ SOCCER

by Staff

The Boys’ Soccer team won only one game this year and

boaster no “stars” but you would never know it watching them

practice. Senior Tristan Beach says, “We all know each other.

We all are friends. And we all have fun practicing and playing

together.”

The Crusader’s only victory was against the Bulldogs of

Cobleskill-Richmondville by a score of 1-0 and the team

thoroughly enjoyed the win. Another memorable game was the

CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016

-8-

“Pink Game” played every year to benefit the American

Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. This

year the game was played against Loudonville Christian on

September 24th. The team/school raised close to $5000 for the

American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast

Cancer and several members of the team joined the 16,500

people in the Making Strides walk in Washington Park on

October 16th. It was a great experience for the team, proving

the Strides slogan to be true that "No one walks alone."

This year Coach Greg Relyea was joined by Assistant Coach

Steve Santucci. The 12th Grade was represented by Tristan

Beach, Markian Lee (Captain), and Brandon Nelson. 11th grade

players included Luke Clement, Joey Grignon, Jack Furlong,

Bob Keach, Andrew O’Donnell (Captain), Dylan Thomas, and

Thomas Zakrzewski. The tenth grade was represented by Evan

McShane, Noah Miller, Liam McDonald (Captain), and Peter

Manley. Devin Cushing, Lucas Kania, Daniel Callaghan,

Devon Harrigan and Colby Beach represented the 9th grade

and Timothy Harper represented the 8th grade.

Both Coaches are excited about the number of players

returning next year and very thankful for all the hard work and

dedication of our 3 seniors over the past 4 years.

Late Breaking

HONORS FOR CROSS COUNTRY.

Congrats to James Faraci on making 1st Team All-Colonial

Council, Sarah Mattfeld on making 2nd Team, and Spencer

Daley on making 3rd Team

Back to First Page

Answers to JUST FOR FUN

1. UAlbany; 2. Mrs. Bechand; 3. Mr. Curtin; 4. Mr. Gilooly

5. Mr. Ropri; 6. Brother Edgardo; 7. Ms. Barry; 8. Mrs.

Dahl; 9. $20,000. 10. Girls’ Soccer; 11. Girls’ Tennis.

CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 2, No. 1, October 2016

Editors: Greg Stamas and Sarah Ingalsbe. Reporters: Samia

Baker, Abby Kacensky, Shriya Matta, Johanna Noakes,

Johanna Rieth, Megan Schubmehl, and Kay Valley.

Moderator: Mrs. Gallati.