CCHS Chronicles
Vol. 2, No. 1
October
2016
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
JUST FOR FUN
News
Fire Guts Field House
New Teachers and Staff 2016
Homecoming & Spirit Week
Fun for Funds
Student Council 2016-17
Fall Blood Drive
Sports Pages
Holy Trinity Football
CCHS Repeats as Girls’ Tennis Champs
Girls’ Soccer
Girls’ Volleyball
Cross Country
Boys’ Soccer
Late Breaking: Honors for Cross Country
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
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Read an excellent report by J. Allen,
www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Defeat-a-victory-of-spirit10133543.php; and a complete follow-up by P. Nelson,
www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cops-eye-potentialsuspects-in-Bishop-Gibbons-10414382.php.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
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.
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.
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.
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?
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. 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.
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.
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.
Mr. Galuski’s career started in 1995 when he was a graduate
student at the College of St. Rose. Mr. Galuski says, “My goal
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
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.”
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).
FUN FOR FUNDS
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.
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.
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.”
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
The next day, Homecoming Week concluded with the High
School Homecoming Dance. The 2016 Homecoming Court
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
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.
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!”
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.
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.
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
SPORTS PAGES
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.
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
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
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
CCHS REPEATS AS GIRLS’ TENNIS CHAMPS
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.)
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.
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.
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 7-56-1. 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
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."
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
Fellow captain, Douglas Combs, described it as being an
“amazing experience” that he will “never forget.”
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
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.
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.”
Captain and fourth year Varsity player Kelly Stanton added,
“We are one big family. We laugh hard and play soccer.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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).
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.”
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
by Sarah Ingalsbe
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.
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.
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.
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,
“This year has been the year where I think we’ve all clicked
the most and always played as a team,” said junior Hannah
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
Ravena, and Albany Academy, but fell short to Voorheesville,
Cobleskill, and twice to Holy Names.
VanDenburgh, the girls won their dual meet against
Lansingburgh.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CROSS COUNTRY
by Staff
Qualifying runners will be participating in one more event the
Section 2 State Championships to be held Friday, November 4
at Saratoga State Park.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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
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CCHS Chronicles, Vol. 1, No. 7, May/June 2016
“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."
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.
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
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