Thursday April 25, 2024 
It was a week full of action for AP sports! AP’s wrestling team competed in the Section 2 Tournament on 2/15. Junior Sean Malenfant was the 152 lbs. Division 1 champion for the second year in a row and will represent AP at the NYSPHSAA Championships. Other place finishers were Mason Lumbra (3rd), Nick Tempel (4th), Chad Rist (4th), and Alex Cooper (6th).
Boys bowling competed in the Class A Championships on 2/13. Junior Parker Brown finished 3rd with a series of 715 to qualify for the NYSPHSAA Championships.
Boys basketball took on Shaker on 2/11 and won 48-43. Vinny Carucci paced the Warriors with 13 points in the victory. On 2/14, AP fell to Niskayuna in a tight 40-38 match. Caricci finished with a team high 12 points in the loss. AP will next take on Schenectady at home on 2/21.
Girls basketball fell to Shaker 50-31 on 2/11. The Warriors then bounced back with a 60-46 win over Troy on 2/13. Kelsey Wood led the team with 24 points and Amelia Wood finished with 13. Anna Jankovic added 12 in the win. On 2/14, AP fell to Niskayuna 68-38. Up next for AP is Shen away from home on 2/21.
The Capital District Jets fell to the Mohawks 3-2 on 2/15. AP’s Cole Davidson scored both of the Jets’ goals in the loss.
AP’s competitive cheerleading team took two first place finishes this past week. The Warriors won the Devil Nation Invitational on 2/9 and the Schenectady Midnight Madness on 2/16.
Good luck to all of AP’s athletes in their upcoming events! Go Warriors!
This week’s scholar athlete is Gabrielle Skiba. Gabby is a sprinter on the Varsity Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. In the Fall, Gabby also ran on Varsity Cross Country. Gabby began running outdoor track during her freshman year. After two years of outdoor track, Gabby loved the sport and decided to join the indoor team. Gabby says her favorite aspect of track is “being able to run beside my best friends. We make a great support system and are always there to cheer each other on.” Gabby and her team have found success in their years of running together, as she was a part of the team that broke the school record for the Sprint Medley Relay. “We broke the record last year at the Armory Track and Field. It was truly a wonderful feeling and a great team experience.” Gabby has run many different events on the track team. Last year she was awarded the most versatile athlete for running the 800m and 1500m races as well as the 200m and 400m hurdles. Gabby’s biggest challenge in track is accepting that not every race will be her best. “I set high expectations for myself every race and sometimes those goals are not met. However it’s important to know that I did my best and will continue to push myself to meet my expectations.”
Gabby works hard both in her sport and school. Gabby has maintained a GPA of 96 throughout high school. This year, Gabby is in the New Visions program. “Through this program I am taking Anatomy and Physiology, Human Biology, Clinical Shadowing and Project Experiences, English 12 Honors, Economics, and Government.” Gabby’s academic were recognized last Fall when she was inducted into the National Honor Society. In her future, Gabby plans to attend college and major in neuroscience in order to go to medical school and specialize in neurosurgery. In order to balance school and her sport, Gabby says time management is her most important tool.
Gabby wishes to thank her parents for their guidance throughout her life. “They are at every track meet, cheering for me as I run by and they continuously support me in my schooling. Without them I don’t think I could accomplish nearly as much as I ever thought I could.” Gabby also says “my coaches play a huge role in my success. They create intensive workouts to get us ready and in shape for our meets.” Gabby want to tell younger athletes “take advantage of lessons learned and tips that the senior team members can provide.” We wish the best for Gabby as she finishes her senior year and prepares to enter college.
AVERILL PARK – Seven Averill Park wrestlers placed in the top 5 in the Class B Tournament at Mohonasen on February 8th. By placing in the top 5, these athletes qualified for the Section 2 Division 1 Championship being held at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.
Leading the way for the Warriors was Sean Malenfant, who won his second straight Class B title at 152 pounds. Joining Sean in earning the sectional patch that goes to the top 3 place finishers in each weight class were championship finalists Mason Lumbra and Alex Cooper, who both finished in second, and Dominick Paradise and Chad Rist, who both came in third. It was the 4th patch for Sean, 3rd for Alex and 1st for Mason, Dom and Chad.
Also punching their tickets to the sectional championship were Nathan Fischer and Nick Tempel who both finished in fourth place. Additionally, while not qualifying for next week’s tournament, Colin “Clav” Brunelle finished off an impressive freshman season with a sixth place performance.
Good luck to all the Averill Park sectional qualifiers!
Submitted by the AP Wrestling Coaching Staff