Shen sweeps state wrestling tournament

Shen varsity wrestling team: #1 in New York State

 by Karen Wolcott

The Shenendehowa varsity wrestling team earned their reputation as New York’s best this season. Shen had five Section II champions, and sent seven wrestlers to states.

Coached by Rob Weeks and led by captains Dave Almaviva, Michael Almaviva, Jim Carucci, Nick Kelley, Cole Lampman and Max Miller, they won the state tournament with 83.5 points. Their closest competition was Fox Lane with only 66 points.

Shen’s infamous “Murderer’s Row” (or the more politically correct “Yankees Row”) all made it to the blue placement podium. At 125, Max Miller beat Jimmy Morris of St. Anthony’s and took third place. Dave Almaviva took sixth place with a forfeit from LaSalle’s Jon Clemente.  Senior Jim Carucci and sophomore Nick Kelley both took fourth place.

Several matches later, Shen got another place finisher with 189 pounder Tony Fusco who took fourth.  Fusco was proud of himself, as he noted he was unable to place last year.

A modest Cole Lampman took home fifth place over Greg Martin from King’s Park. At the end of his match, Lampman had been bloodied and bruised up, but you wouldn’t know it by the expression on his face.

The Shen wrestling team was also recognized before the finals as the best dual team in New York.

Wrestling coverage postponed

Due to the inclement weather, our coverage of the New York Wrestling Championships – Day One has been postponed. If the conditions improve, I hope to supply up to date information on later matches.

Please visit the link below for coverage on today’s matches:

http://live.lighthousewrestling.com/2011/02/21/2011-new-york-wrestling-championships-day-one/

We are still planning on covering the finals tomorrow.

Shen hockey loss in close game

by Karen Wolcott

The Plainsmen lost to Saratoga yesterday in the Section II Hockey Finals. The final score was 3-2, with the Shen goals coming from Brad Tardif and Matt Dempsey.

The rivals are both ranked in New York, as the Blue Streaks are ranked 4th and the Plainsmen ranked 5th.

Respect Day 2011 video montage

Respect Day 2011

by Tyler Gougler

Last year, while sitting in the auditorium at High School West, listening to a very long presentation, I thought, “A venue for kids to show their ‘talents’ I don’t care about and a motivational speaker whom made most of us cry over a victim of the columbine atrocity…why does our school do this to us?” This year, as a reporter for the Shen Pen, I got to see what respect day is really about.

It is a day when students get to perform various acts ranging from songs to lights shows. Sitting behind stage, one appreciates that there is more work done than just the performances on stage and just how much works it takes to put the whole day together.

One popular performance was the light show performed by Freddy Wong and Stephen Demos in which they blacked out the auditorium as Freddy came out sharply dressed and began his show. The crowd was awed and the place went wild as Stephen came out with blue and orange sticks to compliment Freddy’s green and pink ones. 

Stephen’s light sticks originally got wrapped up together but he eventually got them separated and went on to put together a wonderful performance. Freddy learned his light routine at a camp where he practiced extensively. The light routine can be very painful and when you are first learning how to do it, you often take some hits.

Another notable performance was that of Josh Usher.  He immediately connected with the crowd and was even quite funny, stating, “No lighters for this next one please as technically they ARE illegal.” The audience responded kindly by using phones instead, as Josh strummed “You and Me.” He was actually asked to do an encore to which he happily obliged.

This year’s respect day made me believe that the day is not about the performances, getting out of class, or even respect; it is about the students and all the people who help to make this school great and a wonderful place for learning.

Shen students “Speak Out”

The panel at speak out. Photo by Michael Orabona.

by Katie Greenberg

On February 17, 201 1, Shenendehowa’s SFA Senate hosted their annual “Speak Out” in the Fridge. This years’ topic was the Fridge, a student hang out center in High School East. Senate members, school officials, and students gathered during lunch periods to talk about how to fix up the fridge and get more people interested in using the fridge.

Many students suggested the fridge get Wi-Fi so students can get the internet on their iPods. Other students suggested that the Fridge get a game console for student use.

Another major issue at the speak out was the couches in the Fridge. The couches are dirty, stained, and falling apart. A quarter of the proceeds from the 7th Annual Dodgeball Tournament are going to buy new couches for the Fridge. The new couches need to be light and easy to move around because World of Difference club moves them around for their Wednesday morning meetings.

Surveys were given to students when they walked into the “Speak Out”. Many students said that new games, like Uno and Mancala, would be a nice edition to the fridge. A couple of students even said a ping pong table would be nice.

Mr. Flynt, the High School principal, said that everything everyone said would be kept in mind.

Shen hockey Senior Night

by Jorge Romero

The Shenendehowa boys hockey team had its senior night on February 11^th against La Salle High School. The Plainsmen dominated La Salle as the Plainsmen won the game 5 to 0, with Captain Michael McCarthy, and seniors Tyler Ballantyne and Andrew Plewinski scoring points for the plainsmen.

The seniors recognized were Brett Bernardo, (Co-Assistant Captain) Tyler Ballantyne, Matt Dempsey, Zach DeRosa, (Captain) Michael McCarthy, (Co-Assistant Captain) Andrew Plewinski, Kevin Sankel, Anthony Barone, TJ Goodwin, Vincent Menneto, and Kyle Donahue.

The key to success

by  Erin Luiband, Meghan Phoenix, Steph Curtis, Eric Treacy, and Amanda Endres

Shenendehowa is often known for its competiveness and success when it comes to sports, and it is that time of year again. Fans and players alike come together to support and cheer for the Shenendehowa Varsity Hockey team. It has had quite a successful season so far.

Varsity captain Mike McCarthy believes that the crowd and fans play an important role when it comes to the success of the team.  Mike said, “I think the fans are so dedicated to the hockey team because it’s a unique sport. I think the speed and physicality of the players is something that you don’t really find in many other high school sports, and it’s that intensity that draws the fans to the games.”

The Queensbury game, in particular, McCarthy remembers as the most exciting. They were losing early in the game against one of the best teams in the state.  When the fans kept the intensity alive, players were able to feed off the energy and come out with a 4-1 win in the third quarter. 

Keegan Woloss, a senior at Shenendehowa and also an avid hockey fan, attends the games because he has a lot of close friends on the team. Woloss said, “Hockey is just naturally exciting. It’s fast-paced and hard hitting which keeps the crowd entertained. I also think the fact that the hockey team is very successful contributes to a large turnout.”

Keegan also thinks that the more fans that attend the better the outcome.  This is because when a player looks up at the stands and sees a hundred fans cheering for them the adrenaline pumps and they perform not only for themselves, but for each other.  McCarthy also frequently reminds the team of this.  According to Woloss, cheering for a team with a winning record is a lot easier and a winning record is what the hockey team has to offer when students go to their games, they never disappoint.

McCarthy said, “The Student Section definitely has a major impact on the way we play. When the crowd is on your side, things just always seem to go better, especially when we’re facing tough competition. There’s nothing better than hearing S-H-E-N echoing throughout the rink.”

Girl’s basketball Suburban Council championship: Shen vs. Shaker

by Michael Orabona

Emily Weber (33) passes the ball to Maggie Smith (42).

Shenendehowa Girls Basketball has pulled yet another suburban council championship with their win over Shaker Feburary 10 with a final score of 57-48.

Shen took an early lead of 18-10 in the 1st quarter, with points scored by Allie Setter, Emily Weber , Mandi Edick, and guard Mary-Kate Cusack.

This lead was challenged in the second period with a score of 23-22 but Plainsmen Kristen Connors saved Shenendehowa’s lead scoring to make the total score 25-22.

Shen took off and was their lead was never threatened again.
The game was physical, with personal fouls being on both sides. “It’s a huge win, we weren’t going to let this go,” said Emily Weber, a guard on the Shen basketball team. Both teams wanted the Suburban Council title badly.

This win is just a mere stepping stone for the Lady Plainsmen, for they aspire to be first in state this year. Last year they nearly accomplished their goal, taking second in state.

Boy’s Basketball senior night

by Alyssa Szalowski

On Friday, February 11, The Plainsmen Boys Varsity Basketball matched up against the Niskayuna Silver Warriors. Shenendehowa also honored the Varsity Basketball and Cheerleading seniors for its annual senior night. The final score of the game was Shen-58, Niskayuna-48.

The Plainsmen (15-0 in the league, 15-1 overall) led the Warriors (6-8 in the league, 6-9 overall) by 7 at the half, 32-25. Shenendehowa’s key players in Friday night’s game were Jose Reyes, Jackson Shea, and Farshad Sarrafi-Nour, scoring clutch 3-pointers, as well as sophomore Ted McCarthy scoring several baskets.

Recognized seniors on the varsity basketball team consisted of Jose Reyes, Matt Pierson, Brian White, and Farshad Sarrafi-Nour.

Senior varsity cheerleaders consisted of Taylor Rao, Ashley Gagnon, Nicole Pedone, Hannah Jones, Mackenzie Barry, Caryle Guyatte, Katrina Baker, Sarah Brodsky, Sarah Nealon, Bethany Meyes, Marlee Mangino, Grace Davila, Cailyn Burke, Victoria Barasone, Steve Taylor, Tyler Rajeski, Bronson Greene, Alec Chatterton, and Caleb Mairs.

The Plainsmen’s  next game is Tuesday, February 15th, at Saratoga High School.