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Amber Kolpakas

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Amber Kolpakas

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Amber Kolpakas has led the Golden Eagles on the volleyball court since she was in eighth grade. “I had always been interested in volleyball,” Kolpakas said. “I joined my school’s team in sixth grade and was asked to play JV the next year. By the end of seventh grade, I was pulled up to varsity for sectionals.”

The following year, even though she was still in eighth grade, Kolpakas led Galway to a state championship appearance while averaging 15 kills in her postseason matches. It was just the beginning of a stellar career on the court. Kolpakas went on to be a three-time First Team All-State selection in volleyball with two league MVPs and Offensive MVPs. She selected to the Section 2 First Team four times and was selected to the Albany Times Union Section 2 All-Star team, the only player selected from a small school. Kolpakas ended her career with two All-State First Team selections along with a Second Team selection and three appearances on the New York State All-Tournament Team. She set the Galway record with 1,578 career kills and added 1,028 career digs.

“In all my years, I have known other students with talents equivalent to Amber’s. However, most of them lacked her good nature and humility, and even fewer demonstrated the genuine intellectual curiosity that Amber has exhibited over and over,” said Galway Athletic Director and Volleyball coach Michael Glenn. “It’s a curiosity that is often accompanied by her excitement or enthusiasm for an idea, an experiment or the lead role in a challenging operatic performance.”

It was curiosity that would lead Kolpakas to take up basketball during her junior year. She says she always wanted to play, and finally was able do when she got her driver’s license and was able to drive herself to practice.

“It was hard,” Kolpakas said of her early basketball career. “I wasn’t particularly good at first. But I kept working to get better every day.”  Her hard work paid off and by the end of her first season, she was part of the starting five. She began her senior year being chosen as the team captain and went on to lead the Golden Eagles in rebounds and blocks. As team captain, Kolpakas encouraged the team on and off the court including organizing a gift basket for a teammate who missed a few weeks due to an illness.

 “Amber’s height and athletic ability led her to be a good rebounder,” said Galway Basketball Coach Phillip Meashaw. “Amber had the courage and motivation to attempt a new sport. Her attitude was always positive and she knew she had a lot to learn and a short period of time to do it.”

That positivity was also evident on the diamond. Kolpakas represented Galway as a three-time section 2 all-star and was named the league MVP. But her positivity went beyond the spring seasons. Kolpakas has been a part of a local softball camp helping young players in her area to hone their skills.

“I’ve played softball since I was eight years old,” Kolpakas said. “A lot of these girls have dreams of being good and playing here in the future. They look up to me and it’s rewarding to help them.”

In addition to being a three-sport standout at Galway, Kolpakas also exceled in the classroom as she ranked ninth in the class of 2024. She also spent her spare time making personal hygiene packages for a backpack program and making blankets for a dog shelter. She also assisted a teacher by organizing musical performances for a service project.

“I feel she is a wonderful role model for other young women”, Meashaw said. “I am proud to have coached her.”

“Receiving this award is such an amazing honor for me and I am so grateful for the recognition,” Kolpakas said. “I feel like it helps bring attention to our small school and show that there are so many amazing athletes out there. I definitely couldn’t have done it without the support from my parents or coaches, but I am so grateful for them believing in me and giving me that support.”

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Carly King

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Carly King

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Field hockey is a family affair for Carly King. She credits her older sister for introducing the sport to her back in seventh grade. Now, her younger sisters are taking part in the youth program as well. In between, King has stuck with field hockey to numerous high school awards and even to the collegiate level.

Though she played other sports in her time at Guilderland High School, field hockey has always been her favorite. After field hockey ended for the winter, King would take up indoor track as a way to cross train for field hockey. A middle distance runner, King competed in the 600 meters as well as the 4×800 meter relay.

“I liked doing track,” she said. “It helps with endurance and the motivation and hard work transferred over to field hockey.”

King said lacrosse offered her a similar opportunity to stay in field hockey shape. But while in field hockey she mostly played defense, King said she had a different role on the lacrosse team.

“I liked that I got to play a different position in lacrosse,” she said. “I had more of an offensive role in lacrosse. While it also has the team dynamic, I liked that it’s a different culture.”

But King garnered most of her accolades on the field hockey pitch. She helped the Dutchmen post the best record in program history and a Section 2 championship in her senior season. She was also named All-State and First Team Suburban Council All Star.

“I’ve found success when I’ve kept practicing, improving, and learning more,” King said. “We were all super close as a team this season – we were all striving for the same goal.”

Along with her athletic award, King was also recognized for her academic excellence in leadership by the Suburban Council. Each school in the council selects one female and one male student that excels in leadership.

King was selected because of her involvement with the Guilderland Field Hockey youth program. As the lead coach, King has been involved in coaching younger players in her area through regular practices, camps, and free playdays that offer a free way for any youth in the area who’d like to try field hockey.

She also helped the program raise money to purchase free equipment that’s offered to any player who wants to try the sport. To do this, King helped write grant with the Albany County Legislators Office. The program helps grow the field hockey participation numbers in the area while also offering those already playing field hockey opportunities to improve their skills.

“I volunteer with the youth program because I want to help improve the Guilderland program in the future,” she said. “Seeing the kids get along and learn teamwork – that’s a skillset they’ll have for the rest of their career.”

Off the field, King also tutors her peers through her school’s National Honor Society. Just like with coaching, she enjoys helping her fellow students build longlasting skills.

“Coaching is similar to tutoring for me,” King said, “Watching it “click” is just as rewarding for the students I’m tutoring as it is for me. It makes a difference that lasts a lifetime.”

King’s commitment to field hockey will continue into college. She will join the team at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island this fall. King says just like in high school, she’ll have to manage her time wisely as a collegiate player.

“If we have practice at 4 with school over at 2:30, I know I need to use that time wisely to do homework so I have the evening for my other things,” she said.

King said she’s honored to receive the Capital District Sports Woman of the Year away since it highlights the hard work she’s put in at an often-overlooked position.

“This award means a lot to me,” she said. “I am very honored to receive this award especially as a defender because a lot of the time accolades go to the people scoring the points, or the goalies making the saves.”

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Cassidy McClement

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Cassidy McClement

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Cassidy McClement is fast. As one of the fastest runners at Waterford-Halfmoon high school for the last six years, McClement has made a name for herself with her speed. Beginning in seventh grade, McClement found herself competitive against varsity runners at a high level.

“She immediately made a huge impact on our program,” Waterford-Halfmoon track coach Allie Hornung said “She placed in the top six at both league and sectionals that year against very tough upperclassmen competition.”

McClement was set up for an even better eighth grade season, but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When she returned for her first season as a high schooler, she was second at League Championships in the 100 meters and became Sectional Champion in the 100 and 200. She also anchored the Fordians 4×100 team that took third place. The next year, McClement again anchored the team that improved to a second place finish. In her junior year, she would lead the team to their first league championship in the 4×100 with a school record time of 54.2.

But coach Hornung says McClement’s character is the most impressive thing about her. “Most importantly, Cassidy is a good person, through and through,” Hornung said. “She is one of the kindest athletes I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. I have never ever heard her boast about her talent, choosing instead to let her hard work and success do the talking.”

Even though track is often thought of as an individual sport, McClement says being on the relay team is her favorite part of track. “I love the long jump, but I also love my 4×100 meter team,” McClement said. “Winning leagues in the 4×100, our first hardware, was the highlight of my career. I just remember how hard we worked and how bad the four of us wanted to win.”

Her speed translated well to the soccer pitch as well. A lifelong soccer player, McClement made the varsity team as an eighth grader and spent time at different positions around the field. Her speed and versatility helped her lead the Fordains to Back-to-Back Class C Girls Soccer State Championships.

Even with all her speed, being a part of the Waterford-Halfmoon teams was even more meaningful to McClement because of the time she spent slowing down with the community she had on and off track or field. McClement said that most of her classmates had grown up going to the same elementary and middle schools, creating a long-lasting bond that made these championships that much sweeter.

“Our class grew up together, we’re all really close,” she said. “Our teachers have said we had the best proms because we get along together, everyone was included.”

Coach Hornung said McClement always made time for those around her. She is supportive of her teammates, always encouraging them to do their best and picking them up when they are struggling,” Hornung said. “She is also very involved in her community, somehow finding time to volunteer at Town of Waterford food drives and the annual Dragon Boat festival to benefit To Life! Breast Cancer Support, Resources, & Education.”

In addition to all these accolades, McClement was the valedictorian of Waterford-Halfmoon, the President of her school’s National Honor Society, and the class Treasurer. So how did she manage to make time for school, sports, clubs, and other things? “I had to prioritize what was important,” McClement said. “And set a lot of reminders on my phone.”

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to witness her success, Hornung said. “I cannot wait to see where her hard work takes her after high school.”

“It’s an honor to receive such a special recognition,” McClement said. “I’m proud of all the hard work I’ve put in over the years and I’m especially grateful for all the support I’ve had from my family, coaches, teachers and teammates over the years.”

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Taylor Holohan

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Taylor Holohan

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Back in the third grade, Taylor Holohan wasn’t sure what her favorite sport was.

“I played every sport,” she said. “If you name a sport, I probably played it.”

But fast forward about a decade, and Holohan is now on a full basketball scholarship at Northeastern University after bringing a state championship and three regional titles home to Averill Park. What happened in between was the result of strong friendships and a commitment to improving Averill Park basketball.

Holohan grew up playing basketball with the same girls that would eventually lead their high school to a championship. It was those girls and the relationship they built early on that would entice Holohan to stick with basketball and bring them success down the road.

“The girls I played with were the ones I started with in third grade,” she said. “My best friends were on the team. They made it 40 times better than it would have been with anyone else.”

As a sophomore, Holohan led the Warriors to a Class A state championship and was named a tournament all-star. She also helped Averill Park win sectional championships every full season along with three regional championships. In her final season, Holohan and her teammates accomplished a perfect 20-0 regular season record.

“I’ve seen growth in myself from both a mental and physical standpoint,” she said. “I grew a lot and contributed to my team everything I could. I gave them everything I had.”

“The past two seasons Taylor was the leader of the team, and a leader in every sense of the word,” said Averill Park Athletic Director Mark Bubniak. “She was an encouraging, demanding and supportive teammate doing anything that was needed for the team to be successful. She handled everything that was thrown at her, from opposing defenses to media requests.”

Holohan said she found motivation from local kids who were just like her. As a coach with Averill Park youth basketball, she had the chance to mentor young players in her community in the same way the high school players did when she was in the youth program.

“One of the things that pushed me the most this season were the younger girls that watched me,” she said. “I remember when I was in second grade – I wanted to be just like the girls on the team. To see these kids before and after games, the energy they brought, they have no idea what they gave us. It’s an honor to be a part of this program.”

“As a coach, Taylor worked with the children to improve their fundamentals, provided them with a sense of self-worth, and set a good example for her players to follow,” Averill Park head coach Sean Organ said. “Taylor’s wonderful personality has made her very popular among the youngsters who participated on the teams she has coached.”

From her time in the youth program, Taylor Holohan has dreamed of growing up and representing Averill Park on the basketball court. After five years in the program, she’s represented the team well and will continue to do so at the collegiate level and beyond.

“Taylor leaves Averill Park as arguably the greatest basketball player in school history,” Bubniak added. “She is a terrific leader and a tremendous basketball player.”

“This award is another boost going into college,” she said. “It gives me the confidence to be able to continue in life and accomplish even more. You’re never done, you always have something more. A lot of the girls I looked up to and still do have won this award and it’s cool to see me in their footsteps. There are younger girls in the program that will hopefully get this award too.”

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Leonni Griffin

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Leonni Griffin

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Leonni Griffin’s running career started early. From the time she could run, she remembers joining her dad as he jogged laps around the neighborhood.

Little did either of them know that it was the start of a long and successful career in running.

At the time, Griffin would have described herself as a soccer player. But as time went on, it became clear that she had the greatest potential in running.

“I wound run the turkey trot every year with my family,” Griffin said. “When I was 10, I wanted to run the race with my dad. With a mile to go, I sprinted off ahead of him. I ended up with a pretty good 5K time.”

After he successful turkey trot performance, Griffin ran in some track meets when she was in elementary school. That caught the attention of the Shaker High School cross country coach, who sent a letter to Griffin’s sixth grade teacher. The letter, which was read aloud to her whole sixth grade class, was a formal invitation for Griffin to compete on the varsity cross country team the next year in seventh grade.

Now a member of the Shaker Bison varsity team, Griffin worked to find best event.

“I thought I was more of a sprinter,” she said. “But I naturally trained with the distance team at first when I ran cross country.”

While her 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID-19, Griffin said she hit the gym to get stronger. That strength and lifting pushed her towards shorter distances, where Griffin went from a good runner to one of the nation’s best.

Griffin won the New York State championship in the indoor 600 meters and owns 11 school records between indoor and outdoor. This success earned her two invites to the Millrose Games, an elite indoor track meet in New York City. In 2023 she competed with her 4×800 meter relay team and in 2024, she returned by herself to compete in the 600 meters. At the end of her high school career, Griffin announced she would continue her track career at Boston University.

Amidst all of this success on the track, Griffin held on to her love of soccer. She started playing when she was just four years old and did not stop playing competitively until her senior year of high school.

“It was difficult for me and my parents,” she said. “At first, my parents thought watching track was boring. But now they love it. They haven’t missed a single one of my races.”

Along with her exceptional athletic ability, Griffin spent the latter part of her high school taking college classes. She averaged a 95 GPA while earning fourteen college credits from the State University of New York.

“I’ll have almost a full semester of credits,” Griffin said. “Balancing academics and athletics was very important to me and my family. They always said you need both to be successful.”

Track may be known as an individual sport, but Griffin sees it differently. She consistently took advantage of opportunities to lead within the track program and support other athletes. This work earned her the award she says she’s most proud of, the Capital Distract Leadership Award for her school.

“When I was the seventh grader with seniors, they were great mentors and built me up with confidence,” Griffin said. “Now I want my teammates to recognize that that one performance doesn’t define them. I always say learning is the most important process to growth.”

“Her positive attitude, exceptional work ethic, and willingness to mentor and support her teammates highlight her role as a true team player and inspiration to others,” Shaker Athletic Director Sean Colfer said.

The Capital District Sports Woman of the Year award brings together everything that Griffin has done during her time in high school.

“It means a lot,” she said. “Being recognized for that shows that all the work and hours I’ve put in has paid off. It’s just a great honor, the other awards are great, but this brings together all three aspects combined.”

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Ariana Dingley

Dingley

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Ariana Dingley

2024 Grand Scholastic Woman of the Year
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Ariana Dingley started playing soccer because she liked doing whatever her older sister was doing. But as she progressed in her career, soccer became something she enjoyed in her own right. Dingley began playing soccer at just five years old and never stopped working on her craft. She would go on to star for Lansingburgh and was twice named Section 2 Class B Colonial Council All-Stars First Team and was honorable mention two more times in four years with the Knights.

Dingley was also recognized for her defense in 2022 when she was named Colonial Council Girls Soccer Co-Defensive Player of the Year. She remembers that as her most meaningful award she received in her career. “That award was when I was coming off an injury,” Dingley said. “I felt down, unsure if I was able to get back into it. And we didn’t have the best record that year, but it felt really good to be recognized for my hard work that year.”

Dingley started her high school career spending her spring running track to prepare for soccer season. But after suffering an injury that kept her off the track, a friend asked her to come out for the softball team the next year.

“Playing other sports helped, but it was all so new,” Dingley said of her early softball career. “I definitely wasn’t the best, but I put a lot of work into it.”

Her work paid off and Dingley was named captain in her second year on the team. “I’m not the most outgoing person, but when it came down to it in the huddles, I was able to channel something with everyone,” Dingley said. “I had my own connection with each players and find the right words. Make sure we were focused.”

Michael Robbins, Dingley’s athletic director at Lansingburg, said she truly earned such a position. “Her competitiveness, work ethic and passion for sports have allowed her to not only be a successful athlete, but to also be seen as a leader in the eyes of her teammates,” he said. “Ariana is a kind hearted young woman who will always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Lansingburg head coach James Swab agrees. “She is an excellent role model for younger members of the team,” he said. “She is a leader on and off the field.”

In addition to her athletic prowess, Dingley excelled in the classroom. She was named her school’s valedictorian after achieving high honor roll in each marking period. Dingley was also involved in her community, including with the Lansingburgh Veteran’s Club.

The Veteran’s club was a cause close to her heart since both of her parents are veterans. Being able to support the other veterans in the community offered her a rewarding way to give back. “It was rewarding because people would be excited to see young faces at the veterans club,” Dingley said.

With all that time spent in school, sports, and volunteering, it’s natural to wonder how Ariana Dingley made time for all these things.

“I didn’t’ have much of a social life,” Dingley said only half joking. “But at the same time, I made so many connections through all the sports and clubs. I was around my friends all the time.

A native of San Diego, Dingley is set to return home for college. She’s headed to study at the University of San Deigo in the fall in a bit of a homecoming. “I have some family still out there,” she said. “And of course, the weather makes for a nice environment.

“I’m very honored to be recognized for this achievement,” she said. “I’m appreciative of those who supported me in my journey and that my hard work and dedication is being noticed.”

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Kate Ackerman

kate

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Kate Ackerman

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Kate Ackerman had a decision to make. While still mourning the sudden loss of her brother the day before, Ackerman had to decide if she would compete in the state bowling championship just three days later. It was an understandably difficult time for Ackerman and her family in the wake of her brother’s suicide. No one would blame her if she decided to stay home from competition.

“People were surprised I even went to school,” Ackerman said. “But I wanted to be with my friends, being around them helped. My coach, Mrs. Golden, said ‘we’ll support you no matter what.’”

But in that moment, Ackerman said there was only option for her. “I decided I wanted to go compete because I made a commitment to my team,” she said. “I felt like I wanted to go and compete at states.”

The fact that Ackerman even have had the chance to compete at the state championship was special. She had came up six pins short of making the team but she was called to fill in on the squad after another athlete dropped out.

Given the opportunity and her unique circumstance, Ackerman made the most of the moment. She bowled a total of 1487 to take the first place medal. She accomplished this averaging 248 pins over 6 games at the State Tournament, 37 pins above her average. She set etched her name in the state record book by placing second for 6 game high series with a total of 1487 pins at the state tournament and a third place slot for 3 game high series.

There is a saying, “When thrown to the wolves. Come out the pack leader.” That is how I describe grit and determination to my athletes,” Maple Hill Athletic Director April Hill said. “Kate proved that she has more grit than anyone this bowling season.”

Ackerman added that gold medal to her already long list of accolades from her career. In additional to being named to the USA Today national top 25 list, she was the Times Union Girls Bowling Athlete of the Year and earned the Hal Bieber scholarship from the Albany chapter of the United States Bowling Congress.

It may be hard to believe that bowling wasn’t even Ackerman’s top sport until later in high school. She was a strong pitcher on the softball diamond, making the varsity team in eighth grade. Though she was getting some interest from college softball coaches, she decided to reach out to collegiate bowling coaches to see if they had any interest as well.

“I told my parents on Christmas day that I was going to reach out to bowling coaches, just to see if I get any responses,” she said. “Surprisingly, I got a ton of responses.” Ackerman would go on to sign her National Letter of Intent to bowl at Niagara.

“Kate has demonstrated a willingness to learn, work hard and strive for success,” Maple Hill head coach Sheila Golden said. “Kate embraced the personal commitment and drive required to succeed in bowling and as a result, practiced with enthusiasm and diligence each day. There is no doubt in my mind that the Kate will continue with the same determination and work ethic as she continues her bowling career at Niagara.

A scholar athlete and high honor role member, Ackerman also found success in the classroom. She was chosen by her teachers and peers as the recipient of the Outstanding Senior award.

Ackerman was also chosen by the staff at Maple Hill to mentor middle school students that will soon be making the jump to high school. With her success in the alley and in the classroom, Ackerman is an easy role model for aspiring Wildcats.

“I tell them I’ve been in your shoes, I’m not just going to tell you it’s hard,” she said. “I have experience, I want to make every underclassman feel welcome and supported. Especially during sports since we compete as a small school, those young players can help the team a lot.”

Ackerman also seven formal dresses, two prom dresses, and 3 pairs of formal heels to Cinderella’s Closet, which allows students in need to pick out free dresses for their proms. Giving back to the community was important to Ackerman but is even more important after the support she received after her family’s loss.

“I wanted to give back to the community especially since my brother’s passing,” she said. “They’ve supported me and have done so much for me and everyone around me. I want to be there for them. Receiving this award confirms all of the sacrifices my family and I have made to make sure I have every tool to succeed academically and athletically,” she said. “I am grateful for my parents allowing me the opportunity to play the sports that I enjoy.”

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Katie Pascale

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Katie Pascale

2024 Grand Collegiate Woman of the Year
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Collegiate

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Most women’s lacrosse sticks are between 3 and 3.5 feet tall. Katie Pascale says lacrosse has been a part of her life since her stick was taller than she was.

“When I was in Kindergarten, I went to my first lacrosse camp,” Pascale said. “The stick just never fell out of my hand.”

In high school at Baldwinsviile, Pascale was the MVP of the 2019 lacrosse team that won sectional and regional championships. But as several of Pascale’s teammates all went their separate ways to play NCAA Division I lacrosse, she turned down Power Five offers to play at UAlbany.

“I saw plenty of ACC schools and bigger programs,” Pascale said. “There was just something intimate and family-like about UAlbany. I knew on my first visit to UAlbany that it was where I wanted to be.”

All Pascale did in college was rewrite the UAlbany record book. She is the only women’s lacrosse player to ever score 300 career points in her career at UAlbany and one of only five women in the America East Conference to do so. She holds program records in scoring, assists, and draw controls by wide margins.

“She was very highly recruited nationally with many top teams looking at her,” UAlbany head coach Katie Thomson said. “She gave her all and took the program to new heights.”

Pascale was recognized for her efforts as an Inside Lacrosse Preseason and Midseason All-American, a two-time All-America Honorable Mention, a four-time All-Region selection, a two-time America East Midfielder of the Year, and a two-time consecutive America East Scholar-Athlete. The latter award recognizes her play on the field as well as academic achievements. She graduated with a 3.66 cumulative GPA and is the fourth player in program history to earn America East All-Academic honors three times and one of the three to have earned the conference’s Scholar-Athlete honors twice.

When it comes to academics, Pascale credits her mother, a former Syracuse basketball player, and the faculty at UAlbany.

“My mom taught me how to keep my things super organized, which is important in accounting,” Pascale said. “UAlbany also had great professors and a great athletic advising program.

And while her gaudy lacrosse statistics are undoubtedly the product of Pascale’s hard work and determination, she says she couldn’t have done it without her teammates.

“The career points record shows how great the team is,” she said. “I was always an assist-first girl. I’m thankful to have been surrounded by a great team, they made my experience better from the time I was a freshman.”

Pascale said UAlbany became a home away from home for her because of the closeness of her teammates along with the greater Albany community. She worked alongside her teammates to develop local youth lacrosse players through the CityLax program.

“Anything that involves younger kids is awesome,” Pascale said. “I love seeing little kids look up to us and show up to our games. We want to be well known in the community.”

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Isabella Miller

Morgan Burchhardt

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Isabella Miller

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Isabella Miller knows what it means to run down a dream. Ever since she was a little girl, she has been running with her family.

“My whole family runs, especially my dad,” she said.

Even though Miller has been running 5Ks with her family for along as she can remember, she also grew up using her endurance and speed on the soccer field. Finally, in seventh grade, Miller’s father suggested she give cross country a try.

“That’s when I fell in love with it,” Miller said.

She eventually became a year-round athlete at Fonda-Fultonville competing in cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter, and outdoor track in the spring.

Coming into her senior season, Miller set a goal of reaching the New York State meet in cross country. It was an ambitious goal for any runner, but for Miller specifically, it would mean overcoming years of disappointment.

“Year after year, injuries and untimely illnesses crept up and derailed her efforts to qualify,” said Fonda-Fultonville Cross Country coach Joseph Geniti. “To Isabella’s credit, she consistently demonstrated resilience, determination, and an unyielding commitment to success. Most impressive, she always found a way to stay positive and celebrate her teammates’ successes, despite her own individual disappointment. “

Miller committed to this goal with Geniti. She said he was integral in the planning and execution of her cross country season.

 “Coach Geniti has been amazing,” she said. “I was coming off a hip injury, and he made sure to regulate my milage and work me into the right training.”

After fighting through the hip injury, Miller would suffer an ankle injury while warming up for the Western Athletic Conference meet. However, she persisted through the injuries to race in sectionals and finally claim her spot in the state meet.

“To accomplish this as a senior made the feat even more impressive, considering the meet is historically dominated by underclassmen,” Geniti said. “She finished 39th overall at the state meet, and impressively, was the sixth senior across the line in her race. It was the culminating moment to what had been an inspiring journey. “

As exhibited in her cross country career, Miller knows work hard towards a goal that matters to her. That’s why in school, Miller took some of the most challenging classes and excelled in them, earning the third-best GPA in her class and an internship at the Neural Stem Cell Institute in Rensselaer, New York.

“It was an amazing opportunity,” she said. “I got to create antibodies in the lab so that the lab techs could use them in their research.”

That research meant a lot to Miller, who said her family has had a lot of experience with cancer. It was that experience that got her interested in the field of oncology.

“My aunt passed away from cancer when I was eight years old,” Miller said. “That’s what made me want to go to medical school and eventually study oncology.”

While she made her way towards her goal of medical school, she spent time volunteering at her local Ronald McDonald House serving families of children that are in the hospital.

“I like to go in and cook meals for the families staying at the house or make baked goods,” she said.

Chasing down her goals is what Isabella Miller does best. Amongst all her achievements, she says earning the Capital District Sports Woman of the Year award is one of her most memorable achievements.

“I’m very honored to receive the prestigious Capital District Sports Women of the Year award,” Miller said. “It is such an accomplishment to be valued among these amazing young women. It was a defining moment in my high school career to receive this award and goes to show that all your hard work and dedication pays off.

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Kennedy Swedick

Morgan Burchhardt

Explore CDSWOY All-Time Roster Members

Kennedy Swedick

Member of CDSWOY Class of 2024
  • Class

    2024

  • Sport(s)

    Scholastic

  • Induction

    2024

Written by Harrison Huntley

Kennedy Swedick graduated as one of The Albany Academies’ most decorated golfers in school history. In 2024, she won her third straight state championship as the perfect end to a high school career that Swedick spent working on her own game while also growing girls’ golf across the state of New York.

Swedick was the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s 2022, 2023, and 2024 high school state champion, helping her team to the team titles as well. She also won the New York State 2022 amateur championship. She is a three-time Albany Times Union prep golfer of the year for that region. Her high school team has won four consecutive Section 2 team titles.

This past fall, Swedick won the AJGA’s Golf Performance Center Junior, was fifth at 2023 AJGA Girls Invitational and placed 15th in AJGA Invitational presented by PING. She tied for ninth at the 2023 U.S. Girls Junior Championship and was the medalist at the 96th Women’s Western Junior Championship. She is a 2023 AJGA Rolex Scholastic Junior All-America selection.

On top of all these accomplishments, Swedick also graduated as her class salutatorian. She finished with a 4.24 GPA and is set to attend the University of Virginia in the fall, where she was selected to be an Echols Scholar, an honor given to only 5% of the incoming class.

“I’m just so blessed all the support and to have a great support team,” Swedick said. “The Albany academies were just so incredible. I got so much support from my teachers.”

“Kennedy always gives 100% here at the Academy, both as a student and as an athlete,”  said The Albany Academies athletic director Paul Gallucci. “Her time and effort that she has put in on the field, course, weight room, and classroom have proven to be very successful.”

It took that 100% mindset for Swedick to even have the opportunity to play for a state championship. When she was in seventh grade, her first year competing as a scholastic golfer, Swedick had to play on the boys team since there was no section 2 girls golf team. In fact, the NYSPHSAA did not sponsor a girls golf championship until 2006 and did not crown a team champion until 2018.

In contrast, The Albany Academies sent three more golfers along with Swedick to the state championship as part of the section 2 team. Swedick says this growth is the result of a team effort.

“I was blessed to be surrounded by some amazing people,” she said. “We worked hard to get girls golf to where it is today. I’m forever grateful for how much it’s grown.”

Swedick’s stellar career started when she was eight years old. “My mom signed me up for a summer golf camp at my school,” she said. “I fell in love with it. When I hit the ball for the first time, I realized I could picture myself doing this forever.”

While competing and winning at the highest level, Swedick also spent her time helping other girls in her area learn to love golf as much as she does. She volunteers with the Special Olympics golf events in her area along Camp Abilities Saratoga where she worked with vision impaired youth golfers.

“The game has done so much for me and given me so many opportunities,” she said. “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to be the ambassador, I’m so blessed.”

Swedick also has volunteered with Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, a World War II association the supports veterans who served. It’s a cause that’s close to her heart as her own Great-Grandfather was killed in action in the Battle.

Whether it’s on the golf course or in the community, it’s clear to those around her that she has a gift for helping others participate in the activities they love, especially if that includes golf.

“Kennedy has always been a hard worker and a great leader,” Gallucci said.

“I am honored and feel deeply privileged to be the recipient of this incredible award and to be recognized with so many other talented women,” Swedick said. “It is a testament to the unwavering support and guidance I have been blessed to receive over the years. This award means the world to me because I’m able to represent the Capital Region that has given me so much. I am so thankful for the recognition, and I can only hope that my story inspires others to work hard for their dreams.”

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