West Helps Team to Bronze Medal

West Helps Team to Bronze Medal

By Aidan Kelly

Although his singles race did not go as Tucker West had planned, he pulled himself together and helped his team cap a third place finish in the team competition Saturday, In Winterberg, Germany. Team competition may be proving to be West’s strong suit after taking gold in the first ever Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck Austria just one week prior.

The four person team of Tucker West, Emily Sweeney and the doubles team of Ty Andersen and Anthony Espinoza took the bronze just one day after they all had their own singles races.

On Friday morning temperatures were below freezing and it seemed the perfect storm was brewing for a good race day. This “storm” of good weather, however did not bode well for our Men’s singles team consisting  of Aidan Kelly(17), who finished 21^st in this race, Anthony Espinoza(18) finishing 26^th, Ty Andersen(17) finishing 16^th as well as Tucker West who made his debut appearance sliding Junior mens singles (male sliders up to age 20)finishing 20^th just .04 seconds ahead of Kelly who is currently ranked 14^th in the world.

Although the weekend did not go so well for our Men’s team, NSA former student, Emily Sweeney (18) was able to keep her composure on race day and earn herself a Bronze medal in the Junior Women’s singles division. Although Sweeney had hoped for better she said she was more than happy to get a medal and keep her spot as one of the best in the world. Sweeney, currently ranked 3^rd in the world.

Ready to get some runs on the track in Oberhof, Germany the team packed up their things Saturday night in preparation for a Sunday morning drive to the world famous track. The oberhof track was the first in the history of the sport of Luge to have had a refrigeration system and has been said to be one of the most challenging in the world. Aidan Kelly has plans to take a first person video of the track as he goes down in order to show what it is like.

With high hopes of fast race runs and safe sliding the team takes their first runs on the legendary track, Tomorrow.   

NSA jv boys hockey

NSA JV Hockey 

By Wes Moon

Lake Placid- Thursday the NSA JV boys hockey took a trip down to Albany to face off against Suffern and Saranac Central. 

Jake Ruby looks amazing in net

The first game against Suffern the boys "played half of the period" said coach Ben Teft but then added "stupid penalties killed the intensity." 

Suffern is the second strongest division one high school in the state of New York and the game played out to be a 6-2 game in favor of Suffern.

Team captain Alex Kwok scored both goals in the game but said he felt that the team played like "shit." 

Jake Ruby played in net and he "competed" the entire time said coach Teft. 

NSA celebrates after danglin' a bender and snipin' a tender

The second game, against Saranac Central, was a different story, scoring seven goals the team led the way to a 7-2 win.

Kwok said "we used teamwork traits to help us play better then we did against Suffern." Overall he was happy with the teams play. 

Stephan Demetz was a big factor in net only allowing two goals. Coach Teft said "he made some big saves." 

All around it was a good weekend for the boys. With only three games left Teft really just wants the them to continue to show intensity. He realizes that since they are not playing for playoffs it can be hard but he still has confidence in his team. 

NSA Girls Hockey: Weekend Results

NSA Secures Semifinal Spot.

By: Kelsey Lynch

Arbour snipes one past OHA

LAKE PLACID--- The National Sports Academy (NSA) Mountaineers took a break from traveling to compete in the thirty- third annual Northwood tournament last weekend. Although they were faced with a difficult schedule, the Mountaineers were able to defeat five teams that were standing between them and the championship trophy.

With a 5:20 A.M wake up call on Friday, the girls were anything but eager to get out of bed. With the sky pitch black, the team loaded up the buses and traveled to Saranac Lake to take on their first opponent, the New Jersey Colonials.

The puck dropped at 7:30 A.M and the two teams not only battled each other but the cold as well.  The temperature outside was minus twenty Fahrenheit, and the Saranac Lake Civic Center was not much warmer. NSA senior Jaclyn Arbour commented on the rink condition, " my toes and hands were numb."

Martha Smith also added," It felt like I was in an outside rink."

Cianfarano and Whiddon celebrate after goal

Although you could see your breath after every shift, NSA was able to send a message by getting the first goal. Mountaineer forward Megan Whiddon was able to find the back of the net first with a little help from her line-mates, Taylar Cianfarano and Denisa Krizova.

The first half of the game ended with NSA leading the Colonials 2-1. As both teams headed back to their locker rooms, they were able to readjust and defrost.

NSA Coach, Kelli Vossler commented on their first half performance as “we are a much better skating team but were letting them stay in the game, the rebounds are there you can’t score goals without shooting the puck."

With the second half underway, NSA was able to recover from their mistakes in the first half by adding another point to their side of the scoreboard. Although, the Colonials responded when two goals made it past NSA's goaltender, Lenka Craigova, to tie the score at 3-3.

With a little encouragement from the parents in the stands and her teammates, NSA Sophomore Taylor Cianfarano sniped the puck past Colonial Goalie in order to secure the Mountaineer's first victory.

Later on that day, the team made their way down the street to the Olympic Center to face their next opponent, RNS. NSA faced RNS just last month at the Deerfield Tournament and beat them 10-1. 

Although they knew the game wasn’t going to be very competitive NSA made sure not to underestimate their opponent. With Craigova between the pipes, the puck dropped at 4:30 P.M.

With a minute and forty two seconds into the game, Cianfarano was the first to get past RNS goaltender. With NSA’s thirty shots on net in the first half, eight found their way to the back of the net. 

Going into the second half, Craigova didn’t see a single shot from RNS. The puck rarely made its way into NSA’s defensive zone allowing the team “to move the puck and work on things.”

The game ended with NSA coming out on top leaving the score, 13-0. Three Mountaineer forwards were able to find the net more than once. Arbour got a hat trick while Cianfarano and Krizova both got four goals each.

In order to secure a spot in the Semifinal round, the Mountaineers remained focused as they took on their next opponent, Ontario Hockey Academy. Once again, the team had to load up the bus and make their way to Saranac Lake.

The puck dropped at 11:05 with NSA goaltender Sarah Foss in net.  OHA came out flying and was able to push the puck pass Foss for the one nothing lead. Shortly after, OHA got two penalties giving NSA two odd man advantages.

The Mountaineers capitalized on their power play scoring two goals to take the lead over OHA. Followed by another goal by NSA forward, Jackie Arbour, to make the score 3-1.

Although the Mountaineers were ahead by two there was still a lot of play left. OHA responded by getting two goals to tie the score. Then with fifteen seconds Cianfarano found space in the slot and let one go that went right pass OHA’s goaltender.

With one more half to play, before securing a place in the Semifinals, NSA had to play strong defense in order to keep their lead. NSA forward Elizabeth Scala secured NSA’s spot finalizing the score at 5-3.

NSA was focused and determined as they moved on to the Semifinals to take on the very skilled NAHA. 

NSA vs New England Stars

by Mattia Laudi

Tyngsboro - Good on-the-road game for the National Sports Academy Varsity hockey team, that tied the New England Stars, eight points behind the NSA, in Tyngsboro, MA, with a score of 4-4.

The New England Stars start their game really strong forcing the NSA in its defensive zone in the first minutes of the game with a great a good and physical forecheking.

New England Stars logo

The first goal arrives just after 4 minutes for the home team, when Derek Nutter lghts the lamp assisted by number 12 Brian Bowen.

Under the directions of coach Rod Simmons the NSA Mountaineers fix some of their defensive issues and with a good effort and dedication tie the game when the clock points 11:12, when Zach Stein, assisted by Joe Klehinenz and Tylor Widenmaier, comes along the left board and right after the blue line fires a blast of slap shot under the cross-bar.

Taking advantage of their positive moment the Mountaineers keep forcing the opponents in their zone balancing the inertia of the game, that until that moment was in favor of the stars.

At minute 18:52 Devin Dsnoyers scores for the NSA with a great acceleration that leaves behind the defenseman, and with good coolness he makes a move on the right of the net and the puck goes right over the shoulder of goaltender.

International Junior Hockey League logo

The second period is dominated by New England. After 8 minutes the Stars score with number 17 George Costa with a tip-in in front of the net. New England keeps doing pressure on NSA’s breakout that becomes really difficult with wrong passes and several icings.

At 13:50 Brian Bowen scores unassisted for New England. At 18:05 a penalty is called against Zach Stein for roughing, and NSA has to play a very delicate penalty killing almost at the end of the period. Unforunately at 25 seconds to the end New England’s power play reveals itself succesful and Sean Duncan scores the fourth goal of the night for his team.

In the locker room coach Simmons tries to cheer up his guys and adjust the game strategy.

In the period the Stars maintain a good and solid defense that counteracts efficiently the offensive attempts of the Mountaineers. But the good attitude of NSA guys pays back at the end of the game, when at 16 minutes in the final period a goal scored by Devin Desnoyers sets the team behind of one goal, and after roughly thirty seconds Erik Hallin scores the game-tieing goal.

Popular Apps

Temple Run

By: Martha Smith

LAKE PLACID- Every few months a new App for your iphone/ipod seems to come out and take over the free time of students here at National Sports Academy. The latest favorite App is Temple Run. 

Temple Run App

The idea of the game is nothing original but there is something about the App that is addicting.  Speaking from experience after throwing the game on my bed in frustration as I run into another tree I immediately pick it up again, trying to reach a new high score.

The execution of the game is simple, a little man runs, while monkeys chase him, and one must keep him on the pathway by swiping left or right when a turn is needed, and avoid obstacles such as trees and missing parts of path by jumping and sliding (swiping forward and backwards). 

Temple Run Beginning

The object of the game is just as simple, basically you want to get the highest score possible, and also collect coins, so that you can “buy” cheats, like coin magnets or a 750 meter boost, making it easier to reach an even higher score.

The Temple Run rage has been happening for a few weeks, and while some feel the thrill of the game going down others are still just as amused by the game.  Senior Emily Laurenzi says that, “I liked it, but now I’m tired of it” because the game “got boring.”

Meanwhile Senior Maggie Cross continues to be amused by the simple game claiming that “it’s addicting” and she continues to play because “I have to beat people.”  Cross added, “who wouldn’t want to slide under trees and fire.”

Junior Carina Randazzo is a Temple Run fanatic, when asked how she feels about the game Randazzo quickly replied with, “I ‘freaking’ love it” because “it’s just fun, and gives me something to do in study-hall.”  She is not to thrilled about her high score saying, “it’s not very high, only 1,662,771.”

Score Screen

The conversation with Randazzo continued, her one complaint about the game was “when I swipe it and it makes me jump off the freaking cliff” she quickly added in that “Temple Run is a good way to cause yourself to have heart attacks and aneurisms… I am constantly screaming at the game.”  Her warning to the general public being “grandmas… don’t play, males over the age of fifty… don’t play, emotionally unstable… don’t play.”

A majority of the girls on the girls’ floor at NSA play the game, of the seventeen asked eleven said that they play Temple Run.  Although the girls have their fair share of high scores, at NSA the record holder seems to be Alex Kwok whose high score is eleven million.

Temple Run is having a long stretch as a popular App here at NSA and the popularity does not seem to be fading.  It is likely to stay a top past time for students when they are not participating in their respective sports.

College Placement

Hard Choices

By: Sam Puckhaber

  -----High school seniors have the most stress, dealing with academics if they play sports must keep up with athletics, and of course college is on the list. College placement, something each high school senior must attempt to figure out.

Emily Laurenzi(Senior)

Choosing the right college is for most seniors difficult. College placement is a place for seniors to find what their path is for the next four years of their life. This is the first big decision for us, so each senior is obligated to spend a lot of time focussing on which school they want to spend the next four years in. Some students have already decided and gotten into the school in which they will be attending after graduation.

Kelsey Lynch(Senior)

For National Sports Academy student-athletes Emily Laurenzi and Kelsey Lynch their choice was simple. Laurenzi had this to say, “It wasn't hard for me to choose Penn State.” and continues in saying “I liked it because it's close to home and they were the ones to offer me and the big campus was a plus.” Kelsey Lynch also added in “It wasn't a hard choice for me either, I'm not going to Penn State but I did commit to Salve Regina.” When I asked Lynch why it was so easy for her to choose Salve she answered with this, “It was a great fit for me academically and the campus is really nice, plus I'll get to play hockey.” Although Lynch hasn't received her acceptance letter it's pretty much a given that she will be getting accepted soon.

Maggie Cross(Senior)

Also student-athlete of National Sports Academy, Maggie Cross have a different perspective on their new path for the next four years. Cross saying that “Sports make it really hard for me to choose a college,” and continuing in saying “I don't even know where I'm going just yet.” As if school and hockey weren't hard enough for 17 year old Cross, she is also the President of the student body, along with being President of the Environmental Club. But she says its not hard, saying “It's all about time management,” but adding in later, “but it can be stressful at times.”

Along with Maggie Cross, Martha Smith is also in agreement that figuring out what her life will be for the next four years is difficult. Smith quoted by saying “Yeah it is hard, and the hardest thing is I have conflicting desires,” she moved forward in saying “I want to play hockey, but the school I want to go to doesn't have it, that's hard for me.” Smith also revealing that she believes everything is just harder when you go to a sports academy, and are trying to figure out a college that has both hockey and a school she likes. Although she isn't going to let hockey choose the school for her, saying “I love hockey, but academics and a college I like is important.”

Martha Smith(Senior)

College placement, an exciting and nerve racking part of the high school experience, where each senior is trying hard to figure out their next part in life. While some find it simple to move on, others just aren't quite there yet. For student-athletes Emily Laurenzi and Kelsey Lynch they know what they want for the next four years, but others like Maggie Cross and Martha Smith are just not sure.

Recap: Girls Hockey

NSA Becomes Two Time Champion

By: Emily Laurenzi

This past weekend NSA girl’s hockey team won the Northwood Invitational Tournament for the second time in NSA History.

In order to advance to the semi-final round of the tournament NSA had to win all three of its first three games. The girls started off with a 5-3 win against the New Jersey Colonials, and continued with a 13-0 win against Rothesay-Netherwood School and finished with a  5-3 win against Ontario Hockey Academy.

The semi-final game was against North American Hockey Academy’s top team. Having faced NAHA four times prior to this game, NSA knew what was to be expected. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but they knew it was possible.

T.t. Cianfarano and Rachel Weich celebrate after a goal

As the puck dropped NSA was all over NAHA, completely dominating the game.  About half way into the first half NSA got a break, Denisa Krisova and T.T. Cianfarano flew down the ice on a two on one. Krizova fired a shot from the top of the circle missing the net, but with a lucky bounce it ended up in front where Cianfarano finds the back of the net. The half ended 1-0 and NSA out shooting NAHA 19-2.

The start of the second half begins with fast ice. NSA knows a one-goal lead is not going to win them the game. NSA catches another break after Denisa Krisova hits Emily Laurenzi with a pass at center ice creating a two on one with Megan Whiddon. Laurenzi takes a shot to the far side that hits the post and then the back of the net.

NSA leads 2-0 with twenty minutes remaining when NAHA player Shannon Yoxheimer takes a shot from the blue line that was redirected into the net.  The next shift NSA began panicking in their defensive zone and NAHA took advantage of the breakdown and tied the game 2-2. The half remained tied and the game went to overtime.

NSA Champions

The overtime was to be played five on five for five minutes and each remaining overtime was four on four for five minutes. The ice was choppy and the NSA girls knew it was going to be a battle. The first overtime flew by, along with the second one. The third overtime began and there had been a scramble in front of the net, all of a sudden the ref points his arm to the net and NSA’s bench clears and the celebration begins.

NSA is to move on to the Championship game against NAHA’s second team. "The game was a lot slower and less intense then the previous game." said Carina Randazzo. With NSA’s speed and skill the outcome of the game should have been a blow out but instead it was only 2-0. T.t. Cianfarano and Jackie Arbour scored the only goals in the game, and it was a great overall effort for the NSA girls team.