Eight grapplers named to All-Star squads

The Canajoharie-Ft Plain wrestling team placed eight of its members on the WAC 2009-10 All-Star teams. Named First-Team All-Stars Zach Wilder (140-lb.), Dylan Slater (152-lb.), and Kurt Fridenberger (160-lb.). Second-team selections Tim Sealey (130-lb), Brayton Frasier (135-lb.), Ken Crouse (145-lb.), Joe Hecht (171-lb.), and Martin Collins (215-lb.).

Horender named Section II swim coach of the year

Canajoharie-Fort Plain swim coach Phil Horender has been named the Section II co-coach of the year. The C-FP swimming team enjoyed one of its best seasons ever. Several members set new school records and Fort Plain senior Mark Hanifin qualified for States. Hanifin was also named to the Section II All-Star second team.

Bowlers capture WAC North title

The Canajoharie boys and girls bowling teams proved their measure on Wednesday, Mar. 3 as both squads captured the WAC North championship at Sportsman's Bowl in Schenectady. (full story and photos)

Basketball teams finish successful seasons

Congratulations to both Canajoharie varsity basketball teams!

Unfortunately, they saw successful seasons end with close losses in Sectional play. The #6 ranked Lady Cougars could not overcome a 35-25 halftime deficit ultimately losing 62-59 to #3 Albany Academy in their second round Sectional game. The girls finish their season 8-5 in the Western Athletic Conference and 12-7 overall.

The boys entered Sectional play ranked #6. After a solid  64-40 win against #11 Warrensburg, the Cougars fell to #3 Voorheesville 57-53. The boys finish their season 9-3 in the WAC and 15-5 overalll.

Swimmers impressive at Sectionals

Canajoharie/Ft. Plain Swim team finished their year with seven of 11 swimmers qualifying for the finals at the 2010 Section II meet at Shenendahowa on Friday, Feb. 12. By meet's end on Saturday, school records fell and Ft. Plain's Mark Hanifin qualified for the state meet in Buffalo. The team finished fourth among 14 Class B schools.

"As a coach, you put a plan together that you hope allows your athletes the best chance to succeed," said Coach Phil Horender. "It still comes down to the athlete though. Collectively, this Sectionals produced the best performances of since I've taken over the program. It seemed as though everyone was dropping time."

A highlight of the meet was the new school records set by Canajoharie 8th grader Quinn Smith (boys 100-backstroke), Canajoharie freshman Gabby Kiefl (girls 100-breaststroke), and Ft. Plain senior Mark Hannifin (100- and 200-freestyle).

"What Mark, Quinn, and Gabby were able to do, in terms of earning their way on to the school record board is even more impressive when you consider how old some of those records are and how young they are. I couldn't be prouder. They worked hard all year and are reaping the benefits of their determination," said Horender.

Top finishers were:

• Chris Evans— 15th in 50-freestyle; 12th in 100-freestyle

• Anthony Franchi— 10th in 50-freestyle; 16th in 100-backstroke

• Ryan Kiefl— 12 in 100-breaststroke

• Tyler Towse— 10th in 200-freestyle; 16th in 500-freestyle

• Gabby Kiefl— 13th in 500-freestyle; 8th in 100-breaststroke (breaking Jessica Manzer's school record)

• Quinn Smith— 2nd in 200-IM; 100-backstroke (just an 8th grader, Quinn broke Coach Phil Horender's backstroke record and barely missed qualifying for States in both events)

• Mark Hanifin— 1st in 200-freestyle; 2nd in 100-freestyle (breaking school records and qualifying for States in both events)

Three wrestlers place at State Qualifiers

Congratulations to all six members of the Canajoharie/Fort Plain wrestling team for their efforts at the 2010 Section II New York State Qualifiers wrestling tournament held Friday, Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Three members were place finishers:

• Zach Wilder (140 lbs.) placed 4th and finished his season with a 31-11 record.

• Ken Crouse (145 lbs.) of Fort Plain placed 4th and finished his season with a 33-8 record.

• David Wall (189 lbs.) place 5th and finished his season with a 26-13 record.

Stahler sets new scoring record

Canajoharie Cougar senior Payton Stahler set a new Canajoharie varsity career scoring record with a 32-point effort versus WAC South rival Duanesburg on Feb. 9. Payton eclipsed Neil VanSlyke's longstanding record of 1174 points. As of Feb. 15 with the team preparing for Sectionals, Payton's has totaled 1234 points.

Payton became just the fifth Canajoharie varsity boys basketball player to reach 1000 career points a month earlier in an away game versus Schoharie. The school officially honored  him for that feat before the Cougars' fans prior to the home varsity game against Middleburgh on Friday, January 8. Coach Rick Palumbo spoke briefly recognizing Payton both as an outstanding athlete and a fine individual. He and Assistant Coach Dan O'Neil presented Payton with a team ball as a memento of the occasion.  (more photos)

2009 Girl’s Volleyball Awards

Four of Canajoharie's seven varsity volleyball players have been honored for their outstanding play.

Selected are:

• Jane Boppert—WAC Southern Division Overall MVP (second consecutive year)

• Caitlyn Mosher—WAC Southern Division MVP Setter (second consecutive year)

• WAC First Team All-Stars: Class C

  • Jane Boppert

  • Caitlyn Mosher

  • Halli Stroemsvaag

• Second Team

  • Mary Adams