Honor Skaneateles Girls Hockey Champions

Senate Resolution No. 774 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO CONGRATULATING the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of winning the 2017 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championship WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive athletics can be achieved only through rigorous training, mental and physical discipline, and a dedicated coaching staff; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those young individuals within our midst, who, by achieving outstanding success in athletic competitions, have inspired and brought great pride to their school district and community; and WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical development of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success, and by developing a sense of fair play and competition; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of winning the 2017 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) Championship; and WHEREAS, The Skaneateles Lakers and the Orchard Park Quakers comfortably won their respective state semifinals on Friday, February

10, 2017 by equal 5-1 margins; this made for a tight, competitive game when both sides played for the 2017 New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHAA) Championship title; and WHEREAS, On February 11, 2017, the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team dominated the 12th NYSPHAA Girls Ice Hockey Championship at the Roos House Athletic Center Ice Arena on the campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Canton; and WHEREAS, The Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team defeated Orchard Park with a final score of 5-1 to capture first place; after the team's State championship win, the Skaneateles Lakers finished their perfect season with an overall, undefeated record of 19-0; and WHEREAS, The 2017 Championship victory marked the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team's second State title; the Skaneateles Lakers earned their first State title in 2014 when they tied with Potsdam (2-2), and both teams were named co-champions; and WHEREAS, Upon their return to Skaneateles on Saturday, February 11th, members of the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team were greeted with a parade put on by community supporters, including the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department, members of the Skaneateles Youth Hockey Association, and family and friends; and WHEREAS, No team can succeed without talent throughout its entire roster, as is the case for the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team whose players include: Sophia Burns, Ioanna Christou, Caroline Corbett, Emily Cox, Johna Halko, Katie Halko, Katrina Harter, Lauren Jones, Cecily Kawejsza, Abby Kuhns, Grace Kush, Sophie Kush, Kat Lindgren, Maria McLean, Anne Rubel, Grace Schnorr, Jessica Smith, Heather Tanzella, Megan Teachout, Campbell Torrey, and Alison Weiss; individuals on the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team are from the Skaneateles, Christian Brothers Academy, and West Genesee Central School Districts; and WHEREAS, The athletic talent, and drive to win, displayed by the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team is in great part due to the efforts of Head Coach Andy Rozak and Assistant Coach Dylan Van Holtz, who are well-respected leaders for their ability to develop potential into excellence; and WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the outstanding members of the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team proved to be an unbeatable combination of talent, skill and dedication during the entire season; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team upon the occasion of winning the 2017 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championship; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned members of the Skaneateles Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team, Head Coach Andy Rozak, and Assistant Coach Dylan Van Holtz.