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.