Jackson Wang
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Sports Journalist for Spectrum Networks - @Collegeofstrose(BA) @WestVirginiaU(MA) alum - NYS Certified Football Official - HK Born🇭🇰, 518 Raised🇺🇸
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Articles by Jackson Wang
High school soccer coach's legacy: 50-plus years of winning Original
There’s a standard Dan Gillespie expects his players to perform on the soccer pitch. “You’re getting beat to the ball, fellas,” Gillespie said to his players during a recent playoff game. It’s been that way for more than 50 years at Maple Hill High School, where he coaches the varsity boys’ soccer team. “We’re an hour late, boys,” said Gillespie, late in the first half.
McNamara reflects on Siena past, focuses on Syracuse future Original
Walking into the MVP Arena for the first time in seven months brought back a lot of fond memories for Gerry McNamara. “It's great walking through the doors, pulling in the back there at the loading dock where I would walk in for two years and park,” he said. “You walk in and see all the people that you've grown close to over the last two years.” McNamara got a hero’s welcome, back in the home of the Siena Saints since becoming head coach of the Syracuse men’s basketball team.
UAlbany football coach's career shaped by upstate New York roots
When Tom Perkovich was at Division III Susquehanna (Pa.), he wore many hats as its head football coach. “At the last place, I was doing everything. I was coaching the offensive line; being the head coach; I was helping out with equipment; helping out with all the different pieces,” Perkovich said. While he's no longer handing out helmets and shoulder pads as the head football coach at the University at Albany, he does have new hats to wear, which comes with being at a Division I-FCS program.
From Saskatchewan to Glens Falls, Melrose leaves lasting impact Original
Glens Falls was a long way from Saskatchewan, Canada. But the city fully embraced its hockey team, and that was enough for Barry Melrose to fall in love with it. “He was just one of those guys that when he was in Glens Falls, he was just one of us,” said Dan Miner, a longtime public address announcer for the Adirondack Thunder. “He wasn't the ESPN guy. He wasn't the hockey coach. He wasn't the hockey player. He was just a regular guy.” On the ice, Melrose made an immediate impact.
Franco wins jockey title, Brown claims training title for Saratoga
It’s been a summer to remember for jockey Manny Franco. “I come with good momentum from Aqueduct to here. So, we were positive to have a great summer and here we are,” Franco said. After winning the Travers Stakes for just the second time in his career, Franco followed that up this weekend by clinching his first ever riding title at the Saratoga Race Course. “It means a lot because this is the circuit where all the best riders in the country are,” he said. “So, it’s just amazing.
Steve Angeli throws for 3 touchdowns in return as Syracuse routs New Hampshire 66-3
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Steve Angeli passed for three touchdowns in his first game action following a season-ending injury nearly a year ago, freshman Shavane Anderson ran for three more, and Syracuse routed New Hampshire 66-3 Saturday in the Orange’s season opener. Angeli, who suffered a torn Achilles in Syracuse’s fourth game last season, was sharp in his return. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 263 yards and touchdown strikes of 19 and 18 yards to Umari Hatcher and 27 yards to David Clement.
Syracuse routs New Hampshire 66-3 in Angeli's return
As Steve Angeli walked down the tunnel toward the entrance to the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, he took it all in for a moment. This was going to be the Syracuse quarterback’s first game since Sept. 20 “But as soon as the ball hits the foot, I’m ready to go,” said Angeli, a fifth-year quarterback for the Orange. “I got a job to do.
Leading Change wins Travers in upset
The day after Golden Tempo won the Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course, a horse named Leading Change broke his maiden at Churchill Downs. About 12 weeks later, Leading Change lined up in the starting gate with Golden Tempo as well as other well experienced 3-year-old colts at the Spa. After 10 furlongs, it was Leading Change winning the 157th running of the Travers Stakes in just his third race ever. “We’ve always thought he was a big-time talent.
UAlbany football notches season opening win in Perkovich’s debut
Ahead of UAlbany football’s first game, first year head coach Tom Perkovich says the objective was to give his team an opportunity to win its season opener in the fourth quarter. The Great Danes did more than that by building a two-possession advantage heading into the final frame and holding on to win 28-14 over New Hampshire at Casey Stadium Friday night. “A lot of emotion obviously coming off the field after that win, right,” Perkovich said.
Cherie DeVaux ‘so pleased’ with Golden Tempo ahead of Travers Original
Winning the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes as a trainer offers some pretty cool opportunities. “Well, I got to hang out with Flavor Flav, which the high school girl in me thought he was a very nice person,” said Cherie DeVaux, the trainer of Golden Tempo. That’s in addition to throwing out the first pitch at a Yankee game, being named to the Time’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports for 2026 and getting enshrined in the Little League Hall of Excellence.
Whether it's rehab or practice, Syracuse's Angeli competed Original
When Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli was recovering from tearing his left Achilles last September, he attack every rehab session like a practice. “That’s my chance to compete,” Angeli said. For the fifth-year quarterback, that was the mindset he had to have in the months following the Sept. 20, 2025, game against Clemson. “I think the biggest thing that I learned is really the tough times don’t last; tough people do,” he said.
SU football: Wilfong out 6-8 weeks, Brown in talks with Ross-Simmons Original
As Syracuse football loses one wide receiver for several weeks, another familiar pass catcher could be coming back soon. On Monday, head coach Fran Brown confirmed wide receiver Terrell Wilfong is going to be out six-to-eight weeks with a broken collarbone. That news comes as Brown says they are in talks with former Orange wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons to get him back on the roster. “We’re just seeing if it works stuff out, it seems like it is,” Brown said.
West Point center pumped for upcoming season as co-captain
Army West Point football is returning a lot of starters on the offense this season. That includes Brady Small, one of four of its five starters on the offensive line from just a year ago whose leading on and off the field. “We're going to be the engine that runs this offense. Like we pride ourselves on. That's what we want,” said Small, a senior.
From jockey to jockey valet, 'the perfect job'
With less than 20 minutes until post time, Nick Santagata is helping saddle a horse for his next race. It’s just one of the many duties he has as a jockey valet at the Saratoga Race Course. “As a jockey valet, we have a responsibility to make sure the weights correspond with the program weights,” he said. “Make sure the silks of the owners correspond with the silks in the program. Everything is OK, and then we got to keep everything moving.” It’s something Santagata has been doing since 2008.
Syracuse football opens fall camp
As Fran Brown enters his third season as head coach of Syracuse football, he’s got a lot of new faces. New players via the transfer portal and new assistant coaches hoping to fix the mistakes from last season. “We’re getting better. We’re going to get better every day. Everybody’s got to consistently get better,” said Brown, after the first day of fall camp practice on Wednesday. But the expectations remain the same for Brown — compete hard and improve.
Sovereignty, Baeza to battle in Whitney Stakes
Winning at the Saratoga Race Course has always been special for trainer Bill Mott. “For the length of the meet, I think it's one of the best meets in the country,” Mott said. One of the goals every summer is to win the Spa’s two signature races – the Travers Stakes and the Whitney Stakes. It’s something Mott accomplished the last two summers, winning the Whitney in 2024 and the Travers in 2025. “We see the best horses, the best trainers, the best jockeys. And it's fun,” he said.
World Cup may be over, but walking soccer is getting started in New York
On a Monday evening on a pitch far away from World Cup stadiums, there’s a different kind of soccer being played. “Just messing with you,” said Roger Gorman, one of the players on the field to one of the defenders. Between the touchlines at the Clifton Common, you’re not going to find players like Gorman running between the goals. “I went too soon,” Gorman shouts, during the game. But rather, they are just walking at a brisk pace to chase down the ball.
Renegade edges Commandment to win Jim Dandy at Saratoga
Renegade was trailing by as much as 11 1/2 lengths, but there wasn’t much concern coming from jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. “I took a little hold, and he dropped himself a little more than I wanted, but already in my mind I made my decision,” Ortiz said.
Third-generation driver Poirier continues Empire Super Sprints success
With less than an hour until he’s due on the track, Jordan Poirier is doing a final once-over on his car. “When it gets colder, the engine needs more fuel into it. So you don't want to be, run it too lean or that it miss on fuel,” said Poirier, a native of Quebec. He’s taking results and lessons from previous races this season to give himself the best chance possible at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway with his No. 28 car in the Empire Super Sprints.
Pletcher closing in on 6,000 career wins ahead of Jim Dandy
Todd Pletcher is certainly no stranger to the winner’s circle at the Saratoga Race Course. “We've been very fortunate over the years to have a lot of good clients, and, of course, a lot of good horses,” he said. Whether it’s the Travers Stakes or the Whitney Stakes, or just a maiden for a 2-year-old, the eight-time Eclipse Award winner has enjoyed a lot of success at the Spa. So much so that Pletcher is closing in on 6,000 career wins.
Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame Original
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum officially welcomed three new members into its prestigious institution on Sunday. Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent were all enshrined during the induction ceremony in Cooperstown. When Beltrán stepped up to the podium to deliver his speech, he compared it to the first time he was at bat in his first Major League Baseball game. “While I feel excited to be here, but at the same time I feel very nervous,” Beltrán said.
Beltrán, Jones, Kent reflect on journey to Cooperstown Original
The road to Cooperstown was very different for the three newest inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “It's kind of overwhelming, and at the same time, it makes me feel proud about my journey as a baseball player to be able to end up in this position,” said Carlos Beltrán. For Beltrán, it started in Puerto Rico, while Andruw Jones arrived at the Hall of Fame via Curacao. “I'm very proud of everyone that made it,” Jones said.
Jockey Dylan Davis' comeback continues at Saratoga Original
On a Wednesday morning along the backstretch of Saratoga Race Course, jockey Dylan Davis and his agent, Michael Migliore, were working to find horses for Davis to ride. “We're willing and working hard, and that's why we're out here this morning,” said Davis, a Saratoga Springs native. “So trying to hustle and trying to find some new horses to keep us going throughout the year." After a slow start to the summer meet at the Spa, he's starting to pick up stream.
NY Knockout pursuing championship through grief
It’s the final practice before the championship game for the New York Knockout, and players like Eden Messemer are locked in. “The cohesiveness that we have on and off the field, the bonds that we've built, and the amount of practice that we've had together over the last three to four seasons has really made this offense come to fruition,” Messemer said. She plays quarterback for the Knockout, a women’s tackle football team based in the Capital Region.
From basketball court to racetrack, Kinnon LaRose embraces trainer role Original
Early mornings on the Saratoga Race Course are crucial for Kinnon LaRose. He hopes if he takes care of the little things now, that will lead to big things in the afternoon. “You just kind of keep showing up every day and you talk about that daily grind and just grind it out, and you keep putting one foot front of the other,” said LaRose, as he watched his horses gallop on the racetrack.
Boilermaker held Sunday in Utica
Another Boilermaker Road Race is in the books, with thousands of runners taking part in the legendary race in Utica on Sunday. Runners took part in the 5K and 15K runs and the wheelchair 15K, along with the famous after party. Alex Matata with a time of 42:24. Tsigie Gebreselama finished with the top time in the with a 47:29 showing. The Ethiopian runner who trains out of Boulder Colorado broke the previous record by four seconds.
Racing and restaurants in Saratoga keep Ed Fazzone busy Original
Every morning, Ed Fazzone starts his day on the backstretch of the Saratoga Race Course to check in on his horses. “Easy, easy, good boy. This is Buttah,” said Fazzone, referring to a 4-year-old colt who recently won a $120,000 allowance race with 29-1 odds in one of the undercards of the Belmont Stakes. Buttah comes from a lineage of horses all named after food. At a nearby stable, you’ll find his sibling. “This is Tartah — 2-year-old,” Fazzone said. “This is part of the family.
Summer racing begins at Saratoga amid extreme heat Original
After winning the first race of the day aboard McAfee, jockey John Velazquez refueled in between races with water, orange juice and salt. “Orange juice and salt. That’s it. That’s like having a Gatorade but much healthier,” said Velazquez, on his way back to the jockey room. That’s just one of the ways Velazquez, his fellow jockeys and horses stayed hydrated and cool during the opening day of the July 4th Racing Festival. It also marks the start of the 46-day summer meet at the Saratoga Race Course.
History of Saratoga Race Course defines its legacy
Legendary sportswriter Red Smith once wrote: “From New York City you drive north for about 175 miles, turn left on Union Avenue and go back 100 years.” Simple directions to the Saratoga Race Course. “I think it's probably one of the best venues for racing there is in the entire country, maybe the world, for that matter,” said Bill Mott, a thoroughbred trainer. It’s one of the oldest sports venues in the United States.
U.S. women's soccer player Claire Hutton: 'I still have to pinch myself'
The last year and a half has been fulfilling to say the least for Claire Hutton. “It's what dreams are made of, honestly. I still have to pinch myself,” she said. Hutton, a Bethlehem native, has been a regular on the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team roster since making her debut in February 2025. She even found the back of the net against Canada last summer.
Belmont winner Golden Tempo to return to Saratoga for Jim Dandy, Travers
It wasn’t the typical Sunday morning for Golden Tempo and his trainer Cherie DeVaux. But then again, it’s not every day you win two Triple Crown races. “After we went and had a busy five weeks, I do have to get back to the business of training horses,” DeVaux said. That was kind of difficult to do one day after winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes when DeVaux and Golden Tempo were greeted by numerous fans, reporters, and photographers at her barn near the Oklahoma Training Track.
Belmont winner Golden Tempo to return to Saratoga for Jim Dandy, Travers
It wasn’t the typical Sunday morning for Golden Tempo and his trainer Cherie DeVaux. But then again, it’s not every day you win two Triple Crown races. “After we went and had a busy five weeks, I do have to get back to the business of training horses,” DeVaux said. That was kind of difficult to do one day after winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes when DeVaux and Golden Tempo were greeted by numerous fans, reporters, and photographers at her barn near the Oklahoma Training Track.
Belmont winner Golden Tempo to return to Saratoga for Jim Dandy, Travers
It wasn’t the typical Sunday morning for Golden Tempo and his trainer Cherie DeVaux. But then again, it’s not every day you win two Triple Crown races. “After we went and had a busy five weeks, I do have to get back to the business of training horses,” DeVaux said. That was kind of difficult to do one day after winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes when DeVaux and Golden Tempo were greeted by numerous fans, reporters, and photographers at her barn near the Oklahoma Training Track.
Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux win Belmont Stakes
Just as the nine horses running in the Belmont Stakes entered the track at the Saratoga Race Course, dark clouds rolled in, and rain began to fall. The steady drizzle continued as each horse was loaded into the starting gate. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo was last to enter, breaking from post No. 9. That worked to the 3-year-old colt’s advantage once again with jockey Jose Ortiz on board, picking off horses en route to winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux win Belmont Stakes
Just as the nine horses running in the Belmont Stakes entered the track at the Saratoga Race Course, dark clouds rolled in, and rain began to fall. The steady drizzle continued as each horse was loaded into the starting gate. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo was last to enter, breaking from post No. 9. That worked to the 3-year-old colt’s advantage once again with jockey Jose Ortiz on board, picking off horses en route to winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Ahead of Belmont Stakes, Cherie DeVaux enjoying the process to success Original
Just as the sun begins to rise over the Saratoga Race Course, Cherie DeVaux is well into her day preparing Golden Tempo for his next race. “Each horse is a process, and they're a puzzle to figure out,” DeVaux said. “That's what I enjoy the most. The culmination is when they race and they win and they do big things. But the process is where I find my enjoyment in doing this.” Enjoying the process is what has allowed DeVaux to thrive as a trainer in horse racing.
To run or not to run: the Triple Crown conundrum Original
It’s the most prestigious accomplishment in North American horse racing — the Triple Crown. But over the last decade, the connections of these thoroughbreds are more likely to opt out of running in all the legs. Most recently, that happened with Golden Tempo- this year’s Kentucky Derby winner. It was dream come true for trainer Cherie DeVaux to win the Run for the Roses. But when it came time to pursuing the Triple Crown, the three-year-old colt just wasn’t quite ready for that.
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival underway at Saratoga Original
It was just minutes before post time of the third race on the card. As Marina Bruno scanned the program, she knew exactly who she was betting on. “My aunt Betty, my godmother, every time I see a Betty horse, I have to play it,” said Marina Bruno, who is from Saratoga Springs.
Mott eyeing another Belmont Stakes win, this time with Chief Wallabee
Bill Mott's 2025 was special. Thanks to a horse named Sovereignty, the Hall of Fame trainer walked away as winner of two legs of the Triple Crown — the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes — and the biggest race of the Saratoga summer meet, the Travers Stakes. “When you come away from the Kentucky Derby and you're the winner, I'd say going into the Belmont, you've probably got a bigger load on your shoulders,” Mott said.
Renegade is the 2-1 favorite for the Belmont Stakes rematch with Derby winner Golden Tempo
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Kentucky Derby runner-up Renegade opened as the 2-1 favorite for the the 158th Belmont Stakes when post positions were drawn Monday for the third leg of the Triple Crown. Renegade drew post position No. 4 and is set to be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. The Todd Pletcher-trained horse is coming off finishing second by a neck in the Derby to Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo, who opened as the 9-2 third choice.
Renegade is the 2-1 favorite for the Belmont Stakes rematch with Derby winner Golden Tempo
It’s been nearly five weeks since Golden Tempo beat Renegade by a neck to win the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The pair of three-year-old colts will face off again in a rematch this Saturday in the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes. And just like in the first leg of the triple crown, Renegade will be the morning-line favorite with 2-1 odds heading into the final leg of the triple crown.
Top scholastic high jumper in New York soaring to new heights Original
When clearing the bar in high jump, there’s a science behind every approach. “I tend to do more shorter approach work than full approach work, just so I can get the time and get my speed,” said Ryan Buskey, a senior on the track and field team at Colonie High School. For Buskey, every step matters when high jumping up to seven feet, especially if he wants to break more records and win another state title. “It definitely felt natural,” Buskey said.
Syracuse men's lacrosse falls to Notre Dame in NCAA semis Original
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team fell in the final four for the second year in a row. The Orange were upended by Notre Dame 15-7 in the NCAA tournament semifinals on Saturday in Charlottesville. SU found themselves in a 4-0 deficit early. A first-half hat trick by Finn Thomson put Syracuse back in the fight. The Fighting Irish led 7-4 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Orange cut the deficit to two goals, but three-man-up goals by Notre Dame to open the fourth quarter put the game out of reach.
Voorheesville's Savannah Schmidt pulling double duty
On most days after school, you can find Savannah Schmidt on the softball field practicing ahead of a game. “I think the team aspect is just really cool and like everyone working together. I just really like it,” said Schmidt, a sophomore pitcher for Voorheesville. After some fielding, throwing and catching, she will head over to the track to get in a few miles.
Syracuse lacrosse defeats UNC to advance to final four Original
Syracuse men's lacrosse is punching its ticket to championship weekend after taking down North Carolina 13-11 on Saturday. It was a defensive battle most of the first quarter until the teams traded goals with about a minute to go. Luke Rhoa scored a much-needed goal to end a 3-0 North Carolina run to spark a 3-0 run from Syracuse to go into halftime down 6-5. That momentum rolled into the third quarter, with three straight goals from the Orange out of the locker room.
Comeback continues for Stewart Friesen in NASCAR Truck Series
Getting back into a racecar was always the objective for Stewart Friesen. “That's my life. That's what we do as a family and as a race team, and just have great teammates behind me and crew members and crew chiefs,” said Friesen, who races dirt modified and NASCAR Truck Series. With each lap, the driver of the No. 52 of Halmar Friesen Racing in the NASCAR Truck Series takes another step forward in his comeback. “I feel like my body is probably 75, 80%,” said Friesen, who lives in Montgomery County.
Bryant, Deslauriers look to lead new Syracuse defense
Even after leading Syracuse football in tackles last season, Gary Bryant says he still has a lot more to offer heading into year two with the Orange. “Come back now, I just feel like I can take my game to another next level to where it was the previous year,” said Bryant, a senior. The linebacker, a transfer from South Dakota, says he's now healthier, and with a new defensive coordinator in Vince Kehres, believes he’s in a position to have a big year for SU.
Van Gisbergen wins again at Watkins Glen
Shane van Gisbergen had faith in the plan and strategies his team had for him heading into the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. “I trust them with what they do,” van Gisbergen said. The New Zealander, piloting the No. 97 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, really had to believe in the process when he was in 24th with just 16 laps remaining.
Van Gisbergen wins again at Watkins Glen
Shane van Gisbergen had faith in the plan and strategies his team had for him heading into the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International. “I trust them with what they do,” van Gisbergen said. The New Zealander, piloting the No. 97 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, really had to believe in the process when he was in 24th with just 16 laps remaining.
Shane van Gisbergen starts from pole position, Katherine Legge makes season debut at Watkins Glen Original
It was a rainy start to Day 2 of NASCAR at Watkins Glen International on Saturday. While the precipitation rolled out by the afternoon, it did still cancel qualifying for the O’Reilly Series. However, practice and qualifying went forward as scheduled for the Cup Series. Shane van Gisbergen, who won Go Bowling at the Glen last year, once again dominated the 2.45-mile road course on Saturday.
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