Lauren Mezzanotte qualifies for the Mid-Atlantic Long Course Junior Olympics

Lauren Mezzanotte qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Long Course Junior Olympics at Penn State with her summer swim team. She placed eighth in the 50 freestyle, and took first place in the 400 freestyle relay. With her swim team, the girls 15-19 team took 5th overall and the boys 15-19 team took first. Lauren is working hard this summer so she can "hopefully break more records this year [at Blair]."

Lauren's coach summer coach says about her swimming: "Of course Lauren got herself on the Blair record board in four events as a sophomore. At 6'1" with extremely developed technique and an oversized competitive drive, Lauren has the potential to be one of the best swimmers to ever come out of our region. Playing Varsity Soccer and Softball has helped her stay one of the most well rounded athletes I have seen in my 20 years of coaching. I am really looking forward to seeing how Lauren’s commitment to off season weigh training will inevitably translate into improving her already very fast times. Expect to see Lauren at YMCA nationals this spring as she can no doubt be a top college swimming recruit."

Blair Alumnus, John Redos ’09, represents United States at World Rowing
Under 23 Championships

John Redos ’09 (Cornell University Class of 2013) earned a spot on the United States U-23 National Team and represented the USA at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Brest, Belarus, July 22-25. John’s boat finished in 12th place overall on July 25 in the lightweight men’s quadruple sculls competition. His crew finished sixth in the B final for the 12th overall finish. The crew clocked a 6:38.14 to finish 7.69 seconds off the pace. Denmark won the race in 6:30.45. more photos...

Athletes & Coaches Honored

Spring athletics awards were given at School Meeting on May 17, as well as recognition of coaches Jim Connor and Steve Kampmann, who have coached at Blair for more than seven years and will be leaving Blair at the end of this school year. Congratulations to all!

Brooks Baseball Prize: Ryan Lubreski Brooks Baseball Prize: Eric Peterson Stowell Softball Award: Alexandra Magistro Stowell Softball Award: Kelsey Stevens Blair Lacrosse Prize: Spencer Beriont Blair Lacrosse Prize: Maeve Fahey Blair Lacrosse Prize: Jackie Florio Paul Tennis Award: Lawrence Liu Anzel Tennis Trophy: Noah Joachim	Anzel Tennis Trophy: Musyoka Mbithi Hurley Crew Prize: Nate Reichel Kemp Crew Prize: Rebecca Litvin Pender Track Award: Matt Stocker Pender Track Award: Temi Fagbenle Pender Track Award: Nikki Weiner Pender Track Award: Scott Chamberlin Blair Girls’ Golf Award: Julia Brackup Zimmerman Golf Trophy: Jin Chung
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Scott Chamberlin enjoyed a typical sporting childhood while growing up in Allamuchy Township.

He played all the usual sports, starting with tee-ball and then baseball, recreation basketball and soccer.

“But it wasn’t until eighth grade that he found his gift and passion,” said his mother, Suzanne Chamberlin. “That’s when his eyes opened to the joys of running.”

Chamberlin started running when he was in eighth grade.

“Actually, I wasn’t interested in soccer anymore and I wanted to do something to stay in shape for basketball,” said Chamberlin. “I took up cross country in the fall and won my first race. I was pretty excited about running after that.”

After eighth grade, Chamberlin enrolled at Blair Academy in Blairstown. Click to read more.

Winter Athletic Winners Announced

Blair athletes were honored during School Meeting with the following students garnering awards:

Merit Ski Award: Julia Brackup
Captain’s Trophy Swimming: Hayley Anderson
Blair Squash Prize: Francesca Nestande
Blair Squash Prize: Brandon Hardman
Blair Squash Prize: Blake Moore
Peachey Hockey Award: Graham McConnell
Peachey Hockey Award: Dylan North
Blair Winter Track Award: Scott Chamberlin
Blair Winter Track Award: Chris Miller
Haskins Basketball Prize: Tyler McNeely
Brooks Basketball Prize: Christelle Akon Akech
Jamieson Wrestling Prize: Chris Villalonga
Jamieson Wrestling Prize: Jesse Shanaman
Jamieson Wrestling Prize: Mike Evans
Lieberman Wrestling Prize: Russell Parsons
Lieberman Wrestling Prize: Brooks Black

Undefeated in dual meets his entire four-year career at Blair, wrestler Chris Villalonga ’10 recently underwent surgery for a torn labrum. Chris, who is Cornell-bound, is the first wrestler in the history of U.S. high school wrestling to win the Ironman and Beast of the East championships a combined six times. He injured his left shoulder in his second round match at Senior Nationals in late March but “soldiered on,” winning the championship despite the injury. (During the 2008-2009 season, Chris injured his knee at Beast and won the finals and semi-finals on one leg, so to speak.)

So his definitive OW win for the USA team over Josh Kindig at the Dapper Dan Classic (see WPIA video) and his gutsy Senior National crown successfully end his long and remarkable high school career. Chris is one of the most complete wrestlers in Blair history and gets his nickname, “Mr. Smooth,” in part from his ability to consistently reduce stressful situations to clear-cut sound decisions and act efficiently and effectively on those decisions.