Nominate favorites for school awards

The second annual Times Union High School Sports Awards will be held June 19 at Hearst Media Center.

Several of the awards are selected by staff members, but there are also 10 categories in which readers and fans can select winners for athletic achievement and school spirit.

There are five Athlete Awards and five Spirit Recognition categories for nominations.

The Athletic Awards are Performance of the Year, Best School Rivalry, Best Sportsmanship (Male), Best Sportsmanship (Female) and Best Team Comeback.

The Spirit Recognition categories are Community Spirit Award, Superior Cheer Squad, Top Marching Band, Exceptional Booster Club and Fan of the Year.

The nomination period closes Saturday night. The link to place your nominations is https://www.timesunion.com/sportsawards to support your favorites in each category.

Once the nomination process concludes, the voting for the top three choices in each of the 10 categories begins May 28.

Red-hot Red Raiders

The Mechanicville softball program has enjoyed an incredible amount of success over the past two decades. A huge reason for the run of excellence is the work of coach Don Arceneaux, first as an assistant with Sean Hunter and later as head coach.

Earlier this season, the Red Raiders took a 10-0 thumping from Tamarac — a lopsided loss normally not associated with Mechanicville under the tutelage of Arceneaux.

But when the teams met again May 9, Mechanicville (ranked No. 19 in the Class B state poll) rallied for a 4-2 win against Tamarac.

Tuesday night, the Red Raiders take on Hoosic Valley for the Wasaren League championship. A victory would be a solid turnaround for Mechanicville from where the team stood in April.

Oh Brothers

Tuesday evening, the Bethlehem boys'...