Representing the winter Scholar Athlete Teams - Front row, L-R: Coach Kassel, Brittany Farron, Christine Alley, Chris VanZetta, Matt Blizinski, Graig Weiss, Ami Berger. Second row, L-R: Coach Tabor, Coach Gansle, Emily Hughes, Joe Smith, Danielle McLeen, Ryan Hibbard, Corey Friedman, Brendan Fornaccio, Amber Dominic, Julia McCane. Third row, L-R: Coach Caschera, Brendan Dolan, Coach Stadtlander, Andrew Masterson, Coach Rixman, Frankie Dyer, Coach Schroeder, Greg Bonomo.

March 17, 2009 - Shaker High School's sports teams have a perfect record so far this school year. All 20 teams have been named Scholar Athlete Teams by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

School officials were recently notified that all nine winter sports teams received the award, which followed on the heels of the 11 fall teams that received the award.

Each team must earn a grade average of 90 or above to receive the award, and each student receives a pin from NYSPHSAA for the accomplishment. Studies have shown that students who are involved in interscholastic athletics earn better grades, have fewer discipline problems and better attendance records than students who are not involved.

Shaker Athletic Director Ed Dopp congratulated the winter athletes for remaining committed to their education despite the demands that athletics placed upon their schedules. He added that the perfect record this year demonstrates the success of Shaker's commitment to developing well rounded students.

"This isn't just one team or a handful of students, this is 20 teams and hundreds of students who are achieving at the highest levels, both in the classroom and on the playing field," Dopp said. "These students deserve to be congratulated for their efforts to develop in a variety of ways."

Dopp also praised the coaches for pushing students to succeed as athletes, but also for constantly reminding them that academics should always be their number one priority.

Superintendent Randy Ehrenberg congratulated the students for their success.

"We are so proud of the fine work of all these students both in our classrooms and on athletic fields," she said.

Below are the grade averages for each winter sports team:

Indoor Track - Boys	97.599
Indoor Track - Girls	96.328
Swimming & Diving - Boys	94.388
Ice Hockey	93.816
Gymnastics	93.570
Basketball - Girls	92.284
Basketball - Boys	91.517
Bowling	90.063
Wrestling	90.025