Cody Betsch

Strength and Conditioning Co-Co Popular with Athletes

May 13, 2026 by Cody Betsch

The updated Fitness Center. Photo: Parker Thompson ’26.

With seasons coming to an end, it is time for students to pick their new Co-Curriculars on campus. Co-curriculars offer opportunities on campus and in Lake Placid to stay active and pursue interests. For example, Golf and Volleyball are options. Today, we are looking at the Strength/Conditioning Co-Co.

The Strength and Conditioning Co-Co allows Northwood students to get into the gym and work on whatever they need in a private gym session. It allows students to go to the gym multiple times a day, but also earlier than open gym, so they can have free time after their workouts. “Now that we’re not skating, getting the gym open right after school is great. I can get in a lift and go shoot pucks later in the day, or do cardio, etc. It’s great because I feel like I can work on building strength but also staying in shape,” said Miles Van Mullen ’27.

As Northwood students know, open gym can get very crowded during the week. The Strength and Conditioning Co-Co is much less crowded and exclusive to those in the Co-Co. Instead of waiting for racks or dumbbells, everything you need is usually open.

“On a usual weekday, I would have to go into the corner of the weight room or the turf to find a spot to stretch out. Now there are usually only one or two people using the open space for stretching in the gym, and I can go anywhere,” said Devin Smith ’26.

The Co-Co used to be called Intramurals, but because so few people took it, it turned into a gym session. It caught wind in the Northwood community and quickly became a popular Co-Co to switch into. The Strength and Conditioning Co-Co is a great opportunity for Northwood students to get into the gym every day while still having free time.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Offseason Grind Begins for Boys’ Hockey Players

May 6, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Now that the season has ended for all the Ice hockey teams, we are going to take a look at the next steps in preparing for the upcoming season. For many players, Northwood was a stepping stone to get to the next level, college, or junior hockey. This can be a very stressful time for players seeking opportunities.

A few players have already locked up spots with teams and are now preparing for next season. Devin Smith ’26 just recently signed with a team for the next season and is working hard in the gym. “I took the conditioning coach so that I could really nail down my training this offseason. I’m creating the habits now so that when I get back home, I can stay consistent and be the best player I can be,” said Smith.

Parker Thompson ’26 and Henry Kress ’26 recently played games over spring break. Now that they’re back here, the level change was a little bit eye-opening. “It took a little while to get adjusted. The speed and size were the biggest challenge for me in the first few days,” said Thompson. “Now that I’m back at Northwood, I want to utilize the weight room and focus on building muscle while I have the resources here.”

Henry is taking a slightly different approach. “I saw conditioning and thought it was a no-brainer for my co-co, but when I saw tennis as an option, I wanted to sign up for that instead. I’ll have enough time with open gym to get my lifts in. I love tennis and want to play it so that I don’t get burned out with hockey.” Many players are in the Tennis co-co or the Lacrosse co-co following this same mindset.

This is a very exciting time for the players around campus, and we look forward to seeing where everyone ends up!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

From the Hub to the Rink: A Student’s Creative Hockey Hack

May 5, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Charles Pigeon ’26 with a prototype of his puck-collecting innovation. Photo provided.

Today, we are going to take a look at senior Charles Pigeon’s STEM project ’26. He built a hockey tool meant to save time for coaches that helps with picking up pucks and putting them all into the spot that the coach wants. “After drills end, all the guys will go to the benches and grab water or just hang out while the coaches have to go grab the pucks from all of the rink,” said Charles. “I built this kind of shovel that makes it a lot easier to grab all of the pucks and move them to where they need to go.” The project was built at the Northwood Hub, using resources from the robotics team. Charles is proud to say that he built it all himself. The “shovel” opens and closes so that you can slide all of the pucks into the area, and then close the arms around the pucks so they don’t slide away. It has to be used manually, and I have to admit I was very surprised by how useful it would be.

The blue handles are used to open and close the arms on the “shovel”. In his demonstration during one of the practices, the design was very effective, especially with skates, which allowed him to move around the ice quickly and get the pucks. This project was very creative and is definitely useful. Great work by Charles!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Real World

Dorm Room Tour: Owen Maclean ’26

April 20, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Today, we are taking a look at Owen Maclean ’26’s room here at Northwood. This is Owen’s second year here, and he has been living away from home for 4 years. He lives in a single room on the third floor of the East Dormitory.

Owen prides himself on keeping his room as clean as possible. He said the lack of decoration is because he likes the clean, simple look of his room. He also mentioned that he did not want to bring a bunch of stuff from home to decorate because it would take away from the personality of his room back home. “Having to go back to a barren room back home would feel a little bit off.”

Photo: Cody Betsch ’26.

One of the reasons Owen requested this room is the third floor’s quiet compared to the second floor on the east. He also loves the view from his window.

If you look to the right, you can see the wrapping paper on his door. This is an ongoing Northwood tradition for the Christmas season. He mentioned that he enjoys the wrapping paper on his door because it adds the right amount of character to his room.

Photo: Cody Betsch ’26.

Owen keeps his jacket in the most accessible spot so that when he wakes up early for hockey, it is always in the same spot and is easy to get to. On his desk, he has his PlayStation 5 and his TV. He often plays Grand Theft Auto 4 to pass the time, whether between classes or at nighttime. He is an avid fan of the Calgary Flames, Seattle Seahawks, and sports in general. He uses his TV to stay up to date on his favorite teams and tune in to watch some hockey when he can.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Prep Preview: Dallas Tournament

March 6, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Northwood Boys’ Prep celebrates its PHC championship win. Photo provided

After a historical weekend for the Prep Boys’ Hockey Team, winning the PHC championship for the first time in school history, the Boys are headed to Dallas for the last 3 games of the season. The boys had the weekend off last weekend to rest, and a few went and skated for potential future teams! They are looking to end the season in the best way possible, with one last go at a banner.

Practices have been a bit looser than usual, but the boys have dialed it in the last few days. “We were all waiting for the talk from Coach to lock back in and go back to work, and he was right. These are not just games to throw away. These are the last games as a team this year, and that means something to all of us.” Kress, ’26 said. The boys are taking on the Woodbridge Wolfpack and Upper Canada College in their first 2 round-robin games. They are currently 1-0 against Woodbridge and 2-1 against UCC. To make it to the finals, these are both must-win games for the boys.

“I do not doubt that we should win this tournament. Our momentum and where we are as a team right now are unmatched. We set the standard for our team the last few games, and we plan to play to that.” Said Devin Smith ’26.

For some of the boys, this will be their last time ever wearing that Northwood jersey. This team has become so close over this school year, and it has become more than just a game for a lot of them. The team has really embraced the motto, “Play for each other.”

“In my three years here, Coach has been saying the same things. To believe in each other, believe in the system, and that playing for Northwood is bigger than just hockey. I feel like this team is special and that they really took these words to heart this year. The back half of the year has been amazing to be a part of. There is no way I would rather end my Northwood career than to be a part of this group,” said captain Parker Thompson ’26. The boys certainly face a challenge ahead, but they are confident that they can handle it and bring one more banner back to Lake Placid this season.

Filed Under: Sports

The Best Burgers in Lake Placid

February 21, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Hi, and welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger Review. Unfortunately, this will be the final review of the series. Today, Parker and I sat down and talked about everything: price, flavor, quality, etc. We have come to our conclusions on the best burger spots in Lake Placid. We are sad to be finishing up this super fun project, but we’ve enjoyed sharing our honest opinions with the Northwood and Lake Placid communities. Here we go…

For our top 5 best overall rankings, we have:

Noon Mark’s burger and fries. Photo: Parker Thompson ’26.

These burger spots are an absolute must if you are looking for a great burger in Lake Placid. These cover a variety of different burger types, from gourmet to smash burgers. Although some of these can be a little pricier, the quality and flavor of all of these burgers are impressive, to say the least. However, one burger was the consensus number one. That burger was Noon Mark’s. For the flavor, toppings, quality, and price, this is a must-get burger in Lake Placid.

For the cheaper options, we have Lisa G’s, Noon Mark Burger and Pie Joint, McDonald’s, Stewart’s, and for Northwood students, the Northwood Burger. Obviously, McDonald’s and Stewarts are a bit of a step down compared to most of the burgers on this list; that being said, they are by far the cheapest, coming in at under $5 each. These are great options if you are looking for a quick snack after practice or work.

Now, moving on to the restaurants. I’ve already mentioned Noon Mark, so I’m going to talk about another great burger, Lisa G’s Leburgermeister. This burger is great, coming in at just $13. The flavor and quality are unbelievable. When it comes to a cheap option for burgers in Lake Placid, you cannot beat Lisa G’s.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Parker and I hope you enjoyed our series and that this will influence your decisions next time you want a good burger. It’s been a pleasure!

Final Burger Ratings (in alphabetical order):

Big Slide: 7.8, 7.9, 8.3
Dancing Bears: 8.2, 8.6
Generations: 8.3
Lake Placid Pub: 8.2, 8.4
Lisa G’s: 8.2, 8.5
McDonald’s: 5.0
Noon Mark: 9.0, 8.2
Northwood Burger- 7.2, 7.5
Pickled Pig: 8.3, 7
Players: 8.9, 8.8
Stewarts: 6, 6.7
White Bear: 6.8
Wise Guys: 7, 8.4

Filed Under: Opinion, Top Story

Burger Review: The Dancing Bears

February 12, 2026 by Cody Betsch

The Dancing Bears. Photo provided.

Hi, and welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger Review! This series is winding down, and we only have a few restaurants left! In this series, Parker Thompson and I, Cody Betsch, review all of the burger spots in Lake Placid and give completely honest reviews. Today, Parker and I will take on The Dancing Bears. The Dancing Bears has already been reviewed by a Northwood Alum, Mithcell Baker ’24, who said it was “the best burger in town.” Parker and I will be the judges of that, as we have tried almost every burger Lake Placid has to offer.

There are many options for burgers on the menu, but we went with the most basic one. The Classic Burger, priced at $19, features an 8oz patty, cheese, tomato, and onion, all served on a brioche bun. French fries come on the side.

The Dancing Bears burger. Photo provided.

This restaurant was by far the fanciest restaurant we had been to, and I think that the presentation of the burger shows that well. This burger is super juicy and feels really gourmet compared to many in town. It is flavorful and filling as well. Parker Thompson had high praise for this burger. “The burger is really good, the bun complements the flavors very well, and you can tell that it’s a high-quality burger”. I think Parker nailed it with this quote. It just feels really high quality. In my opinion, this would be a great spot for fancier occasions. The setting and the restaurant’s look made me feel like I was at a very fancy spot. The burger was great, and the price is pretty standard for Lake Placid. For these reasons, I gave the burger 8.2 out of 10, and Parker gave it 8.6.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Opinion Tagged With: BurgerReview

Burger Review: Stewart’s Shops

February 1, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger Review, where Parker Thompson ’26 and I give honest ratings on the burger spots in Lake Placid. We take into consideration flavor, price, and quality. On the menu today, we have an Upstate New York staple, Stewart’s Shops. Stewart’s is a very popular spot in the Northwood community, and as we all know, it has amazing ice cream. So today, we’re reviewing the burger to see about a potential hidden gem.

The Stewart’s Shops in Lake Placid near the Olympic Center. Photo provided.

The burgers are often sold in a 2-for-$6 deal. It comes with just a patty, bun, and cheese; however, it has 23 grams of protein per burger. This makes it a great meal to grab if you want a cheap way to get in your protein. Now for the review, “You know, for the price, and it being a gas station burger, this is really good. It’s a little flat, but the burger tastes great,” said Thompson. We both got to eat one for only 6 dollars, and it tastes good. You can’t really beat that. This makes Stewart’s burgers almost cheaper than McDonald’s, and they taste better, in my opinion.

Stewart’s Shops cheeseburgers. Photo by Cody Betsch ’26.

Overall, Stewart’s burger is a step below the others on this list. However, given the price and protein content, this is a pretty good option. For my rating, 6 flat. Parker’s rating was a 6.7.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Opinion

Burger Review: Lisa G’s

January 28, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger review! It has been a while since the last one, but we’re picking up right where we left off with another popular spot, Lisa G’s. They have three different burgers on the menu, but today we went with the “Le Burgermeister.” The burger is very simple and fully customizable to your liking. It is also very cheap compared to most burgers in town, at only $13.

Lisa G’s Restaurant. Photo provided.

This burger is fantastic, especially for the price. It is juicy, flavorful, and filling. “This is one of my favorites for sure. The quality of the burger is great, especially for the price,” Thompson said. Lisa G’s burger has a completely different feel from a lot of the places in town. It’s much less formal and feels more home-cooked than a restaurant-style burger, which is a great touch.

“Le Burgermeister” at Lisa G’s. Photo: Cody Betsch ’26.

Overall, this burger is great. The price, the quality, the flavor, everything was great. This burger reminds me of home and is competing and beating other burgers in town. This place is a must-try when you’re craving a burger. For my rating, I give it an 8.2, and Parker gave it an 8.5. Pretty great scores!

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Opinion

Prep Falls Short of Defending Prep Cup Tourney

January 22, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Illustration: GameSheet

Earlier this month, the Northwood Boys’ Prep Hockey Team played in its first tournament of 2026. The prep team had won this tournament the last two years, but this year’s competition was tougher than ever. Being the first games since the break, the boys were looking to have a strong start to the back half of the season.

“The first games back are always tough. It has been a while since we have all been together, and hopefully, we’ll pick up where we left off in the first game,” Parker Thompson, third-year senior and prep captain, said.

The first game was a big test for the boys. Kimball Union is always a great team, and the boys were looking for a challenge in their first game back.

In the first period, the boys were rolling. Three goals to Kimball’s none. There was a hiccup in the 2^nd period, and Kimball came back to score 3 goals. Despite taking the foot off the gas, the boys came out flying in the 3^rd period to seal the game with an impressive 5-3 win.

“I thought we played a great first game. We dominated most of the game and pushed through adversity. It was a great way to get back into it,” said senior goalie Owen Maclean.

The boys moved on to the second round, where they faced a very tough opponent in Culver. After a hard-fought game, the boys unfortunately fell to Culver. The next day was a consolation game, and the boys knew it would be hard to get everyone excited. They faced Frederick Gunn. The boys ended the tournament on a high note, winning 3-2 and carrying momentum for the next big weekend at home. Despite the loss, the boys played a great tournament. It was the perfect way to get back into the swing of things this season.