07/27/06
Empire State Games open in Rochester
Twelve local athletes to represent Central Region; seven from area to compete in Masters
ROCHESTER (AP) — The 29th Empire State Games began Wednesday when more than 6,000 competitors filed into the opening ceremonies, shrugging off sticky 85-degree temperatures to officially kick off the annual summer athletic competition.
Bernadette Castro, the state’s parks, recreation & historic preservation commissioner, greeted the athletes in a 2-month-old soccer stadium in downtown Rochester before proclaiming that the event would now be known as the Gov. Hugh L. Carey Empire State Games.
The former governor created the games nearly three decades ago.
"If you live long enough, they’re going to name something after you," Carey said. "I’ll settle for this."
[an error occurred while processing this directive]New York City’s Desmond Robinson, a sprinter, and Alyssa Derrico, a volleyball player from the Western region, were the final two of eight torch bearers that paraded the flame around the playing field.
The Olympic-style, all-amateur event has taken place in various locations throughout New York state every year since 1978. This marks the third time the Rochester area has hosted the games, the first time since 1998.
An estimated crowd of 6,500 watched the festivities, which included fireworks and performances by a local high school choir, trampoline artists, and a pop-rock band.
"This state is like no other," Carey said. "We started the Empire State Games to give people hope for tomorrow."
Carey also asked the athletes to scream out in unison, "I Love New York," before telling them to enjoy their experience.
The Games feature six competing regions of the state. The athletes within each region are further broken down into three separate divisions — scholastic, open and masters. The summer games feature 28 sporting events, including track and field, basketball, baseball, cycling, swimming and volleyball.
Competition begins today and continues through Sunday afternoon.
The Western region dominated last year’s games in Poughkeepsie, winning 252 medals, 103 of them gold. Hudson Valley was second with 157 medals, followed by New York City (144), Long Island and Adirondack (142 each), and Central (137).
Twelve area athletes are on the rosters for the Central Region. They are listed below:
Athletics: Charlie Morris, Oneonta: open men’s javelin; Ryan Branigan, Franklin: open men’s long jump; Mike Schmidt, Oneonta: open men’s decathlon; Colin Eustis, Delhi: scholastic men’s 5,000; Gabby Dello, Mount Upton: open women’s 3,000 steeplechase.
Basketball: Dan O’Brien, Oneonta: scholastic men; Ben Nelson, Bainbridge: one of four coaches on the team.
Baseball: Frank Petroskey, Cooperstown: scholastic men; Philip Pohl, Cooperstown: scholastic men.
Cycling: Nick Suozzo, Franklin: open men’s all-around; Michelle Costello, Franklin: open women’s all-around.
Wrestling: Trevor Franklin, New Berlin: open men’s 58KG (128 pounds) freestyle; Tyler Mumbulo, Bainbridge: open men’s 58KG (128 pounds) Greco-Roman.
Seven area masters are also scheduled to compete. They include:
Doug Geertgens, 63 (60-64 age-group), Hartwick: 100, 200, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, high jump, long jump and triple jump.
Allen Root, 56 (55-59), Maryland: 100, 200.
Dillon Maier, 71 (70-74), Oneonta: Pentathlon.
George Freeman, 74 (70-74), Cobleskill: 400, 1,500, 2,000 steeplechase, 300 hurdles.
Charles Hudson, 69, (65-69), Cooperstown: Fencing.
Jack Meeks, 80 (80-84), Gilbertsville: Archery.
Verna Engstrom-Heg (75-79), Franklin: Swimming.
