Empire State Games coming to town

NEW PALTZ-This weekend, SUNY New Paltz will serve as the host for this years Empire State Games. The Empire State Games competition is a program of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, is a member of the National Congress of State Games, and is a recognized State Games Program of the United States Olympic Committee. Each year, more than 30,000 men and women, young and old, tryout for the chance to be a finalist at the Games in scholastic, open or masters divisions. And in each of 28 sports competition is keen. Through the years, many athletes have been part of the Games and moved on to national, international and Olympic competition. Games' alumni include world champions, Olympic gold medalists, college and high school All-Americans, professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL - as well as figure skaters, skiers, soccer players and many more. But for every Olympic Dream Team member there are thousands of athletes for whom the Empire State Games may be the pinnacle of their athletic career. And that is what makes these Games so special. Here is a list of local athletes that will represent the Hudson Valley: • Daniel Paladino, Monroe, hammer • Stephanie Duffy, Monroe, long jump • Diana Kornberg, Highland Mills, shot put • Chris Nieves, Highland Mills, baseball • Billy Morris, Monroe, kayak • Jessica Furman, Monroe, gymnastics • Nicholas Belloise, Monroe, ice hockey • Billy Sanborn, Monroe, ice hockey • Jen Ascencio, Monroe, ice hockey • Kathleen Treston, Highland Mills, ice hockey • Kyle Vander Plaat, Chester, rowing • Tonya Hipsman, Chester, soccer • Kristen Burch, Monroe, soccer • Ryosuke Kameyama, Goshen, swimming • Alex Kral, Central Valley, swimming • Sean Murtagh, Warwick, swimming (coach) • Anna Jakubek, Monroe, swimming • Amelia Lupinetti, Warwick, swimming • Mike Reiss, Highland Mills, tennis • Lorraine Brady, Goshen, tennis (coach) • Rob Kippel, Chester, weight lifting