Empire State Games come to White Plains, NY

Saturday, July 28, 2007

The Empire State Games is an annual Olympic-style competition for amateur athletes from the state of New York, United States, encompassing several divisions allowing athletes of all ages to compete. In 2007, it is hosted by Westchester County and takes place July 25-29, 2007. In all, some 6,000 athletes are expected to participate.

“I think the Empire State Games is one of the best things that’s happened to Westchester County,” Buster LaBarbera, 74, of New Rochelle said. “It’s good for the economy and it’s just a great thing.”

Long Island had made a bid to host the games but lost out to Westchester. “Once done, it’s done,” said Bob Kenney, region director for Long Island, at the opening ceremonies. “We can’t look back. We can’t hold grudges.” Long Island may submit a bid for the games in 2010 according to Kenney.

Saturday, the Criterium cycling events took place in White Plains. Starting at 7:00 a.m. EDT (UTC-4), races for both men and women began at Martine Avenue at Court Street in downtown White Plains.

Criterium races (those are age brackets for the masters series):

  • Masters Men 45-54, 12 miles
  • Masters Men 35-44, 18 miles
  • Open Men, 31 miles
  • Open Women, 18 miles
  • Masters Men 55-64, 65+, 10 miles
  • Masters Women 35-44, 45-54, 55+, 10 miles

Street closures included: Quarropas Street, Mamaroneck Avenue, Martine Avenue, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Parts of Court Street and Grand Street had limited access. Road closures began at 5:00 a.m. The course was basically a large square.

Wikinews was there to cover the men’s open event race. Points were awarded for sprints on certain laps. Joe Zaverdas from Commack, New York, representing the Long Island region, won with 75 points. 58 riders participated.

Place Rider Hometown Region Points Medal
1 Zaverdas, Joe Commack Long Island 75 gold
2 Joslyn, Jay Grand Island Western 69 silver
3 Bickford, Geoff New York New York City 63 bronze
4 Luther, Mike Blasdell Western 57
5 Ferreira, Fernando Ossining Hudson Valley 56
6 Schmidt, Robert Athens Adirondack 55
7 Lowe, Anthony Brooklyn New York City 54
8 Campos, Robert Nesconset Long Island 53
9 Danke, Joel Mount Kisco Hudson Valley 52
10 Micko, Jan Glen Cove Long Island 51
11 Gentice, Gabrielle White Plains Hudson Valley 50
12 Swan, Glenn Freeville Central 49
13 Nelnychenko, Andrew Alpine Central 48
14 Paris, Mark West Henrietta Western 47
15 Dekrey, Jesse Rhinebeck Hudson Valley 46

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The start/finish line and judges’ tableImage: SVTCobra.

  • The crowd cheers on the racersImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The podium for the medal ceremonyImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The pit stop for emergency repairsImage: SVTCobra.

  • Rider rejoins the race after a quick wheel changeImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • The Men’s Open Criterium raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • Female cyclists cooling down after their raceImage: SVTCobra.

  • Results of earlier races posted and signed by the judgesImage: SVTCobra.

  • Cyclist giving a post-race interviewImage: SVTCobra.

  • Joe Zaverdas (#5), who won the race, is surrounded by his team matesImage: SVTCobra.

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