Once again, Liverpool’s top athletes are going to be chasing medals when the 31st edition of the Empire State Games gets underway in Binghamton and other Southern Tier locales.
Thousands of competitors from six regions (Central, Western, Adirondack, Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island) will be entered in more than two dozen sports in events that start July 24 and run through July 27.
Here is a scan of who will be going to the Empire Games.
Track and Field
In the ESG meet at SUNY-Binghamton, Monica Ridgeway is entered in three open women’s throwing events — the discus, hammer and shot put. Jessica Ball joins her in the high jump, and Ethan Hickey runs in the open men’s 5,000-meter event.
On the scholastic women’s side, Harmony Cross will cover seven events in two days during the heptathlon. Wanetta Rodney represents Liverpool in the 100-meter dash as her Warrior teammate, Trina Bills, runs in the 2,000-meter steeplechase.
Swimming
In a busy ESG meet at SUNY-Cortland’s Park Center, Carly Jones could race three times in individual open women’s events, including the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Kevin Murphy could do the same on the open men’s side in both individual breaststroke races, plus the 50 freestyle. Sarah Stroup gets a shot in the open women’s 800 freestyle.
Zoe McCauley leads the Liverpool scholastic women’s contingent as she goes in the 400 and 800 freestyle, joined by Renee Stromski (400 freestyle) and Antoinette Esce (1,500 freestyle). Cory Spado is there, too, in the scholastic men’s 400 individual medley.
Ice Hockey
Joey Wilson is one of the top forwards in the Section III ranks, and will be expected to do much for Central’s scholastic men’s team at Broome County Community College, while Kathleen Conese returns to the ESG on the scholastic women’s side at Chenango Ice Rink.
Soccer
A big Liverpool influence will be seen in the Central matches at SUNY-Binghamton. Danielle Gannon and Christina Ippolito play for the open women’s team, joined by Robin VerSchneider. On the men’s side, Brian McGrane coaches a team that includes Domenico Vitale, as Allesio Vitale made it to the scholastic men’s team.
Volleyball
All ESG volleyball matches will be at SUNY-Cortland’s Park Center, next to the swim venue. Brian Bunch, Ryan Huberty, Erik Nicklaw and James VanBenschoten all are entered with the Central open men’s team. Jamie McMullen and Erin Nicklaw play for the Central open women. Aubrey Barrett will star on the women’s scholastic side for Central.
Lacrosse
On Central scholastic teams expected to contend for the gold medal, attacker Jennifer VanderMeulen and goalie Mikey Meagher are both key players on the women’s side at Alumni Stadium, while Tyler Kamide plays on the men’s side at SUNY-Binghamton.
Gymnastics
Todd Andrzejewski and Taylor Vogt, both current members of the Liverpool gymnastics team, will be on the mat for the Central scholastic men’s team at Broome County Arena in downtown Binghamton.
Baseball
Two standouts on the Liverpool baseball team, shortstop Matt Wessinger and second baseman Mike Weakley, could make up the double-play combination for Central’s scholastic team as it plays at Conlon Field and Union-Endicott High School.
Softball
Kristen Deslauriers, a catcher in her days at Liverpool and LeMoyne College, joins long-time battery mate Sarah Reed on the Central open women’s team playing at the BAGSAI complex, where the last two state tournaments were held.
Tennis
Just before getting to work with the Liverpool girls tennis team this fall, Kayla DiPaolo will play singles for the Central scholastic women’s team as it competes at SUNY-Binghamton’s courts.
Basketball
Dan Cromwell, a 7-footer on LeMoyne College’s team originally from Victor, will man the paint for the Central open men’s team at SUNY-Binghamton’s Events Center.
Bowling
Derek Magno, who starred for Liverpool’s bowling team, is part of a Central open men’s team competing at Owego Bowl.
Boxing
Bruce Dollinger goes to the ESG in the 201-pound division as all boxing matches take place at Susquehanna Valley High School in Conklin.
Diving
Continuing the long Liverpool line of fine divers, Bill Werksman will be part of the scholastic men’s three-meter competition at SUNY-Binghamton’s West Gym Pool.
Field Hockey
Alyssa Renk helped the Liverpool Warriors win last year’s Section III Class A title and will play defense for the Central scholsatic squad at Vestal High School.
Shooting
Matt Schad, from Mattydale, comes back to the ESG and will take aim in the three-position rifle event at the Broome County Sportsman’s Association.
