One thing was missing from the 2009 Baldwinsville sports calendar — its top athletes making a trip to the Empire State Games. That hiatus is over. Starting on July 21 with the opening ceremonies at University at Buffalo Stadium, thousands of competitors from six regions (Central, Western, Adirondack, Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island) will vie for medals in more than 20 sports across Western New York. Here is where Baldwinsville’s best athletes will be going:
Volleyball – Playing at UB’s Alumni Arena, four B’ville girls volleyball stars band together on the scholastic women’s team — Paulina Rein, Brianna Stewart, Shannon Albright and Allegra Bell. Pete Cuppernull is a key figure on the open men’s team, with Dan Dubiel and Jarret Reaume doing the same for Central’s scholastic side. Wrestling – Four B’ville wrestlers are headed for Buffalo State College’s Ice Arena for the ESG meet — Andrew Giromini and James Weber in the open division, Pat Nasoni and Joe Shaheen in the scholastic division. Soccer – Katie Gildemeyer, Nicole Close and Courtney Spencer all have B’ville links and join forces on the Central open women’s team playing at Amherst’s North French Soccer complex. Current Bees star Sarah Lindovski is on the scholastic side, with Ed Ramin and Austin Buckley headed for open men’s play. Ice Hockey – In all, B’ville sends three hockey players to Central scholastic squads that will play at the Amherst Audubon Ice Facility. Dan Briggs and Cris Nieves go on the men’s side, with Megan Mohr doing the same on the women’s side. Baseball – Fresh off an eye-popping freshman campaign with the B’ville baseball team, catcher Gabe Levanti will be expected to do a lot for Central’s scholastic team as it splits games between the Amherst Audubon complex and Erie Community College. Swimming – Dan Burke could get as many as three medals in the scholastic ESG men’s meet at Erie Community College’s Burt Flickinger Center, site of many previous state championships. Burke swims in the 200 individual medley, 100 and 200 backstroke. Tennis – In the ESG tournament at UB’s Ellicott Courts, B’ville’s Tom Hamm will play singles and Danny Kot is entered in doubles, while Amari Pollard plays doubles on the Central women’s squad. Lacrosse – Samantha Yaro, a standout with the girls lacrosse Bees, made it to the Central scholastic women’s team as it heads for medal play at Niagara University. Track and Field – Anthony Carapella returns to the ESG as a sprint specialist in the open men’s 100 and 200-meter dashes at UB Stadium, while Gabrielle Jordan is in the scholastic women’s 100 sprint. Basketball – Chris Vincent will see court time at Canisius College’s Koessler Center on the Central open men’s team, with Onondaga Community College’s Dave Pasiak serving as coach. Gymnastics – Emma Manning, the top star on B’ville’s girls gymnastics team, is on a talented Central scholastic women’s team that will head to Buffalo State College Sports Arena.