Dejection for Valley Stream athletes

Disappointment was the most appropriate word describing several local athletes when they found out last week that the Empire State Games had been canceled for 2011, and likely beyond.

The state budget crisis led to the elimination of the summer games, with cuts to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which runs the games. The website for the games, which were to be held in Rochester in July, was taken down last week. This is the second time the event has been canceled in three years — there were no games in 2009 due to budget constraints.

John Sabal, a senior at Valley Stream North High School, was a member of the Long Island region soccer team at last year’s games, and described it as an experience he will never forget. Sabal said that the level of play was very competitive, and the atmosphere of the games cannot be matched, giving teenage athletes a great opportunity to develop and grow.

Sabal, who played center in his first year on the team, said the experience made him feel like an Olympic athlete. “I was looking forward to participating in the Empire State Games again this year,” he said, “and trying my best to take home the gold.”

Niki McKee, a student at South High School, agreed with Sabal that the games feel like the Olympics, especially during the opening ceremony, when all 6,000 or so athletes walk into the stadium. McKee, a fencer who was a member of the Long Island team last year with her older sister, Erica, said she will miss participating. “I’m extremely disappointed the games are canceled,” she said, “because I think it was a truly wonderful experience where all-star athletes from our state can come together to compete together.”

McKee said that the recognition she received after winning a gold medal — acknowledgement at school and letters from elected officials — made the experience even more rewarding. However, she said, with the hard work she puts in during the year, including practicing four or five times a week, being chosen to participate is its own reward.

Ivy McKee, Niki’s and Erica’s mother, said the games were important in recognizing the hard work of young athletes. She said she has seen the benefits first-hand with the participation and success of her daughters. “They have been recognized as the best in their sport,” she said, “and it has helped them achieve higher standards.”

Sabal said he made friends with other players on the team, who came from all over Long Island, and has kept in touch with them since last year’s games.

The cancellation of the games isn’t keeping him off the field, as he plays soccer for both North High and the New York Cosmos Youth Academy. However, Sabal said, representing his region in the summer games was an experience he cherished.

Rifle team will miss out

This summer, Valley Stream Central High School District students Danielle Cuomo, Nick Rishkel, Sean Wraith and Jumell Wilson traveled to Buffalo to participate in the Empire State Games with the Long Island region rifle team. The squad captured two team medals — including gold in the air rifle event.

“It was a great experience,” said Cuomo, a Central High sophomore who won two individual medals as well. “I had a lot of fun.” When she showed up for a PAL rifle club event recently, Cuomo said, she learned of next year’s cancellation.

They agreed that the competition was both tough and friendly. Cuomo said the events were similar to what she is used to at the high school level, but she faced many competitors for the first time at the Empire State Games. Rishkel said it was his first experience shooting in sunny, warm weather.

Rishkel and Cuomo say they were both planning to try out for the 2011 games. They will now explore other options. “If I see any alternates for shooting next summer, I’ll be sure to attend so I can keep practicing,” said Rishkel, a junior and a member of the Central High School District’s rifle squad. “I do hope the Empire State Games will be restored. I’d like to go again.”

Physically challenged games are gone, too

Also canceled for next year are the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged, held annually at Mitchel Field. District 13 participated in those games for the first time last June, sending 15 student athletes.

Each athlete was paired with a buddy and a chaperone at the day-long event. “The district was planning on participating again,” said Lisa Sells-Asch, assistant superintendent for special services, “because we had such an amazing experience last year.”

The district’s athletes brought home 21 medals. Sells-Asch, who called the cancellation of the games a disappointment, said district officials would explore other options for those students.

Debbie Kalb’s son, Jack, who attends the James A. Dever School, participated in those games last year. “He had a great time,” Kalb said. “He was so proud of himself. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

Kalb said the games were really good for her son’s self-esteem, as it was his first experience with competition. Because he is in second grade this year, she said, she was hoping he could compete in the games for many years. She is keeping her fingers crossed that the state will be able to find the funding, she said. “I just hope they bring these back,” she said. “What a wonderful experience it was.”