BUFFALO, N.Y., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening day of
competition has begun at the Empire State Games with some of the 7,000
athletes participating already taking home medals and memories.
    In athletics competition from early today, the Central Region won
both of the 10,000 meter runs that took place in the scholastic
division.  On the women's side, Lisa Audioun of Auburn ran a time of 39
minutes, 45.1 seconds, while Kyle Fenton of New Hartford took gold in
the men's event after a run of 33:25.2.  In open competition, Antony
Fraij of Rochester in the Western Region ran the 10,000 meters in a time
of 31:38.23, and it was Ann Talarico, also from Rochester, winning the
women's 10,000 meter run.  "I just wanted to go out with the front
people," said Talarico, who is appearing in her first Empire State
Games.  I'm very happy (to win gold).  I didn't really know what to
expect."
    There were also medals given out in the javelin throw, hurdles, and
discus in this morning's athletics competition.  Deron Adams of
Lackawanna in the Western Region won the scholastic men's discus final.
"I didn't expect it at first...but it feels good," said Adams.  "I just
wanted to make it here, now I have another one for the trophy case."
    In scholastic field hockey action, the Central Region women shut out
the Adirondack Region, 4-0.  Carla Tagliente scored three goals for the
victors, while the Adirondack Region managed just two shots.  The Open
team of the Adirondack Region fared better, with a 3-1 win over Long
Island.
    Competition is also taking place in basketball, ice hockey,
swimming, archery, and bowling, among others.  There are 27 different
sports being played in this year's games.
    Athletes are separated by six regions during this year's 19th Annual
Empire State Games -- The New York City, Long Island, Adirondack, Hudson
Valley, Central, and Western Regions.
    The New York Lottery is the primary sponsor of the 1996 Empire State
Games.  The games are a natural extension of the Lottery's educational
sponsorship, which last year raised more than $1.5 billion in support of
primary and secondary public schools throughout New York.
    The schedule and updates of the events are available at the Empire
State Games World Wide Web Site (http://www.empiregames.org).