When it comes to Western New York, it seems three things in life are certain; death, taxes, and that the Western region will dominate in the annual Empire State Games.
The 32nd edition of the games closed in Buffalo on Sunday and for the 29th time Western led in the medal count. The 104 gold medals were by far the most of the six regions competing throughout the state. In fact, the final tally more than doubled any other region.
Arguably the most satisfying, and certainly the biggest headlines drawn from the games were the men’s open basketball team capturing gold after defeating Hudson Valley Sunday at Canisius College. Kyle Downey, a junior at Sienna College, led the way with 21 points.
No Western team has been a longer-running powerhouse than the women’s synchronized swimming team. The squad captured a gold medal for the 32nd time in 32 tries.
Among the other successful Western teams were men’s hockey, women’s scholastic hockey, women’s open soccer, men’s rugby, women’s softball and men’s and women’s open as well as women’s scholastic volleyball.
The games are expected to pump in $10-12 million into the Western New York economy, according to published reports.
