Dozens of the borough?s best athletes are in Westchester County in the hopes of getting the gold in this year?s Empire State Games.
The New York City Open Division basketball team is made up of male college athletes. This year, the squad is led by Bronx athletes including St. Francis point guard Jamaal Womack. The team did not get a medal last year, but Womack says he knows what his team needs to do to get the gold in this year?s games.
Womack says it takes a strong defense to perform well. He is confident his team is ready. ?No one is more athletic than the guys we have,? Womack said.
One of the hottest stars at last year?s games was Bronx gymnast John Orozco. He took home six gold medals. He was one of only seven athletes from the borough to win gold medals at the 2006 games, and he is hoping for similar results this year.
Orozco?s assistant coach, Robert Colon, said the gymnast recently placed second at the U.S. championships. He expects to see Orozco in the Olympics one day.