It's the second half of July, which means it must be close to the end of the University at Buffalo track and field season.

"The season doesn't end until Empires are over," UB discus thrower Corey Knox (JFK) said matter of factly. "We are in it to win it. Any event we're looking to sweep. We want our program to shine through. We want people to know who runs New York State in the throws."

Knox is one of 10 current members or recent graduates of the UB track and field program competing in this week's open division of the Empire State Games.

The Games got off to a rousing start Wednesday with the Opening Ceremonies at UB Stadium. Competition in the 25 sports begins today and runs through Sunday.

All of the track events will be hosted at UB Stadium, a fact not lost on UB's Rob Golabek (Frontier), who is a triple threat in these Games, in the hammer, shot and discus. The last time Golabek stepped into the shot put circle for a meet at UB he won the Mid-American Conference Championship. He's the school-record holder indoors (59 feet, 7.75 inches) and outdoors (59-11.75).

"This is my circle and I'll do whatever I can to defend it," Golabek said. "Our bodies may not be peaking like the MAC Championships, but when I walk into the circle I'm going to be yelling and screaming."

Matt Gac is another UB thrower, but this time he'll be going head-to-head with Golabek in all three events. As a Newark Valley native, he will compete for Central.

Steve Maciejewski (Lancaster) moved to the javelin the last two years of his UB career after breaking his hand twice throwing the discus. He brings a career-best 181 feet into the Games.

Erin Miller (Lockport) and Molly Coakley (Newfane) will be sophomores at UB in the fall. Miller won shot put and discus in the ESG trials and was second in the hammer. She won two silvers in the 2008 Games. She expects her biggest competition to come from Sarah Thornton of Hudson Valley, someone she competed against in college.

On the track, Brian Smith (North Tonawanda) will run the 200 meters and two relays. Smith broke the school record in the 200 in 21.09 at the MAC Championships. He said he slingshots himself out of the turn and is really strong on the straightaway.

"It's ridiculous to say it's some sort of advantage [being at home]," Smith said. "A 400-meter track is a 400-meter track, but for some strange reason, I seem to run well on that track. It's a little bit like a wind tunnel in there. I know where I have to run through the wind and when the wind helps me. You have to fight it the first 40 meters, and after that the wind is a big help."

Dan Giza (Lancaster) should contend for a medal in the 5,000 meters. He's coming off a 32:51 in the July 4 Lancaster 10K, which earned him second place among 665 runners.

Paul Riley, a 2007 UB grad, is back to defend his title in the open 800. Riley won the 2008 gold in 1:53.06, the fourth-best time ever. He was a multiple All-Catholic champion while at Canisius High School.

Look for Mary Veith (Derby) near the front of the pack in the 5,000 run.

Around the track

The Scholastic boys and girls rosters feature nine Section VI outdoor champions: Ashley Fields (Amherst), 100, 200; Kala Allen (Williamsville East), 400; Abby Benson (Elma), 800; Kailyn Arcury (Williamsville South), 100 hurdles; Sarah Loud (Williamsville North), 400 hurdles; Mikayla Pearce (Maryvale), triple jump; Brandon Joyce (Niagara Falls), high jump; Matt Allen (Olean), pole vault, 110 hurdles, and Nick Cahill (Kenmore West), long jump. ... Kala Allen returns to defend her ESG gold in the 400. She'll square off against her high school rival Fields in the 200. ... It's Arcury's first Games as a track athlete. She competed in gymnastics in 2006 and 2007 and helped Western win team golds both years. ... High school power East Aurora boasts Sarah Anstett in the 5,000, Paige Anderson in the 10,000 and Alex Weberg in the 1,500. Six of EA's other top runners will not compete because the tryouts at Depew conflicted with a national meet in North Carolina. ... Heptathlete Brianna Steel (Newfane) is enjoying a stellar career at Tulsa in the jumps and multi-events. ... In the decathlon Ryan Tomala (Elma) looks to put up some big points in his specialty event, the pole vault.

mmonnin@buffnews.comnull