\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0“Regardless of political persuasions, the economic environment, or the latest weather conditions;\u00a0Sports Unite Us!\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Whether you are a Fan or an Athlete, the passion for sports is Contagious and Inspiring… With an emphasis on programs to reach Youth, Master\u2019s (Senior Citizens), and the Physically Challenged, the Empire State Sports Council<\/strong>\u00a0is prepared to meet the needs of all Athletes of any age, gender, or skill level. \u00a0Besides providing anexcellent value to each of these folks, the\u00a0Empire State Sports Council<\/strong>\u00a0is determined to create an unparalleled sporting experience that fosters good sportsmanship, honest competition, and healthy habits for each participant…”! This is just an excerpt taken from the ES Sports Mission Statement<\/strong>, and was realized at the Adirondack District Championships!<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One of the objectives of the Empire State Sports Council<\/strong>, and the Liberty Tour Track & Field Series<\/strong>, in particular, is to provide opportunities where competition can be a Family Affair<\/strong>.\u00a0 There was NO<\/strong> shortage of Families<\/strong> taking part in the 10th Annual Adirondack District Championships<\/strong>, which is a Qualifying<\/strong> event for the Youth<\/strong> and Scholastic<\/strong> Track & Field Divisions, but also provided the atmosphere for Athletes of ALL<\/strong> ages to come together to compete, many of which were Parents. “There are other events in sport (especially Track & Field) where there is an effort to DIVIDE the Youth and Scholastic Divisions from the Open and Masters Divisions”<\/strong>, \u00a0said Lisa Mills, who is the Event Coordinator<\/strong> for ES Sports<\/strong>.\u00a0 She maintains, “There is so much for the Youth and Scholastic Athletes to gain from having the opportunity to watch some of the more experienced Athletes compete, and NOT have to do so from the stands, but to be right in the mix with them. In addition, make NO mistake, the Open and Master’s Athletes VERY much appreciate having an audience for which to perform!”<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The winning Team at the Adirondack District Championships<\/strong> was Country Mills Eagles<\/strong>, but this year a NEW<\/strong> group of Athletes took part, and that was the Parents of many of the Youth Athletes, which provided a clear example of how sports can be a Family Affair.<\/strong> \u00a0It is sort of an opportunity to pass the “Torch”, or in this case the “Baton” from one generation to the next, and at the same time score points.\u00a0 Pictured above is Orville Ivey Jr. passing off to his Dad, Orville Ivey Sr., as Dad took the blind exchange almost flawlessly to anchor the Country Mills Eagle’s Open Men’s 4x100m Relay Team.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Although Country Mills Eagles<\/strong> took 1st Place<\/strong> at this meet scoring 363<\/strong> points, In A NY Minute<\/strong> scored enough points (341.25<\/strong>) to leap frog the NY Nova Starz<\/strong> to move back into 3rd Place<\/strong> in the Liberty Tour Team Standings<\/strong>.\u00a0 For the second straight meet, Chatham Gold<\/strong> took 2nd Place <\/strong>in the meet, but continues to hold onto 1st Place<\/strong> in the overall Liberty Tour Team Standings<\/strong> with 986.75<\/strong> points.\u00a0 The NY Nova Starz<\/strong> fell to 4th Place<\/strong> (495<\/strong> points), and are looking at the Averill Park Road Runners<\/strong> on their Track & Field heels, as they have moved into 5th Place<\/strong>, quietly accumulating 420.5<\/strong> points, leaving the Glencadia Bullets<\/strong> just slightly behind with 387.75<\/strong> points. “The Independence Invitational will prove to be a critical event in the scoring”<\/strong>, the Executive Director of the Empire State Sports Council<\/strong>, Anthony Mills surmises.\u00a0 He continues, “But the final jockeying for position will be determined by the Liberty Games Track & Field event, as that is weighted at DOUBLE Points! It is exciting to see the race so close, this deep into the Track & Field season.”<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Liberty Sports Gear<\/strong> has partnered with the Empire State Sports Council<\/strong> (ES Sports) and is offering more than $1,000<\/strong> in Gift Certificates<\/strong>, that can be used by the winning clubs for Equipment, Footwear, Team Uniforms, and more!\u00a0 The Liberty Tour Track & Field Series<\/strong> is comprised of six (6)<\/strong> events, and the Independence Invitational <\/strong>is next up on Friday, July 3rd<\/strong>, with a 4:00 pm<\/strong> start time.\u00a0 Be sure your Track & Field club makes it to both remaining Liberty Tour<\/strong> event, so that your Team is in the best position to earn one (1)<\/strong> of four (4) Team Prizes<\/strong>.\u00a0 The top Prize<\/strong> is worth $500<\/strong> of Liberty Sports Gear!<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Below, we captured some of the other Country Mills Eagles<\/strong> Families that competed together to assist the Eagles<\/strong> in their first win of the 2015 Liberty Tour Track & Field Series<\/strong>.\u00a0 We hope you enjoy them, as much as we enjoyed being a part of the FUN<\/strong> and EXCITMENT<\/strong> on what was a beautiful day for Track & Field!<\/strong> Just scroll down further to view the Thumbnails.\u00a0 Click the Thumbnail to view the entire photo with the caption.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For all of the Results<\/strong> from the 2015 Adirondack District Championships<\/strong>, just click \u201cResults\u201d<\/strong> from the navigation bar for the Liberty Tour<\/strong>.\u00a0 We look forward to seeing everyone at the Independence Invitational<\/strong> at CBA <\/strong>(Christian Brothers Academy), for which many have already registered, on Friday, July 3rd!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t