August 18, 2023

RyeCity THE REVIEW

BREEZING TO THE FINALS

Defendant arraigned in sex crimes against teens in Rye

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced Monday the arraignments of two men charged on indictments with sexually assaulting teenagers in three separate incidents during June in Rye and North White Plains.

Marques Brownlee of the NY Empire defends against the DC Breeze’s Andrew Roy on Aug. 12.

The Empire beat the Breeze 24-19 in the Division Finals to advance to AUDL’s Championship Weekend in Minnesota. For story, see p. 16.

Bicycle Sundays return Sept. 10

Head back out to the Bronx River Parkway with us for more Bicycle Sundays, as the event returns, Sunday, Sept. 10 and will run through Oct. 1 for the season!

The last Sundays of the season in which Bicycle Sundays will take place are Sept. 10, 17 and 24 and Oct. 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “September Bicycle Sundays are a special time as it feels like an extended summer. I’m delighted to welcome cyclists, joggers and families back to the Bronx River Parkway for the fall installment of the 2023 series.”

Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathy O’Connor said, “Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean it’s time to put away our bikes or running

shoes. I encourage folks to get out and ride or jog the Bronx River Parkway to keep moving well into the fall.”

Chairperson of the Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF), Seth Mandelbaum said, “Bicycle Sundays embodies the WPF mission to invest, advocate, and enhance all 50 Westchester County Parks. We thank NewYork-Presbyterian and Con Edison for their continued support of this iconic program and look forward to seeing everyone along the Bronx River Parkway this Fall.”

During Bicycle Sundays, a portion of the Bronx River Parkway is closed to cars from for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, walkers, scooters and strollers. The course runs from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, a round-trip

of 13.1 miles. There are many points of entry and exit along the way.

Bicycle Sundays is presented by Westchester County Parks and sponsored by Westchester Parks Foundation and its partners, through generous donations from co-presenting sponsors NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester and Con Edison, with Jen’s Cycles in Yonkers as the official Bicycle Sponsor.

Westchester Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, philanthropic organization which provides private support to preserve the County’s Park system and improve the quality of life in our communities. Westchester Parks Foundation’s mission is to invest in, advocate for, and enhance the over 50 parks of the Westchester County Parks system. For more information, visithttp://www.thewpf.org

Rocah said: “We are committed to supporting and assisting these young victims of sexual violence and seeking full accountability of the defendants. Meanwhile the vigilant work of our local police and the DA’s Office investigators continue to keep Westchester safe.”

Richard Olmino, 21 of Port Chester, was charged in an 18-count indictment returned by a Westchester County Grand Jury, with sexually assaulting two teenagers during two separate June attacks in Rye. The defendant was arraigned on Aug. 8 before Westchester County Court Judge George E. Fufidio on the following charges:

• Attempted Rape in the First Degree

• Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree

• Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree

• Four counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree

• Endangering the Welfare of a Child

• Four counts of Robbery in the Third Degree, a sexually motived felony

• Two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree

• Three counts of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree

According to the indictment, on June 23 at approximately 12 a.m., the defendant allegedly threatened a 16-year-old jogger in Rye Town Park saying he had a knife before tackling her to the ground, exposing himself and sexually assaulting her. A security guard in the area interrupted the attack and the defendant allegedly fled the scene leaving behind his phone.

City of Rye police, assisted by county police and federal agents, utilized the defendant’s phone to identify and locate him leading to his arrest on June 24. At a June 25 arraignment in Rye City Court, Judge Valerie A. Livingston remanded the defendant to Westchester County Jail as he had two open warrants in Connecticut for public lewd acts and a pending criminal case in Suffolk County.

DNA evidence from the June 23 incident linked the defendant to a June 3 incident where, at approximately 1:36 a.m., the defendant allegedly sexually assaulted an 18-year-old who was walking home from an after-prom party in the vicinity of Rye High School.

Prosecutors charged the defendant, who remains in custody, for both June incidents in the Aug. 8 indictment in Westchester County Court. His next court date is Aug. 22.

Cortlandt man arrested following ‘ghost guns’ probe

Westchester County police arrested a Cortlandt man Tuesday and charged him with manufacturing and possessing untraceable “ghost guns” in his home.

The arrest was the result of a multi-agency investigation that also involved the New York State Police, FBI Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.

Nicholas Zito, 22, of Langeloth Drive was taken into custody at his home shortly before 9 a.m. The items seized from his residence were:

-Three loaded firearms lacking serial numbers.

-Four unfinished/non-serialized frames for firearms.

-23 high-capacity ammunition magazines and ammunition.

Zito was allegedly using a 3D printer to manufacture the ghost guns, which contain no serial numbers and are untraceable when recovered following the commission of a crime.

Zito was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon second-degree (loaded firearm) and multiple counts of Crimi-

nal Possession of a Weapon third-degree (for possessing three or more firearms and the 23 ammo clips). Those charges are felonies. He was also charged with four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon fourth-degree (for the unfinished firearms). That charge is a misdemeanor.

Zito was arraigned today in a neighboring court and was remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Cortlandt Town Court on Wednesday. The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor said, “I commend our Conditions Unit, the Real Time Crime Center, and our partners in this investigation. We are all committed to keeping illegal firearms of all kinds, including ghost guns, off the streets of our communities.”

Raynor noted that the Westchester County Police, in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, have seized hundreds of ghost guns through investigations conducted in the last few years.

Anyone with information regarding the manufacture, possession or sale of ghost

guns is asked to contact the Westchester County Police. The Department maintains telephone and electronic tips lines so the public can provide information on this and other criminal activity.

Calls, e-mails and text messages to these tips lines are confidential. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they chose.

• Voice Tip Line: (800)898-TIPS (8477).

• Electronic Tips: Send email, text messages and small video clips to tips@wccops. com.

• Via Mobile App: The WCPD Mobile App contains a home screen Submit a Tip button to enable tips to be sent confidentially or anonymously. It is available for Apple and Android phones. Enter Westchester County PD in the app store search bar to locate and download it.

Westchester County police arrested a Cortlandt man Tuesday and charged him with manufacturing and possessing untraceable “ghost guns” in his home.

ArtsWestchester appoints COO, new board president

CEO Janet Langsam announced this month the promotion of Kathleen Reckling of Ardsley to Chief Operating Officer for ArtsWestchester. Reckling has been with the organization more than 12 years and most recently served as deputy director of Public Programs. Going forward, Reckling will continue to lead the development of the arts council’s public programs and she will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization.

ArtsWestchester also announced the appointment of longtime board member, Marie Smith of White Plains, as its new board president to serve for the term of 2023-24. Smith, who has been a board member since 2017, was most recently executive vice president, co-chair of the Grants Committee and a member of the Social Justice Committee. Smith had a 10-year career at Citicorp and is currently a manager at William Sonoma. Additionally, ArtsWestchester has announced the appointment of three new members of its Board of Directors for the 2023-26 term:

Brian Van Riper (Hopewell Junction), director of Construction and Project Management for Robert Martin Company, has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. Van Riper has received his LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and is already contributing his pro -

fessional expertise as a key member of the ArtsWestchester Building Committee.

Louis P. Gallo (Eastchester) is a senior vice president and Commercial Banking market executive at Wells Fargo, based in White Plains. Gallo began his career at Chase Manhattan Bank and joined Wells Fargo in 2013. Today, his territory includes Connecticut/Capital New York and Hudson Valley markets where he leads a team of professional bankers providing a vast array of financial services.

Tyre Robinson Regional President for New York’s Tarrytown region at M&T Bank, Robinson is responsible for building and managing small business banking relationships throughout the region in Westchester and Rockland as business banking regional manager. Robinson holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Lastly, ArtsWestchester welcomed two new Affiliate Board members: Michelle Maplethorpe, executive director of the Katonah Museum of Art, and Wilfredo Morel, a wellknown sculptor from Peekskill, who will each serve two-year terms as affiliate representatives.

Marie Smith

Kathleen Reckling

AHA’s Westchaester Heart Walk returns

This year the Westchester Heart Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla. The Westchester Heart Walk supports a movement to get America walking to live longer, heart-healthy lives. The festival opens at 9 a.m. and the walk is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

The American Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s premiere walking and fund-raising event that takes place in more than 300 cities every year. The event focuses on preventing heart disease and stroke by raising money to support heart research and heart healthy lifestyle programming. This year’s Heart Walk is sponsored by Fujifilm, NewYork-Presbyterian and WMCHealth.

Did you know that cardiovascular disease occurs every 39 seconds and is the No. 1 killer of all Ameri-

cans? Heart disease also kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. And congenital cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of infant death from birth defects.

When you join Heart Walk, you join more than a million people across America in taking a stand against heart disease and helping save lives!

Thousands of people from across Westchester County are expected to step out this year for the Westchester Heart Walk. Join survivors of heart diseases and stroke, as well as families, friends, neighbors and company teams to help fight Westchester’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers – heart disease and stroke.

The Westchester Heart Walk is a free, family-friendly event with activities for the whole family. For more information about the Westchester Heart Walk please visit westchesterheartwalk.org.

This year the Westchester Heart Walk will take place on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.

Hochul announces TOD completed in Harrison

Gov. Kathy Hochul, leaders from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and officials from AvalonBay Communities announced on Aug. 7 the completion of Avalon Harrison, a transit-oriented development at the Harrison Metro-North station built with support from the MTA. Transit-oriented development is intended to promote downtown revitalization and improve the environment and healthy lifestyles by providing residents access to shops, amenities, and rail stations within walking distance. The MTA is continuing to advance transit-oriented developments, with another active project underway in Westbury.

“My administration is continuing to do everything in our power to build new housing in every corner of this state,” Hochul said. “With more than 140 units of affordable housing, the Avalon Harrison project does not only fit seamlessly into the community — it promises to make Harrison more dynamic and walkable and serve as a model for transit-oriented development everywhere.”

Avalon Harrison, built at the Metro-North Railroad Harrison Station, includes:

• 143 apartments in three residential buildings, including seven affordable apartments subsidized by Westchester County.

• Approximately 5,000 square feet of interior amenities for the residential community.

• Approximately 27,000 square feet of vibrant, street-level retail/commercial space.

• Two landscaped public plazas with connections to the Metro-North Harrison Station platform.

• 758 total project parking spaces

• 475 Metro-North Customer Parking spaces (an increase of 218 or 85%)

• 96 Retail Parking Spaces

• 187 Residential Parking Spaces

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “This project is a perfect example of what is meant when the phrase TOD, Transit Oriented Development, is used. We’ve got housing, beautiful new housing, close to transit so people don’t have to

own as many cars, and they don’t have to use them as frequently. As the governor said, these are the units that are custom designed for seniors who want to get out of that big house that’s now too big for them but want to stay close to their friends in the community they’ve cultivated their whole lives.”

MTA President of Construction and Development Jamie Torres-Springer said, “Transit Oriented Development strengthens the MTA and the communities we serve. This development will enliven Harrison, help address the regional housing crunch, and connect more people directly to the most sustainable and reliable way to get around.”

Metro-North President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi said, “The completion of this beautiful complex completely transforms the area around Harrison Station and will attract new customers to the cleaner and greener public transportation that Metro-North provides. Instead of just being a place to come and go quickly, Harrison station is now a destination and an example of how we can transform cities and increase the use of public transportation with Transit Oriented Development.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am excited to join Governor Hochul and the MTA to celebrate the opening of the first transit-oriented development complex here in my district. With over 140 new apartments built in the heart of downtown Harrison, more New Yorkers will have the opportunity to enjoy the vibrant Harrison community while having first class access to Metro North service. I commend Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting transit-oriented development in communities like Harrison, which I am proud to

represent.”

Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, “It is exciting to see how this new transit-oriented development in Harrison has dramatically changed the landscape of the city center. This will no doubt provide a more vibrant downtown experience, which will benefit the businesses and the feeling of community.”

The first phase of the two-phase project opened Aug. 23, 2021, and included the construction of a 598-space commuter parking garage located steps away from the Harrison station’s Connecticut-bound platform. The garage is owned and operated by Metro-North.

The Harrison project is expected to be a transformative project for the station and the central business district of Harrison and is a three-way win for the partnership. On the public sector side, MTA now has improved station access (increased parking, improved pedestrian flow with direct access to the outbound platform from the garage); an enhanced station environment with retail shops along the frontage of Halstead Avenue and in the plazas/courtyard; and increased residential density within walking distance to the station for potential ridership increases; all while avoiding any capital cost.

The Town/Village of Harrison benefits with a potential economic catalyst for the central business district and tax revenues from property that was previously public owned. Avalon Bay Communities now has a showcase transit-oriented development along Metro-North’s highest ridership line.

Harrison currently has 98 trains per weekday and 75 on Saturdays and Sundays, generally offering service every 30 minutes toward Manhattan and Stamford during off-peak hours and every 20 minutes during peak hours.

Avalon Harrison complements Hochul’s comprehensive agenda to strengthen New York’s housing supply and make the state more affordable and more livable.

Graphic Designer Design2pro

Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Avalon Harrison, a mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development, adjacent to the Harrison Metro-North station, on Monday, Aug 7. Photo Marc A. Herman/MTA

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the Avalon development in Harrison, which sits directly across from the Metro-North train station.

Stepinac HS undertakes largest expansion

Stepinac High School has undertaken this summer the single largest expansion to date of its advanced technology-rich, real-world learning environment, scheduled to be completed for the new academic year which starts in September.

The projects include five additional cutting-edge Active Learning Centers, modeled after Columbia University’s non-traditional, 21st century classrooms and a 5,000 squarefoot STEAM Center Wing.

Fr. Thomas Collins, president, said: “These major improvements, entailing the transformation of existing classrooms and other spaces, dramatically underscore Stepinac’s commitment to empower our students with the innovative technologies and skills they need to succeed at college and in their future careers.”

Stepinac introduced its first Active Learning Center in 2019. The renowned all-boys Catholic high school subsequently transformed three other traditional classrooms before embarking on the recent improvements which got underway soon after the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Stepinac will now boast a total of nine Active Learning Centers comprising about 5,400 square feet of space that “create a

singular, one-of-a-kind learning experience for all students, unlike anything in the region,” said Principal Paul Carty. “They help improve academic performance by heightening interaction between the student and instructor and between students themselves when they collaborate in their project-based learning curricula.”

In addition, the STEAM Center Wing represents more than double the space of the original, 2,200-sqare foot STEAM Center, one of several advanced real-world learning technologies Stepinac established two years ago. Stepinac was awarded the prestigious Executive Leadership Award from Fordham University Graduate School of Education for its outstanding STEAM program.

The new wing will be completely dedicated to the STEAM real-world learning curriculum to meet the students’ increased interest in taking their specialized academic studies to the next level.

The project includes the conversion of an unused locker area into break-out spaces for flexible and small-scale instruction. In addition, 1,000 square feet of new space was created to house a 3D Printing Design Center; an Interactive Anatomy Lab where health sciences students can explore the

complexities of the human body in meticulous detail and an additional Makerspace where engineering and architecture students can turn their ideas into reality. All the additions are fully integrated with state-of-the-art technology including BenQ smart interactive displays.

Frank Portanova, vice principal for Academics and Curriculum, stated:”These initiatives are the latest chapter in Stepinac’s mission and leadership in engaging, enhanc-

ing and extending our learning environment with the application of our curriculum to real-world problems.”

Prospective students and parents will be among the first to tour Stepinac’s latest additions at the Fall Open Houses. The first will be held at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18 and the second on Sunday, Oct. 22 with presentations at noon and 1:30 p.m.

Stepinac High School has undertaken the largest expansion to date of its advanced technology-rich, real-world learning environment.

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NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 5/1/23 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Ferguson Cohen LLP, 1 North Lexington Ave. Suite 401, White Plain, NY 10601. Notice of Formation of 30 DEKALB LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 6/7/2023 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 25 Deerfield Ave, Eastchester, NY 10709. Notice of Formation of Anes Baby, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 7/10/2023 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Cezar Lopez, 1015 Old Post Road, #3H, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. Notice of Formation of CLKB Home LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Coachience LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/18/2023. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 4 Kirby Ln N, Rye, NY 10580. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 3/30/2023 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:204 Dante Ave, Tuckahoe NY 10707. Notice of Formation of DataChorus, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 8/4/23 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Angelo Mancino, 30 Myrtle Blvd. Larchmont, NY 10538. Notice of Formation of Mancino Adventures LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 5/18.23. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1144 old white plains road. Mamaroneck NY 10543. Notice of Formation of Moulk Kotbi LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

“S&R INSTALLERS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/05/2023. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 150 Overlook Ave, 3K. Peekskill, NY 10566. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.”

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 6/30/2023. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 95 North Broadway, Apt B1-3, White Plains, NY 10603. Notice of Formation of Stand Ready Fitness LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 8/03/23. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 112 Cottage Ave. Mount Vernon, NY 10550. Notice of Formation of Tracstone LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 07/29/23 Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: PO Box 698, New Rochelle, New York 10802 Notice of Formation of Oakdale and Cherries, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Holly Gluck Homes, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 6/27/2023. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 37 Burdsall Drive, Port Chester, NY10573. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Latimer appoints chair of LGBTQ+ Advisory Board

Westchester County

Executive George Latimer is honored to announce the appointment of Rachel Simon as Chair the County’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. The appointment comes after years of dedicated service by past chair Christopher Oldi.

Latimer said: “Rachel has already worked closely with the County on a myriad of issues advancing the needs of the County’s LGBTQ+ community and I look forward to working with them as we continue to find ways to improve the lives of all Westchester residents.”

Simon said: “As the incoming LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Chair, I am humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with County Executive Latimer during this pivotal moment for LGBTQIA+ rights around the nation and in our Community.”

Simon, the Director of the Office of Gender and Sexuality at Pace University,

is an accomplished educator, prolific author, awardee of numerous grants and has been recognized for their exceptional LGBTQA+ advocacy work. Now, Simon will continue their efforts, alongside the Advisory Board, with this new added role.

Oldi said: “I am delighted that Rachel Simon will assume the role of Chair of the Westchester County LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Rachel has been a stalwart member of the Board for many years, and her contributions not only to the Board but to Westchester’s LGBTQ+ community are immense. Rachel has always provided excellent insight and input while a Board member, and with her in a leadership role, the Board will continue to provide the County Executive with cogent and reliable guidance on LGBTQ+ issues and concerns. Congratulations, Rachel.”

Rachel Simon was appointed as chairperson of the Westchester County LCBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Once more with feeling

show.

Since its inception in 2001, HBO’s NFL docuseries ‘Hard Knocks’ has been must-watch television more often than not. But after Tuesday night’s season premier, I’m wondering if—in its 20th season—the bloom is starting to come off the rose.

This year, the Hard Knocks crew will follow the New York Jets through training camp, a several-week stretch that— given the Jets’ high hopes for the season and the stature of free-agent signee Aaron Rodgers—feels like it should be ‘made’ for television drama. But instead, it feels like the reach and reputation of the program has made both the team and its players skittish, much to the detriment of the

Honestly, I don’t blame the Jets; over the years, we’ve seen how Hard Knocks can amplify small moments, often twisting them to fit the producer’s narrative. For every Rex Ryan ‘Eat a snack’ rant— one which made the former Gang Green coach a star— you have other moments, like a heavily-edited segment where cornerback Antonio Cromartie is seemingly unable to recite the names of his children.

Hard Knocks giveth and Hard Knocks taketh away, it seems.

But players and organizations are much more conscious of their images now, more so even than in 2010 when the Jets were last featured on the show. Thanks to social media, athletes have more control over their ‘brand’ and are less likely to

their own narratives.

That was readily apparent during Tuesday’s premier, which saw players like backup quarterback Zach Wilson and others actively avoid the camera, even as Rodgers—ever the showman—tried his darnedest to generate “content.”

Heck, it got so bad that

Hard Knocks resorted to blatant gimmickry, flying in its narrator, actor Liev Schrieber, to Jets camp in order to create some semblance of a storyline.

Spoiler alert, it didn’t work, as the camera-ready Rodgers was the only team member to interact with the Ray Donovan star.

Does this mean the rest of the series won’t be worth

a watch? It’s tough to say. Every training camp is bound to have its fair share of organic dramatic moments, and having cameras on the premises means there will almost certainly be something to pique the interest of sports fans. But the growing media-savviness of players who are increasingly unwilling to look foolish on camera means that those asides por-

traying a backup lineman’s personal life are likely a thing of the past.

I’ll still be tuning in, but it looks like this once great series might be a relic of the past. The only thing Jets fans care about is that their 39-year-old quarterback isn’t one of those relics as well.

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Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

Are the New York Jets for real? After two preseason games, the jury is still out. Contributed photo participate in ventures that don’t afford them the ability to craft

Empire blow past Breeze in division finals

NY Empire DC Breeze

@

At Fosina Field

Game Notes

24 19

8/12/23

• Ben Jagt led with 8 goals

• NY had just 4 turnovers

• The Empire will play the Austin Sol on 8/25

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor

On Saturday, Aug. 12, the New York Empire squared off against the rival DC Breeze for the third time in 2023 with a trip to the American Ultimate Disc League’s Championship Weekend hanging in the balance. But if the previous two meetings between the Empire and the Breeze were hotly-contested affairs, the Division Final tilt wouldn’t quite provide the same drama, as the reigning champion Empire cruised to a comfortable 24-19 lead over the visitors.

Crisp passing proved the difference-maker in the end, as the Empire completed 290 of 294 attempts on the night, setting an AUDL record for fewest turnovers in a game that Ben Jagt—who led the Empire with eight goals— said might well have been

the team’s best performance of the season.

“We played a near-perfect game on offense and we were just clicking,” said Jagt. “We’ve been preparing for this game for the last few weeks because we knew it was coming and we were really dialed in.“

Jagt was able to beat the Breeze defense several times for deep scores, something he said was a function of the team’s depth and ability to use different looks to confound opposing defenses.

“I’m a deep cutter by nature and even though I’ve spent a lot of time on the D-Line this year, we had a few guys drop off the O-Line so I got moved there along with a few other players,” he said. “So even though that wasn’t really typical, I felt comfortable playing with these guys and was able to fit in nicely.”

With the win, the Empire will carry their sterling 13-0 record into AUDL’s Championship Weekend, which will see the four division championships take the field in Minnesota on Aug. 2526. Their next game will be against the Austin Sol (10-3), who advanced to the final four with a thrilling 21-20 win over Atlanta on Aug. 11.

According to Jagt, the big-game experience of the Empire roster should come in handy in the lead-up to the tilt.

“Similar to this game, it comes down to not being afraid of the big moments,” he said. “I think a lot of us thrive in these situations,

we’re energized by it and it makes us sharper.”

The winer of the Empire/ Sol game will take on either the Minnesota Wind Chill or

finals.

Contact: sports@hometwn.com

Jack Williams makes a catch behind the DC Breeze defense at Fosina Field. The Empire will take on the Austin Sol in the first game of AUDL’s Championship Weekend. Solomon Rueschemeyer-Bailey looks for an open teammate on Aug.

Photos/Mike Smith

Ben Jagt hauls in a score for the NY Empire on Aug. 12. Jagt had eight goals to lead the Empire in their 24-19 win over the DC Breeze.

the Salt Lake Shred in the