Over 7,000 Student Athletes to Participate in 2015 EmblemHealth Hispanic Games
New York, NY (January 7, 2015) — The 2015 EmblemHealth Hispanic Games — the largest high school sports meet in the country — will take place at the Armory's New Balance Track and Field Center on Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10, 2015. Doors open at 3 pm on Friday and 8 am on Saturday.
This is the first time EmblemHealth is sponsoring the Hispanic Games. The event was created in 1994 to honor Washington Heights and its Latino community. It has since expanded to include over 7,000 student athletes from around the country. The meet features freshman, sophomore, and novice track events on Friday, and a complete schedule of invitational and varsity events on Saturday.
At 2 pm on Saturday, there will be a special "Leaders of Tomorrow" recognition event honoring six high school boys and six high school girls — all student athletes — who excel in the classroom.
"EmblemHealth is proud to be the title sponsor and lend our name to this year's prestigious event," said David Flemister, Director Brand Strategy and Community Marketing. "As one of New York's leading health benefits and wellness companies, EmblemHealth knows that taking part in sports and recreational activities is an important way for kids to develop a healthy, physically active lifestyle. We applaud the spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship that these young athletes show."
"The Armory Foundation is gratified to have EmblemHealth, an organization which serves the best interest of so many New York public servants, as a sponsor of the Hispanic Games,'' says Dr. Norbert Sander, Executive Director of The Armory Foundation. "We look forward to a wonderful future of support and collaboration with this great organization."
The Boys' Mile will be the highlight of the early track and field season and takes place at 3:45 pm on Saturday. One of track and field's most notable athletes, Mike Brannagan (the "Comeback Kid" of Northport High School), will be a major contender in the Boys' Mile. Germantown Academy's Sam Ritz is fresh off of a 1:52.81 800m victory at the Armory's Marine Corps Holiday Classic and will join St. Benedict Preparatory School standout Edwin Rutto in the race's stellar field. The winner of the race will receive a spot in the New Balance Mile at the 108th NYRR Millrose Games on February 14.
The Armory's New Balance Track and Field Center is located at 216 Fort Washington Avenue in Manhattan. For more information about the EmblemHealth Hispanic Games, contact Rita Finkel of The Armory Foundation at 1-212-923-1803, ext 7032.
About EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth, Inc. provides quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 3.4 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO plans, as well as coverage for prescription drugs and dental and vision care. EmblemHealth offers a choice of networks, including quality doctors and other health care professionals throughout the region, leading acute care hospitals across the tristate area, and physicians and hospitals across all 50 states. For more information, visit emblemhealth.com.
About The Armory Foundation
The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season the Armory — the proud home of the NYRR Millrose Games — hosts more than 100 track and field meets and welcomes more than 125,000 individual athletes. Besides its many youth sports and educational programs, the Armory runs the Hispanic Games, the New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoors and the Armory Track Invitational. The Armory is also the home of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. For more information, visit www.ArmoryTrack.com.