Thursday, July 21, 2011
Rosemary Flores featured on TheMat.com
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bryant's Vera adds two more honors to impressive wrestling résumé
Last Updated: 2:02 AM, June 18, 2011
Robert Cole
The only thing William Vera knew about wrestling was the WWE's version, where outlandish characters are as liable to grapple as they are to hit each other with steel chairs. So when then-Bryant coach Pete Maliarakis approached him three years ago there was immediate confusion.
"I didn't know what a point was," Vera said. "I didn't know what wrestling was at all. It was funny because I asked my coach, 'Are there any chairs involved?' I didn't know anything about it."
He ended up learning pretty quickly. Vera went 5-2 that first season, but lost just one more PSAL match thereafter and won the PSAL individual title at 135 pounds over the winter.
On Monday night, he was honored with the PSAL Wingate Award, given annually to the best senior in a given sport at a ceremony at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. Vera was also the one of the first recipients of the Become Your Own Dream wrestling scholarship, which puts $1,000 toward college.
"It's amazing and I'm very grateful, because [the scholarship] opens many doors," Vera said. "I don't come from a lot of money and that really helps me a lot."
He was equally honored to earn the Wingate. Back during his freshman season, after Maliarakis discovered Vera working out in the gym instead of going to lunch like his classmates, Bryant's team captain at the time spoke about the Wingate Award and its prestige. On the way to St. Francis College on Monday night, Vera phoned his old friend to tell him he was thinking about the speech he heard three years ago.
"I never paid it much attention then," Vera said. "He told me what a great honor it was to have it."
It was current coach Fred Dreier who told Vera about the scholarship. He will use it next year at Mount St. Vincent, where Vera will be part of the Riverdale school's first wrestling team.
After college, he has thought about training in mixed martial arts. He attended a wrestling camp in Somers, N.J., with current UFC star Urijah Faber and has followed the former World Extreme Cagefighting champion's career since then.
"A lot of people told me that, 'why don't you do MMA?'" Vera said. "Who knows? I watch it on TV. I love it."
And he knows now: no steel chairs necessary.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
BTS Chairman Mike Novogratz named USA Wrestling Man of the Year
View original article here:
http://themat.com/section.php?section_id=3&page=showarticle&ArticleID=2371506/11/2011
Mike Novogratz receives his USA Wrestling Man of the Year award from USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender and President James Ravannack.
Mike Novogratz of New York, N.Y., who has been an innovative leader in promoting wrestling and raising funds for the sport, has been named Man of the Year by USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States. This award recognizes an outstanding man for his contributions to the sport of wrestling.
Novogratz serves as the Team Leader for Freestyle Team USA during the 2009-2012 quadrennium, and has been part of the staff at the last two World Championships. He will lead the freestyle delegation at the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, as well as the U.S. freestyle team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
He is the driving force behind the Beat the Streets Gala events, which raises money for youth and high school wrestling in New York City. Novogratz has developed a wrestling match as part of the Gala. In 2010, an all-star dual was held on the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier, raising $800,000. In 2011, a USA vs. Russia dual meet was held in Times Square, the first sports event ever held in this famous setting, raising over $1 million.
Novogratz has been a leader and major financial supporter of the Beat the Streets program in New York City, which has placed dozens of wrestling programs in high schools and junior high schools in the city. This program is now being launched in many other cities.
Novogratz has been a leader in the development of the Living the Dream Medal Fund, which was launched in 2009, serving as a steward for the program, which established the fund and assists in its financial support. World and Olympic medalists for the United States receive bonuses from this fund, with a guarantee of $250,000 for any American gold medalist in wrestling at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Novogratz was named as an Outstanding American by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007.
He was a Virginia state runner-up as a high school wrestler, and competed for Princeton University in college, reaching the round of 12 at the NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships.
Professionally, he has been a major success in the financial services industry.
"It is flattering and was not expected. It is a very nice honor," said Novogratz. "I see my work in wrestling is to inject some energy into the sport. I got that mandate from Tom Brands years ago and I try to live up to it. Most of what I do is to get people excited about wrestling. It is also about the kids, so we can use the sport to make a difference in kids lives. That is where all the volunteerism comes in. My role is to shed some light, some resources and some enthusiasm. I love the sport. I grew up in it. You rarely meet a wrestler you don't like."
PAST USA WRESTLING MAN OF THE YEAR WINNERS
2010 – Mike Novogratz
2009 – Greg Strobel
2008 - Sonny Greenhalgh
2007 - Van Stokes
2006 - Steve Silver
2005 - Al Bevilacqua
2004 - Jeff Levitetz
2003 - Set Agonian
2002 - Al Kastl
2001 - James Ravannack
2000 - Rulon Gardner
1999 - Duane Morgan
1998 - Scott Beck
1997 - Rick Tucci
1996 - Dave Schultz
1995 - Leroy Evans
1994 - James E. Scherr
1993 - Arthur J. Martori
1992 - Bruce Baumgartner
1990 - Eugene Barone
1989 - John Vaughan
1987 - Dave Rudrud
1986 - Jeff Blatnick
1985 - Dr. Dan Gould
1984 - Gary Thompson
1983 - Don Sondgeroth
1982 - Frank Rader
1981 - John Roberts
1980 - Rick Bay
1979 - Ben Bennett
1978 - Werner Holzer
1977 - Vince Zuaro
1976 - Ken Kraft
1974-75 - Russ Hellickson
1973 - Jack Stanbro
1972 - Melvin Jones
1971 - Bud Linholm
1970 - Rex Peery
Friday, May 6, 2011
U.S. beats Russia, 5-2 in Beat the Streets Gala in Times Square
05/05/2011
Henry Cejudo takes Rasul Mashezov to his back during his victory at 55 kg in the Beat the Streets USA vs. Russia dual meet in Times Square in New York City. Larry Slater photo
NEW YORK, N.Y. - With an opening victory from 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo and an inspired performance throughout the lineup, the United States defeated Russia in a freestyle wrestling dual meet in Times Square on Thursday.
The event was held in Duffy Square in New York City, located in the historic Times Square setting. Thousands of people packed the seats and stood around the raised stage, as thousands of others watched on a large screen overlooking the scene. The event was held as part of the Beat the Streets Gala, a fundraiser for local wrestling programs. BTS leader Mike Novogratz announced over $1 million was raised today.
"Times Square. America. Wrestling. That was the difference today," said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. "The training, the confidence, the relaxed atmosphere. The team energy was good. We were intent on winning today. They were going to get this. They would not be denied."
Cejudo won his first time on the mat since his dramatic victory at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He stopped Junior World bronze medalist Rasul Mashezov, 2-0, 4-3 at 55 kg. He had a key three-point move late in the second period to claim the period and capture the match.
"I feel like a wrestler again. It's a good start. I'm not where I was in 2008 but I will get there. I want to do it again for my country. I am a patriotic American," said Cejudo.
Russia rebounded at 60 kg/132 lbs., with Rasul Murtazaliev defeating 2009 U.S. World Team member Shawn Bunch, 3-0, 3-0.
The U.S. took a lead in the next match, one which it would never surrender. 2010 World Team member Brent Metcalf stopped Magomedmurad Gadzhiev of Russia, 1-0, 4-1, 1-0. Metcalf scored the winning the winning takedown in the third period of a competitive bout.
At 74 kg/163 lbs., 2010 U.S. Open champion Jordan Burroughs won his first match ever facing a Russian opponent, stopping Aniuar Geduev of Russia, 1-0, 2-1. Burroughs was able to get his effective double leg attack to work against a strong opponent.
Russia closed the gap to 4-2, when X Junior World champion Andrey Valiev of Russia defeated 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert, 3-1, 3-2 at 84 kg/185 lbs. Valiev won the key positions in a close match.
The U.S. victory was clinched at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., when 2009 U.S. World Team member Jake Varner stopped Shamil Akhmedov of Russia, 5-0, 0-1, 4-0. Varner had a strong third period to put the match away. Akhmedov defeated Varner by injury default in a bout in Russia earlier this year, when Varner was unable to complete the bout.
The final U.S. win came at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., when 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev swept Barsag Kesaev in two straight periods, 3-0, 3-1. Dlagnev avenged an loss to Kesaev earlier this season in Russia.
The USA vs. Russia dual meet was being billed as The Battle on Broadway, with "New York Is Wrestling" as the theme of this year's event. The event was free to the public, and was streamed live on TheMat.com and Flowrestling.
Each year, the Beat the Streets Gala is held to celebrate wrestling and raise funds for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., the successful program which has provided wrestling opportunities for thousands of middle school and high school students in New York City.
A card of eight exhibition matches featuring young athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program, as well as high school wrestlers from the Public School Athletic League was held prior to the match. Results will be posted shortly.
2011 BEAT THE STREETS GALA
USA 5, RUSSIA 2
Battle on Broadway in Times Square
New York, N.Y., May 5, 2011
55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo (USA) dec. Rasul Mashezov, 2-0, 4-3
60 kg/132 lbs. –. Rasul Murtazaliev (Russia) dec. Shawn Bunch (USA), 3-0, 3-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) dec. Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (Russia), 1-0, 4-1, 1-0
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) dec. Aniuar Geduev (Russia), 1-0, 2-1
84 kg/185 lbs. – Andrey Valiev (Russia) dec. Jake Herbert (USA), 3-1, 3-2
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) dec. Shamil Akhmedov (Russia), 5-0, 0-1, 4-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev (USA) dec. Barsag Kesaev (Russia), 3-0, 3-1
Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lineups set for USA vs. Russia freestyle dual in Times Square on May 5 at Beat the Streets Gala
By Beat the Streets, Inc.
04/25/2011
Olympic champion Henry Cejudo at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
NCAA, OLYMPIC AND JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION WRESTLERS AMONGST LINEUP FOR USA-RUSSIA DUAL MEET IN TIMES SQUARE MAY 5
U.S. and Russian lineups set for freestyle dual meet, part of the "Beat The Streets Gala" In New York
April 24, 2011- A host of World, Olympic and NCAA Champions are included in the final lineups announced today for the freestyle wrestling dual meet between the United States and Russia, part of the 2011 Beat the Streets Gala on Thursday, May 5 at New York's Times Square. The event will be held in Duffy Square in New York City, located in the historic Times Square setting at 46th Street. The event is free to the public, and will also be streamed live on TheMat.com by USA Wrestling and be shown on the single largest facing LED screen in Times Square.
The USA vs. Russia freestyle wrestling dual meet will begin at 6:00 p.m., following a card of exhibition matches featuring young athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program, as well as high school wrestlers from the Public School Athletic League, which will begin at 3:00 p.m.
The U.S. team will include:
• 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), who competes at 55 kg/121 lbs. This will be Cejudo's first competition since winning the Olympic gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
• 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert (Evanston, Ill./New York AC) will wrestle at 84 kg/185 lbs. Herbert, who also competed in the 2010 World Championships, is coming off his third straight U.S. Open title on April 9 in Cleveland. He was a two-time NCAA champion and a Hodge Trophy winner at Northwestern.
• 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) will compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Dlagnev won his first career U.S. Open title this year. He captured two NCAA Div. II national titles for Nebraska-Kearney.
• Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC), a member of the 2010 U.S. World Team, will represent the USA at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Metcalf was a two-time NCAA champion and a Hodge Trophy winner for Iowa.
• Members of the 2009 U.S. World Team competing in New York will be Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Bunch was a college star at Edinboro, while Varner won two NCAA titles for Iowa State.
• At 74 kg/163 lbs., the USA will be represented by Jordan Burroughs (Sicklerville, N.J./Sunkist Kids). Burroughs won his second career NCAA title for Nebraska in March, received the Hodge Trophy, then captured his first U.S. Open national freestyle title in April.
"We have a great American team for this event," said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. "When the Russians come to town, we don't mess around. We are putting a strong team out there."
The U.S. team will be coached by Jones, along with past Olympic head coach Bobby Douglas of Ames, Iowa. Mike Novogratz of New York, N.Y. is the Team Leader.
Russia is the reigning World Team Champion in freestyle wrestling. Its lineup for the New York City dual meet features a European champion and four Junior World champions and will be very competitive.
Nariman Israpilov, a 2009 European champion, is on the Russian roster at 55 kg/121 lbs. Past Junior World champions in the Russian lineup include Israpilov, plus Magomedmurad Gadzhiev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Andrey Valiev at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Shamil Akhmedov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Rounding out the Russian roster are young talents Rasul Murtazaliev at 60 kg/132 lbs., Aniuar Geduev at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Barsag Kesaev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All three have won medals at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix, considered one of the world's toughest international competitions.
A U.S. lineup featuring an Olympic champion and three past Hodge Trophy winners will face a Russian lineup showcased by four Junior World champions.
"Russia is the bullseye for us, and we are excited for every chance we can get to wrestle against them," said Jones. "We know that in our preparation to be the best in the world, we have to knock the Russian wrestlers off. They are very good. We have to be at our very best and ready to go when we face them."
Each year, the Beat the Streets Gala is held to celebrate wrestling and raise funds for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., the successful program which has provided wrestling opportunities for thousands of middle school and high school students in New York City.
This is the second straight year in which a major Olympic-style competition has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan.
The Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony is set for the Hard Rock Café, 1501 Broadway in New York City, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a live musical performance by country music legend John Rich at the function.
2011 BEAT THE STREETS GALA
New York Is Wrestling
Battle on Broadway
Duffy Square – Times Square at 46th Street in New York, N.Y., May 5
USA vs. Russia Freestyle Dual Meet matches
55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo (USA) vs. Nariman Israpilov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Shawn Bunch (USA) vs. Rasul Murtazaliev (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) vs. Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (Russia)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Aniuar Geduev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert (USA) vs. Andrey Valiev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) vs. Shamil Akhmedov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev (USA) vs. Barsag Kesaev (Russia)
ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The Mission of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is to expand and develop wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from the youth through the Olympic level. Our dream is to provide opportunities for boys and girls in the activity of wrestling, building lifelong skills. If you share this mission and would like to volunteer to help, please contact info@beat-the-streets.org.
04/25/2011
Olympic champion Henry Cejudo at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
NCAA, OLYMPIC AND JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION WRESTLERS AMONGST LINEUP FOR USA-RUSSIA DUAL MEET IN TIMES SQUARE MAY 5
U.S. and Russian lineups set for freestyle dual meet, part of the "Beat The Streets Gala" In New York
April 24, 2011- A host of World, Olympic and NCAA Champions are included in the final lineups announced today for the freestyle wrestling dual meet between the United States and Russia, part of the 2011 Beat the Streets Gala on Thursday, May 5 at New York's Times Square. The event will be held in Duffy Square in New York City, located in the historic Times Square setting at 46th Street. The event is free to the public, and will also be streamed live on TheMat.com by USA Wrestling and be shown on the single largest facing LED screen in Times Square.
The USA vs. Russia freestyle wrestling dual meet will begin at 6:00 p.m., following a card of exhibition matches featuring young athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program, as well as high school wrestlers from the Public School Athletic League, which will begin at 3:00 p.m.
The U.S. team will include:
• 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), who competes at 55 kg/121 lbs. This will be Cejudo's first competition since winning the Olympic gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
• 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert (Evanston, Ill./New York AC) will wrestle at 84 kg/185 lbs. Herbert, who also competed in the 2010 World Championships, is coming off his third straight U.S. Open title on April 9 in Cleveland. He was a two-time NCAA champion and a Hodge Trophy winner at Northwestern.
• 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) will compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Dlagnev won his first career U.S. Open title this year. He captured two NCAA Div. II national titles for Nebraska-Kearney.
• Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/New York AC), a member of the 2010 U.S. World Team, will represent the USA at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Metcalf was a two-time NCAA champion and a Hodge Trophy winner for Iowa.
• Members of the 2009 U.S. World Team competing in New York will be Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Jake Varner (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Bunch was a college star at Edinboro, while Varner won two NCAA titles for Iowa State.
• At 74 kg/163 lbs., the USA will be represented by Jordan Burroughs (Sicklerville, N.J./Sunkist Kids). Burroughs won his second career NCAA title for Nebraska in March, received the Hodge Trophy, then captured his first U.S. Open national freestyle title in April.
"We have a great American team for this event," said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. "When the Russians come to town, we don't mess around. We are putting a strong team out there."
The U.S. team will be coached by Jones, along with past Olympic head coach Bobby Douglas of Ames, Iowa. Mike Novogratz of New York, N.Y. is the Team Leader.
Russia is the reigning World Team Champion in freestyle wrestling. Its lineup for the New York City dual meet features a European champion and four Junior World champions and will be very competitive.
Nariman Israpilov, a 2009 European champion, is on the Russian roster at 55 kg/121 lbs. Past Junior World champions in the Russian lineup include Israpilov, plus Magomedmurad Gadzhiev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Andrey Valiev at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Shamil Akhmedov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Rounding out the Russian roster are young talents Rasul Murtazaliev at 60 kg/132 lbs., Aniuar Geduev at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Barsag Kesaev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All three have won medals at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix, considered one of the world's toughest international competitions.
A U.S. lineup featuring an Olympic champion and three past Hodge Trophy winners will face a Russian lineup showcased by four Junior World champions.
"Russia is the bullseye for us, and we are excited for every chance we can get to wrestle against them," said Jones. "We know that in our preparation to be the best in the world, we have to knock the Russian wrestlers off. They are very good. We have to be at our very best and ready to go when we face them."
Each year, the Beat the Streets Gala is held to celebrate wrestling and raise funds for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., the successful program which has provided wrestling opportunities for thousands of middle school and high school students in New York City.
This is the second straight year in which a major Olympic-style competition has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan.
The Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony is set for the Hard Rock Café, 1501 Broadway in New York City, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a live musical performance by country music legend John Rich at the function.
2011 BEAT THE STREETS GALA
New York Is Wrestling
Battle on Broadway
Duffy Square – Times Square at 46th Street in New York, N.Y., May 5
USA vs. Russia Freestyle Dual Meet matches
55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo (USA) vs. Nariman Israpilov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Shawn Bunch (USA) vs. Rasul Murtazaliev (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Brent Metcalf (USA) vs. Magomedmurad Gadzhiev (Russia)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Aniuar Geduev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Jake Herbert (USA) vs. Andrey Valiev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Jake Varner (USA) vs. Shamil Akhmedov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev (USA) vs. Barsag Kesaev (Russia)
ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The Mission of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is to expand and develop wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from the youth through the Olympic level. Our dream is to provide opportunities for boys and girls in the activity of wrestling, building lifelong skills. If you share this mission and would like to volunteer to help, please contact info@beat-the-streets.org.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
USA vs. Russia freestyle dual set for Times Square in New York City on May 5 at Beat the Streets Gala
By Beat the Streets, Inc.
04/20/2011
"Crossroads of The World" To Serve As Unique Setting For Two of the World's Athletic Powers As Part of The 2011 "Beat The Streets" Gala
New York, April 20, 2011 - "Beat The Streets," the New York City-based not-for-profit organization that has brought wrestling to thousands of middle and high school students in New York City, along with USA Wrestling and the New York City Department of Education, today announced their most unique event ever, a freestyle wrestling match featuring some of the world's greatest Olympic-class wrestlers, to be held in Duffy Square in New York's Times Square on Thursday, May 5.
The freestyle wrestling dual meet between defending team world champion Russia and the United States, will be the featured competition for the 2011 Beat the Streets Gala and Benefit, which will be held following the dual meet at the Hard Rock Café. It is being billed as The Battle on Broadway, with "New York Is Wrestling" as the theme of this year's event, which traditionally raises several hundred thousand dollars for programs in five boroughs of New York City. The event is free to the public, and will also be streamed live on TheMat.com by USA Wrestling and be shown on the single largest face LED screen in Times Square.
"There is no grander setting than Times Square to feature some of the world's greatest athletes and to raise awareness for our program, which has given thousands of boys and girls the ability to be more physically fit and learn the life lessons that are essential for success in today's ever-changing world," said Mike Novogratz, Beat The Streets Chairman of the Board. "This event, outdoors in Duffy Square, will provide us with a very unique way to expose our program to thousands who may not be aware of our work, so we are very appreciative of all involved from the City and the Times Square Alliance, as well as USA Wrestling, for helping make this happen."
"We are very proud to be able to help present this very unique event as a way to grow awareness for the sport and all the good work 'Beat The Streets' does for kids in New York City," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "It will be a great setting for some of the world's greatest athletes to showcase their skills."
This is the second straight year in which a major Olympic-style competition has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Over 1,200 donors from over 26 states attended the event.
A card of exhibition matches will be held at 3:00 p.m. in Duffy Square, featuring young athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program, as well as high school wrestlers from the Public School Athletic League.
Final lineups for Team USA and the Russian National Team will be announced shortly.
The USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet will follow at 6:00 p.m. in Duffy Square. Russia is the reigning World Team Champion in freestyle wrestling and is a traditional wrestling rival for the United States. USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meets go back to the 1960's, and are among the most popular spectator events in wrestling.
The Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony is set for the Hard Rock Café, 1501 Broadway in New York City, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a live musical performance by country music legend John Rich at the function.
2011 BEAT THE STREETS GALA
New York Is Wrestling
Battle on Broadway
Duffy Square – Times Square at 46th Street in New York, N.Y., May 5
3:00 p.m. – Exhibition Matches – Beat the Streets and PSAL wrestlers
6:00 p.m. – USA vs. Russia freestyle wrestling dual meet
7:30 p.m. – Reception and Awards Ceremony at the Hard Rock Café, 1501 Broadway in New York City, with special musical guest John Rich
ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The Mission of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is to expand and develop wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from the youth through the Olympic level. Our dream is to provide opportunities for boys and girls in the activity of wrestling, building lifelong skills. If you share this mission and would like to volunteer to help, please contact info@beat-the-streets.org.
04/20/2011
"Crossroads of The World" To Serve As Unique Setting For Two of the World's Athletic Powers As Part of The 2011 "Beat The Streets" Gala
New York, April 20, 2011 - "Beat The Streets," the New York City-based not-for-profit organization that has brought wrestling to thousands of middle and high school students in New York City, along with USA Wrestling and the New York City Department of Education, today announced their most unique event ever, a freestyle wrestling match featuring some of the world's greatest Olympic-class wrestlers, to be held in Duffy Square in New York's Times Square on Thursday, May 5.
The freestyle wrestling dual meet between defending team world champion Russia and the United States, will be the featured competition for the 2011 Beat the Streets Gala and Benefit, which will be held following the dual meet at the Hard Rock Café. It is being billed as The Battle on Broadway, with "New York Is Wrestling" as the theme of this year's event, which traditionally raises several hundred thousand dollars for programs in five boroughs of New York City. The event is free to the public, and will also be streamed live on TheMat.com by USA Wrestling and be shown on the single largest face LED screen in Times Square.
"There is no grander setting than Times Square to feature some of the world's greatest athletes and to raise awareness for our program, which has given thousands of boys and girls the ability to be more physically fit and learn the life lessons that are essential for success in today's ever-changing world," said Mike Novogratz, Beat The Streets Chairman of the Board. "This event, outdoors in Duffy Square, will provide us with a very unique way to expose our program to thousands who may not be aware of our work, so we are very appreciative of all involved from the City and the Times Square Alliance, as well as USA Wrestling, for helping make this happen."
"We are very proud to be able to help present this very unique event as a way to grow awareness for the sport and all the good work 'Beat The Streets' does for kids in New York City," said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director. "It will be a great setting for some of the world's greatest athletes to showcase their skills."
This is the second straight year in which a major Olympic-style competition has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Over 1,200 donors from over 26 states attended the event.
A card of exhibition matches will be held at 3:00 p.m. in Duffy Square, featuring young athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program, as well as high school wrestlers from the Public School Athletic League.
Final lineups for Team USA and the Russian National Team will be announced shortly.
The USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet will follow at 6:00 p.m. in Duffy Square. Russia is the reigning World Team Champion in freestyle wrestling and is a traditional wrestling rival for the United States. USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meets go back to the 1960's, and are among the most popular spectator events in wrestling.
The Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony is set for the Hard Rock Café, 1501 Broadway in New York City, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a live musical performance by country music legend John Rich at the function.
2011 BEAT THE STREETS GALA
New York Is Wrestling
Battle on Broadway
Duffy Square – Times Square at 46th Street in New York, N.Y., May 5
3:00 p.m. – Exhibition Matches – Beat the Streets and PSAL wrestlers
6:00 p.m. – USA vs. Russia freestyle wrestling dual meet
7:30 p.m. – Reception and Awards Ceremony at the Hard Rock Café, 1501 Broadway in New York City, with special musical guest John Rich
ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The Mission of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is to expand and develop wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from the youth through the Olympic level. Our dream is to provide opportunities for boys and girls in the activity of wrestling, building lifelong skills. If you share this mission and would like to volunteer to help, please contact info@beat-the-streets.org.
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