Beat The Streets Awards Gala Raises Record Of $1.6 Million

[keithlewis]

Beat The Streets Awards Gala Raises Record Of $1.6 Million For New York City Area Youth Wrestling and Education Programs‏


Fifth Annual Event Featured Wrestlers from Russia, Ukraine, Venezuela, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Bulgaria Competing Against Elite Americans In “The Crossroads of The World”


There were winners all around in New York on Wednesday night as the wrestling world focused on Times Square. USA Wrestling and Beat The Streets Wrestling, Inc., a youth development organization that believes wrestling is the superlative tool for nurturing boys and girls into capable young men and women, teamed to raise a record of $1.6 million for the organization.

The day began with “Team USA vs. World All-Stars,” matches featuring top wrestlers from the U.S. and around the world, held in Times Square, followed by the annual Beat the Streets Awards Gala at Best Buy Theater.

Team USA won a convincing eight of 11 matches in an event broadcast nationwide on NBC Sports Network. American winners included Jimmy Kennedy at 61 kg, Jordan Oliver at 65 kg, Brent Metcalf at 65 kg, Helen Maroulis at 55 kg (women), David Taylor at 74 kg, Ed Ruth at 86 kg, Randi Miller at 69 kg (women) and Jordan Burroughs capping the night with a pin at 74 kg.

“This was a historic night, with great energy and enthusiasm in the center of the world, Times Square,” said Mike Novogratz, Beat The Streets Chairman. “But more importantly, that enthusiasm for the sport was reflected in the record amount the wrestling community raised, which will help Beat the Streets in its critical work of benefiting disadvantaged and at-risk youth through this great sport.”

A series of seven matches featuring youth wrestlers from Beat The Streets were held prior to the Team USA vs. World All-Stars competition. Four girls and 10 boys had the opportunity to showcase their skills and give the enthusiastic crowd a sample of the result of their own hard work and that of Beat the Streets.


About Beat The Streets

The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTSW works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City's student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and mentoring. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.

About USA Wrestling

USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and the International Wrestling Federation FILA. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. Its president is James Ravannack, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender.