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Today, October 7, 2008, NYSPHSAA's Championship Advisory Committee met and approved the State Regional Tournament proposal submitted by the Wrestling Committee. The proposal now goes to NYSPHSAA's Executive Committee which is scheduled to meet on October 20th. If the Executive Committee approves the proposal, the new tournament format could be in place for the 2010 state championships.
Hello Beat the Streets
I am the organizer and creator of the Northeast Collegiate Duals (Albany) , as well as the Sprawl & Brawl College Duals (Binghamton). I am also a big fan of Beat the Streets. No other organization has spread the gospel of wrestling so quickly and vast as you guys. We are so proud to be one of the BTS Summer camp partners. Our two organizations have some unique similarities. The 6 th annual Northeast Duals is just around the corner Nov 29 th 2008. The entire premise for Northeast Duals was to create a college tournament in an area that was completely without collegiate wrestling. The Capital Region does not have an NCAA D-I,II or III program within 60 miles of Albany. Similar to the voids that existed in NYC at the youth and HS level. Regardless of the void, we built the event and created a tradition out of nothing. If the youth see it, then perhaps they'd want to be it was our philosophy. Nothing could have been more prophetic. Our area has exploded with the re-birth of college wrestlers. Essentially we did the same thing BTS have done build something out of nothing, while inspiring them throughout the journey.
That being said, I'd like to invite the coaches, staff and athletes of Beat The Street to our 2008 Duals. Even though these young wrestlers are in their initial stages of wrestling development, it can't hurt for them to witness greatness. It would be a tremendous experience for them to watch the elite and legends of our sport up close and personal. Many of the Beat The Street kids got to meet John Smith and his Okie State team in Cobleskill or Terry & Tom Brands in Binghamton this past summer at our BTS / Journeymen Wrestling camps. I'd like to extend an olive branch and deepen our partnership with Beat the Streets by offering a discounted fare to our two duals. With teams like Iowa, Okie St, Penn St and Missouri committed to our duals, our events will be near capacity seating. However, we feel that this initiative is essential and it will help leave an indelible mark of inspiration with the BTS kids. I hope you'll find this promotion enticing and share it with the coaches and teams of NYC. Ultimately I think it'll create a cycle of inspiration. The kids will see the athletes that they trained with over the summer and then be inspired to return next summer. Please let me know if there is any interest. This I a priority to me, so I will help in whatever capacity I can.
Thanks for everything,
Frank Popolizio
Journeymen Wrestling
518-441-2374
St. Edmund Prep H.S. in Brooklyn, NY is currently seeking a Co-Head Coach to work along with Head Coach Alex Yntriago
in running their new Varisty Program (CHSAA-NYC); These is going to be a paid position (Based on Experience)
and would be a perfect fit for a College Students who is majoring in Education or Wrestlers who seek to enter the coaching ranks.
The School is located on Ocean Ave (near Kings HWY).
Please contact Coach Alex Yntriago @ 718 -877-2584 or Email Him @
FIRSTTAKEDOWNWRESTLING@ HOTMAIL.COM
Calls & Text Message are welcomed.
True Multiple-Entry Proposal Would Level Playing Field
On Monday September 22, , the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Committee will have the opportunity to recommend to the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee a New York State Wrestling Tournament that is fair to its competitors and enhances the sport. The committee will essentially decide between a true State Wrestling Tournament that gives every wrestler a similar chance to compete in the tournament or the continuation of the existing State Intersectional Tournament format.
New York's Intersectional Tournament format has been in place since 1963 and the basic organizing principle of the Tournament today remains essentially the same as it did in 1963. Each section - regardless of the number of schools in the section - sends a representative to compete against the other sections. Sectional uniforms are worn rather than school uniforms and the tournament is scored by sectional performance not by school. New York is the only state in the country that conducts the culminating event of the wrestling season in this fashion. While the rest of the country is dedicated to a format that treats its competitors fairly and enhances the sport, New York State has been dedicated to a format that also considers the interests of its member sections - often at the expense of fairness to its athletes and the advancement of the sport.
The proposal in front of the state wrestling committee would change the current intersectional format to a true state tournament format by instituting state regional tournaments as part of the state's play-off system. Modeled after the highly successful Pennsylvania system, sections would qualify multiple entries for the state regional tournaments based on the number of schools in the section. The state regional tournaments would then qualify multiple entries to the state finals tournament - again based on the number of schools in the region. Unlike the current system, this true multiple-entry format would give every wrestler at least a similar chance to compete in the state tournament through head-to-head competition - the core value of the sport.
What's been standing in the way of moving the State Regional Tournament Proposal forward? First and foremost, it's the intersectional mentality. Too often policy decisions are affected by a loyalty and commitment to the advancement or protection of the section - not the student-athletes or the sport. Oftentimes, in the committee's deliberations and votes - it's how the proposal affects the section rather how the proposal fairly gets the state's best wrestlers to the state finals tournament. Does it really matter that one section places ahead of another section? Is it right that an athlete advances to New York wrestling's equivalent of the "sweet sixteen" with little or no competition while others must survive and win a gauntlet of qualifying bouts?
The NYSPHSAA Wrestling Committee can't make it up to all those athletes who were denied a fair chance to compete in the New York State Wrestling Championships in the past but on Monday they can take a giant step toward making sure it doesn't keep happening.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
09/11/2008
The New York Athletic Club Open International Championships, one of the major international wrestling events held each year in the United States, has been set for November 21-23 in New York City.
This outstanding event will be held at the historic New York Athletic Club facility in mid-town Manhattan. Competition will be held in all three Olympic styles of the sport, men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle.
This will be the first international wrestling tournament held in the USA during the new season, and the kick-off of the new four-year Olympic cycle.
Top stars from the United States as well as a number of major international wrestling powers are expected at the tournament.
The schedule will be the same as it was during the 2007 event. Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle athletes will weigh in on Friday, November 21, and compete on Saturday, November 22. Men’s freestyle athletes will weigh in on Saturday, November 22 and compete on Sunday, November 23.
Read more.
One of America’s most famous Olympic athletes ever returned to his alma mater Thursday, and if any of Nebraska’s 550-plus student-athletes wondered about the No. 1 reason they’re in Lincoln, Rulon Gardner reminded them – to get a college diploma.
Gardner is proud of his gold medal from the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and just as proud of his bronze medal from 2004 in Athens because for him, it was an even tougher personal path to take. “But medals are just symbols. They lose their luster. My teaching degree from Nebraska is more important to me than anything I’ve achieved,” Gardner said. “It represents my most difficult journey of all and became the foundation for everything else I’ve ever accomplished.”
He was not exaggerating. Even though the former Husker All-America heavyweight defeated the greatest Olympic wrestler of all time in the “Miracle on the Mat” eight years ago, one of the biggest hills he ever climbed – and some of the longest odds he’s ever beaten – were getting a college degree.
Read more.
 The Beat the Streets Wrestling Program has mats for sale at deep discounted prices. All mats are DOLLAMUR in 6' widths and assorted lengths. They are slightly used and many are in excellent condition.
The Mats are stored in Westy Storage Center located on Rt. 110 in Farmingdale, two miles North of the Southern State Parkway They are perfect for walls and columns that maybe in your practice area and as a supplement of extending your practice area.
None of the 19 strips will make a complete circle for competition. We have 6 Green/White 2" mats and the rest are 1.25".
Please contact Al Bevilacqua for an appointment to inspect the mats.
Contact Info: 631-598-2281 albevi@optonline.net
 The First Annual Long Island SPORTS EXPO opens it’s doors on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday Sept 7 at the Suffolk Community College Sports & Exhibition Facility in Brentwood. The Sponsors are looking forward to an awesome weekend and will present seminars and demonstrations in all particular sports and recreational activities on Long Island.
The Razor Wrestling Club with Co-Directors Mike Patrovich, Ted DiPasquale and members of the club providing technical demonstrations of the skills of wrestling. The presentation will take place from 11am-1pm on each day.
For more information go to www.longislandsportsexpo.com
Sponsored by TWP Promotions, AC Sports and the Razor Wrestling Club
Asics new wrestling shoes and equipment for the 2008-09 Season will be on display
By Larry A. Cantor, PSAL/BTS Wrestling Commissioner
Dedication and continuity is the name of the game, as nine PSAL graduate wrestlers placed in the top six of their weight classes in this year’s Open Division of the Empire State Greco Roman Championships. The outstanding effort, of these wrestlers, lead to capturing the team title.
Each one of these student athletes have gone on or will be competing on the intercollegiate level.
On the Greco Roman scholastic level, New York City advanced six finalists; earning three gold. The New York City Region placed twenty-two wrestlers.
This is only the second time New York City has won the Open Greco Roman team title. The first win was back in 2000.
Danny Franco, entering his senior year at Michael J. Petrides Educational Complex, won both the freestyle and Greco Roman weight class at 132 pounds.
Fall, spring and summer wrestling makes winter champions. New York City wrestling believes in this statement, as the fruits of labor continually show.
Freestyle Scholastic Place Winners
132 lbs. Danny Franco, Petrides, Gold medal
143 lbs. Kevin Hartnett, Monsignor Farrell, Bronze medal
192 lbs. Patrick Thorton, Petrides, (Fifth place)
Greco Roman Scholastic Place Winners
98 lbs. Anthony Castano, St. Joseph by the Sea, Silver medal
106 lbs. Marlon Perez, Grand Street, (Sixth place)
115 lbs. Timmy Mccann, Monsignor Farrell, Silver medal
123 lbs. Akinran Akinfemi, Grand Street, (Sixth place)
132 lbs. Danny Franco, Petrides, Gold Medal
132 lbs. Jesse Cusimano, St. Joseph by the Sea, Silver medal
143 lbs. Kevin Hartnett, Monsignor Farrell, Gold medal
154 lbs. Eugene Komissarov, James Madison, Gold Medal
192 lbs. Patrick Thorton, Petrides, (Fifth place)
Open Freestyle Place Winners
119 lbs. Novic Reese, graduate of Grand Street, Silver medal
128 lbs. PJ Morales, graduate of Grand Street, Gold medal
152 lbs. Vitaly Simkin, graduate of Sheepshead Bay, (Sixth place)
187 lbs. David Khavin, graduate of James Madison, (Sixth place)
213 lbs. Abakar Gadjiyav, (Sixth place)
275 lbs. Carlos Dolmo, Gold medal
Open Greco Roman Place Winners
119 lbs. Jonathan Soto, graduate of Sheepshead Bay, Bronze medal
119 lbs. Carlos Soto, graduate of Sheepshead Bay, (Fourth place)
128 lbs. PJ Morales, graduate of Grand Street, Silver medal
139 lbs. Oliver Lopez, gradate of McKee/Staten Island Tech, Bronze medal
152 lbs. Seji Mugishima, (Fourth place)
167 lbs. Cory Sands, graduate of Sheepshead Bay, (Fourth place)
187 lbs. Devon John, graduate of Sheepshead Bay, Silver medal
213 lbs. Dzmitry Kruhik, Gold medal
The Next Challenge: By John Torenli (sports@brooklyneagle.net)
Published online 07-10-2008
Matt Goldberg doesn't know the meaning of taking it easy.
The Ditmas Park resident and four-time state champion wrestler out of Bay Ridge's Poly Prep Country Day School has actually increased his work load - both on and off the mat - since accepting a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh back in February.
"I work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., lift weights from 3:30 to 5:30 and practice from 7 to 9 five days a week," said Goldberg, who has also found time to enter a few "open" tournaments since finishing up his brilliant high school career with the Blue Devils.
Goldberg, who will be wrestling at 125 pounds for legendary Panthers coach Rande Stottlemyer this fall, had several options when it came time to decide which Division I program he'd fit in with best over the next four years.
Pitt ultimately won out, not only for its reputation as a perennial national championship contender, but also its dedication to making sure its student-athletes live up to a high standard in the classroom. That was something Goldberg became accustomed to at Poly.
Read more.
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
08/05/2008
 U.S. Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic watches practice on Tuesday night at Beijing Normal University. Photo by Gary Abbott.
BEIJING, China - It happened 32 years ago.
But Momir Petkovic still vividly remembers everything about that special moment.
It was the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada and Petkovic reached the pinnacle of his sport by winning an Olympic gold medal for the former Yugoslavia.
"It was just an unbelievable joy to do something you dreamed about doing," Petkovic said after Tuesday night's practice at Beijing Normal University. "Everything came together in that one moment. When I was a kid, I looked up to the Olympic champions like they were Gods. To be able to win an Olympic gold medal, it was pretty special."
Now the Assistant National Coach for the United States Greco-Roman Wrestling Team, Petkovic is determined to see his athletes experience the same feeling he did more than three decades ago. The U.S. Greco-Roman Team will compete in the Olympic Games on Aug. 12-14 at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium.
Read more.
By Jason Bryant
National Wrestling Coaches Association
With backgrounds varying from active competition, technology, coaching and administration, the three recipients of the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Dan Gable “America Needs Wrestling” Award cross the entire spectrum of wrestling.
The work done by the 2008 award winners – Danielle Hobeika of Naperville, Ill., Jim Root of Saratoga, Calif., and Rex Jones of Chadron, Neb., in support and promotion of wrestling are applauded with this award.
“We have three individuals who rightly deserve this award with vastly different backgrounds,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “It goes to show you don’t always have to be one type of individual to do wonders for the sport of wrestling.
This award is to recognize those individuals who have given significant time and effort to the sport of wrestling. Those efforts must have had significant impact on the preservation or promotion of the sport, through contributions that are financial, service and/or leadership in nature.
Hobeika, a former member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and a graduate of Harvard, has long been the driving force behind wrestling’s presence on the internet. After starting wrestling late in her high school career, Hobeika competed at Harvard before dotting the country with coaching stints at Menlo College, Pacific, and Princeton.
But her impact has been made in her quick efforts to help athletes launch web sites and for causes like Beat the Streets, Save Fresno State Wrestling, Save Oregon Wrestling and the NWCA’s Program Entrenchment initiative.
Hobeika has also been active in the promotion of women’s wrestling, launching The Women’s Mat, a web site exclusively for women’s wrestling. She’s also been spearheading the research in trying to elevate women’s wrestling as a recognized emerging sport by the NCAA.
Read more.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/ wrestling/photos/galleryid= 148886.html
USA Wrestling
07/16/2008
A group of concerned supporters of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Teams have made it possible for each wrestler on America’s Olympic Wrestling Team to have two family members supporting them and the team in Beijing.
This badly needed support is a result of solicitations and donations from Beat the Streets Chairman Michael Novogratz, David Barry and Michael Malone. As the Fuel the Dream campaign became visible, it showed a real need and the result is clear: America and the wrestling community are behind the men and women of our Olympic Wrestling Teams.
USA Wrestling established the initiative Fuel the Dream to directly benefit the men and women of our Olympic Teams. When you contribute to Fuel the Dream, 50% of your donation will go, without any reductions, to the individuals that competed and made the 2008 Olympic Team at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The other 50% goes to help train athletes that will be on future World and Olympic Teams. USA Wrestling is a 501 (c) (3) and your contribution is tax deductible.
America’s wrestlers make significant sacrifices on the road to representing the USA at the Olympic Games. Many delay careers and families, others pursue careers and families while competing in what we believe is the world's toughest sport.
All donations over $25 will receive a unique Fuel the Dream 2008 Olympic Games pin.
Be a real part of our Olympic effort. It only happens once every four years. Do it now…go to www.fuelthedream.org and give as much as you can…and be a part of our Olympic effort.
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
07/05/2008
 ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Both 2007 World Beach bronze medalists who entered this year's U.S. Beach Nationals were able to claim national titles on Saturday at Ontario Beach Park.
Jeff Funicello (Gilbert, Ariz./American Pankration) captured the 187-pound title and Carlos Dolmo (Bronx, N.Y./Blast Double NY) won the 302-pound class, adding national titles to their World medals from last summer.
Funicello won three matches, including a 2-1 victory over 2007 U.S. Beach Nationals champion Neil Cook (Rochester, N.Y./Team Titan) in the championship match.
Dolmo also won three bouts, including a 2-1 win over runner-up Mike Carroll (Lake Winola, Pa./Avalanche) in the finals. Dolmo won his second straight U.S. Beach Nationals title.
The top three placewinners in each Senior weight class earn a spot in Sunday's U.S. Beach World Team Trials, which will also be held at Ontario Beach Park. There are two weight classes in the U.S. World Team Trials, Below 85 kg (187.5 lbs) and Above 85 kg (187.5 lbs.).
Read more.
.All 9 wrestlers participated in the 2008 Olympic Trials in Las Vegas last month. These young stars could be the US representatives to the Olympics in London 2012!
Elizabeth Wiley USA Wrestling
The USA Wrestling University World Teams will travel to Thessoloniki, Greece for the University World Championships July 9-13.
Men's freestyle, Greco-Roman and women's freestyle teams will all compete against some of the best in the world at the competition.
Jake Herbert is the only returning competitor on the men's freestyle team. A bronze medalist at last year's competition, Herbert will provide leadership and experience for the team as he competes at 84 kg/185 lbs.
"Herbert is a returning bronze medalist," Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett said. "He knows what he needs to do. We're expecting a good performance."
Joining Herbert on the freestyle team are Brad Pataky at 55 kg/121 lbs., Reece Humphrey at 60 kg/132 lbs., Josh Churella at 66 kg/145.5 lbs, Keith Gavin at 74 kg/163 lbs., Brendan Jones at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All six of these wrestlers are making their first trip to compete at University Worlds.
"My goal for this team is to come back with seven gold medals and I think it's a goal for them, too," said Bennett. "That may not happen, but we have to go in believing all things are possible."
The men's freestyle team will be coached by Lou Rosselli and Wes Hand. Dave Bennett is serving as team leader for the trip.
The Greco-Roman squad features two wrestlers who just missed out on berths to the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as a number of other talented athletes.
"(Sam) Hazewinkel competed at the Olympic Team Trials and was one match from making the Olympic Team," Greco-Roman Developmental Coach Ike Anderson said. "I'm excited about him."
Sam Hazewinkel lost to Spenser Mango in the Championship Series at 55 kg/121 lbs. while Cheney Haight finished behind T.C. Dantzler at 74 kg/163 lbs.
"I expect Cheney Haight to be able to medal," said Anderson. "Again he was one match from making the Olympic Team against T.C."
Another top contender for the Greco-Roman team is Chas Betts. Betts was a silver medalist at the 2006 University World Championships and hopes to medal again in 2008.
The rest of the team is Donovan Depatto at 60 kg/132 lbs., Jacob Curby at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and Robbie Smith at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. The heavyweight contender has not yet been determined for the U.S.
Eric Wetzel and Gary Mayabb will coach the Greco-Roman team.
The women's side features seven athletes that took part in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and should be incredibly competitive in Greece.
Three wrestlers on the team also competed at the 2006 World University Championships. Alaina Berube was a bronze medalist at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. two years ago. Joining her from that squad are Sara Fulp-Allen at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Othella Lucas at 59 kg/130 lbs.
Rounding out the women's team are Katherine Fulp-Allen at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Chelynne Pringle at 55 kg/121 lbs., Elena Pirozhkov at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., and Stephany Lee at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Serving as coaches for the women's freestyle team are Shannyn Gillespie and Trevor Keifer.
University World Championships
Thessoloniki, Greece
Men's Freestyle:
55 kg: Brad Pataky, Clearfield, Pa. (New York AC)
60 kg: Reece Humphrey, Indianapolis, Ind. (Ohio State)
66 kg: Josh Churella, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC)
74 kg: Keith Gavin, Factoryville, Pa. (New York AC)
84 kg: Jake Herbert, Wexford, Pa. (New York AC)
96 kg: Brent Jones, Burke, Va. (Cavalier WC)
120 kg: Tervel Dlagnev, Arlington, Texas (Loper WC)
Coach: Lou Rosselli
Coach: Wes Hand
Team Leader: Dave Bennett
Greco-Roman:
55 kg: Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC)
60 kg: Donovan Depatto, Quantico, Va. (U.S. Marine Corp)
66 kg: Jacob Curby, LaGrange, Ill. (USOEC/GatorWC)
74 kg: Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (USOEC/New York AC)
84 kg: Chas Betts, St. Michael, Minn. (USOEC/Minnesota Storm)
96 kg: Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
120 kg: TBD
Coach: Eric Wetzel
Coach: Gary Mayabb
Women's Freestyle:
48 kg: Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
51 kg: Katherine Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
55 kg: Chelynne Pringle, Hugo, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
59 kg: Othella Lucas, San Diego, Calif. (New York AC)
63 kg: Alaina Berube, River Falls, Wis. (New York AC)
67 kg: Elena Pirozhkov, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
72 kg: Stephany Lee, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Coach: Shannyn Gillespie
Coach: Trevor Keifer
Coach organizes events to inspire local athletes
By DAVID SANCHIRICO, Special to the Times Union
First published: Sunday, July 6, 2008
It's hard to consider the Capital Region a wrestling hotbed when no collegiate wrestling programs exist within 65 miles.
No programs? No problem. Frank Popolizio will get them to visit, and just maybe, a few young wrestlers will be inspired by what they see.
Capital Communications Federal Credit Union
Popolizio's efforts have attracted some of the best collegiate wrestling programs in the country to the Capital Region. In addition to founding the Northeast Collegiate Duals, now considered one of the top early-season meets in the country, Popolizio made arrangements for 34-time NCAA champion Oklahoma State to hold its summer training camp at SUNY Cobleskill, where the Cowboys are wrapping up today.
Read more.
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