On Saturday March 28, 2015 the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center hosted a USA Wrestling Bronze Level Coaching Clinic. Approximately 30 coaches from the Philadelphia, Bucks County, and New Jersey areas attended the clinic, 10 of whom are associated with Beat the Streets Philadelphia programs. The main speaker of Saturday’s clinic was Mike Clayton, head of USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Education Program (NCEP). Additional instructors included Brian Dolph, Head Coach of the Pennsylvania RTC and John Moore, former University of Michigan wrestler.
Mike Clayton took over USA Wrestling’s NCEP back in March of 2014 after having over a decade of coaching experience at the NCAA level. Clayton was the Head Coach of Stevens Institute of Technology for seven years after serving 3 years as assistant coach at U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He has had a variety of experience as a coach that also includes being head coach of the U.S. FILA Cadet Pan American Team in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman.
After serving as Assistant Coach to University of Pennsylvania for many years, Brian Dolph was recently appointed Head Coach of Pennsylvania’s new Olympic Regional Training Center (RTC) in August, 2014. The Pennsylvania RTC hosted this weekend’s clinic to educate local coaches of all levels (youth, high school, college).
Though wrestling techniques were briefly included, they were not the main focus of the clinic. The 6-hour clinic took participants through 8 different training modules with the aim of developing and sharing knowledge of the Sports Sciences, Sports First Aid, Ethics, Goal-Setting, Periodization, Evaluation, Administration of Wrestling Techniques, Strategies and Tactics, and a range of best practices. BTSP encouraged many coaches to attend as it is our goal to develop programs that emphasize not only learning the sport of wrestling, but foster the personal growth, overall health, and well-being of each student-athlete that participates.
All those who attended Saturday’s clinic and passed the exam earned a certification as Bronze Level Coaches from USA Wrestling, our national governing body of the sport. As we move forward into off-season training, this certification is required to coach at most USA Wrestling National and Regional events (including Pennsylvania Freestyle/Greco-Roman States, Northeast Regionals, and Cadet/Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota).
If you are interested in becoming a USA Wrestling Coach or competing in USA Wrestling sanctioned events, visit www.USAMembership.com for more details!
Author: BTSPhilly
Donald Harrison-Perseverance
Perseverance means to continue steadfastly, especially in something that is difficult or tedious. It requires regular practice to develop the quality of perseverance. Wrestling has helped me stand out on and off the wrestling mat, providing me with the support necessary for positive outcomes in my life. I feel that this support has helped me transform from a boy to a man so that I can break through any wall that stands before me.
Just as a child learns how stand up and tries to walk, they often fall down again and again. Through instinct, he gets up and again tries to step forward, although again he falls down. Ultimately, after refusing to give up, he succeeds in walking.
It was not always easy for me to embody perseverance in my life until I wanted to succeed as bad as I wanted to breathe. I knew in high school that I was an average wrestler, but I was willing to learn as much as possible so that I could become the best student-athlete possible. My goal was to earn more A’s in school and earn more mat time through hard work. A mentor of mine, Coach Ed Schneider, always told me “little things are big things;” which I believe not only applies in wrestling but in life.
Breaking these barriers was an everyday process for me during wrestling and in the class room. I wanted to excel academically and to develop a strong work ethic. My journey continues and I try to keep this mentality now that I am in college. Beat the Streets helped me grow and develop into a student athlete with consistency, structure, and resources necessary to build on my legacy; making me a better man for tomorrow.
Belmont Girls Program Highlighted by Fox 29
Each week, FOX 29 news covers a unique story throughout the Philadelphia area as part of their ‘#In-Focus’ segment and the girls of Belmont Charter school were the featured story. Highlighting some of the young female wrestlers who participate in the Belmont Charter wrestling program, the story illustrates how participation in the sport of wrestling has helped to mold these girls into better students.
As coach Ed McCabe recalled, at the onset of the season 21 of 30 students were labeled as ‘failing;’ by seasons end the team proudly boasts that 0 students are failing and credits a great deal of that success to the model Beat the Streets has helped put into place. By continuing to surround these girls with a positive after-school atmosphere and teaching them a positive work ethic, these young women will be well equipped to succeed throughout their educational careers!
To see the full video, please visit www.myfoxphilly.com/Clip/11114066/infocus-female-wrestling#.VNkL_oJiLDk.twitter
Perseverance-Ron Palmer
A time where I had to persevere was when I lost the PIAA District 12 finals in 2014 to Andrew McClaren of LaSalle College High School. Even though Andrew was a defending champion, it was still a hard loss to take. Almost every weekend that offseason, I thought about that loss and it frustrated me that I would have to wait a year to get my redemption. I told myself that next year, no matter what, I would earn my district title. I eventually learned to use that loss as motivation to get better for next season and it really helped me to improve as a wrestler throughout my summer training.
This past season my hard work paid off and I eventually got my opportunity to face McClaren again, except this time it was in the semifinal match. All my hard work since last season finally paid off for me and I won the match by a 9-7 decision. Not only did I earn my redemption, but I was able to beat another defending champion in the finals match which earned me ‘Outstanding Wrestler’ of the tournament. I was determined to take first that day and it was my ability to persevere through a tough loss that made all the difference.
Ron Palmer
Mariana Bracetti Academy 16′
In Their Shoes
“In Their Shoes” is a section of the Beat the Streets Philadelphia webpage where student-athletes will be given the opportunity to share their thoughts/feelings on various topics that are important in developing championship wrestlers as well as scholar athletes.
At this time, our student-athletes are in the process of writing and they are eager to share their thoughts. This blog-style formatting will be set to launch next week, March 13th, and it will be exciting to hear from these bright young men and women!
Success Story- Davon Clark
Davon Clark was a student at Northeast High School that regularly participated in offseason training opportunities sponsored by BTS Philly. There was rarely an event or practice that he missed and he was willing to go to great lengths to achieve his goals on the mat. Our staff became very familiar with his goals both on the mat and in the classroom and it was evident that Davon was a bright individual that had a bright future ahead of him.
Davon had his sights set on attending a number of highly regarded universities in hopes of obtaining a degree in Education so that he would have the chance to give back to the community where he lived. He was a perfect candidate for our mentoring program and we successfully connected him with someone that was capable of assisting with preparations for his SAT’s. Davon would regularly meet with his mentor multiple times per week to work on applications, prepare for tests and generally discuss his overall plans. After a significant number of hours in these sessions, Davon boosted his scores by over 200 points and put himself in a position to be offered a number of scholarships to make his dreams possible. Ultimately he chose to attend Penn State University- State College on a full academic scholarship.
Davon also excelled on the mat where he qualified for the regional championships and led his team to the Section championship as the captain. Despite getting a relatively late start in the sport, he used his exceptional work ethic to put himself in a position to achieve his goals on the mat. He is currently competing at the club level at Penn State and believes that wrestling provides the structure to be successful in the classroom. Davon will be successful and we believe our support provided tools so that allowed him to leverage his work ethic into achievement of his goals.
2015 BTS Philadelphia Youth Wrestling Day Recap
With folk style season coming to a close for many youth programs, Beat the Streets Philadelphia (BTSP) hosted the Philadelphia Youth Wrestling Day tournament this past Sunday at George Washington High School. BTSP sponsored teams from throughout Philadelphia took part in this past weekends’ action. Throughout the tournament, athletes and their families enjoyed a day full of competition and showed a great level of enthusiasm toward the sport of wrestling.
The day began with a session for novice wrestlers at 9:00am. Throughout this session, new wrestlers competed in round-robin format and had a chance to experience tournament style competition. Each wrestler competed in a minimum of two matches and in most instances three or four. It was fantastic to see so many new kids take to the mat and give the sport of wrestling a chance. Additionally, this was a great opportunity for these new wrestlers to show their parents and loved ones how hard they have worked this season. Thanks to one of our coaches and skilled photographers, Jim Mangan, we were able to capture this image of Christian Lopez as he embraced his mother following a victory. This image epitomizes what Beat the Streets Philadelphia hopes to achieve. By using the sport of wrestling as a vessel for change, coaches can not only teach the sport of wrestling, but instill positive life values such as the importance of family or the value of education.
During the advanced session, which took place in the afternoon, the energy in the building really began to pick up during a highly anticipated match between Caesar Fountain (MLK) and Naseen Pennington (Belmont). The match was hard fought by both athletes with Fountain coming out on top by a score of 5-2, but this bout represented something larger. As coaches, teammates, and parents crept up to the edge of the mat in George Washington High School, it became clear beyond any doubt that a wrestling culture is quickly developing in the city of Philadelphia.
Where the sport has historically struggled to create an identity in the city of brotherly love, it is beginning to gain traction and it is becoming a sport kids of all ages are gravitating toward. Embodying the tough-minded spirit and grit that many Philadelphians pride themselves on, Philadelphia wrestling is beginning to show its’ own identity. In coming years, it will be exciting to see how this enthusiasm translates to the high school level, but many are hopeful that this is a sport indefinitely on the rise.
Check out the photos from the day below:
BTS Philly Wrestling Day Photo Gallery 1
BTS Philly Wrestling Day Photo Gallery 2
BTS Philly Wrestling Day Photo Gallery 3
BTS Philly Wrestling Day Photo Gallery 4
BTS Philly Wrestling Day Photo Gallery 5
BTS Philadelphia Hosts Successful 4th Annual Benefit
On Thursday February 5th, Beat the Streets Philadelphia (BTSP) hosted its’ 4th Annual Fundraiser in the heart of New York City’s meatpacking district. With hundreds of supporters packed into the STK Downtown for a night of charitable giving, card games, and good times, the evening was sure to be a success.
Throughout the entire evening, BTSP began auctioning off a slew of highly-coveted sports memorabilia items and a number of opportunities to experience some of the world’s most prestigious golf courses. With over 50 prizes to be won, supporters of BTSP outbid each other throughout the evening in hopes of securing their favorite items.
In addition to the competition taking part in the silent auction, guests also had an opportunity to test their hand at the poker tournament taking place on the third floor of the restaurant. This year, over 150 guests competed in the 2015 BTS Poker Tournament and throughout the endeavor the room was beaming with energy. After a few hours of slowly grinding it out as the tables collapsed around her, Ms. Kat Sullivan became our 1st ever female champion; taking home both the Beat the Streets championship belt and a gorgeous donated by Breitling and Govberg Jewelers.
In the midst of the poker tournament’s latter rounds, BTS Chairman Clinton Matter took an opportunity to thank the guests for their continued support and to acknowledge some the key players with BTS for their hard work and dedication. Although he made many points of importance, Mr. Matter brought each talking point back to why we do it; in reference to the organizations mission. Beat the Streets is founded upon ‘Altering Life’s Trajectory’ and it is this mantra that embodies each decision made and each action taken.
Following his acknowledgements and words of thanks, Mr. Matter took the opportunity to introduce special guest, FOX Sports field reporter and former NFL defensive tackle Tony Siragusa. A former wrestler and 2-time New Jersey State champion himself, Tony made an energetic final push to secure as many final donations as possible. His vibrant personality served as a valuable asset in this scenario, as many individuals made very generous donations during this portion of the event and it was due in large part to Tony’s efforts.
This was by far our most successful Annual Benefit to date and we are extremely grateful for everyone that supported the event on so many different levels. The continued support from donors has truly been a blessing and will deeply and directly impact our program participants. By continuing to grow the sport of wrestling throughout the Philadelphia area and using it as a tool for personal development, Beat the Streets Philadelphia can fulfill its’ mission of “Altering Life’s Trajectory.”
Please check out the photos and videos from the event via the links below:
BTS Philadelphia Board Thank You
Clinton Matter Speech
Ed McBride Speech
Thank you from our Coaches/Mentors
Photo Gallery 1
Photo Gallery 2
Photo Gallery 3
Photo Gallery 4
Photo Gallery 5
New Program at Central Elementary in Allentown competes at Grace Hall
On Sunday February 8th, Beat the Streets Philadelphia sponsored programs from the PAL Wrestling Club and Central Elementary(Allentown) had a chance to compete in an exhibition at Lehigh University. Prior to the Mountain Hawks’ pair of afternoon Duals against Harvard University and Brown University, wrestlers of both PAL and Central experienced college wrestling in its’ finest form.
Both programs were well-represented and showed great levels of support for their respective teams. Matches proved to be competitive throughout the event, with much support coming from teammates and parents alike. When asked about an event like this benefits PAL Wrestling Club, Head Coach Jim Mangan had this to say:
“Central Elementary, Coached by 3x NCAA All-American, Jon Trenge, helped create a perfect environment for everyone involved. The sportsmanship and camaraderie between a club that has just started (Central Elementary), and a club with 33 years of history (PAL Wrestling CLUB) was outstanding. Both teams had the additional opportunity to stay in Grace Hall to watch Lehigh compete against Harvard and Brown. These prestigious Ivy League schools helped to connect the BTS mission statement and commitment to the Student Athlete dynamic. Parents, Coaches and Wrestlers proved that this sport is about much more than just wrestling!”
In addition to competing in the famed Grace Hall, the kids were also encouraged to stay and root on the Lehigh as they competed against their Ivy League opponents. In addition to watching some of the most competitive college wrestling in the nation, the match between these programs also served as an opportunity to show the kids what it means to be a ‘student-athlete.’ By exposing these kids to such well-rounded individuals and introducing them to programs that truly value providing education in tandem with competition, this was an experience that truly embodies the mission of Beat the Streets Philadelphia.
Angel Garcia-Wrestler of the Month
Name: Angel Garcia
School: Marianna Bracetti Academy (MBA)
Coaches: Ben Greer/Max Tannenbaum
Age/Grade: 13/ 7th Grader
Number of Years Wrestling: 1 ½
Why did you start wrestling?:
I started wrestling because it looked fun and I was really drawn to the toughness of the sport.
Why do you enjoy wrestling?:
I enjoy wrestling because it has helped me meet new friends, it’s fun, and it gives me the tools to become something big in life.
What impact has wrestling had on your life and academics?:
Wrestling has made me a more respectful person and it has taught me the meaning of hard work. Since beginning wrestling I have also begun to speak more properly and become a better overall student.
What do you want to do when you get older?
I would really like to be a college wrestler or football player and study biology. After college, I really want to become a UFC fighter or professional football player.
What is your favorite college/university?
Cornell University
Who is your favorite athlete?
Anthony Robles