around the uft
Takedowns taking off
Jun 5, 2008 3:42 PM
Middle school wrestling, long a very popular sport in many regions and school systems nationwide, is enjoying a major growth spurt in New York City, thanks partly to a privately funded grant from Beat the Street Wrestling. More than 600 student wrestlers from 40 teams competed in mid-May in a tournament at the Harlem Armory. Although there was some variation in the level of athletic skill of the participants, the level of their sportsmanship was universally high. That is not surprising, as character-building is associated with this sport, according to Dr. Michael Spanakos, a former assistant coach at Francis Lewis HS, who is one of the founders of BTSW. Students train and compete in the collegiate style, Greco-Roman, and freestyle wrestling. BTSW aims to meet its 2008-09 goal of developing 80 school-based programs that emphasize physical fitness under highly qualified supervision.
Constantine Topsidakis of IS 318 adjusts a wrestler’s headgear and gives instructions.
Spanakos demonstrates a technique with a young athlete.
