EIGHT YOUTH WRESTLERS FROM FOUR NYC BOROUGHS TO COMPETE IN EXHIBITIONS DURING “RUMBLE ON THE RAILS” USA-IRAN-RUSSIA MEET IN GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL MAY 15

Boys And Girls From “Beat the Streets” Program, N.Y. PSAL To Compete In Between USA vs. Iran, USA vs. Russia Freestyle Dual Meets; Annual Gala To Follow At Bryant Park Grill

NEW YORK, May 10, 2013 – Student-athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program and high school wrestlers from the New York Public School Athletic League are among eight accomplished competitors who will participate in a card of exhibition matches at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal as part of the “Rumble on the Rails” event on Wednesday, May 15.  The four-match slate will begin at 5 p.m., in between international Olympic-class freestyle dual meets featuring USA vs. Iran at 3:30 p.m. and USA vs. Russia at 6 p.m., respectively.

The six boys and two girls live and attend school in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Pennsylvania.

The evening concludes with the annual Beat the Streets Gala, which raises funds for the youth program. A ticket will be required for both the competition and the Gala.

“These exhibition matches are a great way to highlight the outstanding achievements that many of the Beat the Streets wrestlers have accomplished,” said Jim Fallis, executive director of Beat the Streets.  “We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the youths who will compete as representative of the thousands of children who have benefited from the sport of wrestling, on the mat but more importantly in life.”

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.

The “Rumble On The Rails” is also a showcase competition as part of World Wrestling Month, which was declared by the international wrestling federation FILA.

The Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony is set for the Bryant Park Grill, 25 W. 40th St., New York City, starting at 8 p.m. 

“Rumble on the Rails” – May 15, 2013
Beat The Streets Youth Exhibition matches

Rosemary Flores, Curtis High School (Staten Island) vs. Sarah Andresen, Hunter College High School (Manhattan)

Saidyokub Kahramonov, New Utrecht High School (Brooklyn) vs. Lenny Merkin, Poly Prep Country Day School (Brooklyn)

Cedrick Stephens, Wingate High School (Brooklyn) vs. Kemran Fayikov, Jr., Beat the Streets Philadelphia

Adis Radoncic, Riverdale-Kingsbridge Academy (Bronx) vs. TBD

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.beat-the-streets.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.

ABOUT KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING
In the United States, the official website is http://www.KeepWrestlingInTheOlympics.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/officialkeepwrestlingintheolympics, and on Twitter @wrestlingvision. 
The international links for FILA are http://www.fila-official.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fila.official and on Twitter @FILA_Official.