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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.

NYC alums wrestle in DIII qualifiers

Wrestlers from across the country took to the mats this weekend to attempt to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Competition was held in six different Regional Tournaments, and New York City alums were well represented in the East and Northeast Region.

The Northeast Regional Tournament was held in Massachusetts at Worcester Poly. Three athletes represented PSAL schools. Robby Zyko, a graduate of Curtis HS wrestles for Norwich at 133 pounds. He went 1-2 on the day and finished the season with a 7-13 record. Two Freshmen wrestled for SUNY Oswego in the tournament. Abubakarr Sow of Brooklyn International competed at 141 and Johnny Marquez of Flushing competed at 125. Sow finished the tournament with a 2-2 record to bring his season record to 11-9.

The East Region was held Saturday in Gettysburg, PA. Brooklyn Tech was well represented at the tournament with three competitors. Two Tech alums competed for Hunter College: Brady Kwong wrestled at 149 pounds and Patryk Kopczynski competed at 285. Kopczynski entered the tournament as the 6th seed and won his opening round match before he was injured in the quarterfinals. Chris Amro, another Tech alum competed at 174 for NYU. Amro won his opening match in the tournament to push his season record to 20-12 but was also injured in his next match and was unable to win another. Monsignor Farrell alum Christian Psomas represented Ursinus at 197 pounds. The sophomore entered the tournament with a 34-13 record and was the 5th seed. He went 3-3 on the day, falling twice to Tyler Russel of USMMA, including in the 5th place consolation final. Psomas finishes the season with 37 wins and a 6th place East Regional Medal.

Radoncic and Sisti Win First State Titles

Three years ago Beat the Streets took its first big group to the Middle School State Championships in Binghamton, NY.

On that trip were a couple of 8th-graders named Rich Sisti of the Lions Wrestling Club and Adis Radoncic of Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy. Sisti became NYC's first Middle School State Champ and Radoncic narrowly missed placing in the tournament. On his way home from the tournament, Adis talked about winning a high school state championship.

This morning on their way back to New York City from the High School state tournament in Albany, Sisti and Radoncic each carried a newly-won gold medal.

Adis was certainly not the favorite heading into this tournament, as he was seeded 6th. But there's an old adage that says you still have to wrestle the matches. Undeterred by the draw, Adis cruised through the first day of competition -- pinning his first opponent and then tech-falling the 3rd seed 15-0 in the quarters -- before emerging from his semifinal bout with a tough 1-0 decision over the 2nd seed on Saturday morning.

With that vicotry, Adis became only the fourth PSAL state finalist ever. Last year he watched as Cheick Ndiaye of Brooklyn International dropped the title bout and only an hour before he competed on Saturday, he watched close friend Keanu Thompson fall just short of state gold at 126 lbs. Adis's finals opponent was top-seeded Christian Dietrich of Greene. The two had already wrestled this year, at Eastern States, with Dietrich winning a 13-4 major decision. Despite all of this, Adis entered the match confident that he could come out on top.

The first period was scoreless as each wrestler chose to wrestle tentatively. In the second, Dietrich chose down and Adis did an effective job of navigating several exciting scrambles to remain on top. However, with time winding down, he appeared to relax and was quickly reversed. After a short injury timeout, Adis earned a key escaped to enter the third down 2-1. Adis chose bottom in the final frame and quickly escape to tie the score at two. Midway through the third, Dietrich almost scored on a single leg attempt at the edge of the mat, but Adis was able to scramble out of bounds. On the restart, Dietrich again attacked, this time with a double leg, and Adis was ready. Blocking the shot and executing a textbook go-behind, Adis went up 4-2. Dietrich escaped late in the match but was unable to get by Adis's solid defense, leaving the final score at 4-3. And with that, Adis became the first PSAL state champion.

Shortly after his victory, Adis went to find his friend Rich Sisti, who was preparing to compete for the title at 220 pounds. Sisti entered the finals undefeated on the season, and after some advice from Adis, he went out and earned a takedown only 10 seconds into the match. This was the same strategy Sisti had employed in his semifinal victory over top-seeded Nick Lupi of Huntington - a quick takedown followed by smart, tactical wrestling - and it worked to perfection. Sisti's opponent, Steven Mills of Sachem North, was unable to mount any significant offense throught the bout. Ultimately, Sisti emerged with a 3-2 decision and became Monsignor Farrell's first-ever state champion.

It was a great day for Beat the Streets and New York City Wrestling.

Notes:

Monsignor Farrell placed 7th in the team standings in Division 1 with 39 points, on the strength of three place winners.
Sisti and Radoncic are both Juniors and will be looking to defend their state titles next year.
11 NYC Wrestlers earned medals, seven of which were from the PSAL.
- Division 1
  - 120: Santo Curatolo, Tottenville - 4th
  - 126: Keanu Thompson, Grand Street - 2nd
  - 132: Sam Melikian, Fordham Prep - 3rd
  - 132: Saidyokub Kahramonov, New Utrecht - 6th
  - 152: Konstantin Parfiryev, Madison - 6th
  - 160: Andrew Psomas, Monsignor Farrell - 5th
  - 182: Matt Roberts, Monsignor Farrell - 6th
  - 195: Kevin Tynes, Brooklyn Tech - 6th
  - 220: Rich Sisti, Monsignor Farrell - State Champ
- Division 2
  - 113: Cheick Ndiaye Brooklyn International - 4th
  - 170: Adis Radoncic, Riverdale Kingsbridge - State Champ

McZiggy Places Fourth at Prep Nationals

Five New York City High Schools, and one New York City wrestler now competing in New Jersey, traveled to Lehigh University for Prep Nationals from February 21-23. The strong New York City contingent consisted of wrestlers from Horace Mann, Polly Prep, Collegiate, Trevor Day, and Martin Luther. Wingate High School graduate McZiggy Richards, now competing for St Benedict's Prep in Jersey City, also made the trip.

McZiggy was the lone New York City wrestler to make the semifinals. He advanced by winning his first two matches by pin before picking up a 6-2 decision in the quaterfinals. His semifinal opponent was nationally-ranked Garrett Ryan of Wyoming Seminary. McZiggy made headlines earlier in the year by upsetting Ryan, but could not duplicate the impressive feat. He lost a 6-0 decision and was dropped into the consolation bracket. In the consolation semis, Richards won 9-1 to advance to the bronze medal match. Wrestling for third, McZiggy would come just a bit short, falling in overtime 3-1 to place fourth.

Two other New York City wrestlers narrowly missed earning Prep All-American Medals. Noah Malumut of Poly Prep and Matthew Russo of Horace Mann each finished the tournament with records of 3-2, dropping their final bouts in the All-American round.

For full results, visit Escape Sports.

Three NYC Wrestlers Make 2013 State Finals, 11 Place

Keanu Thompson, Grand Street's 126-pound senior, entered yesterday unseeded, but quickly had the entire arena talking about his pin of Somer's defending state champion Dylan Realbuto. In the semifinals this morning he again emerged victorious on the strength of his tough, physical wrestling from the top position. After getting his first point on a 2nd period escape, he used a late 3rd period tilt to upend Rome Free Academy's Antonio Deluco 4-0. Thompson will wrestle TJ Fabian of Shoreham Wading River in the finals. This is a rematch from last year's placing round at the state tournament when Fabian earned a hard fought 5-3 win over Thompson. Should Thompson win, he will be the first PSAL wrestler to win a state championship.

Monsignor Farrell Junior 220-pounder Rich Sisti brought an undefeated record into the semifinals, and that streak continued as he advanced to his first state final. Sisti moves exceptionally well for a wrestler of his size and earned a quick takedown early in the match which he then rode for a 3-2 decision over Huntington's 1st seed Nick Lupi. Sisti will wrestle Steven Mills of Sachem North in the finals.

In Division 2, Adis Radoncic, a 170-pound wrestler from Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy will compete for a state title tonight after defeating 2nd-seeded Troy Seymour of Peru 1-0 in the semifinals. Adis chose down in the second period but was unable to earn an escape. In the third, his opponent also proved incapable of scoring from the bottom position, but was hit with a penalty point for stalling which proved to be the difference. Adis will wrestle 1st-seeded Christian Dietrich of Greene in the finals. Dietrich defeated Radoncic 13-4 earlier this season at the Eastern States, but Radoncic has been wrestling exceptionally well recently and will try to reverse the result tonight.

In addition to the three finalists, their were eight other placewinners to total 11 medal winners from NYC -- four Catholic League Wrestlers, and an all-time high seven from the PSAL.

NYC Placewinners

Division 1
- 120: Santo Curatolo, Tottenville - 4th
- 126: Keanu Thompson, Grand Street - in finals
- 132: Sam Melikian, Fordham Prep - 3rd
- 132: Saidyokub Kahramonov, New Utrecht - 6th
- 152: Konstantin Parfiryev, Madison - 6th
- 160: Andrew Psomas, Monsignor Farrell - 5th
- 182: Matt Roberts, Monsignor Farrell - 6th
- 195: Kevin Tynes, Brooklyn Tech - 6th
- 220: Rich Sisti, Monsignor Farrell - in finals
Division 2
- 113: Cheick Ndiaye Brooklyn International - 4th
- 170: Adis Radoncic, Riverdale Kingsbridge - in finals

Six City Wrestlers Make Semis, Keanu Thompson Upsets Dylan Realbuto

There were 34 New York City wrestlers in competition in Albany today at the NY State Public High School Athletic Association tournament in search of a state title. After day one, 14 remain, while six emerged from the first day unscathed and will wrestle tomorrow morning in the semifinals.

Division 1

Grand Street's 126-pound Keanu Thompson (at right) had quite a day. His quarterfinal upset over returning state champion Dylan Realbuto of Somers (pictures), could arguably be called the biggest win in PSAL history. But before that, he had to get there by avenging an earlier season loss. Unseeded going into the tournament, he had a rematch against his Grapple at the Garden final's opponent, Jacob Green of Chenango Forks, who is seeded 7th. Utilizing a late escape and takedown, he was able to emerge victorious, setting the stage for the the monumentous quarters' bout. Trailing 2-1 after the first period, Keanu went to work on top and eventually locked up a far-side cradle and secured the pin. There was huge reaction throughout the arena at such a dramatic turn of events. Thompson will wrestle 6th-seeded Antonio DeLuco of Rome Free Academy tomorrow morning in the semis.

Fordham Prep's Sam Melikian, the 3rd seed at 132, will also wrestle in the semis tomorrow morning. He won his first match 10-0 and squeaked by in the quaterfinals 3-2. He will wrestle Brandon Lapi of Amsterdam with a state finals berth on the line.

Kevin Tynes of Brooklyn Tech entered the day unseeded at 195 Pounds. Undeterred, the Stanford signee won his first two matches by scores of 10-6 and 7-4. He will wrestle Syosset's Dan Choi in the semifinals.

Monsignor Farrell's Rich Sisti entered today undefeated, and left with his record still unblemished. He went 2-0 on the day, winning by scores of 5-1 and 7-1. He will wrestle Huntington's Nick Lupi, the top seed at 220, for a birth in the finals tomorrow night.

The Following NYC wrestlers went 2-1 on the day and remain alive in the consolation bracket. One win tomorrow morning will earn them a state medal:

106 - Adam Gomez, Benjamin Cardozo
120 - Santo Curatolo, Tottenville
132 - Saidyokub Kahramonov, New Utrecht
152 - Konstantin Parfiryev, James Madison
160 - Andrew Psomas, Monsignor Farrell
182 - Nathanael Rose, Eagle Academy
182 - Matt Roberts, Monsignor Farrell

Division 2

At 113 Pounds, Brooklyn International's Cheick Ndiaye entered the tournament as the top seed and performed as you would expect a top seed to perform. He won matches by scores of 15-1 and 6-2. He will wrestle Locust Valley's Nick Casella in the semifinals, a wreslter he defeated earlier this year.

Adis Radoncic of Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy was dominant today. Seeded 6th at 170 pounds, Radoncic won by fall in his first match and then teched the 3rd seed in the quarterfinals. Adis will wrestle 2nd-seeded Troy Seymour of Peru tomorrow morning in the semifinals.

At 106, Alpha Diallo of Brooklyn International went 2-1 on the day and remains alive in the consolation bracket, having beaten the 7th and 8th seeds after coming into the tournament unseeded.

- - -

Beat The Streets is proud of all city wrestlers who competed today and hopes for continued success tomorrow. The six wrestlers in the semifinals all have a shot to win a state title, a feat never accomplished by a PSAL wrestler.

Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, that will no longer be true.

2013 D2 State Tournament Preview

Fifteen Division 2 wrestlers from New York City will be competing at the state tournament in Albany this weekend. While they are all capable of doing well, below are some of the wrestlers who enter the tournament with top credentials.

2013 D1 State Tournament Preview

Nineteen wrestlers from New York City will be competing at the state tournament in Albany this weekend. While they are all capable of doing well, below are some of the wrestlers who enter the tournament with top credentials.

Subcategories

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The deadline to apply was June 10th!
If you are trying to register now, you will be added to the waiting list.

NYC alums wrestle in DIII qualifiers

Radoncic and Sisti Win First State Titles

McZiggy Places Fourth at Prep Nationals