Truman team poses with medals from The Welcome Wolverine Tournament at The Bronx High School of Science in the Bronx, on Saturday April 8, 2017. Photo credit: Robert Cole.
By Rich Mancuso/Sports Editor
Chloe Cabrera was introduced on a hot day in the middle of Times Square in midtown. The 15-year old was on a mat late Wednesday afternoon and in the spotlight representing Truman High School as the annual Beat The Streets benefit continued in the PSAL Girl’s Freestyle Duel wrestling competition. This was not WWE wrestling as seen every week in your living room or on a digital platform.
This was real wrestling. The amateur competition on a mat receives more recognition every four years at the Summer Olympic games and to Cabrera, who competes with a well known wrestling program, it could not have been any better. Beat The Streets is an annual event that develops the full potential or urban youth to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling and works in conjunction with the NYC Department Of Education.
I love the sport,” said Cabrera who defeated her Wingate High School opponent by technical fall in the 139 pound competition. The Truman team located in the Coop City area of the Bronx is more known with the boys and at the forefront over the years for winning state and national titles, and now the girls are a part of the picture.
And in the heart of Times Square before a packed crowd, Cabrera and her team completed the sweep.
“This is our third year year and it helps with the recognition,” said Ted Cook who coaches the boys and girls at Truman. “It gives them a chance to be seen and we are thankful to Beat the Streets and what they do.”
Said Cabrera, “It pushes me with my confidence and has amazing opportunities. It pushes me to be a better student and takes me places to Oklahoma and Texas.” This was not the first time she has been under the lights and competing before large sums of fans who follow the sport. However, New York City and at Duffy Square means you can’t do better than that,
“This is real wrestling,,” she said after her freestyle match. “Not the WWE stuff that slamming chairs at each other. It’s real. It’s just you and your shoes on the mat. Not just props.”
Cabrera took care of her opponent and the PSAL part of this event was followed by competition with the major players that compete worldwide in the sport.
The Public HIgh Schools Athletic League (PSAL) receives support from Beat The Streets and USA Wrestling. Truman and 27 other schools are a part of the program and this has become an annual and successful event in Times Square.
Other Results of the Truman Girls:
105 pounds: Lucia Camacho
112 Pounds: Cheyanne Villamil
117 pounds: Pearl Fletcher
121 pounds: Natasha Padilla
130 pounds: Naomi Henry
148 pounds: Colette Hamilton
159 pounds: Lucia Perez
172 pounds: Dasia Smith-Jordan
198 pounds: Nia Crossale
255 pounds: Moridiyat Kalejaiye
Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Follow Us