FARGO, ND, July 17th, 2011 - Rosemary Flores won a Cadet National Championship on Saturday night in Fargo, ND, becoming the first national champion in Beat the Streets history. Fellow Staten Island-resident Kim Cardenas also became an All-American with a 4th place finish at 88 pounds.
"No words. I feel so proud," said Flores, who is going to be a Junior at Curtis High School on Staten Island. "Hard work pays off, it really does." She was quick to point out the cost of such achievement, however, saying, "Coach Hirsch had us wrestling four practices a day at camp. The last practice, I was so exhausted - I was crying!"
Wrestling at 124 pounds, Flores compiled a 4-0 record with all four victories coming by pin off of her signature move, a devastating headlock. Three of the falls were in the first period, including the finals match against Areana Villeascusa of Arizona which ended in a mere :42 seconds.
Watch Flores' Championship Match (via USA Wrestling)
Flores is the flagship wrestler for the fledgling Beat the Streets Girls Wrestling Program headed up by Coach Cheryl Wong.
"Beat the Streets and the New York City Department of Education, along with the Public School Athletic League, are looking to expand the Girls program this coming school year," said BTS Board Trustee Kyra Tirana Barry. "Cheryl is doing an incredible job with these girls, and we're very excited about increasing opportunities for girls to compete and participate in our successful program."
Flores will now compete in the Junior Women's tournament starting on Tuesday.
The Cadet age group is for those wrestlers who are turning 15 or 16 this calendar year, while the Junior division is for those born September 1, 1991 and after, who are also currently enrolled in grades 9-12.
Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. 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, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at‐risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of personal responsibility, physical fitness, education, and teamwork. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through tutoring, after‐school programs, mentoring, and coaching. More information can be found at www.beat‐the‐streets.org.
# # #
Justin
--
No comments:
Post a Comment