A Note from our Program Director

A note from Program Director Dan Verr:As wrestling is a unique sport, the development of Beat the Streets Chicago/CPS Score Wrestling is also unique in several ways. This really adds to the success of the program. Instead of hosting practices at elementary schools, it was decided that our teams would host practices at local neighborhood high schools with varsity wrestling coaches running or overseeing them. This year the program expanded and added two additional High School sites and allowed anyone within the Chicago Public Schools system to sign up, with the caveat that they need to get themselves to one of the sites. This gave participants from multiple elementary schools the opportunity to participate, even if their elementary school only had a few students that were interested in wrestling. The previous CPS Score standard model required that each elementary program have a minimum number of participants to even have a team. Having all practices and meets at high schools allowed every inspiring young wrestler a chance to be apart of a team. It also gave them exposure to their neighborhood High Schools, which added to their excitement about being a part of the BTS Chicago/CPS Score program.There were over 250 participants representing 29 elementary schools from 5th through 8th grade who signed up to participate at one of our six high school wrestling sites. They conducted practices twice a week with the help of several coaches, high school athletes, faculty members, and volunteers. Wrestlers competed at three tri-meets this season. These were each hosted by one of the high school programs. The final tournament was hosted by Taft High School on May 12th with the U.S. Marines in attendance. Each wrestler was provided shoes, head gear, BTS shorts and a BTS shirt.Special note shout out to three competitors from CPS Score Wrestling getting opportunity to wrestle at the Beat the Street-New York Gala on May 17th!Crystal Saucedo: Calmeca Elementary Kelly HS SiteDavid Manjarrez: Evergreen Kelly HS SiteJoshua Butler: Kenwood Academy Kenwood HS SiteThe growth of the wrestlers throughout this season was extraordinary. The athletes carried themselves very well. They represented themselves, their loved ones, and their schools with class. The BTS coaches understand that this program is about more than wrestling. It is about helping our young athletes learn transferable life skills through the world’s oldest and greatest sport! We commend and honor our great mentors:Austin HSJohn IvyJameel CarterNate FowlerDarian TateChicago AcademyEric WetzelAlexis RiveraEddy ValdezKelly HSJoe JoyceDave GallegosKenwood AcademyCarlos LatimerTim McGuireMohammed SowTaft HSBrad EngelRyan GlowaczMike “Diesel” DiFriscoBowen HSRon Wilson (InductedDeQuence GoodmanCoach ForbesWilliam DouglasAnd a special thanks to BTS Coach Jordan Blanton for coming in and running our pre-final tournament clinic!One final thanks is in order and that is to the following CPS Administrators, without whom there would be no CPS Scores! Wrestling program!Micky PruittJaton JacksonDesire WheelerMiranda CernyAbdullah AsadMathew KestlerDan Verr, CFAProgram DirectorBTS-Chicago Wrestling