- Brandon Cain
Beat the Streets' Evin Gursoy wins Eastern States Classic
Seven Beat the Streets student-athletes earned a top-six finish at the tournament.
Beat the Streets student-athlete Evin Gursoy claimed the 116-pound championship at the 20th annual Eastern States Classic tournament Saturday at Paul Gerry Fieldhouse in Loch Sheldrake, New York.
The Midwood High School senior, who received the top seed in his bracket, outscored his five opponents 48-2 to claim the top spot on the podium after he took second place in the tournament a year ago.
"Eastern states is one of those tournaments where you get to test yourself and compete against the best in the state," BTS Head Coach Joe DeAngelo said. "With seven placers, including one boys division champion, I’d say we met that challenge head-on and showcased just how tough New York City wrestling is."
Five more BTS student-athletes earned top-six finishes in the boys division. Amir Avazov of James Madison went 6-2 in the tournament to take fourth after he placed seventh in last year's tournament. His biggest victory this year came in his third match when he defeated the No. 2 seed in his bracket, 9-1. Following a quarterfinal loss, Avazov demonstrated perseverance with three consecutive wins to take fourth place.
Tristian Levin of Tottenville, Timur Beksultan of Brooklyn Tech and Christian Solano of Eagle Academy for Young Men in The Bronx all went 4-3 and claimed sixth place in their respective weight class. Beksultan, who was not among the top 23 wrestlers to receive a seed, claimed all of his wins against seeded wrestlers in just his second year competing in wrestling.
In the girls division, BTS student-athletes Isabella Lorenzana of Francis Lewis and Greisy Penalo of Bronx Science earned a spot on the podium. Lorenzana lost her opening match then rallied with two straight wins by fall to claim third place. Penalo also earned a victory in the consolation round to capture fourth.
BOYS 108: Tristian Levin of Tottenville (6th)
116: Evin Gursoy of Midwood (1st)
138: Amir Avazov of James Madison (4th)
160: Timur Beksultan of Brooklyn Tech (6th)
215: Christian Solano of Eagle Academy - Bronx (6th)
GIRLS 185: Greisy Penalo of Bronx Science (4th)
235: Isabella Lorenzana of Francis Lewis (3rd)
Since being founded in 2005, Beat the Streets has pioneered a movement that now includes 150 individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league.
BTS works to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and strengthen the New York City wrestling culture. We aim to make a lifelong impact on student-athletes through the lessons learned on the wrestling mat -- discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility and a strong work ethic. Discover how you can make a meaningful contribution to our work at btsny.org/donate.