Student-athletes learn life skills, wrestling at Beat the Streets New York's Top of the Podium camp

The three-day camp featured sessions on a positive mindset, goal setting and perseverance.

Beat the Streets New York held its annual Top of the Podium camp this week at Seward Park Educational Campus.

New York City student-athletes, ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade, attended the three-day camp. Each day, the camp featured two wrestling sessions and one life skill session. The life skill sessions focused on the benefits of a positive mental mindset, goal setting and perseverance.

"We were happy to have dedicated BTSNY volunteers Adam Kirsh and Zoe McGrady speak at TOP Camp," BTSNY Director of Programming Bob Seidel said. "Adam and Zoe both used wrestling as a springboard to achieving their goals of attending prestigious colleges like the University of Pennslyvania and Duke University then excelling in the business field. They each did a great job sharing with the students how having a positive attitude and goals can help them achieve their dreams."

BTSNY high school student-athletes and recent alums served as camp counselors to assist with coaching wrestling techniques.

"We loved having high school student-athletes and our alums give back to younger wrestlers," BTSNY Head Boys Coach Joe DeAngelo said. "They set a great example for the campers and grew as leaders. I appreciate all the support from parents and the NYC wrestling community for making this camp a success, and hope it can continue to grow in the future."

Since being founded in 2005, Beat the Streets New York has pioneered a movement that now includes 150 individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league.

BTSNY 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.