Beat the Streets' Evin Gursoy, Amir Avazov win New York state titles

It is the first time two PSAL student-athletes from New York City have won a state title in the same year.

ALBANY, NY. -- Beat the Streets student-athletes Evin Gursoy and Amir Avazov each won a state title Saturday at the New York Public High School Athletic Association Individual Championships at MVP Arena.

It is the first time two Public School Athletics League (PSAL) student-athletes from New York City have won a state wrestling title in the same year. It is also the first PSAL state title since 2017, when Brandon Nunez (John Bowne) claimed the Division 1 99-pound crown.

Gursoy, a Midwood junior, avenged his loss from last year's state final with a 14-2 win against Anthony Severino (Lindenhurst) to claim the Division 1 116-pound title. Gursoy had a third-period fall and three major decisions while only allowing three points (all escapes) en route to the top of the podium. He is also the second three-time state medalist from the PSAL, joining Leon Henry (Harry S. Truman).

Avazov, a James Madison senior, defeated 9-4 Luke Nieto of Plainedge in the Division 1 138-pound final. Avazov scored at least seven points in all four of his matches. It is Avazov's second state medal after he took fourth place in 2023.

Avazov and Gursoy are the first wrestling state champions in James Madison and Midwood school history. They're also the fourth and fifth individual PSAL state champions, joining two-time champion Nathanael Rose (Eagle Academy), and one-time champs Adris Rodoncic (Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy) and Nunez.

Fellow BTS and PSAL student-athlete Timur Beksultan (Brooklyn Tech) also earned a state medal with a sixth-place finish. He rebounded from a quarterfinal loss with two 2-1 wins in the consolation bracket to secure his first state medal. Beksultan is the first Brooklyn Tech state medalist since 2020 when Max Gwertzman and Andrew Grechko took eighth at 170 and 182 pounds.

Thirteen BTS/PSAL student-athletes secured at least one win at the state tournament. Tristan Levin (Tottenville), Jordan Lee (James Madison), Aidan Gubarev (James Madison), Amin Ibrahim (James Madison) and Joseph Christian (Benjamin Cardozo) in Division 1 and Christian Solano (Eagle Academy) in Division 2 all fell one win shy of earning a state medal.

PSAL PLACE-WINNERS

Division 1

116: Evin Gursoy (Midwood) - 1st Place

138: Amir Avazov (James Madison) - 1st Place

160: Timur Beksultan (Brooklyn Tech) - 6th Place

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 NYC 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.