13 Beat the Streets student-athletes win PSAL boys city championships

Six BTS Academy members will advance to compete at the New York state championships on Feb. 23-24 in Albany.

Thirteen Beat the Streets student-athletes, including six in the BTS Academy program, claimed Public Schools Athletic League boys city championships this past weekend at Harry S. Truman High School in The Bronx.

With the win, they qualified to represent the PSAL and wrestle at the New York state championships on Feb. 23-24 at MVP Arena in Albany.

In Division 1, BTS Academy student-athletes Leo Gao (Brooklyn Tech) and Amir Avazov (James Madison) each repeated as city champions. Gao had two falls and two technical falls, while Avazov had four falls to secure a spot at the state tournament.

BTS student-athletes Matthew Velez (Jamaica), Tristan Levin (Tottenville), Evin Gursoy (Midwood), Dwayne Harris (Grand Street Campus), Timur Beksultan (Brooklyn Tech), Aidan Gubarev and Amin Ibrahim (both of James Madison) also claimed city titles. Beksultan earned the Oustanding Wrestler award.

In Division 2, BTS Academy student-athletes Brandon Pacheo, Denzel Perez and Christian Solano (all of Eagle Academy) and Aiden Brito (Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy) won titles.

Pacheo scored a reversal in the third period to punch his ticket to the state tournament. Perez claimed a title in just his first year of wrestling. Solano earned the Outstanding Wrestler award for winning two matches by fall in under a minute. Brito had three wins by fall for his first city title.

Gursoy (second), Avazov (fourth), Solano (fifth) and Gubarev (eighth) are returning state medalists looking to climb up the podium.

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.

PSAL Division 1 Championships

Individual Results

101: Matthew Velez (Jamaica) DEC Jaime Sanchez (Cardozo), 5-2

108: Tristan Levin (Tottenville) FALL Amirjan Kholmatov (MSIT)

116: Evin Gursoy (Midwood) FALL Firdavs Ahmadzoda (Tottenville)

124: Jordan Lee (James Madison) FALL Jonibek Astonov (James Madison)

131: Leo Gao (Brooklyn Tech) TF Erick Largo (James Madison)

138: Amir Avazov (James Madison) FALL Joseph Lamberti (Tottenville)

145: David Khodzhaev (Tottenville) DEC Sobir Salimov (Murrow)

152: Dwayne Harris (Grand Street Campus) DEC Maxim Belousov (James Madison), 9-7 SV

160: Timur Beksultan (Brooklyn Tech) MD Connor Justesen (Tottenville), 12-3

170: Patrick Alfarano (James Madison) DEC Avery Ali (FDR), 3-2

190: Aidan Gubarev (James Madison) MD Jayden Kiell (Tottenville), 13-4

215: Amin Ibrahim (James Madison) DEC Lazare Chikhradze (FDR), 8-5

285: Joseph Christian (Cardozo) FALL Jermani Desir (Springfield Gardens)

Team Scores (Top 5)

1. Tottenville (196)

2. James Madison (240)

3. Brooklyn Tech (122.5)

4. Franklin D. Roosevelt (120.5)

5. Cardozo (93.5)

PSAL Division 2 Championships

Individual Results

102: Branden Munoz (Petrides) FALL Qudir Lloyd (Eagle)

108: Bradley Munoz (Petrides) FOR

116: Rocky Molinare (Petrides) FALL Tristin Dilullo (RKA)

124: Tyson Gillard (Eagle) DEC Julian Orellana (Petrides), 2-0

131: Kenan Djokic (RKA) FALL James Figueroa (Eagle)

138: Marco Michielli (Petrides) FALL Angel Gonzalez (Bronx Studio)

145: Jason Consalvo (Petrides) FALL Greg Anthony Herrera (Baruch)

152: Brandon Pacheco (Eagle) DEC Robert Alincaj (Petrides), 9-7

160: Lorenzo Lamattina (Petrdies) FALL Mike Giordano (Petrides)

170: Aiden Brito (RKA) FALL Yusuf Abdali (RFK)

190: Denzel Perez (Eagle) TF Aldo Romero (Petrides), 18-3

215: Christian Solano (Eagle) FALL Elijah Desir (Eagle)

285: Josiah Maye (Petrides) FALL Michael Mack (RKA)

Team Scores

1. Petrides (231.5)

2. Eagle Academy (149)

3. RKA (110.5)

4. Bronx Studio (63)

5. Baruch (28)