NO HOLDS BARRED

Physical education of America's youth has been under attack for some time. Both those politicians who love to defund public education and those who separate educating the mind from developing the body have a tacit and unholy alliance to leave far too many of the youth uneducated, overweight, out-of-shape, with low self-esteem, and with little future.

Fortunately there have been several organizations in New York which have been battling against these trends, at least as far as the sport of wrestling goes, virtually the only combat sport offered in schools below the college level. The Metropolitan Wrestling Association has been working with the Public School Athletic League and the New York City Sports Commission, along with, of course, the coaches, athletes, parents, and community, to enhance the wrestling programs and attract more youth to them.

One of the fruits of their labor is an event called the Mayor's Cup New York City High School Wrestling Championships. It is a tournament which includes the top four high school wrestlers in each weight class from the PSAL, the CHSAA (Catholic schools), and the Independent Schools Association (private schools).

Calling this event the Mayor's Cup, a name which has been used for years both in other scholastic sports as well as the exhibition games between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, adds prestige to high school wrestling and also draws more fan and media attention.

This year's edition will take pace Saturday, February 11, at Hunter College in Manhattan at 68th Street and Park Ave., beginning at 9:00 AM ET. It will run all day through the late afternoon or early evening.

Don't just complain about the situation in the New York schools and the direction many of our youth are taking; DO something about it, and support them in participating in the world's oldest sport.

For more information on the 2006 Mayor's Cup New York City High School Wrestling Championships, click here.