Takedown Report

One team, one coach, one season in Baltimore: Trying to change kids’ lives through wrestling

TDR Ed’s Notes; Beat the Streets is a great program with a great goal to improve the lives of students through wrestling.
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Luke BroadwaterContact ReporterThe Baltimore Sun On that chilly Saturday morning, before the meet was about to begin, Coach Patrick Coleman pulled his young wrestling team in close. He spoke of hard work, of dedication, of never giving up. The winner’s mindset he always preached. But injuries and suspensions had decimated the ranks of his once-promising squad of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders from East Baltimore’s Banneker Blake Academy. And the junior league team they were about to face in Montgomery County had been pumping out champions for years. Coleman, just a dozen years older than his young charges, knew they were facing a beat down. First, little Elijah Johnson took the mat for Banneker Blake. At 75 pounds, Elijah was a serious and respectful boy. His opponent from Damascus made short work of him. Next was Michael Rawls at 95 pounds. A thoughtful student, Michael dreamed of becoming a lawyer. In nearly 30 tries on the wrestling mat, he had yet to win. This time was no different. He was pinned in under a minute. Rest of the story at https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-beat-the-streets-20181116-story,amp.html?__twitter_impression=true&mc_cid=def1e3ad05&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 15, 2019 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized