On February 2-3, New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba will welcome the Mayor's Cup High School Wrestling Championships to the 369th Regiment Armory in Harlem. Over 750 wrestlers from 60 Public School Athletic League (PSAL), Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) and independent schools will compete in this two-day, citywide championship. Boys and girls varsity and novice wrestlers will be divided into 15 weight classes ranging from 96 lbs to 275 lbs as they vie for the Mayor's Cup title. Weigh-in begins promptly at 7:00am and wrestling will commence at 8:00am.

"Wrestling has become one of the fastest growing sports in New York City and this year's Mayor's Cup High School Wrestling Championships will showcase the depth and skill of our city's high school wrestling programs," said Commissioner Podziba. "The Mayor's Cup offers a venue for novice and experienced wrestlers alike to test themselves against the best in the city from the PSAL, CHSAA and independent schools. Only by competing against the best, can you become the best."

The varsity tournament participants will include the top wrestlers in each weight class from the PSAL, CHSAA and independent schools. The meet will also include a novice tournament that will feature wrestlers who are in their first or second year of high school wrestling as well as wrestlers who already have a teammate in their weight class wrestling in the varsity tournament.

The efforts of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association and the Beat the Streets program have increased interest in wrestling throughout the city. This year, 20 additional schools are scheduled to participate, making the Mayor's Cup one of the largest wrestling tournaments ever held in New York City. The top wrestlers will be seeded according to overall winning percentage and whether he/she was a previous champion or placed in a previous championship. The overall team winner will receive the Mayor's Cup trophy along with bragging rights as the best high school wrestling team in New York City.

"The Mayor's Cup culminates a long year, not only for the people who have worked to put this event together, but for all the wrestlers that have trained tirelessly in pursuit of their team and personal goals," said John Welch, president of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association. "Thanks to the Beat the Streets program, the event has grown tremendously since last year. I wish each of the competitors the best of luck as they strive to be crowned the City's best."

The Mayor's Cup is a collaborative effort of the NYC Sports Commission, the Metropolitan Wrestling Association, the 369th Regiment Armory, Beat the Streets, Inc., Martin Luther High School, the PSAL, CHSAA and independent schools.

The 9th grade and 10th grade novice division will kick off the tournament Saturday morning at 8:00am. The 11th grade and 12th grade novice division as well as the girl's competition will start Sunday morning at 8:00am. The varsity division will start on Saturday morning at approximately 9:00am and will conclude with semifinal and final-round matches on Sunday beginning at approximately 1:00pm. The awards ceremonies will take place following the conclusion of the matches at approximately 3:30pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for high school students. Families with more than one child younger than high school-age will be charged $5.00 for the first child, $3.00 for the second and $2.00 for additional children entering at the same time. All tickets can be purchased the day of the event.

Gates will open at 7:30am and the entrance to the 369th Regiment Armory is located at 40 West 143rd Street between Malcolm X Boulevard (Lennox Ave.) and 5th Avenue. The Armory is accessible via public transportation, by taking the 3 train to the 145th Street Station.

For more information, please visit the Sports Commission's Mayor's Cup Wrestling webpage or the Metropolitan Wrestling Association website.

The New York City Sports Commission is the mayoral agency charged with attracting, facilitating and promoting professional, amateur and scholastic sports events in New York City. The Sports Commission has played an integral role in creating or developing many new sporting events, including the NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series™ Champions Week, the BMC Software NYC Cycling Championship, the AVP Brooklyn Open, the NAUTICA NYC Triathlon, the NYC Half-Marathon, the Union Square Street Sessions presented by Jeep®, the Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race, and the Men's Health Urbanathlon.