Palumbo power
It was fun to read the front-page article by Mark Zimmaro in last week’s South Philly Review (“Strength in numbers for Palumbo wrestling,” Dec. 18). It describes the involvement of two students from the High School for Creative and Performing Arts or CAPA in a special wrestling team at the Academy at Palumbo.
The students, Amir Faublas and Will Riley, are part of a team of high school wrestlers called Griffins that keeps recruiting more members of different weights. They are trained by dedicated coaches and their assistants who keep everyone practicing their wrestling skills while maintaining order.
I was pleased to read that they are also recruiting a girls team. They are working on filling a full roster. They are fortunate to have two separate rooms to accommodate male and female athletes. Growing the team is the goal.
The strength in numbers means a couple of things. It is the strength from weight and the strength of increasing the number of athletes on the team. So recruitment is important, but so is good training and team spirit.
Of course I am curious how these student-athletes manage to fit all this activity into their schedules. Apparently the whole effort is carefully managed and the coaches are experts in working with young people.
Anything that keeps all these talented students fully occupied and experiencing success has to be encouraged. So bravo to the coaches and other staff who contribute to this very energetic and unique program.
Gloria C. Endres
