Philly Wrestling

Barry Lynch and Brandon Bingham are from Amarillo, Texas. They are supporters of the PRTC and all that the organization stands for. This is the story of how they came to support an organization that's in a different city and in a different time zone.

Doug Zapf is currently a professional athlete representing the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center and Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. He is a graduate of Downingtown West High School and the University of Pennsylvania. A high school state champion, 3x NCAA National Qualifier, and U23 Freestyle National Champion, Doug shares his journey through the sport of wrestling and his leadership development.

CJ Composto is a student-athlete at the University of Pennsylvania. A native of New Jersey, he is a two time state place winner and a 2022 NCAA All-American. Currently on a gap year from school, CJ shares his thoughts about the Philly Wrestling ecosystem including his training with the PRTC and his experience with Beat the Streets.

Bryan Pearsall is the Associate Head Coach for Penn Wrestling. He shares his story of getting involved with wrestling at an early age, competing on three NCAA Championship teams at Penn State, and his thoughts about the current status and future of Penn Wrestling.

CJ LaFragola grew up in South Jersey excelling as a multi-sport athlete. He chose to pursue wrestling at the NCAA Division 1 level leading him to Brown University. CJ was a 3x NCAA National qualifier for the Bears. Upon graduation, he moved on to Sacred Heart University and played football and baseball. Currently an amateur MMA fighter, CJ is an assistant coach at Drexel University where he is, arguably, the best dressed coach on staff.

Roger Reina coached two athletes who competed against each other for an Olympic Team spot. His assistant coach, Brian Dolph went up against his prized recruit and All-American student-athlete, Brandon Slay in the 2000 USA Olympic Team trials. Coach Reina shares his thoughts about creating a team through wrestle-offs and his experience having coached two athletes competing for American wrestling's ultimate goal.

Gina Perry, a mother of four children with PRTC Senior Athlete Richard Perry, is a writer and influential force in social media who has endless amounts of positive energy. Gina shares her behind the scenes story of what the Philadelphia wrestling community means to her. From her relationship with Rich and the PRTC to her involvement with Beat the Streets and the Overcomer Trainer Center, Gina provides a unique perspective of the sport that means so much to her family.

Ben Reiter is a University of Pennsylvania graduate who went on to have a successful MMA career in South America. His life mission has been to serve others through non-profit initiatives at home and abroad. Ben has held roles of Director of Mentoring and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Beat The Streets Philly. He is now the National Director of the organization that has helped change the trajectory of so many young lives.

Max and Caleb Livingston grew up in Upper Darby and competed under Bob Martin at Upper Darby High School. Caleb became an NCAA Division 1 walk-on at Penn State University. Max wrestled for Drexel University. Both athletes have competed professionally in MMA. Their stories are unique and inspiring. #UpperDarby #DrexelUniversity #PennStateUniversity #MMA #BJJ #Wrestling

Michael Gadsby is a graduate of LaSalle College High School and the University of Pennsylvania. Mike is involved in many different entities within the Philadelphia Wrestling Community. From Beat the Streets and PAL to UPenn and Drexel, Mike can be seen and heard helping, mentoring, and coaching future leaders. #O3World #Wrestling #UPenn #WIBN #BeatTheStreets #PAL #Drexel #LaSalleCollegeHighSchool

Two time NCAA All-American B.J. Futrell is the first PRTC Senior Athlete to qualify for a US National Team. After successful decade of competing at the senior level, Futrell is now the assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania. Honing his skills as a mentor for Beat The Streets Philly, Futrell is looking forward to helping the Quakers work towards capturing EIWA and Ivy League titles

Scotty Parker grew up in the Philadelphia area. He attended Pennridge High School where he was a three time Pennsylvania state medalist. He went on to compete at Lehigh University becoming a two time NCAA All-American. Upon graduation, Scotty took a job on Wall Street. Realizing the corporate life was not for him, he moved back to Philly and connected with Drexel head coach Matt Azevedo. Now the top assistant for the Dragons, Coach Parker has big goals for the team and is looking forward to a successful 2021-22 season. #ScottyParker #NCAAWrestling #DrexelUniversity #PennridgeHighSchool #LehighUniversity #DrexelAthletics #wrestling

Richard Perry first started wrestling at his high school in Connecticut. He learned quickly how to succeed on the mat. The 2x State Champion went on to Bloomsburg University where he had over 100 wins and was a 3x NCAA Division 1 Championship Qualifier. He began his international career and took a quick trajectory towards freestyle success. After qualifying to be on the 2018 USA Wrestling National Team, Richard suffered a traumatic brain injury during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton, California. As he continues his rehabilitation from that tragic accident, Richard shares his story of being an overcomer and what it means to be a part of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center. #RichardPerry #OlympicWrestling #USAWrestling #Overcomer #PRTC #PhillyWrestling

Will Schwartz had a less than 35% chance of survival after having been born three months premature. He weighed less than 900 grams and was about 12". The ventilator machine that helped him breathe was dialed to the highest setting. According to Will, his only chance was to adapt and survive. He has taken that approach his whole life including the time he spends on the mat. Will wrestles for the NCAA Division 3 Ursinus College Bears at 125lbs.

Evan Botwin was born and raised in Philly. He spent his youth wrestling for the local Police Athletic League program. He went on to compete for Wyoming Seminary and Duke University. Evan is an account manager for Red Hat and the Co-Chairman of the Membership Committee for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Wrestlers in Business Network.

Mike Vespa produced the WIBN/PRTC Summit events in January and February of 2021. His world class productions brought a lot of energy to Philadelphia and the local wrestling community. He has teamed up with local real estate entrepreneur Zac Pierce to host a wrestling clinic this July featuring Olympic Gold Medalist and 2x UFC World Champion Henry Cejudo. Other clinicians will be NCAA Champions AJ Ferrari and Mark Hall, and Pan Champion Joey McKenna. Mike has been in the sport for twenty years and is passionate about providing quality content to wrestling fans.

Michael Crowley was born and raised in South Jersey just a short distance from Center City Philadelphia. He's a three time high school state qualifier and a two time regional champion. With Michael's help, Underground Wrestling was able to provide training facilities for the Senior Level athletes at the PRTC during the COVID pandemic. Michael has a passion for the sport and is in the wrestling room almost every day.

James Mangan was born and raised in Philadelphia. He began wrestling at the age of eight at the local Police Athletic League. It was there that he learned leadership skills and the importance of community. James has brought those skills and values with him as he leads one of the city's most effective sports based social impact organizations.

Roger Reina is an icon of the wrestling community in and around Philadelphia. At 24yrs old, he became a head coach for his alma mater. For several decades he has built a successful program with a lasting legacy. Coach Reina shares his thoughts about his program and the future of wrestling in Philadelphia.

In this episode, I talk with successful entrepreneur, Zac Pierce. Zac wrestled at Upper Darby High School where he was a Pennsylvania State Qualifier. Prominent in the local multi-family real estate sector, he has recently closed a transaction in Philadelphia worth $160 million which was the largest of its type in the history of the city. Zac mentors young people who have a passion for learning and gaining valuable life experience.

David McFadden is a Senior Level Athlete competing for the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center. On this episode, David shares his journey towards becoming a professional athlete and what it means for him to be a part of the Philadelphia wrestling community.

In this episode we talk with Drexel University Head Wrestling Coach Matt Azevedo. Coach Azevedo is in his tenth year at the helm for the Dragons.       

Josh Walker is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Executive Director for Team Impact. Team Impact is a non-profit organization that matches college programs with children living with chronic illness.  The former Penn State University wrestling team captain shares his journey in the sport and what led him to get involved with Team Impact.  Josh lives in the Philadelphia region and we connected through Philly Wrestling online.

Olympic Gold Medalist Brandon Slay is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center. The PRTC is designed to fuel the Olympic Dream by providing a premier training environment, Olympic level coaches, and experienced training partners.  Coach Slay discusses his role in helping to build the PRTC and his plans for the future.

This is part two of episode 3 where Joe talks about applying for the head coaching job at Ursinus.

Joe Jamison was born and raised in the Philly Area.  He graduated from Archbishop Wood High School and Kings College. Joe was a long time assistant coach under Chris Ayres at Princeton University. He recently took over the storied Ursinus College Wrestling Program. A high energy guy, Coach Jamison is eternally optimistic.  We had planned to talk for about thirty minutes. Well, that turned into two hours of Joe sharing his story, his philosophies, and his hopes for the future.  This is the first of two episodes with Coach Joe Jamison.

Current Drexel University student-athlete, Max Livingston, talks about his six teammates who have qualified for the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Championships to be held in St. Louis beginning on March 18th.  Max gives great insight to wrestlers Julian Flores, Luke Nichter, Parker Kropman, Evan Barzak, Mickey O'Malley, and Brian McLaughlin.

Here's a brief introduction to Philly Wrestling. Enjoy!