CATASAUQUA, Pa. — Recruiting and mentoring the next generation of Pennsylvanians through a day on the wrestling mat.
At the Grappling with the Law event at Catasauqua High School, Pennsylvania State Troopers and Lehigh University wrestlers faced off against high school wrestlers and potentially our next generation of troopers.
In the high school gym, skills are being learned.
“They showed a lot of useful techniques in folk style and freestyle,” said Madeleine Ramos, a freshman at Pocono East High School.
Connections are also being made.
“We are trying to see who is better. Who is the best. I always like competition,” said junior Bruno Gomez.
The Pennsylvania State Police Grappling with the Law initiative is in its second year and for the first time, it’s happening in the Lehigh Valley.
“You can come in for free, clear your head, practice your craft and leave all the stress you’ve had from the weekend or summer and just focus on this,” said junior Axel Alvarado.
High School wrestlers are learning from Pennsylvania State Troopers and college wrestlers about the sport and about life.
“Beyond the wrestling aspect this gives us the opportunity as a department to work with young men and young women in our community in a positive way,” said Trooper Joseph Dunsmore.
The event is an opportunity for mentorship…meeting kids where they are. It is about developing a good relationship and engaging in a positive encounter, while also showing them that they too can succeed in a career of law enforcement.
“Pennsylvania is the hot bed of wrestling in the country so it gives us an opportunity as a department to connect with kids over the mutual interest and love of the sport of wrestling,” said Dunsmore.