Beat The Streets Animated Video: Mckenzie Samuels misses wrestling more than ever

For Truman High School junior Mckenzie Samuels, going through the COVID-19 quarantine felt like she was finally given the chance to breathe again.


Before the enactment of New York City’s stay-at-home order, Samuel recounts struggling to keep up with the overwhelming flurry of day-to-day responsibilities. Now, however, she feels as if the pace of life has slowed and that an opportunity has finally opened up for her to explore new interests.


“Before the pause, I was sleep-deprived and swamped with work,” Samuels said. “This break from the world has allowed me to pursue passions I’ve never had the time for before.”


In addition to fostering new interests, Samuels believes the quarantine has also increased her appreciation for wrestling. With mats and wrestling rooms closed off, her only interaction with the sport has come from videos and Beat the Streets online programming.


Now she says she misses it more than ever.


“I took wrestling for granted," Samuels said. "This time away from the sport has shown me that, if anything, wresting was one of the few things keeping me sane.”


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Video from Nate Milton/Beat the Streets NYC Wrestling