Being a teenager isn’t easy. Dating, tests, peer pressures, sometimes it can be too much. And, when you add growing up economically disadvantaged, the obstacles can seem insurmountable.
The new episode of Independent Lens titled, Wrestle, airs at 9 p.m., Monday, May 20 on the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).
Wrestle follows four members of an underdog high-school wrestling team in Huntsville, Alabama. Go inside the lives of these young men as they attend J.O. Johnson High School, a longstanding entry on Alabama’s list of failing schools. Teammates Jailen, Jamario, Teague and Jaquan face challenges far beyond a shot at the state championship: splintered families, drug use, teenage pregnancy, mental health struggles and run-ins with the law. All threatening to derail their athletic success and lock doors that might open for them in the future.
Taken from more than 650 hours of footage shot during the team’s final season, Wrestle shows a deeply affecting depiction of what it means to grow-up disadvantaged in America.
OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life. We do this by consistently engaging Oklahomans with educational and public television programming, providing educational training and curriculum, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. For more information about education curriculum and programs, local productions, digital television, community resources and show schedules explore OETA.tv or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.