West Philly team wins national crown in sport of kings

Philadelphia’s own “Cowtown Work to Ride” polo team made history this weekend, becoming the first all African American polo team to win the U.S. Polo Association Interscholastic Championship.  The Work to Ride program is a non-profit based in Fairmount Park that serves inner city youth .  The team beat one from Baltimore 24 to 17 to take the national title.

The win caps a year of firsts for the Work to Ride polo team.  Several weeks ago, the West Philadelphia teens became the first all African American team to win a regional championship.  Now, they’re number one in the nation.

“Emotionally, I didn’t know how to react,” said team captain Kareem Rosser.  

Rosser says he promised his two teammates, younger brother Daymar, and Brandon Rease, that he wouldn’t let them down.  They said the same.

“You know, not only did we do it for each other, but we did it for the polo community, and we did it for every other African American young boy who comes from where we come from,” said Rosser.  “You know we wanted to let everyone know that it was possible, and that whatever you put your mind to, you can actually do.”

Rosser earned top honors, becoming the number one all-star at the tournament.