Champion martial artist takes over CNY girls wrestling program, wants to turn her athletes into ‘superheroes’

Updated: Dec. 24, 2025, 8:00 a.m.J-D girls wrestling coach April Parks, right, works with wrestler Abigail Benziger at a preseason practice.Lindsay Kramer | LKramer@syracus By Lindsay Kramer | lkramer@syracuse.com Syracuse, N.Y. — Ever since April Parks was a little girl burning off energy by climbing trees in her neighborhood, she’s never stopped reaching for the next athletic challenge. It’s been a long, painful and ultimately rewarding journey, and one that has now brought her to the gym in Jamesville-DeWitt. Parks, one of the most accomplished female athletes in the history of Section III, is the head coach of the new Red Rams girls varsity wrestling program. Right now, that puts her in...