2026 Beat the Streets Bay Area Oakland Middle School Wrestling League Capstone Tournament
Program Coordinator Olivia Olmedo shares the BTSBA mission, recaps the 2026 Oakland Spring Wrestling League, and previews the final Capstone tournament.
The energy inside the Oakland High School Gymnasium was electric as Beat the Streets Bay Area wrapped up its Oakland Middle School Wrestling League season with our final Capstone Tournament, celebrating a great season of growth, community, and opportunity through wrestling.
The day began bright and early with athletes weighing in at 9:30 AM as wrestlers, coaches, and volunteers filled the gym with excitement and anticipation. With over 40 participants competing throughout the day, the Capstone Tournament represented a culmination of months of hard work from our youth wrestlers across Oakland.
Before matches began, BTSBA welcomed everyone with opening remarks focused on community, sportsmanship, and the mission behind the league. Referees addressed the athletes, coaches shared motivating words with their teams, and the gym quickly transformed into a space filled with encouragement, energy, and pride.
BTSBA also hosted a pre-tournament clinic led by Stanford wrestlers Daniel Cardenas, Lorenzo Norman, and Tye Monteiro. The athletes guided participants through warm-ups, spin drills, single-leg finishes, and high-crotch techniques finishing with a Q and A answering questions from the youth wrestlers. Beyond technique, they shared words of motivation and spoke about discipline, opportunity, and the importance of believing in yourself both on and off the mat. To cap off the clinic, All-American Dan Cardenas stayed afterward to sign autographs and spend time with the youth wrestlers, creating memories many of the kids will carry with them for years to come.
At 11:00 AM, the whistles blew and the competition officially began.
Throughout the day, teammates rallied around one another with cheers echoing throughout the gym. Coaches gave instruction and encouragement while families watched nervously but proudly from the sidelines, hanging onto every scramble, takedown, and near fall. The atmosphere captured exactly what youth sports are all about: competition, determination, support, and connection.
The tournament would not have been possible without the incredible support of volunteers and community members. Special thank you to BTSBA Board Member Robby Smith, who helped serve as Tournament Director and played a major role in organizing the event. We also want to recognize Juana Juarez from our DSAL program in Hayward for volunteering her time helping move mats and assist with table operations throughout the tournament. Photo credits go out to BTSBA Board Member Dustin Tillman.
After a full day of wrestling, athletes were recognized with medals and celebrated together with pizza and community fellowship.
Beat the Streets Bay Area would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the Oakland Athletic League and Oakland Unified School District for their continued partnership and support of youth wrestling opportunities in Oakland.
Most importantly, thank you to every coach, volunteer, parent, official, and athlete who made this season special. From the loud whistles of referees, to the intensity of competition, to the celebration of wins with teammates, the Capstone Tournament showcased the power of wrestling to bring communities together and create meaningful experiences for Oakland youth.
From the Bay to the Mat: Spring Season Finale at Elmhurst United Middle School
On May 2nd, Beat the Streets Bay Area wrapped up the final From the Bay to the Mat spring clinic at Elmhurst United Middle School in Oakland. The clinic brought together youth athletes from across the Bay Area, along with wrestlers from our Oakland middle school league, including Montera Middle School, Edna Brewer Middle School, Madison Park Academy, Melrose Leadership Academy, and Elmhurst United Middle School.
For many of our BTSBA athletes, this was their very first wrestling clinic. While some arrived nervous, there was also a strong sense of excitement throughout the room. BTSBA athletes stepped onto the mat eager to learn, improve, and challenge themselves alongside other wrestlers from across the Bay Area.
The clinic began with an introduction from BTSBA Executive Director Yero Washington, who welcomed athletes and families before introducing an outstanding lineup of clinicians: Daniel Cardenas, a two-time NCAA All-American; EJ Parco, an NCAA qualifier; Angelo Posada, an NCAA All-American; and special guest Solin Piearcy, a Team USA representative and accomplished freestyle wrestler. BTSBA board member Reggie Lee also joined the clinic, stepping onto the mat to support athletes throughout the evening.
Daniel Cardenas kicked off the clinic by reminding athletes that the clinicians were there as resources and encouraging them to never be afraid to ask questions. He then led the group through a high-energy warm-up featuring jogging, bear crawls, and conditioning drills to get athletes moving and ready to work.
Throughout the clinic, Daniel, EJ, Angelo, and Solin worked directly with athletes, offering hands-on instruction and one-on-one support as they broke down fundamental freestyle wrestling techniques. From stance and control drills to leg laces, the clinicians focused on building strong fundamentals while helping athletes gain confidence on the mat.
With guidance from these high-level wrestlers, BTSBA youth had the opportunity to sharpen their technique, learn new skills, and gain valuable experience. While some techniques proved challenging, every athlete showed determination, focus, and motivation to keep improving.
Toward the end of the clinic, athletes and families gathered for a Q&A session with the clinicians. One of the first questions asked was, “What is your favorite thing about wrestling?”
Each clinician shared thoughtful and personal reflections. Some spoke about the peace of mind wrestling gives them, while others talked about the confidence they’ve built through the sport, the opportunity to travel, and the meaningful relationships they’ve formed along the way. Several clinicians also shared their experiences as first-generation college students and explained how wrestling opened doors for them to travel the world and pursue opportunities they never imagined possible.
To close out the day, BTSBA announced the Beyond the Mat Award winner - an athlete who shared that wrestling allows them to express a “wild side” that not everyone gets to see. It was a powerful reminder of how wrestling can help young people build confidence, identity, and self-expression both on and off the mat.
The clinic concluded with a group photo and slices of pizza as athletes, families, coaches, and clinicians celebrated the final From the Bay to the Mat clinic of the spring season together.
This spring series has been an incredible experience, and we’re excited to continue the series again this fall with even more free opportunities for Bay Area wrestlers to learn, grow, and experience the sport of wrestling.
