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Olivia Olmedo 1/16/26 Olivia Olmedo 1/16/26

Beat the Streets Bay Area Youth Wrestling Luncheon Recap

On Sunday, January 4, Beat the Streets Bay Area welcomed youth wrestling supporters and community partners to Stanford University for a Youth Wrestling Luncheon. The event brought together supporters, athletes, and families to celebrate the impact of wrestling and the continued growth of the sport across the Bay Area.

Two-time Olympic champion, USA Wrestling President, and wrestling legend Bruce Baumgartner joined the luncheon as a special guest and spoke about the role wrestling plays in youth development. He shared his personal connection to the sport and highlighted how wrestling builds confidence, strength, discipline, and life skills, reinforcing the importance of investing in youth through strong community support.

Bella, a Cardinal Wrestling Club athlete, also shared how wrestling has positively impacted her life. She spoke about the coaching support and sense of community she has found through the sport, and how those experiences continue to help her grow as both a wrestler and a person. Her remarks were a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Executive Director Yero Washington outlined the mission of Beat the Streets Bay Area and shared plans to expand and strengthen programming in additional Bay Area cities, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to increasing access to wrestling for youth. To close the luncheon, Board Chairman Brian Guerrero shared remarks on the organization’s progress and the exciting next chapter for BTSBA.

Before transitioning to the Stanford vs. Iowa State dual, attendees listened in on pre-match strategies during a chalk talk led by Stanford Wrestling Head Coach Chris Ayres. Following the luncheon, guests traveled to Maples Pavilion for the dual, where Bruce Baumgartner led the national anthem and was recognized for his lasting impact on the sport.

Program and Communications Assistant Jaden Abas led the BTSBA youth handshake with Iowa State wrestlers, while Lori Ayres led Cardinal Wrestling Club youth alongside the Stanford team. BTSBA funded up to 200 young wrestlers from clubs across the Bay Area to attend, contributing to an energetic crowd of more than 2,200 fans, the largest turnout in Stanford Wrestling history.

The event also featured a women’s freestyle exhibition match hosted by BTSBA and Titan Mercury Wrestling Club between Alex Glaude and Solin Piearcy, giving youth athletes the opportunity to see high-level women’s wrestling in action. Several BTSBA girls shared their excitement about watching strong female competitors on the mat. The dual delivered competitive matches throughout, with Iowa State edging Stanford by one point. Afterward, Stanford wrestlers, along with Glaude and Solin Piearcy, stayed to sign autographs and connect with youth wrestlers, creating lasting memories to close the day.

The Youth Wrestling Luncheon and Stanford dual showcased the power of wrestling to bring people together, inspire young athletes, and strengthen community. Beat the Streets Bay Area is grateful to everyone who attended and continues to support our mission of positively impacting the lives of Bay Area youth through wrestling.

Olivia Olmedo 11/14/25 Olivia Olmedo 11/14/25

2025 South Bay League Ends the Season on a High Note

November 7th marked an exciting and memorable day to end our 2025 Fall BTS BA South Bay League, held in partnership with the Evergreen School District.

We were thrilled to welcome 85 young wrestlers, many competing in their very first sports tournament ever!

Warm-Ups

The afternoon began calmly as wrestlers arrived at Quimby Middle School in San Jose, preparing for their final tournament of the season.
After finishing their hour-long study session, they gathered on the three mats and began warm-ups led by Coach Sergio Hernandez, head coach for Holly Oak and Evergreen. His leadership and strong relationship with the teams helped ease their nerves and build excitement for the competition ahead.

Following stretches and jogging, Program Assistant Jaden Abas joined Coach Sergio to lead a short “mini-clinic,” refreshing wrestlers on key techniques and lessons they’ve learned throughout the past two months. This refresh helped give wrestlers the confidence they needed to get on the mat later in the day.

The four participating teams, Holly Oak, O.B. Whaley, K. Smith, and Evergreen, showed impressive focus and determination. Between drills, you could hear murmurs and whispers of encouragement shared between the wrestlers, helping each other shake off nerves and get mentally ready to compete.

Matches Begin

At 3:00 p.m. sharp, BTS BA staff and Evergreen coaches kicked off the tournament with introductions and a special appearance by EJ Parco and Grigor Cholakyan from Stanford University. They shared advice and encouragement with the wrestlers before matches began across all three mats.

As the competition got underway, parents and friends filled the gym with cheers and support, creating an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and positivity.

Even in the face of tough matches, coaches provided steady guidance-helping athletes channel their emotions and turn challenges into learning moments.

Our Stanford guests also took time to mentor wrestlers, emphasizing the importance of experience, perseverance, and seeing failure as a key part of growth.

Closing Moments

After three hours filled with pure wrestling, the final matches wrapped up and the award ceremony began. Smiles, claps, and cheers filled the gym as each wrestler proudly stepped forward to receive their medal.

We ended the day with a big group photo and heartfelt thanks to our dedicated South Bay coaches: Sergio Hernandez, Fabiola Gonzalez, Tien Mai, DeAnte Whitman, Eleni Fakaosi, and Amber Schneider. Their leadership, passion, and dedication to making the most of the time with their teams, resulting in exceptional programs.

After refueling with some well-deserved pizza, our wrestlers headed home, marking the close of the 2025 South Bay Elementary League season!

Looking ahead, BTS BA hopes to continue serving Evergreen and San Jose youth through future community programs, clinics, and other opportunities to grow through wrestling.

A special thank you to all our South Bay Elementary League coaches and to the Evergreen School District for their ongoing enthusiasm and support.

We’re excited for what’s next in our partnership with Evergreen and the greater San Jose community.