Inside Our NCAA Finals Watch Party
On Saturday, March 21, Beat the Streets Bay Area brought the wrestling community together for our NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Finals Watch Party at Club Sportiva in San Jose.
From the moment the doors opened, there was a buzz in the air. Families, coaches, and athletes traveled in from across the Bay Area—San Francisco, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Gilroy, and Tracy—all gathering in one place, connected by a shared love for wrestling.
Before the first whistle, Beat the Streets Bay Area Executive Director Yero Washington welcomed the crowd, taking a moment to thank everyone for showing up and continuing to invest in the growth of wrestling in the Bay. His message was simple but powerful: this community is still growing, and everyone in the room is part of that story.
As the finals began at 3:30 PM, the room settled in. Wrestlers and teams from across the bay including: Galileo High School, Lincoln High School, Sunnyvale Wrestling Club, Cardinal Wrestling Club, Open Mat Academy, and Kaitoa filled the space, creating a relaxed, family-style atmosphere. People gathered around a buffet-style spread of classic game day favorites, from sliders and wings to nachos and more, and jumped into their Pick-Em predictions.
Then came one of the most anticipated moments of the night: the 149-pound final.
Aden Valencia, a Northern California native, stepped onto the mat, and instantly the room came alive. People stood, voices rose, and the energy shifted into something electric. As the action unfolded, the crowd stayed locked in, and when it was over, Aden Valencia (Stanford) defeated Shayne Van Ness (Penn State). The room erupted with cheers and celebration.
Later in the evening, Carl Fronhofer spoke to the room, reinforcing the mission behind it all—continuing to build opportunities, expand programs, and strengthen the wrestling community across the Bay Area. He emphasized the importance of creating access for the next generation and the role the community plays in supporting that growth.
Carl also took a special moment to recognize and celebrate the women in attendance, highlighting their impact and continued rise within the sport. He gave a shoutout to the female wrestlers in the room, acknowledging their dedication, achievements, and the example they set for younger female athletes both in the room and beyond.
We wrapped up the night by announcing the winners of the Pick-Em contest, awarding BTSBA t-shirts and stickers to those who predicted seven or more matches.
Thank you to everyone who showed up. Your support continues to help us grow the sport and build a stronger wrestling community across the Bay Area.