NEWS
Evergreen Students Bring the Energy: 2025 South Bay Elementary League Kicks Off!
Evergreen Elementary
Last week, Beat the Streets Bay Area partnered with the Evergreen School District to host four high-energy assemblies that brought wrestling to life for students across the community. Filled with laughter, movement, and lessons on focus, resilience, and confidence. These events kicked off the launch of the 2025 South Bay Elementary Wrestling League, signaling a new chapter for BTSBA and Evergreen.
To the Mat with Evergreen
Over 400 Students from Katherine Smith, Holly Oak, Evergreen, and OB Whaley Elementary Schools filled the gyms with excitement as BTSBA’s newest team member Jaden Abas led fun, interactive demonstrations. From Simon Says stance focus challenges to confidently shaking hands and even rhythm-inspired warm-ups, kids learned that wrestling isn’t just about competition—it’s about balance, community, and growth.
Building Life-Skills
The assemblies highlighted what wrestling can do for kids:
Focus: Encouraging students to pay attention to their homework or chores and stay locked in to the present moment
Resilience: Adopting a growth mindset and learning to get back up when life slams/suplexes you.
Confidence: Promoting courage to step on the mat by themselves and seek to adopt complex skill development, sparking increased pride and self-esteem.
Community: A chance to belong, grow, and support each other with friends.
Health: Emphasis on positive eating/hygiene habits taught in wrestling.
Announcing the 2025 South Bay Elementary Wrestling League
Beat the Streets Bay Area is proud to launch the 2025 South Bay Elementary Wrestling League in partnership with Evergreen School District.
Who: Grades 4–6 (ages 9–11)
Where: Katherine Smith, Holly Oak, Evergreen, and OB Whaley
Coaches: Tien Mai, Fabiola Gonzalez, Eleni Fakaosi, Sergio Hernandez
Practice Days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
First Practice: Monday, September 22, 2025
Note: Each program is hosted at its respective school and is only open to students enrolled at that school.
A Movement Begins
The Evergreen assemblies were just the spark. As we launch the South Bay League, we’re building more than wrestling programs. Together, we’re building confidence, creating community, and shaping a Bay Area where young people flourish.
Congratulations to the 120+ students stepping onto the mat this fall.— see you on the mats!
“Young people will find their path if given the chance to walk it.”
Stay Connected
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, Linkedin: [@BeatTheStreetsBayArea]
Visit our website: btsbayarea.org
Want to get involved? Click here to see how! Or email info@btsba.org for more information.
Beat the Streets Bay Area Hosts First-Ever Annual Coaches & Mentors Training!
This past Saturday, August 23rd, Beat the Streets Bay Area proudly hosted our first-ever Coach and Mentor Training—a powerful day of connection, learning, and leadership development. With over 35 coaches and mentors from the BTSBA community and beyond in attendance, this event also marked the exciting launch of our new partnership with Beat the Streets Los Angeles.
On the Mat with Coach Chris Ayres
We kicked off the morning with an inspiring On the Mat session led by Stanford University’s Division I Head Coach, Chris Ayres. Coach Ayres began with a thought-provoking conversation about what it truly means to be a coach. Drawing from his own journey, he emphasized the importance of mentorship—even through challenging seasons—and how success is measured by the impact and growth with your athletes- not just wins.
Our coaches engaged in a dynamic dialogue, asking meaningful questions and reflecting on how mentorship forms the foundation of effective coaching.
Coaching with Empathy: Positive Coaching Alliance
Following our morning session, we dove into an interactive workshop with JT from Positive Coaching Alliance. Coaches explored the "Why, How, and What" behind their coaching philosophies in a hands-on session that sparked laughter, movement, and thoughtful conversation.
This Coaching with Empathy segment gave coaches tools to stay emotionally connected to their athletes while fostering a positive and growth-focused team environment.
Play, Practice & Positivity with BTSLA
To wrap up the day, Mallory Velte and Carl Fonhofer from Beat the Streets Los Angeles brought the group back to the mats with a fun and engaging session filled with games and drills. Their energy was contagious as they demonstrated ways to keep practices exciting, build team spirit, and create a space where wrestlers want to return again and again.
Coaches left with practical takeaways on how to keep youth athletes engaged, motivated, and smiling throughout the season.
Building a Coaching Community
This training is just the beginning. The energy, commitment, and participation we saw on Saturday show that we’re building more than just coaching skills—we’re building a community.
As we look ahead to future training, events, and seasons, we’re excited to continue strengthening this network of mentors, leaders, and changemakers.
Here’s to the start of a new chapter—for BTSBA and the young athletes we serve!
