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.

Investing in Coaches and Strengthening Our Community

Sunday, February 15, Beat the Streets Bay Area hosted our Coach and Mentor Training, bringing together 30 coaches from Oakland and South San Francisco ahead of the Oakland Middle School Spring League. The training brought together a strong group of returning BTSBA coaches alongside a prospective cohort eager to learn more about our programming and coaching opportunities.

The day began with an on-the-mat technical demonstration from Jaden Abas, a Division I All-American wrestler and BTSBA Associate Program Assistant. During his session, Abas shared coaching techniques that helped him build strong relationships with his students, emphasizing the importance of coaches truly understanding the individuals in front of them. He encouraged coaches to develop wrestlers based on their unique goals and abilities, reinforcing that an individual-focused coaching style allows coaches to meet athletes where they are and help them grow from there, keeping the sport accessible, beginner-friendly, and rooted in an atmosphere of encouragement and learning.

Abas’ training portion centered on reinforcing the fundamentals, helping student-athletes build a strong base, defend properly, and maintain a solid stance. A strong understanding and execution of these basics give young wrestlers the confidence and freedom to begin developing their own personal style. He then opened the floor for questions, allowing time for conversations around practices and coaching approaches. Coaches asked questions specific to their programs and shared techniques they’ve found effective within their own teams.

After lunch, the group transitioned into a powerful workshop led by guest speaker “JT the Mentor Coach” on “Coaching and Mental Wellness.” With over 25 years of experience in youth development and 15 years of coaching, JT guided coaches through conversations about supporting youth who carry different forms of trauma, navigating parenting dynamics, and mentoring students through life’s challenges. The workshop created a space for vulnerability and reflection, allowing coaches to share their own stories and struggles while discussing the balance between being both a coach and a mentor.

So many of our coaches show up for their wrestlers far beyond the sport, and the positive impact they have — through guidance, consistency, and care — continues to shape the next generation of leaders for good. Trainings like this one matter because real impact begins with the mentors in the room. When we invest in our coaches first, we strengthen the foundation that supports our entire community and empowers our youth.

Olivia Olmedo, Associate Director of Operations at BTSBA, closed out the day by revisiting our mission and walking coaches through the Team Binder to ensure everyone remains aligned with our mission as we continue building. As we often do, we ended in a huddle, sharing our vision for expanding into San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, and beyond.