Bay Area Coaches Prepare to Make an Impact
On Saturday, August 22, Beat the Streets Bay Area brought together 35 coaches from across Northern California for our fall Coach & Mentor Training. The day centered on building connections, preparing for the upcoming wrestling season, and learning how to create positive environments where young athletes can thrive.
The training was held at John F. Kennedy High School with support from Coach Jay Jackson, who coaches at JFK. The school also has a strong connection to BTSBA through Board Member Dustin Tillman, another member of its coaching staff; his involvement and Jay’s support reflect the strong relationship between JFK and the BTSBA community.
Coaches traveled from San Jose, Oakland, South San Francisco, Tracy, Burlingame, and surrounding communities to participate. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences created valuable opportunities to learn from one another while strengthening their shared commitment to supporting young athletes.
After a light breakfast and time to connect, the training began with an interactive workshop led by Coach Joseph Thomas, known as Coach JT. A life coach, mentor, former multisport athlete, and certified trainer with more than two decades of experience, Coach JT focused his session on empathetic coaching and the important role coaches play in shaping their athletes’ lives.
The workshop encouraged coaches to look beyond wins, losses, and technical development to consider how their communication, leadership, and relationships can influence young people. Coaches explored ways to create environments where athletes feel supported, challenged, and valued. By leading with empathy, coaches can build stronger relationships, communicate more effectively, and help young people navigate challenges both on the wrestling mat and in life.
Following the workshop, coaches moved into the wrestling room for an on-the-mat session led by Yero Washington, Executive Director of Beat the Streets Bay Area and Beat the Streets Los Angeles. The session combined wrestling fundamentals with a deeper conversation about the responsibilities that come with serving as both a coach and mentor.
Coaches put the ideas discussed earlier in the day into practice by exploring how to teach effectively, reinforce positive behavior, and turn everyday interactions into meaningful opportunities for mentorship. The session concluded with a Q&A, giving coaches time to ask questions and share lessons from their own experiences.
The day concluded with a review of the Beat the Streets Team Binder, which provided coaches with the information, resources, and expectations they need to stay organized and effectively support their athletes throughout the season.
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.
