From the Bay to the Mat: Spring Series Kicks Off Strong at Lincoln High School

We kicked off our spring From the Bay to the Mat series on March 28 at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco. The clinic was led by Beat the Streets Bay Area Associate Program Assistant and Division I All-American wrestler Jaden Abas, who led the session and demonstrated key defensive techniques. More than 35 wrestlers from Lincoln High School, Riordan High School, and the surrounding area showed up ready to train.

We opened with our Beyond the Mat activity, where wrestlers stepped up to share why they love the sport and what it means to them beyond competing. They spoke about the discipline and resilience wrestling demands, and the strong sense of community and belonging they’ve found through their teams.

Our Associate Director of Operations, Olivia Olmedo, then introduced the organization and provided an overview of our mission, upcoming opportunities, and the purpose behind these clinics, which is to provide free access to high-level training while creating opportunities for wrestlers to learn, grow, and build community in the Bay Area.

Jaden Abas led the technical portion of the clinic, centering the session on freestyle wrestling. He broke things down into five core defensive concepts he emphasizes in his training: strong head position, the down block, the sprawl, far-foot defense, and the Abas roll. As he moved through each position, he slowed the room down to focus on the details—positioning, timing, and execution—challenging wrestlers to be intentional with every rep and begin developing their own style.

As each technique was introduced, wrestlers took turns stepping in to demonstrate what they had learned. The room stayed active as athletes asked questions, made adjustments on the fly, and worked through each rep with purpose.

We closed the clinic with a game that tested reaction time and reinforced key concepts from the training, including positioning, motion, and creativity. Wrestlers partnered up to play Shoulder Tag, where each athlete worked to create an opening to tag their opponent’s shoulder while hand-fighting.

As a closing ceremony, we returned to our Beyond the Mat reflection board and recognized one wrestler whose response stood out, awarding them a prize for their thoughtful effort and the way they represented their community.

We’re grateful for the support from parents, student-athletes, and mentors who made this clinic possible. It was a strong start to the series and we look forward to our future training: Sequoia High School in Redwood City with Tyler Knox and in Oakland with Daniel Cardenas.

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.