BEAT THE STREETS LOS ANGELES BLOG

For Tomorrow’s Leaders, preparing for the future means thinking beyond their next match. On Sunday, October 4, our third Tomorrow’s Leaders workshop introduced over 60 student-athletes to college planning by guiding them through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, sharing information on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility and recruitment, and offering insights from accomplished wrestler Joey McKenna. The first portion of the w

Ten years after first joining Beat the Streets Los Angeles as a 12-year-old wrestler, John Islas has been named BTSLA’s first-ever Leader of the Year, recognizing his leadership, dedication, and commitment to giving back to the next generation of student-athletes. Today, the 22-year-old stands in the corner as a coach, but in 2016, he was the young wrestler stepping onto the mat. “I was hooked. My mom couldn't get me off of wrestling. That's all I ever thought about. That's

On Sunday, September 27th, athletes arrived bright and early for the second Tomorrow’s Leaders workshop. The workshop drew record attendance, with over 93 young athletes checking in for an exciting day ahead. These young wrestlers started their day off with a Communication and Career Skills Workshop. The workshop featured students rotating in groups through one of our four stations, run internally by Beat the Streets Los Angeles staff. The first station focused on writing pr

Athletes arrived at Belmont High School on Sunday, September 20th, excited to kick off the 2026–2027 Tomorrow’s Leaders season. Over 88 student-athletes attended the program’s first workshop. Before beginning their enrichment activities, athletes attended a brief session held by Mallory Velte on the rules and expectations for the upcoming season. They learned how to qualify for the 2027 National Camp and Duals, which will be held in Los Angeles this year Afterward, participan

In January 2026, Beat the Streets Los Angeles hosted our Summer Enrichment Fundraiser, which showcased firsthand how BTSLA’s programs support young wrestlers across the greater Los Angeles area. The following offers a glimpse at what we were able to accomplish this summer with your generous support. We served over 100 student-athletes through camps, university visits, scholarships, and our National Team trip. BTSLA flew 35 boys and girls to Cleveland, Ohio, to participate in

A great season begins with great coaches who are prepared to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact. This past weekend, more than 66 head, volunteer, and Tomorrow’s Leaders coaches from across Los Angeles County attended Beat the Streets Los Angeles’ annual Coach and Mentor Training. The weekend focused on strengthening coaching practices, building community, and preparing participants to support student-athletes throughout the upcoming 2026-2027 season. We started bright a

From learning how to build a balanced meal to forming a championship mindset, Beat the Streets Los Angeles student-athletes spent three days learning, training, and growing during the 2026 Summer Wrestling Academy at Belmont High School. From July 14 to July 16, the summer academy brought together over 40 elementary, middle, and high school athletes for a combination of wrestling instruction and enrichment. While strengthening their skills on the mat, athletes also explored t

This summer, Beat the Streets Los Angeles brought 36 student-athletes to Cleveland, Ohio, for the 5th Annual Beat the Streets National Camp & Duals. Joining 13 Beat the Streets chapters from across the country, our athletes spent the week exploring college campuses, training with elite coaches, building friendships, and competing against talented wrestlers from different cities, states, and backgrounds. The week began with a visit to Kent State University, where athletes tour

Tomorrow’s Leaders concluded its 2025–2026 season on Sunday, May 17, with a special athletic training and wrestling clinic that brought together over 55 athletes for the program’s final workshop of the year. The event marked the close of our 10-workshop season, ending the year with a full day of education, skill development, and high-level training. The classroom session featured athletic trainers from Pepperdine University; Carlos Gonzalez, Joleen Galeazzi-Pimentel, and Adri

The All Valley Wrestling Championship brought together athletes, coaches, families, and supporters from across Los Angeles County for a day of competition at Canoga Park High School. Co-hosted by Topanga PAL and Beat the Streets Los Angeles, the event welcomed 244 student-athletes who stepped onto the mats ready to compete and take home a medal. Wrestling took place throughout the day with nonstop action across every division. Brackets were designed to match athletes by exper