LEXINGTON, Va. — Washington and Lee University recently hosted a group of student-athletes from the Beat the Streets (BTS) Chicago chapter for an immersive experience that combined wrestling, academic exploration, and outdoor adventure, marking the latest development in a growing partnership between the University and the nationally recognized nonprofit.

Beat the Streets, a nationwide organization that empowers youth from underserved communities through wrestling and mentorship, offers year-round training, academic support, and leadership development. The Chicago chapter alone serves more than 3,000 students annually.

The visit, held in June, offered participants a window into the academic, athletic, and communal life at Washington and Lee, while also fostering a deeper sense of resilience and teamwork through shared challenges — including a hike to Devil's Marbleyard and an outing to Panther Falls.
"My experience at Washington & Lee was one of the most enriching and enjoyable parts of this trip," said Lila Vazquez, a rising freshman at Saint Ignatius High School and BTS Chicago wrestler. "Climbing the Devil's Marbleyard and visiting Panther Falls was the coolest thing I have ever done… Our stay at Washington & Lee was of top-notch quality."

The initiative was spearheaded by Head Wrestling Coach Nathan Shearer, who has been involved with Beat the Streets since attending the organization's 2012 gala in New York City. Shearer's commitment to the organization has brought multiple BTS chapters to campus since 2019, aligning W&L wrestling with the mission to build "Life Champions."

Current team members, including rising juniors Tharun Svetanant and Jacob Wright, as well as rising sophomore Sam Tignor, supported the wrestling sessions throughout the visit. Additionally, alumnus Riley Parker '22 brought his high school team, Rocktown Wrestling, to join BTS for a combined training session.

"Beat the Streets Chicago's visit to Washington and Lee provided an unforgettable experience and a level of experiential learning that many of our youth had never encountered before," said Patrick Martinez, Wrestling Coordinator for BTS Chicago. "Exploring the natural beauty of the area created lifelong memories… Beyond the outdoor adventures, we were deeply moved by the warm hospitality of the wrestling coaches and university staff."

"The students were so locked in and asked such great questions, even those who are still a few years away from applying to college," Wolfgang said. "You could see those lessons of diligence and preparation they're honing through wrestling really show up in the way they're approaching their higher education futures."

Sally Stone Richmond, Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid, emphasized the significance of the collaboration.

"Community Based Organizations like Beat the Streets play a critical role in supporting students from under-resourced backgrounds grow and achieve their goals surrounding higher education," Richmond said. "We're proud to represent a school like W&L where so many different offices and people were enthusiastic about coming together to make this program a success for the students who visited campus."

The trip also resonated on a personal level for Alex Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs, who supported the partnership enthusiastically.

"We were happy to welcome the Chicago chapter, a community near to my heart, to campus and experience Washington and Lee University and Lexington," Miller said. "When Nathan came to me with this partnership, I was thrilled to support it and grateful to be able to play a small part in the opportunity for BTS Chicago and the Generals wrestling program."  
Following their Lexington visit, the BTS Chicago team competed in the Beat the Streets National Duals at the University of Pennsylvania's historic Palestra Gymnasium from June 24-26. In a crowning achievement to their journey, both the boys' and girls' teams captured gold medal finishes at the nationwide competition involving more than 400 athletes.  
This partnership continues a tradition that began in 2019 when the BTS New York chapter first visited W&L. Since then, Shearer and the university have remained committed to supporting the holistic development of student-athletes by opening the door to new environments, opportunities, and aspirations.

"Honestly, I don't look at this as a wrestling camp — this was bigger than wrestling," said Shearer. "This was an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and learn more about what the next four years of their life could be like. When they go home and think about their experiences at a small liberal arts school in rural Virginia, and realize this might be a fit for them, everybody wins."

About Beat The Streets National & BTS Chicago 

Beat the Streets is a national nonprofit organization that empowers youth in underserved communities through the sport of wrestling. Chapters are spread across the United States, including major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. The organization provides year-round programming focused on athletic training, academic support, mentorship, and life skill development. Its mission is to help young people becoming resilient individuals who excel on the mat, in the classroom, and in their communities.