2024 Beat the Streets Academy graduates to start college, military training

Four graduates will continue to wrestle in college.

The fifth graduating class of the Beat the Streets Academy will head to college and into military training this fall.

The Academy aims to prepare students for success both on and off the wrestling mat. The program provides free-of-cost resources like SAT prep, tutoring and Training Center wrestling practices. It is open to dedicated to middle school and high school student-athletes across all five New York City boroughs, teaching skills necessary to succeed in wrestling, graduate high school and pursue post-secondary education.

The 2024 BTS Academy graduating class features 20 individuals who enrolled in college, U.S. military or secured employment after high school graduation. The college enrollees include Amir Avazov (LIU Post), Crisitian Cruz (Ithaca College), Gabrielle Heffez (Sacred Heart University) and Lanxi Xu (East Stroudsburg University) who will continue to wrestle in college.

Three graduates will enter the U.S. military: Christian Solano (U.S. Air Force) and Lalia Sanchez (U.S. Army), while Leo Gao will attend the U.S. Military Academy (West Point).

2024 Academy graduating class

Amir Avazov - LIU Post*

Isaac Bamaca Reyes - Bentley University

Jimmy Balencia - Aviation workforce

Jennifer Caizan - NYC College of Technology

Jesus Carreon - Nassau Community College

Cristian Cruz - Ithaca College*

Leo Gao - U.S. Military Academy (West Point) George Gorgotadze - Hunter College

Dean Gray - Nassau Community College

Gabrielle Heffez - Sacred Heart University*

Jose Luciano - Hostos Community College

Sean McNally - Baruch College

Emily Nunez - East Stroudsburg University

Ashanty Peralta - SUNY Purchase

Denzel Perez - University of Pennsylvania

Marlon Perez - Aviation workforce

Laila Sanchez - U.S. Army

Shahrom Sayfullobekov - Grinnell College

Christian Solano - U.S. Air Force

Lanxi Xu - East Stroudsburg University*

*Wrestling in college

Since being founded in 2005, Beat the Streets has pioneered a movement that now includes 150 individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league.

BTS works to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and strengthen the New York City wrestling culture. We aim to make a lifelong impact on student-athletes through the lessons learned on the wrestling mat -- discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility and a strong work ethic. Discover how you can make a meaningful contribution to our work at btsny.org/donate.