2024 Beat the Streets Academy: Student-athlete takeaways from Night 5

Princeton University head wrestling coach Joe Dubuque shared wrestling technique and how preparation leads to confidence.

More than 100 Beat the Streets student-athletes in the Academy enrichment program learned new wrestling technique from Princeton University head wrestling coach Joe Dubuque on Wednesday night.

Dubuque, who was a two-time NCAA champion at Indiana University, detailed a takedown set-up and a tilt series to secure back points in wrestling matches. He also shared the importance of preparation in academics and wrestling to grow confidence and reduce anxiety.

Gene Zanetti, co-founder of Wrestling Mindset, also did an engaging discussion on mental skills exercises students can practice to channel confidence into success.

Joe Dubuque on BTS

"For me to get in (this wrestling room) and give back to this environment is always something that's important to me. Wrestling is something that's helped me throughout my career, whether I was a competitor or now as a coach. For me to give back to kids that are just starting their journey or they're on the cusp of doing some amazing things, there's always something that's very important."

BTS Academy student-athlete Nicole "Coach Dubuque taught us many techniques that I will take into my wrestling in the future. Toward the end of the clinic, he taught us about 'Tiger Mindset.' He told us that hard work will really play a key factor into our wrestling and building up our confidence."

The BTS Academy program aims to prepare New York City students for success on and off the wrestling mat. The application-only program provides free resources such as college prep, mentorship, life skill workshops, world-class wrestling clinicians and much more.

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 New York City urban youth and strengthen the city's wrestling culture. BTS aims 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 BTS' work at btsny.org/donate.