Beat the Streets raises $1 million with 2024 Annual Benefit

It is the second straight year BTS has hit the $1 million mark for the event.

Beat the Streets raised $1 million with its 14th Annual Benefit on Tuesday, June 4 at Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan.

The summer spectacle was packed with wrestling matches, a star-powered panel discussion and an auction. Each year the Annual Benefit provides BTS a unique way to raise funds to support local youth wrestling programs which empower New York City students. It is the second straight year that BTS has raised $1 million with its Annual Benefit event.

Three BTS student-athletes showcased their wrestling skills against some of the toughest competition in the country, and Jesse Mendez topped Andrew Alirez in a highly anticipated bout between NCAA champions. Tim Ferriss, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Jordan Burroughs shared how the sport of wrestling has impacted them and outlined benefits the sport provides to the youth we serve. For the first time, BTS held a live auction filled with amazing experiences including a trip to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

"Whether you attended in person or watched the event online, we greatly appreciate everyone's continued support of the BTS mission to make a lifelong impact on New York City urban youth through the lessons learned on the wrestling mat — discipline, perseverance, self-reliance, humility and a strong work ethic," BTS Executive Director Brendan Buckley said.

Exhibition Match Results

Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) dec. Andrew Alirez (Northern Colorado), 4-1

Grey Burnett (Perrysburg, Ohio) tech. fall Oumar Tounkara (The Bronx, N.Y.), 14-4

Evin Gursoy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) tech. fall Dunia Sibomana-Rodriguez (Long Beach, N.Y.), 16-6

Isabella Lorenzana (Queens, N.Y.) fall Caroline Biegel (DePaul Catholic, N.J.)

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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. 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.