7 Beat the Streets New York Wrestling student-athletes place at 2026 Eastern States Classic

Javier Mina-Lewis and six girls earned a top eight finish at the prestigious high school wrestling tournament.

Beat the Streets Wrestling student-athletes stepped up and competed at the 22nd Annual Eastern States Classic, one of the premier high school wrestling tournaments in the Northeast, this past weekend in Clifton Park, New York.

BTS in partnership with the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) provided more than 20 high school students from New York City the opportunity to compete in the tournament. The student-athletes tested their skills and earned valuable match experience against top-ranked opponents. Seven of those 20 student-athletes earned a top-eight finish in the tournament.

Javier Mina-Lewis of Sunset Park took eighth place in the boys division, while six girls claimed a top six finish. Carolina Lockard (Brooklyn Tech) led the pack with second place, moving up one spot on the podium from a year ago. Flor Zellerford and Kristen Baskin (both of Edward R. Murrow) grabbed fourth place and the trio of Gabriella Kiria (Edward R. Murrow) and Leona Gao and Siena Vega (both of Brooklyn Tech) took sixth place.

BOYS

Javier Mina-Lewis, Sunset Park (8th)

GIRLS

Carolina Lockard, Brooklyn Tech (2nd)

Flor Zellerford, Edward R. Murrow (4th)

Kristen Baskin, Edward R. Murrow (4th)

Gabriella Kiria, Edward R. Murrow (6th)

Leona Gao, Brooklyn Tech (6th)

Siena Vega, Brooklyn Tech (6th)

Since being founded in 2005, Beat the Streets New York has pioneered a movement that now includes 110-plus individual wrestling programs, a youth league and the first girls high school league.

BTSNY works to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and strengthen the NYC 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.