Beat the Streets raises more than $1 million with 2025 Annual Benefit, Final X
- Brandon Cain
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Nineteen athletes made USA Wrestling's World Championship teams in men's and women's freestyle.
Beat the Streets raised more than $1 million with its 15th Annual Benefit, Final X, in front of 6,000-plus fans on Saturday, June 14 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
For the third time in the past four years, USA's Wrestling Final X event served as the BTS Annual Benefit. This year, 19 athletes (nine in men's freestyle and 10 in women's freestyle) claimed a spot on Team USA for the 2025 Senior World Championships from Sept. 13-21 in Zagreb, Croatia.
In men's freestyle, high school sensation PJ Duke (70 kg) defeated 2022 World silver medalist Yianni Diakomihalis, two matches to one, to make his first Senior World Team. Three past World or Olympic medalists swept their finals series to advance to the World Championships, Spencer Lee (57 kg), Zahid Valencia (86 kg) and Kyle Snyder (97 kg). Valencia also had an upset, winning two matches against two-time Olympic bronze medalist and four-time World champion Kyle Dake.
In women's freestyle, Adaugo Nwachukwu (62 kg) knocked off two-time World silver medalist and two-time Olympian Kayla Miracle, two matches to one. 2019 World champion, 2023 World silver medalist and 2020 Olympian Jacarra Winchester (59 kg) needed three matches to defeat 2022 World Team member Abigail Nette. Four past World or Olympic medalists swept their finals series: Helen Maroulis (57 kg), Macey Kilty (65 kg), Kennedy Blades (68 kg) and Kylie Welker (76 kg).
"Raising more than $1 million is a testament to the continued growth and impact of our Annual Benefit," said Brendan Buckley, Executive Director of Beat the Streets. "The incredible support we received ensures our programs can operate year-round, empowering New York City K-12 boys and girls and changing lives through the sport of wrestling.
"Thank you to everyone who donated - your generosity directly fuels our mission and the success of thousands of young student-athletes."
It is the second time the Annual Benefit has been held in conjunction with Final X at Prudential Center, following the 2023 event.
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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.
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