Reflecting on an Incredible National Duals Trip

This June, our annual National Duals trip once again gave us a week to remember, and after some time to reflect, one thing is clear: it was truly incredible.

In the past, we've brought around 40 kids, fielding one full boys team and one full girls team. This year, we doubled that number: 80 kids, two full boys teams, and two full girls teams. This trip has a unique ability to make one week feel like one day and one month all at once. From the moment we pull out of Midway to the moment we return home, it's a nonstop stretch of experiences that all build toward a competition where our kids get to represent our city.

We often talk about the moments along the way, cliff jumping, exploring new cities, stepping outside comfort zones, but the true magic of this trip is in the relationships it builds. Many of our 80 kids barely knew each other before we left. Watching them meet on departure day and, just seven days later, cheer louder for each other than anyone else in the room, never gets old.

Our presence at this tournament is known not just for how we compete, but for the sense of community our wrestlers bring with them. It doesn't matter who's on the mat, the corner is packed with an army of BTSC wrestlers, loud enough that we usually have to calm them down. It's something we take enormous pride in, and it amazes us every single year.

To top it off, we brought home hardware once again. Our Boys A team captured the Beat the Streets National Duals title for the fifth straight year, while our Girls A team fought all the way to the finals before falling in a heartbreaking dual against Beat the Streets Los Angeles. The results are worth celebrating, but they're only one part of what made this trip so special.

Want to relive it? Head over to our Instagram to see every stop we hit along the way, or check out our quick video recap.

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