The Faces of BTSC: Meet the Coaches Leading our 3 Anchor Sites

We’re proud to have one of the strongest coaching staffs in the country—leaders who are not only accomplished wrestlers but also dedicated mentors. Across our Midway, Avondale, and Roseland locations, these coaches are shaping the next generation through commitment, skill, and care. At all three anchor sites, our coaches embody our A.G.G.I.E. values—accountability, gratitude, grit, integrity, and excellence—showing our kids what it truly means to live those principles every day.

Check out our coaching staff and their accolades below!

Midway

Larry Early: 2x DI NCAA All-American, 3x NCAA National Qualifier, 2x Fargo National Champion

Samantha Barrientos: Team USA Pan Am Coach, 2x WCWA National Qualifier, Mckendree University Alumna

Jesse Thielke: 2016 Greco-Roman Olympian, 2x Senior National Team Member, DI NCAA National Qualiifier

Jaslynn Gallegos: 2x National Champion, 2025 Senior Pan-Am Bronze, 6x Collegiate All-American

Isaiah White: 2x DI NCAA All-American, DII National Champion, 3x IHSA State Champion

Alexis Rivera: DI NCAA National Qualifier, IHSA State Champion, Former NIU Assistant Coach

Josh Jones: 2x DII All-American, 4x DII National Qualifier, IHSA State Placewinner

Jahwan Akui: NJCAA National Champion, 2x Fargo National Champion, IHSA State Champion

SaVonne Bennette: DIII Collegiate Wrestler , IHSA State Qualifier, Scholar All-American

Anthony Zamora: DI & DIII Collegiate Wrestler, 3x IHSA State Qualifier, Wheaton College Alumnus

Nadia Flores: 2023 NCWWC National Qualifier, Illinois State Placewinner, 3x Illinois State Qualifier

Collin Hardy: DIII Collegiate Wrestler, Hope Academy Assistant Coach, Wheaton College, Alumnus

Avondale

Matt Cavallaris: 3x Letterwinner at Wisconsin, Fargo All-American, Former DIII Collegiate Coach

Ben Rosen: Former DIII Head Coach, Coached 9 Collegiate All-Americans, 2x Collegiate Team Captain

Alex Butler: 2x IHSA State Finalist, Fargo All-American, DI Collegiate Wrestler at Missouri

Max Ebanks: DIII Collegiate Wrestler, New York State Qualifier, New York National Team Member

Chris Helm: Former U.S. Army Wrestler, OPRF Wrestling Alumnus, Coached Several State Placewinners

Manny Diaz: DIII Collegiate Wrestler, 4 year starter at Aurora University, St. Charles East Alumnus

Pat Heffernan: Depaul College Prep Head Coach, Dl Collegiate Wrestler at Illinois, IHSA State Placewinner

Matt Yan: 11 years of Coaching experience, 4 CPL team titles, 2025 3A Regional Team Champions

Roseland

Jeremy Powell: NAIA National Champion, NJCAA All-American, IHSA State Placewinner

Andre Lee: 4x Letterwinner at Illinois, IHSA State Placewinner, 2x Freestyle State Champion

Jarvis Powell: 4 year varsity wrestler, Youth State Placewinner, Strength Training expert

Louis Ferguson: DI Collegiate wrestler at NIU, Greco State Champion, Michigan State Open 3rd

Alex Peacock: 2x High School Coach of the Year, Triton College wrestling alumnus, St. laurence & Hubbard high School Alumnus

Alex Moore: High School Conference Champion, Current MMA Fighter, High School Team MVP

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