Beat the Streets Academy student-athletes split matches at 2025 Final X as part of BTS Annual Benefit

Ana Carolina Mindlin Lockard and Oumar Tounkara share a common bond with 2025 U.S. Senior World Team men’s and women’s freestyle athletes -- they both competed at Final X on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

Between sessions at Final X, the Beat the Streets New York Academy student-athletes took to the mats to showcase their skills in freestyle exhibition matches. 

Mindlin Lockard (Brooklyn Tech/Brooklyn, N.Y.) faced off against Amillyion Green (Mariana Bracetti Academy/Philadelphia, Pa.) in a women's bout between BTS student-athletes. Mindlin Lockard, a junior, displayed her power with two four-point takedowns during the opening 40 seconds for an 8-0 lead. The Brooklyn native added another takedown and a turn off a leg lace for the 12-2 technical fall victory in 1:44 against the Philadelphia freshman. 

Tounkara (New York Military Academy/Bronx, N.Y.) battled Cooper Merli (Newburgh, N.Y.) in a bout featuring two top 15 nationally ranked wrestlers at 113 pounds by FloWrestling. Tounkara jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first period, but Merli cut the deficit to 11-8 with a four-point throw with 2:27 remaining in the match. Merli then forced two step outs, including one that resulted in a caution, plus one point in the final 15 seconds for an 11-11 win on criteria. 

Tounkara is committed to wrestle at Drexel University this fall, while Merli will attend New York Military Academy next year before attending Army West Point. 

For the third time in the past four years, Final X served as the Beat the Streets Annual Benefit, the 15th BTSNY Annual Benefit to date. The event helped BTSNY raise more than $950,000 for its youth wrestling programs which empower 3,000-plus young people in New York City. 

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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.