September 21, 2026
From the mat to more: FCA Chicagoland’s wrestling clinic invests in young athletes
Elite college coaches helped students in grades 6–12 strengthen their skills, build relationships and explore faith
CHICAGO, Ill. — Young wrestlers gathered in Chicago on Aug. 16 for a one-day clinic that paired elite coaching with opportunities to grow beyond the sport. Hosted by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Chicagoland in partnership with Beat the Streets Chicago, a nonprofit youth wrestling and enrichment organization, the clinic was open to boys and girls in sixth through 12th grade. The event combined high-level instruction with opportunities for fellowship and faith.
“We often say there’s a race for the heart of a child, and this event gave us a powerful opportunity to bring Jesus to young athletes through the sport of wrestling,” said Deneé Barracato, multi-area director of FCA Chicagoland. “What started as an idea months ago became a reality by God’s grace. It was a blessing to share the Gospel with so many young wrestlers and see hearts impacted in ways that I know will have an impact for eternity.”
For FCA Chicagoland, partnering with Beat the Streets Chicago created a natural setting to reach young athletes through the sport they love. Beat the Streets uses year-round wrestling and enrichment programming to support young people beyond competition, giving FCA an established wrestling community in which to bring its own emphasis on faith and personal growth.
The clinic’s dynamic format kept participants moving between wrestling training, chapel sessions and small groups, with additional time to connect informally with coaches and fellow wrestlers.
Parents were welcomed into the experience as well, attending an information session focused on helping their children navigate conversations with college coaches and understand what it takes to compete at the next level.
Delivering the instruction was a group of coaches and athletes from across college wrestling, led by Mark Manning, head wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska, and B.J. Futrell, assistant wrestling coach at Northwestern University.
Manning was named the 2025 NCAA Tournament Coach of the Year after leading Nebraska to the best NCAA finish in program history. Futrell, a former U.S. freestyle national team member and two-time All-American, brought experience as both an elite competitor and college coach.
Marisol Nugent of Northwestern Women’s Wrestling also participated, with additional coaches and athletes representing Illinois, UNC, Edwardsville, Wheaton College and other college programs. Together, the group gave young wrestlers direct access to people who know firsthand what success in college wrestling demands.
Ultimately, FCA’s whole-person approach to ministry created opportunities to invest in athletes personally and spiritually. That investment led to a powerful response, with at least 10 young wrestlers making decisions to trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
“Wrestling gave us the common ground, but the purpose went much deeper,” Barracato said. “FCA exists to meet coaches and athletes where they are and help them grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s what this day was about: investing in young wrestlers through a sport they love while making sure they had an opportunity to hear the Gospel.”
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Its mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. FCA’s guiding values are integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.
Since 1954, FCA has used the powerful medium of sports and building relationships to reach the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same so that lives are changed for current and future generations.
Visit Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chicagoland at chicagolandfca.org.
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To interview a Chicagoland FCA representative, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, or Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
