Thomas S. Gerace III

Alejandro Delapena III

Thomas S. Gerace III is a seasoned professional retiring from the U.S. Navy after two decades of distinguished service as a Navy Deep Sea Diver. With a rich background in martial arts spanning over 17 years, Thomas has dedicated the past 12 years to mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

His BJJ journey began in May 2012 at Tidewater Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Chesapeake, VA, where he trained under Dan Gleaton and Johnathon Wertz. Thomas progressed through the ranks, competing in both gi and no-gi formats, and earned his brown belt before relocating to Washington State in 2019. During his time at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division in Keyport, Thomas continued his training at Hybrid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Bremerton, WA, under the guidance of George Hissung. In November 2022, Thomas achieved his Black Belt in BJJ, a prestigious recognition validated by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

Thomas's expertise extends beyond personal achievement. He has been an influential coach, nurturing the growth of both youth and adult practitioners. His coaching career began in 2014, following the attainment of his blue belt, and has since evolved to include adult instruction and law enforcement defense tactics. His commitment to the sport and community was honored with the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal by the U.S. Navy.

In February 2024, Thomas earned certification as a State Law Enforcement Defense Tactics Instructor through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, further underscoring his dedication to enhancing public safety through BJJ training.

Driven by a passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its transformative impact, Thomas envisions creating a gym that fosters community connection and personal development. His goal is to build a facility in Kitsap County that will serve as a hub for after-school programs, camps, and community events. Thomas's commitment to BJJ is rooted in his belief in its power to enhance self-confidence, physical well-being, and emotional resilience.

Alejandro D. Delapena III brings over two decades of distinguished service as a US Navy Deep Sea Diver to his role as a wrestling coach and mentor. His transition from a highly decorated military career to the world of wrestling showcases his unwavering dedication, discipline, and leadership.

Alejandro's wrestling journey began in 1986 in Benton City, WA, where he first engaged with the BC Little Guys program. His passion for wrestling evolved through mastery of Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman styles. This dedication led him to secure three Washington State High School Championships, laying the foundation for a remarkable wrestling career.

In collegiate wrestling, Alejandro represented North Idaho College and Oregon State University with notable success. His exceptional talent on the mat garnered the attention of the US Navy, where he joined the All-Navy wrestling team, competing in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines.

In 2011, Alejandro was appointed Head Coach of the All-Navy wrestling team, a role he held until 2023. His leadership significantly elevated the team's performance on national platforms, earning recognition from esteemed coach Rob Herman, a two-time Olympic Greco-Roman coach.

Currently, Alejandro serves as a coach at Central Kitsap High School, where he continues to shape the next generation of wrestlers with his extensive expertise. His coaching achievements are underscored by his Bronze Level Coach certification from the USA Wrestling Federation, and he is actively pursuing Silver and Gold Level certifications to further enhance his skills.

Alejandro's influence extends beyond local boundaries, having coached both adults and children, conducted clinics nationwide, and produced multiple National All-American wrestlers. His commitment to the sport is evident through his training at prestigious facilities such as the Olympic Training Center and his involvement in major events, including the Armed Forces Championship, Wrestling World Team Trials, and Olympic Team Trials.

With a career spanning over three decades, Alejandro D. Delapena III exemplifies the essence of wrestling—resilience, determination, and an enduring commitment. His impact on the wrestling community continues to inspire and uplift, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport he passionately advocates.

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Phillip Joco

Joshua Castillo

Philip began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2013 at Hybrid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Bremerton, Washington. There, he discovered a lifelong passion for grappling that complemented his background in functional fitness, personal training, and athletic coaching at Dungeon Fitness. Over time, his interests grew to include no-gi grappling, judo, and wrestling, shaping a well-rounded approach to martial arts instruction.

Before focusing exclusively on grappling, Philip coached competitive weightlifting and powerlifting athletes through USA Weightlifting and USA Powerlifting programs. These experiences gave him a strong understanding of exercise science, biomechanics, and athlete conditioning. He now applies that knowledge to help Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling students improve performance, build resilience, and prevent injury.

As a Jiu-Jitsu competitor, Philip has medaled in multiple tournaments and was recognized as the Revolution Tournament Athlete of the Year at purple belt in 2023. He also earned one of the event’s Vicious Submission Awards for securing a victory in just 20 seconds. His dedication to competition inspired him to create a team for both youth and adult athletes, focusing on technical development, strategy, and mental preparation.

Philip previously served as head coach at a local academy in Silverdale, Washington, where he led the youth and adult programs and designed training curriculums for students of all experience levels. During his tenure, he helped grow a strong community of athletes built on respect, continuous learning, and teamwork.

In addition to his work in Jiu-Jitsu, Philip coached wrestling as an assistant at Ridgetop Middle School in the Central Kitsap School District. As both a coach and an active athlete, he continues to study folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling to refine his technical understanding and inspire others to embrace wrestling at any age.

Philip believes in developing athletes who are technically skilled, mentally strong, and guided by humility and discipline. His instruction focuses on fundamentals, positional awareness, and strategy. He is dedicated to helping students build confidence, achieve their goals, and experience the personal growth that comes from training in the grappling arts.

Joshua’s journey into grappling began in 2015 during his service in the U.S. military, where he was first introduced to Army combatives. That foundation was further developed during his time as a police officer, where hands-on defensive tactics reinforced the importance of technique, leverage, and composure under pressure.

After transitioning out of law enforcement in 2020, Joshua relocated to Washington with a commitment to continue sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of grappling.

In 2023, he found his home at Delapena and Gerace Grappling under Professor Tom, where the art’s emphasis on discipline, problem-solving, and community immediately resonated. Since then, Joshua has dedicated himself to consistent training, refining his skills, and deepening his understanding of the art.

As a junior instructor, he assists in both fundamentals and kids classes, helping students build confidence through strong fundamentals while contributing to a positive, supportive training environment.

Off the mats, Joshua remains a lifelong student. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in seminary and spends his time with family, at church, in the gym, and continuing to grow alongside his teammates.