Jeff Reese and Mark Stephens are forever linked. Both were state champion wrestlers at Elmira Southside and Stephens was a coaching mentor and friend to Reese.

Their bond has grown stronger thanks to a collaboration between members of their families. During a press conference Tuesday at Roundin' Third restaurant in Elmira, it was announced the Jeff Reese Foundation and the Mark Stephens Foundation will pool their resources to help young wrestlers in the Elmira area and throughout Section 4.