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Volcano Vista to Host First-Ever All-Girls Wrestling Camp

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Volcano Vista has regularly held annual wrestling camps for young athletes in the state. The goal is to keep kids active and provide affordable opportunities for kids to be coached by some of the biggest names in the sport. For the first time, Volcano held its first camp exclusively for girls.

As the number of girls wrestling continues to grow across the country, camp organizers wanted to ensure that the next generation has a local network where they can feel encouraged and supported. Over 40 girls participated and were coached by former Manzano High star and current 4x collegiate All-American Jennesis Martinez.

“We really pride ourselves on being such a benchmark for program growth and program size and competitiveness,” Volcano Vista wrestling coach Ahren Griego said. “I think it’s really cool that the younger ladies can look up to the older ladies and say, hey, I want to be like them.”

“I was one of the few female wrestlers for a while and I never really had the opportunity to go to an all-girls camp here, so it means a lot to me to be able to host one and help these girls out,” Martinez said.

Martinez has had success at both the high school and collegiate levels and said she wants to be a bridge for other girls who want to make the same leap. Collegiate wrestling is freestyle wrestling, while New Mexico high schools compete in folkstyle. The main differences are scoring, number of rounds/timing of rounds, and speed.

“I’m here to show them some wrestling moves that have worked really well for me in my career and to help them with some freestyle. I think that’s something they really need to know. Women’s college wrestling is freestyle only, and I didn’t really know any freestyle when I went to college. So I think it’s important to come back and help the girls because I know a lot of them want to continue wrestling at the next level.”

Martinez is currently completing her master’s degree at Colorado Mesa University. She is still eligible and plans to continue her quest for a national title.