ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Volcano Vista has routinely 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 girls wrestling continues to grow in numbers nationwide, camp organizers wanted to ensure 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 standout and current 4x collegiate All-American Jennesis Martinez.
“We’re really proud to be that kind of standard of program growth and program size and competitively,” said Volcano Vista wrestling coach Ahren Griego. “I think it’s really cool for the younger ladies to be able to look up to the older ladies and say hey, I want to be like them.”
“I was one of the only girl wrestlers for a while, and I never really had an opportunity to go to an all-girls camp here, so being able to host one and help out these girls, it means a lot to me,” Martinez said.
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Martinez had success at both the high school and collegiate levels and said she wants to be a bridge for other girls looking to make the same leap. Collegiate wrestling is freestyle wrestling, while high schools in New Mexico compete in folk style. The main differences include scoring, number of rounds/timing of rounds, and speed.
“I’m here to kind of show them some wrestling moves that have worked really well for me in my career and then also help them with some freestyle. I think that’s something that’s really important for them to know. College wrestling for women is only freestyle, and I didn’t really know any freestyle going into college. So, I think it’s important for me to kind of come back and help girls out because I know a lot of them want to continue wrestling at the next level.”
Martinez is currently wrapping up her master’s program at Colorado Mesa University. She still has eligibility and plans to continue her quest for a national title.
