A wrestling and financial literacy camp for local kids hosted by three standout Sunnyside student-athletes has begun accepting campers for its remaining sessions.
Counting Takedowns, which runs evenings through Friday, is free and open to Tucson students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The camp is being led by Blue Devils state champions Jaime Rivera Jr., Audrey Jimenez and Michael Avelar, all of whom maintain a 4.0 GPA.
Each evening, wrestlers will into 30-minute interactive learning sessions taught by the Arizona Council on Economic Education's Kathy Pondy and volunteers. The curriculum will combine wrestling with economics and help campers understand how the lessons they learn in wrestling can be applied outside of sports. The remaining two hours will be spent learning wrestling techniques, with hands-on training on the mat.
Counting Takedowns was initially open to 60 campers, but between no-shows and space created by the rotating groups, organizers found Monday night that they would be able to accommodate more campers throughout the week.
Campers who sign up before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday are welcome to participate as early as Wednesday evening. Saturday's culminating event, which includes food, beverages and games, is open to the public.
Audrey Jimenez, Mike Avelar and Jamie Rivera, with Counting Takedowns, along with the Arizona Council on Economic Education, are teaching 60 area youth on the mat and in the classroom. Video by Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Here's what you need to know:
What: Counting Takedowns camp
Where: Sunnyside High School wrestling gym, 1725 E. Bilby Rd.
When: Wednesday-Friday, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Register here: http://tucne.ws/1kqy+
Photos: Sunnyside High School wrestlers offering help on the mat and in the classroom
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Jaime Rivera, one of the coaches, leads his students in a post-workout cheer during Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022. The camp combines teaching wrestling techniques from several Sunnyside athletes and lessons in economics by the Arizona Council on Economic Education.
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Coach Audrey Jimenez watches two of the younger students practice a new hold during Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022. Jimenez is one of three Sunnyside wrestlers leading the camp
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Abril Chavez puts her new lesson to good use, taking down Xitlali Verduzco as the two spar during Counting Takedowns week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Coaches Audrey Jimenez, right, and Haille Hernandez demonstrate the move they want about 60 students to work on at Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Coach Mike Avelar takes some questions from the students as the first day winds down at Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Royce Dominguez, top and Roman Berreda run an agility drill during Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Isabella Huber wraps up Kawika Freeman as the two spar on the Sunnyside High School mats during Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Luke Degroat, left, and Josea Alfaro whack out a beat on the mat following a pep-talk at Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Kawika Freeman cartwheels as the students get warmed up for the start of the day's lessons at Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Josea Alfaro gets a chance to practice his new move on coach Jame Rivera during Counting Takedowns week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Daniel Sotelo agonizes after getting caught early in a game of Bull Dogging during Counting Takedowns' wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Nathaniel Sotelo tags Luke Degroat during a game of to wrap up the evening during Counting Takedowns' camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
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Director of student programs at the Arizona Council on Economic Education reads a story to some of the campers during their classroom period of Counting Takedowns' week-long wrestling and economics camp at Sunnyside High School, Tucson, Ariz., June 14, 2022.
