Members of the Ceres Pups Wrestling Club attended the 7th Annual Elementary Champ Camp, July 10-12, in Fresno.
“It’s amazing what they do there,” said Steve Festa, Pups president/coach. “Our kids worked so hard. It was fun to watch.”
Ceres grapplers Jayden Aceves, Joel Aceves, Josiah Aceves, Easton Caraveo, Rawling Caraveo, Miguel Duarte, Michael Faulkner, Rosalie Faulkner, Hunter Ferreira, Steven Festa Jr., Aaliyah Kemplin, Levi Whittenburg, Lincoln Whittenburg and Mason Whittenburg gained valuable experience at the Elementary Champ Camp, which was hosted by the Dethrone Wrestling Club.
“The group that we had was small but committed,” coach Festa said.
“We got better as wrestlers and as a coaching staff,” he added.
Every minute was accounted for at the camp.
Grapplers dedicated time to technique and live wrestling.
“They had a bunch of great clinicians out there,” Festa said. “They showed us how to practice efficiently—how to drill and keep moving. Being disciplined is key. You have to have the energy to try.”
Pups wrestlers, coaches and families capped off their weekend with a trip to the Island Waterpark.
The Fresno-area waterpark features more than 40 rides and attractions.
“We had a blast,” Festa said. “We wanted to reward the kids for working hard. They’ve been practicing three times a week the last three weeks.
The Pups will make attending the Dethrone-hosted camp an annual tradition.
“We’re going to go there every year,” Festa said.
The Ceres Pups’ 2026 season will get underway on Aug. 3.
Signups for wrestlers ages 7-14 will be staged from 5-6 p.m. at the Pups House, which is located at 3037 Fifth Street in downtown Ceres.
Practice will last 90 minutes (6-7:30 p.m.)
Cost is $120, which covers the first month of membership.
Each grappler will receive a shirt and pair of shorts.
Membership dues are $60 per month for wrestling.
“We had over 40 families that reached out that are interested,” coach Festa said. “We keep growing. Wrestling is a really great foundation for everything. We got a great thing going. I really like what we’re doing.”
