Frank Phillips College hosts inaugural wrestling overnight camp

BORGER, Texas (KFDA) - Frank Phillips College held its inaugural wrestling overnight camp June 23-25, bringing together wrestlers of all skill levels for drills, technique work and live competition.

Head wrestling coach Mario and Alisha Vasquez said the camp was designed to introduce the new program to the Panhandle wrestling community.

“Getting this thing started was a little confusing at first but I mean I think that’s what happens when you’re starting a program from the ground up,” Vasquez said. “There’s always kinks in the rough and you just got to keep on working it out and just keep on persevering through and I’m excited about it.”

Vasquez said the camp drew strong participation for a first-year event.

“Obviously we have a pretty good turnout for our first one. I’m looking to double it if not triple it next year and just keep keep the momentum for sure,” Vasquez said.

Building relationships before the season

The overnight format gave wrestlers the chance to build relationships before the program’s inaugural season begins. Women’s coach Alisha Vasquez said the camp emphasized creating a welcoming environment.

“Excited to start building the relationships with some of these kids and I just want to show them that we’re here as a family,” Alisha Vasquez said. “We have a family-oriented space for them. It’s safe and this is what it’s all about, right? It’s just building relationships, making it safe for kids and just allowing them to have fun.”

The camp allowed wrestlers to connect with new teammates, meet athletes from other states and build relationships that could extend beyond the camp experience.

“It’s just so fun to see them build friends within that because not a lot of people go out of their comfort zone on their own so this kind of pushes them to get new practice partners, learn new people around Texas,” Alisha Vasquez said.

Building the program

Mario Vasquez said the camp is the first step toward establishing a lasting wrestling program at Frank Phillips College.

“To grow Frank Phillips, right? Just to get the idea of Frank Phillips Wrestling is here to stay and here to grow and then on top of that to just here to grow the Panhandle Wrestling from where it was at one point to where it is now,” Mario Vasquez said. “My hope is just to grow the sport. All I’ve ever cared about is growing the sport and making people understand that they have opportunities outside of their regular life.”

Vasquez said wrestling has changed his life and he hopes to provide similar opportunities for others.

“They have colleges, they have other things that they could do that can help them flourish and this sport is something that has changed my life so I hope to do the same in the others,” Mario Vasquez said.