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Grappling For Fun

Tribune photo by ROBERT BURKE

Rafael Rivera, 17 , is finally caught by others playing a game called " snake in the grass" at Riverview High School's youth wrestling camp headed by varsity coach Willi Sargable.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 22, 2008

RIVERVIEW - During their months off from school, many South Shore students head to summer camp.

However, instead of pitching tents and learning how to start a fire outdoors, a group of kids has been learning how to execute takedowns and headlocks while meeting in an air-conditioned room in Riverview.

They are participants of the Black & Blue Wrestling Fun Camp at Riverview High School.

"It's a great opportunity for the kids to get introduced to the sport," said Willi Sargable, Riverview's varsity wrestling coach. Sargable and a few of his assistants are heading the camp.

The camp is aimed at children 7 to 14. The first five-day session took place June 23-27 and continues this week and Aug. 4 through 8.

"The lessons each week are mostly independent of each other, so kids can jump into the class at any time, but we still throw in a few new things for the kids that have been there the entire time," said Sargable, who was inducted into the Florida chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.

The school has hosted the camp in its wrestling room since 2004.

Several of Sargable's varsity wrestlers have lent a hand, serving as assistants.

"I've been helping out by supervising the kids, making sure they stay in their own circles and they don't get hurt," said Keith Lefevre, who will be a sophomore at Riverview next year.

Even students from beyond the high school's walls have stopped in to contribute.

"I've just been helping out for a week, but it's a lot of fun," said Rafael Rivera, who will be a senior at Spoto High School in the fall. "I love watching the kids enjoying themselves - this is really all about them."

In addition to learning basic wrestling skills and occupying time during the summer, Sargable feels his students can take away lessons in toughness, motivation and sportsmanship they can use in their everyday lives.

Still, the main goal is to have fun.

To that end, the camp features games and activities, such as softball and kickball games, to pass the time. There is also a dodgeball game and a pizza party Fridays to signify the end of each weeklong session.

"It's a lot of fun for the kids, who are learning something new, but I think it's also a way for the kids to get out of the house and stay fit during the summer," Sargable said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Black & Blue Wrestling Fun Camp

WHERE: wrestling room at Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Road

NEXT SESSION: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 4-8

COST: $60 for one week

INFORMATION: Willi Sargable, (813) 671-6009

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at jceballos@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-1555.

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