DOWNEY – The Instride Running Program of Downey is in full stride this summer. 

Instride is open to boys and girls ages 7-15 of all fitness and skill levels. Instride is a fun and competitive youth program that focuses on getting kids fit from earlier ages. Program Director Dr. Eric Nilsen currently has close to 40 youngsters involved in the Instride Program.

Instride meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Apollo Park in front of the gymnasium. Wednesday was the first day of Instride due to the 4th of July holiday being observed on Monday. The cost for the Instride Running Club is $60.00 for the first month.

Nilsen believes that better runners become better athletes in their respective sport(s) and this club “is a great way to get them on their way.” Nilsen was recently involved in the Get Fit Youth Camp at Apollo Park which concluded July 1 and attracted over 70 participants.

The Instride Running Program is affiliated with U.S.A. Track and Field and athletes participate in a series of sanctioned running events throughout the year. Instride Running Program Director Dr. Eric Nilsen can be contacted with further questions at (858) 692-1079 or by e-mail at instridedowney@gmail.com or instridetrackclub.com.

Dr. Nilsen invites all boys and girls ages 7-15 to come out and make new friends and experience the Instride Running Program for themselves.

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The Warren High School baseball program has been busy this summer running summer baseball camps. The Bears first camp was held from June 13-17 and was for incoming freshmen only.

Warren was offering baseball camp this week, July 5-8, for 7-9 year olds. There were nine players in camp on Wednesday receiving baseball instruction from coach Miguel Mendoza. 
Next week, July 11-14, baseball camp will be held for 10-15 year olds. Future baseball camps are scheduled for 7-9 year olds from July 18-21 and August 1-4. Future baseball camps are scheduled for 10-15 year olds from July 25-28 and August 8-11. Camp hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Coach Miguel has his baseball campers participating in a variety of skill-based activities. Base running, catching, fielding, hitting and pitching are some of the skill areas being emphasized. Coach Miguel has been pleased with his campers progress each day and how they are understanding the game better.

The cost for each camp is $100.00 per player. There is a buddy rate discount of two players for $90. There is also a group rate of 10 or more players for $80. All camps will take place at the Warren High School baseball field. Any questions can be directed to Coach Miguel Mendoza at diamondskills99@gmail.com or via text message at (530) 321-9171.

Coach Miguel and his staff hope to see you and your friends this summer at one of the many Warren High School baseball camps being offered. 

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The Downey High School baseball team held their summer camp(s) Wednesday-Friday June 15-17 and Tuesday-Thursday June 21-23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Summer baseball questions can be directed to coach Jess Gonzalez at jgonzalez@dusd.net.

The Downey High School softball team has been conducting practices on Mondays and Fridays since June 17 and will conclude their summer practices on July 29. The cost is $10.00 per day and $75.00 for the entire summer session. Summer softball questions can be directed to head coach Micah Karzen at mkarzen@dusd.net.

The Downey High School boys’ water polo program began their summer practices June 13 and will continue through July 21. Practices have been Monday-Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Downey Aquatics Center on the campus of Downey High School.

Practices this week were moved to Tuesday-Friday in observance of the 4th of July holiday. Summer boys’ water polo questions can be directed to coach Stephen Judy at sjudy@dusd.net.

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Downey High School has certainly been busy this summer. Some programs have already observed their C.I.F. mandated “dead periods” while other programs are on their “dead periods” right now. 

Other programs will be observing their “dead periods” as the end of July approaches and the school year draws near. 

All fall classes start August 17 for Downey Unified student-athletes and their respective sports seasons will follow closely thereafter.

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The Downey High School Dance team has been busy this summer. 

The Lady Vikings had a mandatory meeting on May 18 and dance tryouts were held May 31-June 3. Practices started June 21 and will run through July 28. Practices are currently running from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Team practices will be August 1-5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the U.S.A. Dance Camp will be held August 8-11. Team practices will resume August 15-16 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Dance team questions can be directed to dance coach Leslie Patterson at lpatterson@dusd.net.

The Downey High Cheer team has been busy this summer as well. The Lady Vikings had their tryouts on April 22 and practices have been taking place since school let out on June 10. The Lady Vikings have had practices Monday-Thursday the weeks of June 13-16, June 20-23 and June 27-30 from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

U.S.A. Cheer Camp will take place next week from July 11-14. Summer practices will resume August 1-5 and August 8-11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Cheer team questions can be directed to cheer coach Ashley Rauls at arauls@dusd.net. The fall semester begins for all Downey Unified student-athletes on August 17.