Sunnyside High School celebrated a major milestone Wednesday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new wrestling facility, marking the beginning of a project that will support generations of Blue Devil student-athletes and build upon one the most stoired wrestling programs in Arizona. 

Made possible through capital override funds, the new 2.7 million dollar facility represents an investment in a program that has brought tremendous pride to the Sunnyside community. Sunnyside High School’s Boys Wrestling Team has earned an extraoridanry 39 state championships, while the Girls Wrestling Team has claimed two state championships. 

The morning was filled with excitement as students, staff, school leaders, coaches CORE Construction, and SPS+ Architects gathered to celebrate the next chapter of Sunnyside wrestling where a 6,622 square foot building will open in spring 2027. 

For Coach Anthony Leon, the new facility represents much more than a new building. 

“It’s a sign that our school district is 100% in support of our students,” Leon said. 

Leon reflected on the significance of the current wrestling room, a space where generations of student-athletes have trained, competed and pushed themselves to become better. 

“If those four walls could speak, what stories would they tell?’ Leon said. “We are building three more walls and I can’t wait for the stories those walls will tell one day.” 

Leon said the wrestling room has been a special place where he has witnessed some of the most incredible people he has ever met, and he looks forward to seeing the continued success that will come from the new facility and the district’s investment in its students and community. 

Superintendent José Gastelum emphasized that the impact of the wrestling program extends far beyond championships. 

“At the end of the day, winners come out of that room,” Gastelum said. “It’s not just state championships but it’s winners in life.” 

Gastelum credited the Sunnyside community for supporting the district’s vision through capital overrides and bonds, noting that the community’s trust and continued support made projects like the new wrestling facility possible. 

“The community believes in our students,” Gastelum said. 

Prinicpal Stephanie Ponce also highlighted the dedication of the student-athletes who have helped build Sunnyside’s wrestling legacy. Ponce spoke about the commitment required to have dozens of athletes training together in one space while supporting one another. 

“This facility is not just for you but it’s for everyone that comes after you,” Ponce told the wreslters. 

Ponce reminded students that the legacy they inherit comes with a responsibility to continue building upon it, both in the wrestling room and in the classroom. She also celebrated the academic success of the wrestling program, noting that the team has the highest GPA of all athletic groups on campus. 

“What you put into school and what you do outside of the wrestling room matters,” Ponce said. “I can see champions in all the students here today.” 

The groundbreaking marks another milestone in the ongoing journey of Sunnyside High School’s wrestling legacy. For decades, the wrestling room has been a place where student-athletes have learned discipline, perseverance, teamwork and dedication. The new facility will provide a space where future generations of Blue Devils can continue that tradition. 

With 39 boy state championships and two girl state championships, Sunnyside wrestling has established a remarkable legacy. Now, a new chapter is beginning and the walls of a new wrestling facility will have stories of their own to tell.