Local wrestlers hit the mats at two recent competitions held in Abbotsford.
The first was the Miri-Piri Invitational, held on Jan. 20. A small group of senior athletes attended this tournament, with three winning medals. Carihi’s Alex Anderson and Timberline’s Kyle McDonald earned bronze, and Carihi’s Scott Assu won silver.
Next up was the Western Canada Age Class, a national ranking tournament for grade 9-12 athletes, and open to wrestlers in Grades 5-8. The two local high schools had seven athletes compete in the Cadet and Juvenile divisions. Podium finishers were Carihi’s Hailey Ricard (6th), Alex Anderson (4th), Quinn Golobar (silver), and Kaitlyn Jinda (silver).
Southgate’s Gage Balle, a grade 7 student, competed in the schoolboy (grades 7-8) division, earning a fourth place finish.
The Ecole Phoenix team put the provincial wrestling community on notice that their program is a rising force. Earning bronze medals in their respective age and weight categories were Connor Drake, Willum Ashurst, Dane Kerluck, Mike Smith, and Spencer Uzzel-Paulos. Silver medals went to Owen Olney, Josh Lanyon, and Akira Isaac. Gold medalists and age class champions were proud Phoenix athlete Chymira Abubrey, Sadie Dowler, Logan Courtney, and Dawson Gage.
This weekend Carihi is hosting the Campbell River Invite, being held in the Carihi gym on Saturday.
“This promises to be one of the most exciting wrestling events Campbell River has held in many years,” said Carihi coach Jason Kerluck. “This year we are expecting a significant number of Lower Mainland wrestlers in addition to the regular Island competition. The word has gotten out about the coveted ‘Belt’ which has been awarded the last three years to the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. This has attracted some of the best wrestlers in the province to attend our tournament this year.”
Members of the public are encouraged to attend on Saturday and cheer on local athletes. Wrestling starts at around 10 a.m. in the Carihi gym. There will also be an elementary tournament held next to the gym in the multipurpose room, starting at noon.
“This is elementary tournament is always a really fun event to watch,” added Kerluck. “We will have a concession selling coffee, drinks, pizza, and healthy snacks. Everyone is welcome.”