Alberni wrestlers performed to expectations at the annual War on the Floor wrestling tournament at the Langley Events Center. The local program took a strong group over for the grade 9/10 and 11/12 novice events on the first day and the Elite category on the second day and they didn’t disappoint.
Alberni wrestlers captured four gold, seven silver and four bronze medals and had another nine wrestlers place in the top six at this very prestigious mainland event.
“We entered a number of our upcoming wrestlers in the Novice Events on Thursday,” stated ADSS Head Coach John McDonald. “The tournament is a restricted tournament in that it is only for those wrestlers who have not had provincial or national results yet. We moved some of our intermediate wrestlers up to the older age division for a little more challenge.”
On the first day, Dean Leyland (70 kg), Julia McGowan (70kg), and Michel Kurucz (60kg) all went undefeated to claim the gold medals in their respective division in the Grade 9/10 Novice Tournament. Christian Anderson (90kg) did the same in the Grade 11/12 Novice Tournament. Winning silver medals were Eryk McKenzie (66kg Gr. 9/10), Johannes Kulich (70kg Gr. 9/10), Sheldon Haddad (63kg Gr. 11/12), Remi Wells (57kg Gr. 11/12), and Elise Huffman (70kg Gr. 11/12).
“The Elite Tournament on Friday is always a highly competitive tournament. This year it was arguably even stronger as it featured some wrestlers from Washington, California, and Alberta in addition to the best wrestlers in BC,” assistant coach Russ Bodnar said.
“The Canada Games are this summer, so B.C. and the other provinces are really focused to make sure they have their best wrestlers identified and prepared.”
ADSS had 10 wrestlers place in the Elite Tournament. Nolan Badovinac (76kg) and Jesse Wagner (54kg) finished second in their respective weight classes.
“Both Nolan and Jesse wrestled well all tournament,” coach McDonald said. “They were undefeated heading into the finals. For the most part I am happy with how they wrestled.
Jonothan Spencer (3rd at 76kg) and Jordan Wagner (3rd at 54kg) won Bronze Medals in the Elite.
Remi Wells (fourth 60kg), Christian Anderson (4th 100kg), Julia McGowan (sixth at 70kg), and Elise Huffman (sixth at 80kg) rounded out the placings for ADSS in the Elite Tournament.
Team placings were not available at press time.