Wrestling teams from AW Neill, EJ Dunn, and Alberni District Secondary were in Campbell River Saturday to compete in the Campbell River Invitational.
In the team standings EJ Dunn Middle School Seahawks were second overall in the Junior Girls Division (Grade 7 – 9) and finished third overall in the Junior Boys Division. AW Neill junior boys finished second overall.
The Dunn girls were led by the gold medal performance of Aleadra Flaro(40kg). Kalissa Montgomery (43kg), Summer Wass (51kg) and Grace Deutsch (64kg). Each lost to only one opponent to win the silver medals in their weight classes. Third place went to Queenie Zhang (51 kg) and Kylea Anderson (54kg).
Trenton Vanderkooi (70 kg) led the way for the Dunn boys claiming gold in his weight class. Trevor Barker (32kg), Aaron Badovinac (54kg) and Jayce Clayton (70kg) all finished with silver medals. Bronze medal finishers included Isaac McDonald (41kg) and Matthew Grimston (60 kg).
The Neill Middle School Talons had 10 wrestlers placing in the top six a the tournament.
In the girls division, Teela Johnson (47kg) led the Neill team with a silver medal. The boys top six finishers included Kenji Boyko (third at 32 kg), Justin Pater (third at 45 kg), Kole Croxen (fourth at 32kg), Seth Price (fourth at 35 kg), Ripley Jensen (fourth at 41 kg), Daniel Spencer (fourth at 51 kg), Owen Spencer (fifth at 35 kg), Tristan Greene (fifth at 51 kg) and Scott Coulthart (sixth at 51 kg).
The Elementary Division featured up and coming wrestlers Mason Bodnar, Malika McDonald, Paige Maher and Cameron Maher. All gained valuable match experience that they will bring into their home debut Feb. 7 at the Alberni Invitational.
“Our wrestlers are ramping up their intensity both at practice and in competition in preparation for the upcoming Alberni Invitational Tournament,” coach Maureen Messenger said
The ADSS Armada finished first overall in both the senior boys and senior girls divisions. The senior girls were led by the gold medal performance of Grade 12 Bailey Durning (69 kg). Second place finishers included Remi Wells (57 kg), Michel Kurucz (60 kg) and Julia McGowan (69 kg).
In the Senior Boys Division, Jesse Wagner wrestled an outstanding final match against rival Dave Sharma form Abbotsford to claim gold in the 54 kg weight class. Nolan Badovinac (74 kg) and Christian Anderson (90 kg) wrestled well adding gold medals. Silver medallists included Sheldon Haddad (60 kg), Dean Leyland (70 kg) and Jonathan Spencer (70 kg).
The ADSS boys and girls teams looked strong and they’ve set their sights on a goal, coach James Messenger said. “One of our goals this year is to win the combined Aggregate title at the BC’s for the fourth year in a row,” he said.
All three local school will spend the next two weeks preparing for the invitational, which takes place at the Multiplex Feb. 7-9.
A group of the more experienced Alberni wrestlers will head to Abbotsford on Feb. 1-2 for the Miri Piri Invitational.
The BC High School Championships are in Duncan Feb. 28 to March 2.