The Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) wrestling team showcased an outstanding performance at the Queen Margaret’s School’s Christmas Classic Wrestling Tournament held in Duncan on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Competing against formidable opponents, the ADSS team secured a commanding victory, clinching the top spot with a total of 124.0 points. They beat out the host QMS and Collingwood School from West Vancouver.
Leading the charge in their respective weight divisions, ADSS secured numerous top-ranking positions:
First Place:
· Davy Chandler (Jr Male 49kg)
· Alex McKenzie (Sr Male 61kg)
· Grant Coulthart (Sr Male 117kg)
Second Place:
· Kelcie Sam (Sr Female 49kg)
· Evan Jimenez (Jr Male 38kg)
· Kellen Hiltz (Jr Male 41kg)
· Marcus Newton (Jr Male 49kg)
· Seth Romeril (Jr Male 60kg)
Third Place:
· Lucas Huysman (Jr Male 38kg)
· Nolan Cross (Jr Male 41kg)
· Kamryn Mallon (Jr Female 52kg)
· Griffin Messenger (Jr Male 56kg)
· Janna Hiltz (Sr Female 57kg)
· Andrei Makofka (Sr Male 75kg)
· Gavin Fong (Jr Male 60kg)
Fourth Place:
· Paige George (Jr Female 52kg)
· Danika Currie (Sr Female 54kg)
· Jackson Price (Jr Male 56kg)
· Sage Dziekan-Gwilt (Sr Female 75kg)
· Chase Klus Brown (Sr Male 68kg)
Fifth Place:
· Alex Chen (sr) (Jr Male 49kg)
Sixth Place:
· Liam McConnell (Jr Male 60kg)
Coach Maureen Miller said she was “thrilled” with how wrestlers finished over the weekend.
“Seniors Alex and Grant were impressive leaders and positive role models for our younger athletes,” said Miller. “Alex went the distance in some full-time matches and showed the hard work that he has put into his fitness in the first weeks of the season. Grant dominated his opponents and went unchallenged. There are lots of things to work on and bring to the mats at practices over Christmas break.”
Wrestlers attend War on the Floor
Five members of the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club travelled to an elite club tournament in Burnaby on Sunday, Dec. 10.
The annual Simon Fraser University (SFU) War On the Floor Elite features wrestlers from the top clubs in B.C. and Alberta. Club coaches Chris Bodnar and Richelle McKenzie organized for a small group of athletes to compete in the tournament to help gauge how they stacked up against some of Canada’s best.
The local wrestlers finished with the following placings:
- Sage Dziekan-Gwilt - Second Place, Female Elite 73
- Danika Currie - Fifth Place, Female Elite 53
- Nolan Cross - Sixth Place, Male Elite 42
This weekend featured the last competitive opportunities prior to the holiday break. There will be regular practices throughout the break and some wrestlers will also be attending elite training camps. Both ADSS and the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club will return to competition in early January.