A small group of Alberni Wrestlers made the journey to Vancouver over the weekend to participate in the Western Canada Games Team Trials at Carson Graham Secondary School. The Provincial team is open to grades 7-10 for both boys and girls. In the end three Alberni wrestlers were named to the team along with one alternate.
Aaron Badovinac, Seth Price and Morgan Dagenais were all named to the team by taking top spot in their respective weight classes over the weekend. Isaac McDonald was included as an alternate to the team.
Aaron Badovinac led in dominating fashion coming off his silver medal at the cadet national championships. He went through the tournament without a point being scored against him.
Head Coach John McDonald commented, “We knew that Aaron had a good chance to make the team, however to dominate in the way he did was outstanding.”
Badovinac was also recently named BC’s outstanding Cadet Wrestler of the year. Seth Price and Morgan Dagenais were both pleasant surprises to make the team.
Price won two nail biting matches, including his final match to gain his spot on the team. Dagenais just finished her rugby season and thought she would throw her hat into the ring and it paid off.
Dagenais won the best two out of three series in the finals to gain her spot on the team. She will later have a wrestle off against another wrestler that was granted a petition due to injury to secure her spot to wrestle for Team BC later in August.
Isaac McDonald lost a close semi-final match and came back on the consolation side to take 3rd place in the tournament. McDonald was selected as an alternate to the team making him eligible for all the summer training with the team but not compete in the games unless someone is hurt or unable to compete later in August.
Alberni club coach Chris Bodnar was impressed with what he saw.” I have not been able to make all the practices leading up to this event but could not believe the determination of our kids. There is something about being an Alberni Wrestler that is inherent with a determination to compete and win. These kids should be proud of what they have achieved by making this team and the development opportunities this program has to offer.”
The Western Canada Games development program will have the Alberni athletes continue to train through the month of July.
There are many camps and competitions that will be in the USA as well as regular trips to Vancouver on weekends to practice with the Provincial team. The final competition will be to represent Team BC at the Western Canada Games in Wood Buffalo, Alberta August 7-16th.