The Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) boys’ wrestling team walked away with the team title in the Senior Boys’ Division during the Campbell River Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 28.
The Alberni Junior Club finished second in both the Junior Boys and Girls Divisions.Forty Alberni Valley wrestlers travelled to the Campbell River competition.
In the Senior Mens’ Division, ADSS finished with 71 points, a long way ahead of second place New Westminster Secondary who finished with 28 points.
Armada had five wrestlers go undefeated to win their weight divisions: Ravi Manhas (43kg), Owen Spencer (57kg), Isaac McDonald (64kg), Aaron Badovinac (74kg) and Trenton Vanderlooi (110kg) all looked strong to finish with gold medals.
Trevor Barker (54kg) and William Merry (130kg) both finished with silvers. Duncan McLeod (third at 38kg), Prateesh Giri (third at 57kg), Scott Coulthart (third at 85kg), Darien Van Ingen (fourth at 57kg), and Jayden Iversen (fourth at 77kg) rounded out the placings in the Senior Mens’ side.
Four Armada women competed in the Senior Womens’ Division. Paige Maher (second at 80kg), Miranda Barker (third at 80kg), Anna Frost (fourth at 54kg), and Mackenzie Boudreau (fifth at 59kg) all competed hard in preparation for this weekend’s home Invitational.
“It has been a tough week for our team,” said ADSS coach Russ Bodnar. “With exams, and a cold and flu bug making its way around the school it has been a struggle to get everyone to practice this week. We are nursing a few injuries too. Those who were healthy showed up and wrestled well. Individually there were a few performances that stood out. Ravi Manhas looked dominant…it was also nice to see Isaac McDonald wrestle well today. He wrestled really smart in his challenge match.”
Armada’s Landyn Clayton had a dominating performance to win gold at 72kg in the Junior Men’s Division and teammate Rajan Khanar finished with the bronze at 59kg.
The Armada’s Junior Club had a large number of wrestlers make the trip to Campbell River. Evan McLeod (32kg) and Rowan Cole (31kg) continue to show their tenacity and grit, winning another pair of gold medals. Anika Elder (31kg), Caitlyn Baker (43kg), Keanna Sept (51kg), and Ezra Frost (47kg) finished with silver medals. Cameron Maher (53kg), Cole Robinson (55kg) and Austin Kastin (63kg) finished with bronze medals. Justin Elliot (fourth at 41kg) Brenden Iversen (fourth at 44kg), Duncan Richardson (fourth at 80kg) rounded out the top placings for the junior wrestlers.
Alex Bielert, Grant Coulthart, Alex McKenzie, Tennison Paddison, and Jax Robinson represented the future of Alberni wrestling as they travelled to compete in the elementary division.
It is a busy week for wrestlers, coaches, and volunteers as they make the final preparations for the Armada Invitational at ADSS Feb. 3-4.
For more information visit www.alberniwrestling.ca.