The ADSS Armada Boys and Girls wrestling teams returned home Sunday with lots of hardware and accolades from the BC Secondary Schools Wrestling Championships in Prince George.
Senior Jesse Wagner won his fifth B.C. medal and became only one of a handful of high school wrestlers in B.C. to ever win three provincial titles as he took his 54 kg weight class.
The Armada placed third this year in the Aggregate race while the Boys were also third overall.
Wagner was unstoppable in Prince George and was an honourable mention for the Most Outstanding Male wrestler at the 2014 BC’s. He rolled over his opposition in every match on rout to the final where he met a very tough Torrey Toribio of John Oliver Secondary.
Toribio had beaten Wagner at an event several weeks ago but he was no match for him at the B.C.’s. Wagner completely dominated the match and won with a grand superior 12-2 decision early in the match.
“Jesse was very determined to win the BC’s and avenge his loss to Toribio in Campbell River in January,” said head ADSS coach John McDonald.
“He was nursing an injury back then and we knew this time would be different. It is an amazing accomplishment to win three B.C.s in your career and Jesse also has two silver medals. That means he has made the finals in each of the five years he has wrestled at the B.C.s. There might eight or 10 others who have ever done that in the past 50 years of high school wrestling.”
Jesse’s twin brother Jordan also had an outstanding BC’s taking a silver in the 57 kg weight class. He too dispatched his opponents quickly throughout the preliminary rounds. In the final he met national champion Darthe Cappelan of St Thomas Moore. Cappelan was ready and jumped out fast. Wagner fought back and looked to be gaining momentum after a throw he attempted on his opponent, but Cappelan won.
(For complete results, go online to www.albernivalleynews.com)