It was another successful tournament for the Williams Lake Wrestling Club, who attended War on the Floor in Langley Dec. 19-21.
“We took five wrestlers down to the tournament,” said WLWC president and coach Sonia Conrod. “This is a three-day tournament hosted by Simon Fraser University and this year it was held at the Langley Events Centre.”
On the first day of competition, in the Schoolgirl Division (grades 7-8) Danielle Schultz won her first wrestling medal taking silver in the 45-kilogram weight class.
“She had fierce competition taking on a very experienced wrestler in the gold-medal match,” Sonia said. With a medal on the day, Danielle was then qualified to enter into the Cadet Division grades 9-10 on day two, and although she didn’t make the podium fought hard and learned a lot.”
Also on day two of the competition lakecity grappling veteran Braden Conrod took on the challenge of a very tough 57-kilogram weight class.
“He, too, was against older kids,” Sonia said. “This was an incredibly tough division with 24 athletes in it. Braden won one and lost two, and also learned a lot from the experience.”
Former Olympian and wrestling coach Nasir Lal invited Braden to practice with the Canadian National Team on the final day of the competition. Sonia said it was a truly amazing opportunity.
In the Juvenile Division (grades 11-12) both Kara Pare and Makaela Haller competed in the 57-kilogram weight class.
Haller battled her way to a fourth-place finish, while Pare picked up her second gold medal of the season.
“With Kara’s gold she was then qualified to enter into the Elite Division (grades 8-12) on the final day of competition,” Sonia said. “Kara took on some really tough competition, losing both her matches. She gained experience and learned a lot.”
Kerry Normand, just coming back off an injury, won one and lost two in the tough 100-kilogram weight class. The division featured 26 grapplers, and Sonia said Normand definitely held his own.
100 Mile House’s Tiana Dykstra, competing in the 47-kilogram Elite Girls Division, marched away with a silver medal, despite injuring her neck in her first match.
“All in all, everyone came back with a positive experience,” Sonia said. “The competition was fierce and the experience was valuable.”
The club is now coming off the Western Age Class Tournament, hosted last weekend, Jan. 11-12. For results check a future Tribune.