The Williams Lake Wrestling Club’s high school and elementary grapplers were in Prince George this past weekend to compete in a double-header tournament.
Five elementary students took part in the Pin to Win tournament on Friday, while six high school athletes, along with three competitors from 100 Mile House, took part in the Prince George Secondary School Icebreaker Tournament.
“Everyone did exceptionally well and fought hard, never going down without a fight,” said Sonia Conrod, head coach and president of the WLWC.
Grade 3 grappler Kalob Scaino took home a silver medal in the 24-kilogram class, while veteran wrestler Nathan Preston, Grade 6, in a tough division, took fourth in the 57-kg class. Rookie Grade 6 wrestler Darian Atkins, at 49 kg, won a bronze.
First-year rookie Kane Sandee (45 kg), just missed the podium, taking a respectable fourth.
On the girls’ side Tyleen Sciano, who had to move up to the 48-kg weight class due to a lack of competition, narrowly missed the podium.
“Although she didn’t make the podium she never back down, taking a fourth-place finish,” Sonia said.
Day two of the competition, with teams travelling from as far away as Grand Prairie, featured grades 8 to 12 competitors.
“Grade 11 student Peter Fayowski has improved so much in the past year,” she said. “He fought hard taking a fifth-place finish in the 110-kg boys’ weight class.”
Also in Grade 11, Adam Sutherland (57 kg), won his first match but missed the podium in fourth place.
Veteran and WLWC captain Braden Conrod, Grade 9, was in a double-knockout bracket draw in the 60-kg weight class. Meeting up with his past PGSS rivals, he went undefeated bringing home a gold medal for the ‘black and blue.’
On the girls’ side athlete Danielle Schultz (Grade 9, 49 kg), had two national medalists in her weight class.
“She did amazing bringing home a bronze,” Sonia said.
Also in the 49-kg division Team B.C. member, Grade 9 Tiana Dykstra, won silver.
Meanwhile, rookie Kaitlin Jantz (60 kg), fought hard, Sonia said.
“She was awesome, taking fourth overall,” she said.
“All the kids did amazing and battled hard. We now know what needs to be worked on for the rest of the season and are eagerly back on the mat for practice.”
Next up is the War on the Floor Tournament at Simon Fraser University from Dec. 17-19.