In preparation for the North Central Wrestling Zone Qualifiers last weekend, the Williams Lake Wrestling Club laced up its boots and headed to Port Alberni Feb. 9-10 for a tournament.
“We have never attended this event in the past,” said Sonia Conrod, president and head coach of the Williams lake Wrestling Club. “We took the opportunity, carpooled with our neighbouring 100 Mile Wrestling Club and made the jaunt to the island.”
Four athletes competed at the event – two from the WLWC and two from the 100 Mile Wrestling Club.
“The competition was fierce down on the island,” Sonia said. “Some of the best wrestling programs in B.C. are run there. It was one of the best-run tournaments we have attended and plan on revisiting the tournament in years to come.”
In the schoolboy division, 100 Mile’s Kody Kennedy just missed the podium, coming fourth in his weight division.
Makaela Lemon, representing the WLWC in the 73-kilogram School Girl division, fought hard to march home with a gold medal.
100 Mile House’s Tiana Dykstra was also sharp on the weekend, battling to a gold medal in the 43-kilogram weight class.
“She had some tough matchups in the cadet division and wrestled amazingly,” Sonia said.
Braden Conrod, also representing the WLWC, grappled to a fifth-place finish in the 54-kilogram cadet division, winning four out of six matchups in his double-knockout bracket.
“All the kids did amazing,” Sonia said.
For results from the North Central Wrestling Zone Qualifiers check a future Tribune.