Twenty-six wrestlers from the Cowichan Valley showcased their talent at the BC High School Wrestling Championships, Feb. 20-22 in Vancouver.
The tournament featured more than 700 athletes from 143 schools across the province, all competing for the coveted provincial titles.
Brayden Zuback (QMS) and Antonio Iannidinardo (Frances Kelsey) led the charge, each capturing gold in their respective weight classes. This marked his second provincial title for Zuback as he defeated a former champion in the finals.
“It was incredible to see how focused and composed he was throughout the match,” said coach Nick Zuback.
Iannidinardo’s victory was particularly meaningful, as he had reached the podium multiple times in previous years but had never secured the top spot.
“He’s one of the hardest workers in our practice room, and he was locked in for the entire tournament,” said coach Ryan Yewchin.
Several other Cowichan Valley wrestlers also made their mark.
Carter Zuback (QMS) and Ross Meiner (Quw’utsun) capped off their high school careers with podium finishes, both securing bronze in their respective weight classes.
“Watching them win their final high school matches together was a special moment,” said Zuback.
Andrew Grobbelaar (Brentwood) also earned a third-place finish, with his coach noting that he will be a competitor to watch in the coming years. Meanwhile, Cassidy Pace (Frances Kelsey) claimed third in her division, ending her season on a high note.
Other standout performances included Rose Wu (QMS) and Calvin Steeves (QMS), who finished fourth, while Jonathon Grobbelaar (Brentwood) placed fifth in his division.
QMS emerged as the top-performing school from the valley, finishing fifth in the boys’ division and sixth in the combined boys’ and girls’ standings.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment for a small school, especially in a competition with no tiered divisions, where they’re up against some of the largest schools in the province,” Zuback commented. "Congratulations to all the wrestlers who proudly represented their schools and the Cowichan Valley."
Next up, local athletes will compete at the B.C. Club Championships before heading to Calgary in April for nationals.
