The Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club (CVWC) left an indelible mark on the Canadian National Championships April 5-7, in Mississauga, Ont., showcasing the exceptional talent and determination of its athletes, particularly in the demanding realm of Greco-Roman wrestling.
With many of the club’s wrestlers competing in their first nationals, they delivered stellar performances across various weight divisions, elevating the club’s standing on the national stage.
The championships proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions as the CVWC secured multiple medals, according to CVWC coach Nick Zuback.
On the first day, Fayth Pontius and Emma Greenwood claimed silver and bronze respectively in the U17 girls freestyle, while Lyla Boylan showcased her skills to secure fifth place. In the U19 girls freestyle, Loryn Roberts and Savannah Screaton exhibited their tenacity against formidable opponents.
Day two saw the medal streak continue with Ben Coté and Brady Zuback earning silver in the U15 boys freestyle, alongside Grace Meiner’s display of resilience in the U15 girls freestyle. In the U19 boys category, Jack Pye clinched a bronze, with Gabriel Carriero and Grant Coulthart also delivering commendable performances.
The final day highlighted the CVWC’s dominance in Greco-Roman wrestling, as Zuback (gold) and Coté (silver) asserted their prowess in the U15 boys category, while Meiner secured a bronze in the U15 girls division. The U17 and U19 categories witnessed outstanding performances from Pontius (gold), Greenwood (silver), Boylan (bronze), Coulthart (silver), and Pye (bronze), further bolstering the club’s impressive medal tally and culminating in a triumphant championship run.
Cowichan’s Cassidy Pace, who wrestles with Takedown Wrestling Academy, also placed first in freestyle and Greco Roman in the U17 Womens 65kg class.
In team results, Cowichan secured sixth place in both the U15 Greco-Roman men’s and U17 Greco-Roman women’s divisions, and eighth place in the U19 men’s and U17 women’s freestyle divisions. Overall, in the combined standings, Cowichan ranked 10th out of a hundred clubs across the country.
“The achievements of the CVWC at the Canadian National Championships reflect their unwavering spirit and the vibrant wrestling community they represent,” Zuback noted. “Their success transcends mere medal counts, embodying the invaluable experiences gained and challenges overcome. Congratulations are in order to all the athletes for their remarkable achievements and for proudly hoisting the CVWC flag at the nationals.”