A select team from the Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club travelled to Burnaby Mountain Sunday, Dec. 11, for the SFU War on the Floor Elite tournament. War on the Floor is a qualifier for this year’s national championships which is being held in Vancouver in March.
“Two tournaments in one weekend is quite a bit,” admitted CVWC coach Nick Zuback, who, in his role at Queen Margaret’s School, hosted the inaugural Christmas Classic Wrestling tournament on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Zuback took a contingent of 11 wrestlers to compete in the elite event that featured athletes in Grades 8-12 all competing with each other based on weight and not age.
“Our kids did really well against some of the best in the province and Alberta,” Zuback said. “Our kids held their own and we had a number of medalists which was great to see.”
After winning the QMS tournament the previous day, Japanese international student Rei Nakatomi earned gold in the 69kg girls weight class. In that particular grouping, it was an all-Cowichan final.
Cowichan’s Emma Greenwood won a huge match, beating the reigning national champ to get to the finals.
“She battled Rei and Rei took gold and Emma took silver,” Zuback said.
Also competing in the 69kg girls grouping was former Cowichan resident Cassidy Pace. Representing Vancouver-based Takedown Academy, Pace placed third behind Nakatomi and Greenwood.
With the win, Nakatomi qualified for Team BC.
Carter Zuback also had a solid performance, winning three matches to advance to the final. He ultimately earned silver after being beaten by a wrestler from Alberta.
“The win qualified him for Team BC,” said the coach. “He didn’t beat the Albertan but he was the best in the province.”
Leon Tusiboi also medalled, earning bronze. “He was in the 45kg boys weight class, which had some really good matches,” Zuback said. “I think he lost to an Albertan too.”
Just outside the medals was Loryn Roberts, in fourth, and Elija Cote, also fourth in their respective weight classes. Cowichan’s Ridge Tomb placed sixth.