Alberni Wrestling Represented at 2011 Nationals in Windsor

Post date: Apr 13, 2011 7:13:33 PM

Members of the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club did an outstanding job of representing their club and community at the 2011 Cadet/Juvenile National Championships in Windsor, Ontario this past week.

Grade 11 wrestler, Daley Forbes won her weight class and the title of National Champion for the second straight year in a row. Competing in the 75 kilogram Juvenile (17 & 18 Year Olds) Girls Division, Daley was dominant throughout the competition. In the gold medal final she threw and pinned her opponent from Smithers, British Columbia in the first round for a convincing victory.

Daughter of Alberni Wrestling Alumni Brian Forbes, Daley has been training and competing for the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club since Grade 6. Unfortunately for the ADSS School Team Daley moved to Fort. St. John and enrolled in school there this September. In preparation for the National Championships she has joined the Alberni team for training throughout the summer, early in February and most recently the provincial camp to make sure that she was in top form in Windsor. With her second straight national title and third straight medal (Silver in 2009) that commitment clearly paid off.

“Daley wrestled incredibly well this weekend. I am really happy for her and am glad that our club has been able to continue to support her. I was once again honored to coach her at a National Championships. Personally I will be honest, it is a bit bittersweet as I would love to have her still collecting team points for Alberni District Secondary. However, that doesn’t take away from her tremendous individual achievement,” commented Alberni Wrestling Club Coach James Messenger.

Ryan Yewchin of Nanaimo, who also trains with the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club, brought home the silver medal in the 92 kilogram Juvenile Division. Ryan had an incredible tournament including two exciting come from behind wins in his quarter and semi final matches.

Messenger had this to say when asked about Yewchin’s performance, “Ryan has worked really hard this season and as a result has shown tremendous improvement. He has a great work ethic and is committed to the sport. His parents have also been incredibly supportive helping him come to Port Alberni two to four times a week to train. It was great to see him have success. A couple of universities have shown interest in having Ryan join their team next year and he is excited to be moving to the next level. I am glad our wrestling club has been able to help him pursue those goals.”

Grade 9 wrestler Jesse Wagner placed an impressive fifth place in the 46 kilogram Cadet (15 & 16 Year Olds) Division. Jesse lost is first match to the eventual Gold Medalist but showed determination in making it to the placing rounds.

Alberni wrestlers Cullen Hines (72 Kilogram Juvenile), Austin Evans (54 Kilogram Juvenile) and Jordan Wagner (46 Kilogram Cadet) also represented Alberni Wrestling in Windsor. All three wrestlers won bouts but were one or two victories away from placing in the Top 6. Hines and Wagner will be able to bring the experience they gained in Windsor back on the mats next season when they compete for ADSS and the Alberni Valley Wrestling Club.

For Grade 12 wrestler Austin Evans the National Championships marked the end of his competitive wrestling career. “I remember seven years ago when Austin started wrestling for us in Grade 6 at EJ Dunn, “ lamented Coach Messenger. “He worked hard this season and did well to go 2 – 2 in a very competitive weight class that had two returning national team members. He was definitely one of the leaders on our team the last couple years and we are going to miss him on the mats. He is a strong student and I wish him the best of luck as he pursues Engineering at the University of British Columbia next year.

The National Championships marks the official end of the competitive wrestling season. The Wrestling Club will now make final preparations for their Annual Awards Night Tuesday April 26^th at the Italian Hall. Following that they will gear up for a busy fundraising season as they prepare for a busy 2011/2012 Season.