Press Release - Alberni Wrestlers Light-Up Campbell River

Post date: Jan 30, 2013 6:22:54 AM

Wrestling teams from AW Neill, EJ Dunn, and Alberni District Secondary were in Campbell River Saturday to compete in the Campbell River Invitational. All three teams had some outstanding individual performances as they enter into the peak of the wrestling season.

In the team standings EJ Dunn Middle School Seahawks were second overall in the Junior Girls Division (Grade 7 – 9) and finished third overall in the Junior Boys Division. AW Neill Junior Boys finished second overall.

The Dunn Girls were led by the gold medal performance of Aleadra Flaro(40kg). Kalissa Montgomery (43kg), Summer Wass (51kg) and Grace Deutsch (64kg) each lost to only one opponent to win the silver medals in their weight classes. Third place finishers included Queenie Zhang (51 kg) and Kylea Anderson (54kg).

Trenton Vanderkooi (70 kg) led the way for the Dunn boys claiming gold in his weight class. Trevor Barker (32kg), Aaron Badovinac (54kg) and Jayce Clayton (70kg) all had strong tournaments to finish with silver medals. Bronze medal finishers included Isaac McDonald (41kg) and Matthew Grimston (60 kg). Jarrod Gagnon (5th at 60kg) and Darien Van Igen (6th at 35kg) rounded out the top 6 placers for the Dunn Boys.

The Neill Middle School Talons were also well represented at the tournament with ten wrestlers placing in the top six. In the girls division, Teela Johnson (47kg) led the Neill team with a silver medal. The boys top six finishers included Kenji Boyko (3rd at 32 kg), Justin Pater (3rd at 45kg), Kole Croxen (4th at 32kg), Seth Price (4th at 35 kg), Ripley Jensen (4th at 41 kg), Daniel Spencer (4th at 51kg), Owen Spencer (5th at 35kg), Tristan Greene (5th at 51kg) and Scott Coulthart (6th at 51kg).

The Elementary Division featured four young Alberni up and comers. Mason Bodnar, Malika McDonald, Paige Maher and Cameron Maher all gained valuable match experience that they will bring into their home debut February 7th at the Alberni Invite.

“I am pleased with the large turnout of Alberni wrestlers at this tournament,” commented Coach Maureen Messenger. “Our wrestlers are ramping up their intensity both at practice and in competition in preparation for the upcoming Alberni Invitational Tournament. For many of our wrestlers, the Alberni Invite is the pinnacle of their season and the athletes want to perform well for the home crowd.”

ADSS brought a strong team that didn’t disappoint. The Armada finished first overall in both the Senior Boys and Senior Girls Division. The Senior Girls were led by a gold medal performance from grade 12 Bailey Durning (69kg). Second place finishers included Remi Wells (57kg), Michel Kurucz (60kg) and Julia McGowan (69kg). Top 6 finishers included Corinne Gough (3rd 47kg), Lauren Barker (4th at 54kg) and Elise Huffman (6th at 69kg).

In the Senior Boys Division, Jesse Wagner wrestled an outstanding final match against rival Dave Sharma form Abbotsford to claim gold in the 54kg weight class. Nolan Badovinac (74kg) and Christian Anderson (90kg) wrestled well adding gold medals. Silver medallists included Sheldon Haddad (60kg), Dean Leyland (70kg) and Jonathan Spencer (70kg). Rounding out the top 6 finishers were Jarred Beckett (4th at 48kg), Johannes Kulich (4th at 66kg), and Eryk Cardinal (4th at 70kg).

All three teams will spend the week busily preparing for the Alberni Invitational which will take place in the Multiplex February 7^th-9th.