With a provincial gold medallist, two more silvers and other grapplers scoring points, the Maple Ridge Ramblers placed third as a team at the provincial wrestling championships, held in Salmon Arm over the weekend.
Grade 12 Miki Rowbottom led the way for the MRSS team, winning the 57-kg weight class in convincing fashion.
Coach Bill McCrae said Rowbottom used good leg attacks and throws to finished her high school career undefeated throughout her Grade 12 year.
The previously undefeated Ryan Hicks had to settle for silver, as the Grade 9 lost against an older club opponent in the championship match.
Lucas Kolobara, a Grade 11, lived up to his second seed in the tournament, but he almost took gold. In the championship match he had his opponent on his back for a near pin, but didn’t manage to get his shoulders down.
“I’m so proud of how Lucas conducted himself this weekend in Salmon Arm,” said McCrae. “Lucas injured his knee in his second match and literally had to wrestle on one good leg in his last three matches.
Nate Van Alestyn and Marquesis Haintz also contributed to the team’s success by earning some valuable team points, placing fourth in a 32-person bracket.
They are also both Grade 11 athletes, which leaves the team optimistic about next season.
With only one Grade 12 leaving, McCrae expects his wrestlers to be all over the podium in 2018.
Grade 8 phenom Ivy Threatful made her provincial presence known by winning two matches in the toughest weight class in the women’s division.
“Yes, five of the nine athletes we sent to Salmon Arm made it to the semi-finals, with three of those making it to the finals. I’d say that’s a pretty good result for this, our rebuilding year,” said McCrae
Kolobara and Hicks will keep training to prepare for the junior and juvenile nationals, which will be held in April in Windsor, Ont.