FERGUS – The Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association (CWOSSA) drew athletes from 25 schools from Hagersville, Cayuga, Brantford, Kitchener Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and surrounding areas to Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) Feb. 21.
More than 230 students competed in the tournament in the school’s gymnasium in four weight categories, earning points for their teams. Fifteen points are awarded for first, ten for second, six for third and one for fifth or sixth.
Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate earned the most points at the event with 72 for the boy’s division and John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute led for the girls with 61 points.
Dave Ritter has been teaching at CWDHS for 28 years and has served as the CWOSSA Wrestling Convenor since 2010.
He was happy to see the event run smoothly with support from staff, student volunteers, coaches, referees and wrestling alumni who attended.
“The kids competing today had to finish in the top three at their local qualifier to advance,” he said.
“Then the top two finishers (in most weight classes) will advance to OFFSA which is the provincial for high school finals on March 5 and 6 in Stoney Creek.
“There are 67 athletes from the CWOSSA region who will move on to compete at OFSAA.”
Hundreds of competitors and spectators filled the gymnasium at CWDHS.
CWDHS finished in 11th and 8th place for their girl’s and boy’s teams respectively. Students Ally B and Luc S advanced to OFSAA winning gold and silver medals and Nate L and Niki L also won silver.
First time coach Dan Ariza from St. Mary’s High School in Waterloo began coaching at the end of November last year.
Although he didn’t compete in wrestling in high school himself, he believes it to be one of the fairest competitive sports.
“You’re always against people that are at your same weight – you aren’t limited by height or anything else, so there are always opportunities to improve,” he said.
“I feel like our team did well. We could have started a bit earlier, but we’ve been practicing since the end of November with students training regularly, working on their technique.
“The more practice that they’ve had, the more likely they are to do well.”
Ariza was thrilled to have the opportunity to watch his students compete and excel at the tournament. One such student, Jacob Michalski won Gold in his match.
“At the end of the match, there’s always a winner and a loser, but either way the kids have a lot to gain from the experience,” Ariza added.
Detailed results
For more detailed results or more information on the upcoming OFFSA tournament, visit cwossa.ca or ofsaa.on.ca.
Amari Thompson (left) won a close match against challenger Anthony Nguyen.
Cameron Heights student Dana Yuan keeps on top of Hani Haredo from Eastwood Collegiate Institute.
Isaac Yada from Monsignor Doyle High School locks up Gavin Young from Jacob Hespeler High School.
Jacob Michalski tries to pin his opponent, Ethan Wright from Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.
