The Olds Spartans female wrestling team won the 3A girls provincial championship during a meet in Edson.
Schools in the 3A category have up to 750 students, so the competition basically involved schools across the province outside Edmonton and Calgary. The meet was held Feb. 24-25.
Female wrestlers who participated in the tournament were McKensie Hammer, Isabelle Schaber and Esther Koelstra.
Coach George Grant is proud of them.
"They were very ecstatic about capturing the banner," he says. "We knew we were in the running but we weren't certain if we had enough points to get the win, but it turned out that yes, we did."
The Spartan boys wrestling team made the trek too.
"They wrestled quite well, but weren't able to recapture the 3A boys banner that we had the year previously," Grant says. "But the boys wrestled quite well for being the young team that they are."
Grant notes the boys wrestling team features a lot of Grade 10s.
"So experience wise, we're not quite where we want to be, but it bodes well for the future. We only graduate one of the boys, so we should be a much stronger team next year," he says.
In contrast, the girls team has a lot of experience. Koelstra is the only rookie. Hammer and Schaber are in grade 12 and 11.
Although the girls won rural provincials, this isn't the end of the wrestling season for these athletes.
This weekend, the provincial championships will be held, featuring teams from Calgary, Edmonton and the top five finishers in each category from the rural areas.
Last weekend, local wrestlers took part in the Alberta Open - wrestling club championships.
Local wrestlers weren't representing Olds High School. They represented the Central Alberta Wrestling Club instead.
"But basically it's the exact same kids, same coaches, everything," Grant says.
"They were very ecstatic about capturing the banner. We knew we were in the running but we weren't certain if we had enough points to get the win, but it turned out that yes, we did."GEORGE GRANT COACH OLDS SPARTANS WRESTLING TEAM
