The fact that wrestler and former Olds resident Danielle Lappage made it to the 2016 Olympics last summer has spurred several kids to try out for the Olds High School wrestling team, coach George Grant says.
The fact that wrestler and former Olds resident Danielle Lappage made it to the 2016 Olympics last summer has spurred several kids to try out for the Olds High School wrestling team, coach George Grant says.
Unfortunately, Lappage was forced to pull out from competition there, due to a torn hamstring suffered in warm-up.
Grant says this is a rebuilding year for the Spartans.
"We've got a lot of rookies on the team this year, but it gives us an opportunity to really work on some of the basics and get them better prepared as we move forward," Grant says.
He says Lappage's success has spurred some kids to try out for the team.
"She's definitely put the sport on the map a little bit more because of her success of getting to the Olympics, so it's definitely conjured up a little bit of interest," Grant says.
"These are the kids that – they may have tried other sports, but the interest that Danielle has brought, especially for the females (is significant)," he adds.
"We've got a few girls who are going 'I've never done anything like this before' and I said, 'perfect, great, come on out. Neither did Danielle.' Danielle just tried it and went, 'hey, I kind of like this.'"
Grant notes Lappage was not a one-sport athlete in high school.
"She was not just strictly a wrestler; she played volleyball and basketball and rugby. She was an all-around athlete and just had the opportunity – more of an opportunity moving on with the wrestling than in her other sports," he says.
