OLDS - The fact that Olympic wrestler Danielle Lappage competed for the École Olds High School wrestling team has been a fantastic recruiting tool, according to head coach George Grant.
The former Olds resident made her Olympic debut at Rio in 2016 but sustained an injury in her opening match, putting an early end to her Games. In 2018, Lappage won silver in the 65 kilogram class at the World Wrestling Championships.
Lappage actually began wrestling while at École Deer Meadow School before entering high school.
“She’s the greatest calling card this program can have,” he said. “I’ll ride her coattails all the way through to her retirement and beyond.
“I’m very proud of what she has done – individually for herself, but she’s also done so much for our program here in Olds with the recognition.
"The name recognition alone is huge. That’s advertising that you just can’t buy,” he added.
“She’s been so proud to be from Olds. This is her home; this is where she started, and she’s never been afraid to talk of that. So she’s a great calling card for us.
“I don’t know, maybe we have the next Danielle Lappage in that room. So we’ll wait and see. It’s a long road, but we’re hoping to make that a fun road.”
