Two members of the Olds High School Spartans wrestling team finished in the top three in their categories and four others won matches for the first time during a meet in Wetaskiwin Dec. 2 and 3.
“That was our first tournament of the season. We had a bunch of very new kids wrestling,” manager Amy Waldron says.
Both Brittney Brown and Bryer Brertton placed third in their respective classes.
Waldron is excited for them, but equally pleased for the kids who won their first matches.
“Two of them were kids who wrestled the year before and never won during the season. They just really persevered and came back, even though they didn't win anything last year,” Waldron says.
Chase Molitor won his first match of the day in the 82-kilo class.
“He was down in points. He was down 14-7 at the half,” Waldron says.
“He threw a left-handed hip toss, which is something we haven't taught yet. Instead of doing a right-handed hip toss, he did the opposite, which is less comfortable for most kids because it's left-handed, and he pinned the kid. It was awesome,” she adds.
“His mom, this was the first tournament she'd ever come to, so that was even better.”
Isabelle Schaber won her first match in the 70-kilo class.
“She was up in points but won by pin,” Waldron says “And that was her first win in two years. She wrestled all year last year and didn't win, and then came back for her first tournament of the year and won.”
Two others -- Cole Walsh and Rory Alexander -- won their first matches ever, the first time they'd participated in a wrestling tournament.
Cole Walsh competed in the 98-kilo class.
“He won by pin with one second left in the first round, so it was just at the cusp of them getting stopped,” Waldron says.
Alexander competed in several matches in the 120-kilo class.
“He didn't win his first one. It was his fifth one of the day. He won by pin,” Waldron says.
Cole Urbanowski also wrestled.
“He didn't win or place, but he showed incredible improvement,” Waldron says. “He had an amazing bridge actually, which is a move that keeps you from being pinned.”
Waldron says the tournament was a good one for the Spartans to participate in – especially those competing for the first time.
“It's a lot of rural kids, which is good, because they tend to be really tough. In the city, you get a different mix of kids, but the rural kids – they're strong kids,” she says.
“We have a very successful wrestling program,” Waldron says, noting it's now in its 21st year.
Danielle Lappage, who made it to the Olympics in Rio this past summer, is one alumna, but she's not the only one who's done well.
“We've had other less celebrated wrestlers, like Amber Maschke, who has competed at Worlds and the Pan Am Games,” Waldron says.
“We've had three kids in the last three years receive wrestling scholarships to university, so we just have a very successful program, which is nice. For kids wanting to go on anywhere, it's very exciting for them.”
"We've had three kids in the last three years receive wrestling scholarships to university, so we just have a very successful program."AMY WALDRONMANAGER OHS SPARTANS WRESTLING TEAM
