Amber Maschke brought home the silver medal from the Alberta Open wrestling tournament recently in Edson.
Competing in the 56-kilogram category, Maschke wrestled four times at the tournament and lost out in the final to a second-year juvenile wrestler. This is the first year for Maschke wrestling in the juvenile class.
“In that first round (of the final match) she just … came oh so close to pinning the girl … and the girl slipped out of it and then in the second round Amber got herself caught and ended up getting herself pinned late in the second round,” said coach George Grant.
“For her to be able to go toe-to-toe and just about catch that girl is an impressive feat on its own,” he said.
Because Maschke is now wrestling as part of a club instead of being part of the high school team, Grant said that system offers more and higher level coaching as well as practice time on the weekends.
“They get extra practices in that aren't at the school, so they have a little bit of access to higher level and different coaching methods so for all the rural kids it's pretty much (normal),” he said, adding that city wrestlers get a little extra training at universities or city clubs.
Next up for those who will be competing is the national championships in Windsor, Ont. on April 8 and 9. In addition to the national competition, Maschke will be trying out for the Canadian national team the following day. The season could extend into the summer if Maschke is successful.
"For her to be able to go toe-to-toe and just about catch that girl is an impressive feat on its own."George Grant, wrestling coach
