The wrestling program in Vanderhoof has been up and running since early November. Over 50 kids from area schools have been strengthening their bodies, and honing their techniques in the Mezzanine at NVSS. Many of these athletes have tested themselves in various competitions, with Vanderhoof wrestlers faring very well.
The first competition of the year took place in Smithers with 12 of the 14 wrestlers returning with medals. Early in the New Year the team traveled to Prince George for the largest wrestling competition in Northern BC. The team returned with 8 individual medals and their second straight team title.
This past weekend 15 athletes traveled to Kamloops for the Western Canadian Age Class Championships. This competition saw over 700 participants with the top teams from Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC in attendance. The teams returned with 4 medals and 9 top 10 finishers.
Hunter Brophy, a grade 7 student from Sinkutview, captured a gold medal in the schoolboy division (grades 7and 8) pinning all three of his opponents. Conner Ebert , a grade 5 student also from Sinkutview won a bronze in the elementary division.
Grade 8 student, Skylar Smith-Clark also won bronze in the Schoolboy Division and teammate Kaiya Conniff, a grade 9 student from NVSS won a bronze medal in the Cadet Division (grade 9 and 10).
Sarah Ebert a grade 9 student placed 4th in Cadet Girls Division Grade 11 Jonah Reinke placed fifth, and Grade 12 Chis Wilson placed 6th in two very tough divisions with over 20 competitors in each class. While Eli Anderson, grade 11, and Jason Yee , grade 9, went 2-2, placing them in the top 10 of their divisions.
The team is now preparing for their next competition in Edmonton at the end of the month. Vanderhoof residence can see this team in action as NVSS is hosting the North Central Zone Championships.
This competition, held February 10 and 11 will include both high school and elementary divisions. Vikes wrestlers are early favorites to capture the team title and are hoping for many individual zone champions.