Wrestlers from Rupert, Hazelton and Haida Gwaii got together at the Prince Rupert Middle School over the weekend to mark a momentous occasion, the first wrestling tournament held in Prince Rupert for several years.
It was made possible due to new wrestling mats being acquired by Charles Hays back in September, thanks to a combination of fundraising efforts by the school, and donations from the Port of Prince Rupert, DP World, Ridley Island Terminal, Prince Rupert Grain, as well as the CHSS and district PAC’s.
READ MORE: Brand new wrestling mats on display at Charles Hays
The Jan. 25 tournament, largely friendly in nature, featured a number of wrestlers in several different categories. Rainmakers head coach Dane Waldal liked what he saw from his team, now in their third year of existence.
“I thought they competed well, I was really happy with their performance. It’s always tough anytime you have a long season, and people can get nervous in front of their friends and family. But I was super impressed with all the athletes on our team, as well as the wrestlers that came in from Haida Gwaii and Hazelton,” Waldal said.
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One wrestler Waldal was particularly impressed with is not even a Rainmaker yet, although she certainly had no trouble keeping pace with the level of competition. MJ Rojeski from Prince Rupert Middle School took down girls older than herself on her way to earning a gold medal.
“It’s hard and nervous because they have more experience than me,” Rojeski said, even though she was the one her opponents would be submitting to by day’s end. Even more incredible, this is Rojeski’s first year ever wrestling.
| MJ Rojeski from PRMS won first place in her category, despite having to wrestle against high school girls. (Alex Kurial / The Northern View) |
There was plenty of success among the Haida Gwaii contingent. Cameron Holland from Masset won all three of his matches to take gold in the 80 kg category.
“It could have been a bit better, but I think I was pretty even throughout all my matches,” Holland said. “It’s awesome to come all this way and win gold.”
| Cameron Holland of Masset won all three of his matches to take gold in the 80 kg category. He's joined by Janelle Edgars from Old Massett, who placed second in her event. (Alex Kurial / The Northern View) |
Sheldon Smith also will be taking a gold medal back to the islands after topping the 66 kg category. His wins came via a count-out, and unfortunately a broken collarbone by his next opponent. Smith, who has been wrestling since Grade 8, felt it was a positive tournament.
“I felt my techniques were okay. It [winning] definitely made it worth the journey,” Smith said.
| Haida Gwaii's Sheldon Smith stands stop the 66 kg weight class, scoring his wins by count-out and injury submission. (Alex Kurial / The Northern View) |
Haida head coach Rob Brown was also pleased with his team’s performances.
“It was really good, all the kids wrestled phenomenal,” Brown said. “Sheldon had a pretty good match, and Cam won first place in his division going undefeated.”
Rhon Peal was a big winner from Hazelton Secondary, the Kitwanga native placing first in the 90 kg event.
“It felt pretty good. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to work that hard to win, but after the second match I felt like I had it,” Peal said.
| Rhon Pearl from Hazelton Secondary took home top spot in the 90 kg category. (Alex Kurial / The Northern View) |
Up next for Rainmakers wrestling will be the Northwest Zones, hosted by Prince Rupert on Feb. 8. These will serve as qualifiers for Provincials.
Alex Kurial | Sports Reporter
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