2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Wrestlers are CIS championship bound
Andrea Carisse
Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: Sports
On Feb. 17, when the majority of Brock students were heading home for some rest and relaxation, the women's and men's wrestling teams were just beginning to rev their engines. The two teams travelled to the University of Toronto where they competed in the annual Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Wrestling Championships.
By the end of the tournament, the men's team eased to the top and claimed their 13th OUA banner. The women's team fell 11 points short against the Western Mustangs, but still managed to capture an impressive second place.
Incredibly, Jamie Macari seized his fifth OUA title in five years, whereas senior Mike Neufeld and rookie Alex Brown-Theriault collected gold medals in their respective weight classes.
"We were extremely pleased with our athletes," said director of operations, Richard DesChatelets, about his teams' results.
"Going into the championships, even though we had won the OUAs twelve straight times on the men's side and six times on the women's, we were not favoured to win. It was going to be a battle between Lakehead, Guelph and McMaster, but we had some great performances.
"We had four individuals who placed second and that was a huge accomplishment for them. It was absolutely great to see that."
With their heads still held high from their OUA outcomes, both wrestling teams look forward to contending in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Championships. The national competition will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan March 2-4.
The recent OUA results have contributed to a second place ranking for the men's wrestling team and put the women's team in fifth.
"Our team this year has been a rebuilding team, so we knew we had a challenge," said DesChatelets. "We've made some huge progress from September to where we are now."
"To be ranked number two, I think it's great."
This season-ending tournament will undoubtedly be both physically and mentally trying for the athletes. The men's team, who sits closely behind the number one ranked Simon Fraser University will attempt to reclaim the first place status they have had in past years. The women will strive to outdo the top seeded University of Calgary.
"We have an outside chance of coming first. Simon Fraser is going to be our main competitors on the men's side. We've got some of our guys that are ranked sixth and seventh and there is a chance that they could place as high as fourth. So if that happens then, we'll be beside ourselves and elated with the competition.
DesChatelets said he believes that, "... the guys are ready, and so are the girls. The team spirit and the team atmosphere is great".
As the underdogs at the upcoming 2007 CIS Championships, the team has all the more reason to prove why they have such an esteemed reputation.
By the end of the tournament, the men's team eased to the top and claimed their 13th OUA banner. The women's team fell 11 points short against the Western Mustangs, but still managed to capture an impressive second place.
Incredibly, Jamie Macari seized his fifth OUA title in five years, whereas senior Mike Neufeld and rookie Alex Brown-Theriault collected gold medals in their respective weight classes.
"We were extremely pleased with our athletes," said director of operations, Richard DesChatelets, about his teams' results.
"Going into the championships, even though we had won the OUAs twelve straight times on the men's side and six times on the women's, we were not favoured to win. It was going to be a battle between Lakehead, Guelph and McMaster, but we had some great performances.
"We had four individuals who placed second and that was a huge accomplishment for them. It was absolutely great to see that."
With their heads still held high from their OUA outcomes, both wrestling teams look forward to contending in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Championships. The national competition will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan March 2-4.
The recent OUA results have contributed to a second place ranking for the men's wrestling team and put the women's team in fifth.
"Our team this year has been a rebuilding team, so we knew we had a challenge," said DesChatelets. "We've made some huge progress from September to where we are now."
"To be ranked number two, I think it's great."
This season-ending tournament will undoubtedly be both physically and mentally trying for the athletes. The men's team, who sits closely behind the number one ranked Simon Fraser University will attempt to reclaim the first place status they have had in past years. The women will strive to outdo the top seeded University of Calgary.
"We have an outside chance of coming first. Simon Fraser is going to be our main competitors on the men's side. We've got some of our guys that are ranked sixth and seventh and there is a chance that they could place as high as fourth. So if that happens then, we'll be beside ourselves and elated with the competition.
DesChatelets said he believes that, "... the guys are ready, and so are the girls. The team spirit and the team atmosphere is great".
As the underdogs at the upcoming 2007 CIS Championships, the team has all the more reason to prove why they have such an esteemed reputation.
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