2008 Woodie Awards
Brock wrestling: the secret dynasty
Chris Pope
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Sports
The Brock men's wrestling team quietly earned their 10th straight Canadian Interuniversity Sports championship at the University of Calgary over the weekend.
The Badgers' success begins at the top with head coach Marty Calder. Calder was a member of the Brock wrestling team from 1986-92. In his five years with the team he was named Male Athlete of the Year three consecutive years from 1989-92.
Calder went on to achieve four Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union championship gold medals and five Ontario University Athletic (OUA) championships. Calder participated in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona placing 17th and in 1996 he placed seventh in Atlanta. He also captured gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 and at the Pan-Am Games in 1999.
"Being successful as an athlete yourself can be very beneficial in coaching, but it does not guarantee you the ability to coach. I was fortunate to have mentors that taught me about areas of the sport that I was unfamiliar with, I believe that plays a big part in my success as a coach," said Calder.
Calder continued his winning ways when he became head coach of the Badgers. In his 13 years as head coach he has earned 20 OUA championships and 11 national championships which includes the current dynasty of 10 men's championships in a row capped off this year in Calgary. This year Calder earned his sixth and seventh OUA Head Coach of the Year honours when he was named both OUA Male and Female Head Coach of the Year.
"Our program is not a one man show, I can assure you of that. We are grateful to have such a great coaching staff and support system here at Brock," said Calder. "Aside from not having our own permanent wrestling room, the university and the athletic department have been extremely supportive in fostering our success."
This year at the CIS championship the men's team earned 54 points highlighted by C.J. Hudson earning gold and Eric MacKinnon, Paul Rabjohn, Alex Brown-Theriault and Aaron Fabiano all earning podium finishes.
The women captured third place behind Simon Fraser University and the University of Calgary. The women were led by Michelle Fazzari who earned gold followed by Alana King, Liz Sanli and Jessica Bondy who all earned medals as well.
"It was an outstanding year given the fact that we accomplished a feat that may never happen again in the history of our sport, winning 10 consecutive national championships," said Calder. "Individually, we had athletes emerge themselves onto the wrestling scene. That is really gratifying."
Calder will look to continue the dominance next year when he looks to build on the masterpiece he has helped construct.
The Badgers' success begins at the top with head coach Marty Calder. Calder was a member of the Brock wrestling team from 1986-92. In his five years with the team he was named Male Athlete of the Year three consecutive years from 1989-92.
Calder went on to achieve four Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union championship gold medals and five Ontario University Athletic (OUA) championships. Calder participated in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona placing 17th and in 1996 he placed seventh in Atlanta. He also captured gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 and at the Pan-Am Games in 1999.
"Being successful as an athlete yourself can be very beneficial in coaching, but it does not guarantee you the ability to coach. I was fortunate to have mentors that taught me about areas of the sport that I was unfamiliar with, I believe that plays a big part in my success as a coach," said Calder.
Calder continued his winning ways when he became head coach of the Badgers. In his 13 years as head coach he has earned 20 OUA championships and 11 national championships which includes the current dynasty of 10 men's championships in a row capped off this year in Calgary. This year Calder earned his sixth and seventh OUA Head Coach of the Year honours when he was named both OUA Male and Female Head Coach of the Year.
"Our program is not a one man show, I can assure you of that. We are grateful to have such a great coaching staff and support system here at Brock," said Calder. "Aside from not having our own permanent wrestling room, the university and the athletic department have been extremely supportive in fostering our success."
This year at the CIS championship the men's team earned 54 points highlighted by C.J. Hudson earning gold and Eric MacKinnon, Paul Rabjohn, Alex Brown-Theriault and Aaron Fabiano all earning podium finishes.
The women captured third place behind Simon Fraser University and the University of Calgary. The women were led by Michelle Fazzari who earned gold followed by Alana King, Liz Sanli and Jessica Bondy who all earned medals as well.
"It was an outstanding year given the fact that we accomplished a feat that may never happen again in the history of our sport, winning 10 consecutive national championships," said Calder. "Individually, we had athletes emerge themselves onto the wrestling scene. That is really gratifying."
Calder will look to continue the dominance next year when he looks to build on the masterpiece he has helped construct.
Be the first to comment on this story