Wrestling invitational highlighted by trio of top finishes

Aaron Yeo

GOLDEN GRAPPLERS Strong individual results from the Bears were the bright spot over the weekend at the annual U of A Varsity Golden Bear Invitational.

In their lone home date of the season, the Golden Bears and Pandas wrestlers finished second and fourth respectively at the annual U of A Varsity Golden Bear Invitational wrestling tournament over the weekend at the Pavilion.

Led by first-year head coach Owen Dawkins, the Bears and Pandas had high hopes heading into their home tournament, and came away with some strong individual results.

For Dawkins, the overall results were a middle-of-the-road start to the new calendar year, but the former CIS gold-medallist did see some improvement in his squad.

"It was okay, it wasn't great. The kids wrestled better and are continually improving," Dawkins said.
"The results were right where I expected them to be at this time."

On the men's side, Jason Waas, Coleman Brinker, and James Yurick all finished first overall in their respective weight classes, leading the Bears to a second-place finish in the men's team event behind wrestlers from the University of New Brunswick.

For the Pandas, Lindsey Almeida had the best individual result, finishing second in the 51 kg division, placing behind Natasha Kramble from Saskatchewan. Kramble was part of a Huskies team that took top spot in the women's team standings.

One key Panda who didn't compete over the weekend was four-time CIS gold medallist and Olympian Ali Bernard. Bernard, who came to the Pandas after four outstanding seasons at the University of Regina, is currently training with the U.S. national team, as she builds towards a possible appearance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Bernard brings with her immense experience having wrestled at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and will be looked to not only for results, but also her wrestling wisdom.

"She's expected to take a huge leadership role. It's her last year of eligibility. She's a huge favourite for the CIS Championships coming up, and has a chance to become the first woman to win five CIS Championships," Dawkins pointed out.

For Bernard and the rest of the Golden Bears and Pandas, everything over the next month leads to the Canada West Championships next month in Calgary. Along with Bernard, the U of A wrestlers are hopeful the conference championship serves as a stepping stone to bigger and better things at the national tournament come March.