Morning Star Staff
The VSS Panthers opened the high school wrestling season by claiming four gold and two bronze medals at the Penticton tournament last Saturday.
Schools from Kamloops, Salmon Arm and Kelowna were also represented at the tournament, which gave the Panther coaches a chance to see the team’s potential before provincials for the first time in several years of VSS wrestling.
The Panthers’ strength is in the lighter weights: Grade 8 Joe Eggert in 38-kilogram class; Grade 9 Sam Eggert in 42-kg class; Grade 8 Tyler Jackson in 48-kg class and Grade 8 Josh Sanchez in 57-kg.
All four boys have wrestled for years and all four earned gold under coaches Brad Wyse and Rob Eggert.
Second-year wrestler Jarrod Flanders fills the heavyweight division at 130+ kg and earned a bronze.
First-year wrestlers Calvin Blaeser (Grade 8) and Joel Sol (Grade 9) tasted some success, both winning at least one of their matches and Sol picking up bronze in his weight class.
“All our boys are smart, tough, and quick, said Wyse. “It will be interesting to see what they may achieve this season if remaining committed to the sport.”
In the new school, the wrestling room overlooks the gymnasium.
Said coach Eggert: “We have new mats and quality equipment thanks to the support of our PAC and local businesses. Dr. Rex Hawthorne and Associates supports the team once again this season, making it possible for us to travel to Prince George in February to compete in the provincials.”
The Panthers are in the Abbotsford Invitational this Saturday.
