Adding to Salmon Arm Secondary wrestling coach Ray Munsie’s excitement of a gold medal, bronze medal and sixth-place finish at the 2016 BC High School Wrestling Championships, was news that Salmon Arm will host the 2017 provincial tournament.
“We will host the BC Championships. It’s a for sure done deal – the best wrestlers in the province will be coming here,” exclaimed an elated Munsie.
The three-day tournament will be hosted at the Shaw Centre March 2 to 4. Munsie says businesses are already coming onboard to help out as sponsors, and individuals are stepping up to help out in anyway they can.
“One thing I’ve learned about this community is when there is a big project, people step up,” says Munsie, who is thrilled for his athletes to have to chance to compete at the top level at home, where they will be able to sleep in their own beds, have home-cooked meals and have their friends and family cheering them on.
This year in Abbotsford, Elijah Lazar of Shuswap Middle School had his arm raised as the victor in the 38-kilogram gold medal final of the B.C. High School Wrestling Championships.
“Lazar dominated from the opening whistle and pinned Konnor Sun in the first round,” said Munsie. In the 48-kg weight class, Rohan Kaffle made a name for himself as he won three bouts to take home the bronze medal. In what Munsie described as the toughest weight class in all of Western Canada, the 57-kg class, Reid McInnes placed a respectable sixth.
Munsie is hopeful the success of this season will lead to success next year on home turf.
