There was no love lost on the wrestling mats last Saturday as more than 50 students descended on Jackson campus to battle in the Thompson/Okanagan zone wrestling championships.
Defending zone champions and hosts, Salmon Arm Secondary, were crowned combined zone champions for the third year in a row.
The girls team competed with only seven girls, being depleted by two injuries and an illness.
Penticton Secondary girls edged out Valleyview from Kamloops by 12 points to 10. Finishing in third was the short-handed host team from SAS with nine points.
The performance of the girls from SAS was reflected in their many podium finishes. Krystine Hamre, Mandie Schwandt, Mara Baker and Serena Bohme won gold medals, while silver medals were garnered by Maddie Porteous and Taylor Watts.
First-year wrestler, Cassie O’Flaherty, place fifth in the 47-kilogram division.
One of the toughest divisions in the tournament, O’Flaherty, in Grade 9, competed hard but ultimately lost to Alyssa Kroeker, Grade 12, from Penticton.
Coach Ray Munsie praised O’Flaherty’s effort, saying she was one of the toughest competitors of the day.
SAS dominated the boys’ side of the tournament, repeating as champions for the third consecutive year.
Amar Kang, a first- year wrestler, placed fifth but gained one team point for his hard work.
Bronze medals went to Colton Steiger, Drew Bannister and Colton Greeno.
Winning silver medals for SAS were Jacob Fagrie, Nick Ough, Tristan Connor, Sam Poffinbarger and Skylar Bailey.
Claiming gold medals were siblings Rohan and Awatar Kafle, Colin Robinson, Cole Swetlikoe, Reid McInnes and Alec Crawford.
The boys’ team earned more than double the team points than Kelowna, their nearest competitor. As a result of their dominance, Salmon Arm easily won the combined zone championship.
The team will continue to practise for two more weeks before those who have qualified for the B.C. High School Championships head to Abbotsford at the end of the month.
