Grade 12 wrestler Aaron Badovinac accepts the McEvay Post trophy from Tom McEvay, on behalf of the Armada Team who won the Armada Duals. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Alberni District Secondary School Armada hosted five teams in a dual meet tournament on Friday.

A dual meet is a tournament where one wrestler at each weight goes head to head with the opposing team, the victor scoring team points. The ADSS team defeated squads from Vancouver College, South Island and North Island to claim the coveted McEvay post and team title.

Saturday, Armada wrestlers travelled to Campbell River to compete in the annual Cambpell River Invite at Carihi Secondary. ADSS Senior girls came out on top lead by the gold medal performances of Miranda Barker (84kg) and Paige Maher (75kg). The Senior boys finished second behind the very large Vancouver College team.

Adding to the gold medal tally for the boys Armada were Aaron Badovinac (78kg), Isaac McDonald (70kg), Ravi Manhas (48 kg), Seth Price (57 kg), Mason Bodnar (90 kg), Bobby Mackenzie (41 kg), and Jayce Clayton (90 kg). Earning silver medals were Duncan McLeod (48kg), Landyn Clayton (70 kg), Malika McDonald (40kg), William Merry (130 kg) and Scott Coulthart (110 kg). Finishing in 4th place was Owen Spencer(63kg) and Austen Kasten (66kg) and in 5th was Wyatt Young (54kg) and Cole Robinson (63 kg). Prateesh Giri (63 kg) was competitive but did not place.

“It was a great weekend of wrestling,” said head coach John McDonald. “The dual meet tournament gave the team a chance to show off their skills in front of the ADSS student body which was a lot of fun. Our results Saturday were impressive, with nine of 19 athletes winning their weight classes.”

Alberni also sent several elementary wrestlers to compete in Campbell River. Alex Bielert, Rylan Cheetham, Grant Coulthart, Jackie-Lynn Croft, Nolan Cross, Nickolas Cross, Jordyn George, Janna Hiltz, Alex McKenzie, Hussein Omo and Bruce Williams all gained match experience.

“It was great to see so many of our Junior Club kids compete this weekend,” said coach Travis Cross. “They have been working hard and have learned a lot over the last couple of months.”

Next up for the Armada wrestlers is the Island Championships in Chemainus on Saturday, Feb. 17. The highlight of the season will be the BC High School Provincial Championships, hosted in hometown Port Alberni, March 1-3.

If you would like more information about the Provincial Championships, please visit www.alberniwrestling.com. If you would like to provide sponsorship or can volunteer at the Provincial Championships, please contact James Messenger at jmessenger@sd70.bc.ca or Tom McEvay at tmcevay@shaw.ca.

MAT TALK…The Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) has signed on to be title sponsor of the 2018 BC Secondary School Wrestling Championships coming to Port Alberni, March 1-3.