Barrie’s Riley Leech is ready for the big time, even if he wasn’t expected to get there just yet.

The Barrie North Collegiate and K-Bay Wrestling Club athlete will represent Canada at the Pan Am Games in Brazil, starting next weekend.

“I was pretty shocked when I made the team. I wasn’t expecting to make it.”

Leech, who is in Grade 10, will compete in the FILA Cadet Pan American Championships, for teens in Grade 9, 10 and 11.

He flies out April 30 and competes May 2.

This is the 16-year-old athlete’s first international competition.

“I had to place top three at a national event, then compete again the next day. I placed third at that match so I made the team,” he said. “There aren’t any other Barrie North or K-Bay wrestlers going. There are only four wrestlers from Ontario and 14 from Canada going. It’s an honour.”

Susie Rowe, Leech’s Barrie North Collegiate coach and one of his K-Bay coaches, said Leech’s success was a surprise.

“He works hard and he puts in a lot of extra time off the mat,” she said. “He’s still so young. We thought he’d do well, but making the team was a big surprise. He’s been working hard with his head coach, Nick Cryer. He’s earned it.”

Leech didn’t set out to be a wrestler.