Alberni wrestlers bring home hardware from Islands, prep for B.C.’s at home

Alberni Armada wrestlers celebrate victory at the Island high school championships held last weekend. The boys won the Island title for the 19th straight year. Local wrestlers will compete in the BC high school wrestling championships in Port Alberni March 1–3. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Alberni Armada Boys Wrestling Team won the Vancouver Island Secondary School Wrestling Championships for the 19th consecutive year. It was the 31st time in the last 36 years the Armada Boys won the title of Island Champions.

The ADSS boys finished with 79 points, more than double the 29 points accumulated by second place Queen of Angels. Carihi from Campbell River was third with 26 points.

The Armada girls finished second behind Cowichan Secondary School. Chemainus Secondary finished third.

Individually 26 wrestlers qualified to represent Alberni District Secondary School at the BC High School Championships in two weeks time.

Ten Alberni wrestlers claimed the gold medals in their respective weight classes. Bobby McKenzie, Ravi Manhas, Seth Price, Owen Spencer, Isaac McDonald, Aaron Badovinac, Scott Coulthart, Malika McDonald, Paige Maher, and Miranda Barker all went undefeated.

Ryann Tramer, Daniel Spencer, Jarod Gagnon, Jayce Clayton, Anna Frost, and Mackenzie Boudreau all finished with silver medals.

Duncan MacLeod (3rd), Darien Van Ingen, Landon Clayton, Cooper Day (4th), Wyatt Young (4th), Austin Kasten (4th), Mason Bodnar (4th), Ezra Frost (5th) Brenden Iversen (5th) and Prateesh Giri (5th) all rounded out the placings for the strong Alberni team.

Jayden Iversen and William Merry were both petitioned into the BC High School Championships based on their past results from the season

Grade 12 wrestler Aaron Badovinac was selected as the Most Outstanding Male Wrestler of the Tournament based on his dominating performance at 74 kilograms.

“Aaron is undefeated at his weight class in BC the past two years. He has been one of the most dominant and consistent wrestlers over that period. He is certainly deserving of the recognition,” noted Coach John McDonald. “I am happy with how our group wrestled today. We looked strong. Ravi was also dominant and Grade 10 Scott Coulthart had a great tournament winning some tough matches.”

The Armada will be training hard over the next two weeks in preparation for the BC Championships at home March 1- 3.