Look for a strong showing by the seven 91原创 wrestlers competing at this weekend鈥檚 BC Secondary School Wrestling Championships at the 91原创 Events Centre, their coach predicted.
Ella Haladin, Nathan Ewing, Harrison Woods, Kanen Hunter, Jack McEwan, Jonathan Brack and Parmjot Sidhu are among 526 wrestlers in 29 weight classes.
Kamil Golowko, who is coaching the 91原创 contingent with Gurjot Kooner, thinks many will be coming home with new neck ornaments.
鈥淧arm should win gold,鈥� Golowko told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淗arrison could medal in the top three. Nathan, Ella and Jack can all place in the top six.鈥�
Six of the seven are from D.W. Poppy, while Ewing is from 91原创 Secondary School.
An eighth 91原创 wrestler, Liam Anderson, got a wildcard position.
Saturday, Feb. 15, will be the weigh-in, with action getting underway Sunday.
A consolation round is scheduled for Monday.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: 91原创 wrestler takes gold at high school games
READ ALSO: Poppy students lead the way for 91原创 United Wrestling Club
A former wrestler turned politician will be on hand.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Lisa Beare, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, was an accomplished wrestler as a high school student attending Thomas Haney Secondary.
Beare competed for two years at the Maple Ridge school, in 1993 and 1994, and both times saw her finish the high school season atop the podium for her weight class.
鈥淪he was tough, she was determined and she was focused. That feeling of never giving up 鈥� that is what allowed her to win so many times,鈥� recalled her high school coach, Larry Kliparchuk. 鈥淪he was a good student and didn鈥檛 lose very often.鈥�
鈥淲atching these athletes right now, watching the drive, the determination and the dedication, I look back at it now and realize these are the skills that have taken me to where I am today as the minister responsible for sport,鈥� Beare explained.
鈥淚t is having good people around you who teach you great sportsmanship and great teamwork that allow me to work in an environment with people all across the province.鈥�
鈥淐ompetitions like these ones help inspire our young athletes to challenge themselves and strive for their personal best.鈥�
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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