Some of the many alumni from the Maple Ridge Ramblers wrestling program helped out with a tourney on Thursday, Nov. 27, as the team hosted its annual Icebreaker Tournament.
The wrestlers who came back to referee events were Ivy Threatful (Hometown Hero selection and an SFU wrestler), Sophia Stark (last year’s captain), Madisyn Grof (Grand Prix of Spain gold medallist with team Canada), Ashton Senko (SFU wrestler), Agnia Krakovska (Pan Am gold medallist) and Ryan Hicks (SFU wrestler).
Team coach Kevin Menic said it’s “amazing to have alumni coming back to help out,” and noted that Grof and Ryan are both coming to the gym to help coach the team on a regular basis as well.He said they’ve already wrestled at the high school provincials, nationals, at the university level, and even internationally, so it’s invaluable to have their experience and wrestling knowledge in the gym.
The successful Ramblers program, in addition to being a pipeline of talent for the SFU Red Leafs team, has enjoyed considerable success, and always has wrestlers in contention for provincial championships. Last year they won a team provincial championship, and this year they have a young team that could challenge again.
The Ramblers had about 50 wrestlers at the Icebreaker Tournament, and Menic noted about 30 of them were new to the sport. There are only about four Grade 12s, and an equal number of Grade 11s.
“We’re looking forward to a good season, with a lot of new athletes,” said Menic.
His team captain Linden Sinow-Horton won bronze at provincials last year, and Menic hopes to see him wrestle in the final this season, along with teammates Tyson Dean-Freeman and Landon Peterson in their respective weight classes.
On the girls side, captain Eva Fuller and Bella Berner both won a lot of medals at tournaments last year, and the coach is expecting them to be leaders on the team this year.
The Icebreaker had as many as 200 wrestlers from 15 different schools taking part, including local schools Westview, Garibaldi and Thomas Haney.
Next up is the Pinetree tournament on Dec. 12, as wrestlers work toward the provincial championships on Feb. 21 at the PNE Forum in Vancouver.