Solid showings for Moose Jaw high school at South Sask. Wrestling tournament
It was another solid tournament for Moose Jaw high school wrestlers – and this time they had a chance to win their medals in front of their own friends and family.
More than 200 wrestlers from throughout the province took part in the South Sask. high school championship tournament, with competitors from Peacock, Central and Vanier winning four gold, six silver and one bronze.
One of those golds came from Liam Vargo in the Elite Male 56 kilogram division as he swept his three matches, winning all three by technical fall. Not a bad result for a Grade 9 competitor from Peacock in his first year of high school wrestling.
“I think the transition to high school wrestling has been phenomenal,” Vargo said. “I’m doing great, my performances have been good and I’m happy with where I’m going. I’ve seen a lot of improvement in the last couple of years and I’m really looking forward to provincials. It’ll be neat to have a chance to be a four-year provincial champ.”
Fellow Peacock standout Dylan Yamniuk found himself in a war in his first match against Regina’s Winston Knoll’s Trenton Wilhelm in the Elite Male 69 kg division, eventually taking a 14-12 decision. It was clear sailing from there as he won by pinfall and technical fall his next two bouts before taking 11 seconds to win the gold medal match.
“It was a pretty good tournament, I did well,” Yamniuk said. “The first match was tough but I pulled through and the rest of the tournament fell in place so I was able to get first. It was really good.” Also winning gold were Vanier’s Ryann Handley in the Novice Female 59-60 kg division and Central’s Alexis Bradish in the Novice Female 61-63 kg class. Finishing second were five Peacock competitiors in Justin Wiens (Elite Male 59 kg), Kyle Yamniuk (Elite Male 62 kg), Ethan La Rose (Elite Male 73 kg), Sydnee Christmann (Novice Female 65-68 kg), Jody Bourage (Novice Male 102-103 kg) and Central’s Tanner Stelwagen (Novice Male 68-70 kg). Central’s Samuel Eros (Novice Male 66-69 kg) picked up the lone bronze medal.
Next up for Moose Jaw high school wrestlers will be the regional championships during the Mar. 2 weekend in Weyburn.