Lindsay high school wrestler pins down OFSAA gold-medal quest
LCVI’s Chayton Valleau achieves not only his personal goal but one his father also set 30 years earlier
Chayton Valleau is honoured to finish a quest his father, Shawn, started 30 years ago.
The Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute student recently returned home with a gold medal from the Ontario Federation of Secondary Athletic Associations (OFSAA) wrestling championships.
The prestigious title caps off a stellar season for the Lindsay youth. Going into the tournament, Valleau was undefeated and the only two points scored against him were courtesy of OFSAA.
The win is almost retribution for the bronze he earned at OFSAA last year.
“I told everyone, I’m not done yet,” Valleau said. “I don’t really like group sports. I’ve always felt you could be the best on the team and still lose. I’m very competitive. What I put into it is what I get out of it. It’s all on me … I just knew I had one more shot at this.”
Although he technically graduated in 2023, Valleau hadn’t set a career path so returned to school in September. This time, he was even more determined to excel.
Having been involved in mixed martial arts, wrestling, boxing and jiu jitsu with Big Country MMA since he was eight — he currently coaches youth jiu jitsu — Valleau trained even harder. That included heading to Team Impact in Pickering several times a week along with strength and conditioning training at home.
His sights focused on gold, the 18year-old’s determination echoed that of his father’s.
Shortly after joining the staff at his LCVI alma mater, David Wakelin set up a wrestling program. Shawn was one of the first members and his winning record improved year after year. On more than one occasion, he headed to regional and provincial school tournaments.
However, on March 2, 1994, Shawn’s shoulder was dislocated during an OFSAA match, ending his wrestling career. His opponent went on to win gold.
“On March 6, Chayton fulfilled that dream I have had for 30 years,” said Shawn. “I couldn’t have been prouder.”
Unfortunately, while LCVI wrestling essentially began with Shawn, it ends with Valleau. Student participation has dwindled significantly and securing a staff adviser has been challenging.
“Jackie (Schryer-Zak) has offered to support the program for one more year but it’s a huge commitment,” said Shawn. “She made sure there was a program and we certainly appreciate all of her support.”
The vice-principal has been honoured to be part of Valleau’s journey on and off the mat.
“Chayton is one of the most brilliant, resilient and driven students I have ever met,” said Jackie. “That kid knows how to set a goal and crush it. That makes me so excited for his future, whether it be in wrestling or hopefully coming back to LCVI to teach one day because I know he’d make an amazing wrestling coach and I’d hire him in a heartbeat.”
Valleau still hasn’t pinned down a career yet, but he is confident the future will involve wrestling, both varsity — he’s seriously looking at attending Western University in the fall — and professionally. He also plans to continue to train and compete with Big Country.
“If I can go out and compete, then I’m living a valuable life and that’s what’s important to me,” he said. “I’m doing what makes me happy and that’s what matters.”