For the first time in nearly a decade the U-Sport wrestling championships will be held in Calgary and up to six Cochrane Cowboys alumni could be hitting the mat to compete in front of a hometown crowd on Feb. 22.
Currently, six former Cowboys are on the U-Sport roster – Aidan McKeage, Brendan McKeage, Grace Chambers, Hunter Smith, Callum McNeice and Connor McNeice. With the exception of Aiden, who wrestles for the University of Alberta, each of the others wrestle with the University of Calgary.
The first hurdle before the Calgary competition will be the Canada West Championship – a U-Sport Championship qualifier – in Abbotsofrd, B.C. on Feb. 8 and 9.
Callum, who has qualified for the U-Sport championship each of his three years at the university level and was named U-Sport athlete of the week near the end of last year, is stoked to compete in his backyard.
Wrestling in 76 kg division, Callum will face four wrestlers in Abbotsford and must finish top three to qualify to Calgary.
"I am not going to say it's easy, but the chances are pretty good," said Callum of his qualifying hopes when factoring in his ability and the number of competitors.
Callum, who is a two-time Canada West champion, has finished fourth all three times at the U-Sport Championships and he is hoping the home-turf advantage will put him on the podium - ideally in the gold-medal spot.
"Wining in front of family and friends would be fantastic," he said.
He credits his success to the Cowboys program and when asked what his highlight success were during that time, he discussed the family-like bonds and friendships of the program first and medals second.
That being said, those bonds won't influence his wrestling when he has to showdown against former teammate and friend Aidan, who wrestles in the same weight class.
"We are close friends," he said of Aidan. "We put that aside and compete. It's just the way it is. Whoever wins, win."
Aidan, who is in his fourth-year university and has won the Canada West twice in a row, share's Callum's sentiments about their relationship off the mat but as they are ranked the top two wrestlers in their division, he is excited to put that aside and compete.
"It's impossible to predict, but I am going to do my best," he said.
Aidan was also a finalist in the U-Sport competition last year and coming up short as lit a fire under him to do better this year and hopefully come out on top.
"Coming up a little short fuelled me a little," he said.
Ultimately he is looking to win gold at the Sr. Nationals after taking second last year, which was his first appearance at the competition.
On the beginner end of the spectrum, Smith will be vying for his first U-Sport berth.
The first-year university wrestler has had some trouble with injuries this season and is focused on pushing past those, which forced him to miss a few competitions, and qualify in Abbotsford.
"I just hope to go out and be competitive," he said, adding the switch to university-level training, which include practices daily - sometimes more - and a daily weight program has been a transition. "I'm pretty confident. I feel like an individual and a team we've worked pretty hard."
The 68 kg wrestler has lofty goals for his university career, including becoming a U-sport champion and then moving on to win the Jr/Sr National Championships.
"I always try to aim high for myself," he said, adding the Cowboys and coach Vern McNeice are owed a lot of credit for his success.
