The Cochrane Cowboys Wrestling Club has continued their impressive run this season picking up a score of medals this past weekend (Jan. 15-16) at competitions in Grand Prairie.
Cowboys sent seven wrestlers in the Elementary category and 15 in the Junior and Senior High categories to the event.
Keath Dostaler won a gold medal in the Elementary class, while Aaron Swedlo, Morgan Hill, Chase Adam, Jaityn and Danyka LaBelle all picked up silvers, and Catherine Swedlo collected a bronze medal.
In the Junior High class, Catherine Swedlo and Elijah Springer nabbed gold medals, with Dostaler and Berg Thompson taking silver, and Naomi Cook, a bronze.
Cowboys dominated the Senior High category, with Brooklyn Thompson, Hunter Smith, Connor Pointen, and Connor McNeice all bringing gold medals home. Charles Cook finished with a silver, and Connor Swedlo picked up a bronze, with Jorgen Thompson coming in fifth.
“There were two competitions, with the first night being an elementary tournament, called the Alberta Cup,” said Cowboys head coach Vern McNeice. “They break Alberta into zones in a dual-meet fashion and we placed third in those for boys and girls.
“On Saturday, we had the high school tournament, and then we were back home, so it was a quick trip.”
The Cowboys are next sending close to a dozen competitors to the Western Canada Age Class, taking place on Jan. 22 and 23 in Richmond, BC.
The tournament is in preparation for the National Championships, which are being held in Calgary later this year. McNeice calls them, “a big deal since there will be a lot of hometown people competing there.”
How well does McNeice feel his wrestlers can perform in Richmond this coming weekend?
“Everyone going there can do well,” he said. “We’ve got the Cook family – Naomi and Charles – who are both excellent. Charles was just offered a full ride scholarship to the University of Calgary. Brooklyn Thompson, who is a national champion is going, so is Hunter Smith. He’s been phenomenal so far this year.
“Keath Dostaler, who is one of our elementary guys has been competing very strongly is going as well, so we’ve got a bunch of great kids who are committed to the program and are coming along great.
“There’s no reason we can’t perform well.”
Don’t bet against them doing just that.
