The Cochrane Cowboys Wrestling Club ended its season over the weekend the way it began all those months ago: with resounding success.
Ten club members took part in the National Cadet/Juvenile Wrestling Championships, which saw hundreds of wrestlers from all over the country, descend upon the University of Calgary’s Jack Simpson gym for a shot at glory.
Half of the Cowboys’ competitors walked away with medals – three gold, a silver, and three bronze.
“Seven medals is the most we’ve ever picked up here,” said Cowboys head coach Vern McNeice. “We had some new kids that stepped into competitive roles which was great, some young ones that got some great experience which will come in handy down the road, and our veterans came through.”
During the first day of the tournament – which featured the cadet and juvenile males – Hunter Smith grinded his way to a bronze medal in the 82 kg category, while Charles Cook lost a tough match 13-12 in the 62 kg bronze medal showdown.
“Hunter Smith came to our program last year,” McNeice said. “He was a raw, big country kid and he’s worked so hard. He’s never missed a practice all year, so for him to pick up a bronze in a tough weight class was outstanding.”
One of the Cowboys’ star veterans Connor McNeice continued his dominating form of the past year by winning gold in the 65 kg juvenile category – his third consecutive national title – as well as being named Top Cadet Male for 2015, despite being dogged by back problems throughout the competition.
“If it wasn’t for the physiotherapist from the NextGen program, I don’t think (Connor) would have made it through the process, because he was sore,” McNeice admitted. “But, he won the national championship which qualified him for the world trials the next day.
“He’s had a good year and wrestled well against everyone, so we expected to perform at his best, but when your back is sore it’s a different game.”
The second day of the tournament showcased the female competitors, where Sarah Gregory, wrestling the 47 kg category, picked up another national title – her third – while Brooklyn Thomson and Grace Chambers came in fourth in their respective categories.
“Sarah absolutely dominated,” McNeice said. “She is so tough mentally. Brooklyn and Grace did well and both could have easily medalled, but were a little shy.”
Connor McNeice won four straight matches and his opponent forfeited the fifth in the FILA trials (where the world team is picked). McNeice finished first overall in the competition and was awarded Juvenile MVP for his extraordinary effort.
The last day of the tournament saw several of the Cowboys compete in the Greco-Roman competition. Gregory bagged another gold, while Thomson won silver, and Chambers won bronze. Cook also picked up a bronze in the boys category.
With the exception of Connor McNeice – who will be heading to the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru, and the World Championships in Georgia – the season is now over for the Cowboys.
Looking back at this current crop of wrestlers and the success they’ve had, their coach can’t help but feel this is a generation that has benefitted from having older siblings come through the program before.
“I can tell you 100 per cent these young gaffers wouldn’t be having as much success as they are today without their older siblings there pushing them,” McNeice said. “That’s been our wonderful process.”
As to the highlight of the season, McNeice and his coaching staff are most proud of their graduating wrestlers who will continue their career and gain life experiences at the next level – university.
“More importantly to me as a coach is they’re going to get an education that will enable them to keep competing,” he said. “They’re also going to get degrees and have opportunities in their lives. Those life lessons and life skills that carry these young people through are the most exciting things for us right now.”
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