Former Elphinstone Secondary School student Brandy Perry is now a provincial champion after winning gold at the B.C. high school wrestling championships in Duncan.
Brandy won all three of her matches in the 60 kg weight class to earn a spot in the finals where she had her toughest match of the weekend going up against home town girl Hannah Lauridsen.
Since Brandy started wrestling in Grade 8 with Elphi coach Clint Fox, she has slowly been climbing up the ladder. This was her fourth time qualifying for the provincials, and her first provincial gold medal.
Last year she won silver at the provincials, won gold at the B.C. Summer Games and finished second at the prestigious War on the Floor event in December in Langley.
She recently moved to North Vancouver where she attends school at Carson Graham Secondary School and practises under the watchful eye of coach Ian McDonald.
Now Brandy has her sights set on loftier goals. By placing at the provincials she has qualified to wrestle at the nationals in Saskatoon April 4 to 7. She is also hoping to make Team BC and travel to Quebec for the Canadian Open in August.
Brandy is seeking some financial support from the community to help pay her travel costs. Anyone wishing to donate can email Chris at fc_perry75@hotmail.com or Kirsten at kirsten.storvold@gmail.com for more information.
The current Elphinstone team also had a successful provincials with Alysha Monk finishing second and Alex Ratcliff fourth.
Nolan O'Reilly had the best finish on the boys' side with Jon Sun and Jon Hutchinson finishing in the top eight.
Alysha and Alex have been training to make Team BC for the Canada Summer Games and were both planning to attend the national championships.
Unfortunately Alysha broke her foot in the final match of the B.C.s and will not be able to wrestle for the next couple of months. Alex is training with Team BC and will attend the nationals. Alysha hopes to be able to rejoin the group once her foot has healed and possibly earn a spot on the team for the Summer Games.
I had a great season working with a group of terrific kids, Fox said. The results of the older kids and their outstanding leadership helped to inspire and show the way for the new kids on the team. The effort of the kids and willingness to work and learn also inspire me.
Submitted, with files from Ian Jacques
