Seven wrestlers from Elphinstone Secondary School qualified for the provincial finals next week in Surrey.
Last Friday, the Cougars competed at the zone five championships (Vancouver, Richmond, North Shore, Squamish and Sunshine Coast) hosted by Balmoral Secondary School.
"Because of our zone's success in past years, we are granted five berths to the provincial championships in each weight class," said Elphi coach Clint Fox. "The top five finishers advance to the provincials. We took 14 wrestlers and seven qualified. "I was impressed by our wrestlers and their performances. Many had the best matches of their seasons and careers." Ty Dempster qualified at 90 kg. He was petitioned through the zones due to illness.
Three of Elphi's Grade 8 girls (Olivia Cantarutti, Krista Crawford and Selina Byer) qualified as a result of there being five or less in their weight class.
Grade 9 wrestler Brianna Kittson continued her impressive season as she qualified at 51 kg.
Mike Rines finished fourth in a tough 66 kg class where the top four finishers all came from the North Shore.
KP Hlatkey finished third at 60 kg by winning his last three matches handily.
Rob van Norman did not qualify, but easily wrestled the best match of his career, Fox said.
"He has been a great team member and we will miss him next year," Fox said. "Madison Cooke and Riley Dempster displayed outstanding attitudes and efforts and although technically outmatched, they should be proud of their performance.
Julian Cantarutti, Connor Richey, Stuart Richey and Andrew Turner competed in very competitive weight classes. While they did not qualify, they experienced this level of competition and will be better prepared for season."
