Wrestlers from Elphi ruled the mat at the North Shore Championships last Friday.
The senior boys' team finished third overall, only one point behind second place St. Thomas Aquinas.
Leading the way was Mike Rines who won the 63 kg division, beating Joey Tai from Collingwood in the final. Mike was also voted the outstanding senior boys' wrestler at the meet.
"This was an amazing meet for Mike," said Elphi coach Clint Fox. "Mike wrestled three matches and won them all. To beat a competitor like Joey, who is one of the top wrestlers in the province, is a real feather in Mike's hat. It's the first time I've ever had the privilege to coach a wrestler who was named the top competitor at the meet. I'm so happy for Mike. He's been working very hard on the mat and he's been a real leader on our team."
Rob Van Norman placed fifth in the 90-plus kg division, while Ty Dempster was third in the 84 kg division. Sean Stephens-Whale rounded out the senior boys results as he finished fourth in the 54 kg division.
The girl's team finished fourth overall with 19 points.
Krysten Merick led the way, finishing second in the 75-plus kg division. Telicia Hlatky was second in the 84 kg division, Charlie Daig-nault finished fifth in the 54 kg division, and Breanna Kitt-son won the 47 kg division.
"Breanna is a Grade 8 wrestler and she competed against competitors all the way up to Grade 12," Fox said. "She had a fantastic day."
In the juvenile boys division, Connor Richey was fifth in the 45 kg division, Stuart Richey was third in the 48 kg division, KP Hlatky was fourth in the 51 kg division while Ryley Dempster was fourth in the 74 kg division.Next up for Elphi is the Vancouver/North Shore zone championships on Feb. 17. The top five wrestlers in each division automatically get a berth into the provincials in Prince George at the end of the month.
Elphi also plans to go to the AA championship meet in Kamloops.
