The Lorne Akins Crush wrestling team reached the podium at the 27th annual University of Alberta Paperweight Tournament.
In the team standings, the Crush boys finished second overall out of 51 teams. The female grapplers also placed second out of 40 teams. Roland Michener of Saskatoon was the best of the boys and Leduc was the top girls team.
The big winner individually was Conor McIntyre, the 77-kilogram gold medallist. The newcomer to Lorne Akins School is undefeated as a Crusher. He placed second in the eastern Canada wrestling championships last year.
“Conor has been a fantastic addition to the Crush squad. He is a force to be reckoned with at every tournament,” said co-coach Barrie Schulha, who founded the junior high wrestling program at Lorne Akins 33 years ago. “Conor breezed through his matches, winning most of them in under 30 seconds. He is looking very strong for provincials and should be a medal contender at nationals in April.”
Silver medallists were Hayley Allen (57 kg) and Logan Brubaker (60 kg). They were provincial champions last year.
“They had to fight their way through very large weight categories and both ended up losing in the gold-medal match against wrestlers from the University of Calgary Junior Dinos,” said Craig Baba, a Crush coach for 16 years.
Also bringing home a medal was Jesse Shirton (47 kg) with bronze.
Finishing fourth were Lizzie Pasek (53 kg), Lauren Rogers (37 kg), Katja Randall (43 kg) and Sarah Kay (65 kg). Teagan Barnes (57 kg) placed fifth.
The last meet for the Crushers is the Alberta Junior Olympics on Feb. 19 in Olds. Last year’s medal haul at provincials was four gold, six silver and four bronze. The Crush record for provincial medals is 21.
The number-one ranked 3A women’s basketball team in Alberta continued their winning ways against 4A competition at the Centennial Coyotes tournament in Calgary.
In Saturday’s final the St. Albert Skyhawks hung tough to defeat the host Coyotes 68-66. The Coyotes are ranked second in 4A.
The 2010 3A provincial gold medallists and metro Edmonton premier conference champions also posted an 84-55 victory over the Dr. E.P. Scarlett Lancers, a 4A honourable mention, and beat up the Bishop O’Byrne Bobcats by 40 points.
Grade 12 standout Shelby Hucul was honoured as the tournament MVP. Grade 11 sharpshooter Kendall Lydon was named to the all-star team.
It was the second tournament title in a row for the Skyhawks, the two-time defending Optimist Showdown in St. Albert champions.
Meanwhile, in premier action Monday, the Skyhawks (9-1) thumped the Bev Facey Falcons (3-7) 77-43 in Sherwood Park. Zoe Downing drained 17 points and Lydon had 16. Katie Burak and Paige Knull added 10 apiece.
The Skyhawks are 19-7 overall going into today’s game against the winless Oscar Romero Ravens. Tipoff is 4:45 p.m. at the SkyDome.
The Paul Kane Blues were crowned tournament champions in Taber after knocking off the host W.R. Myers Rebels 73-46 in Saturday’s final.
The eighth-ranked 4A women’s team in the province also crushed Kate Andrews of Coaldale 73-39 and the Bev Facey Falcons 71-44.
Grade 12 post Kelly Fagan was selected the tournament MVP. Brittney Scott and Whitney Follette were tournament all-stars.
In the metro Edmonton premier conference, the Blues (7-2) blasted the Salisbury Sabres (3-7) 65-31 Monday in Sherwood Park. Their next game is today versus the Archbishop Jordan Scots (4-5) at 4:45 p.m. at Paul Kane.
The Blues’ overall record is 17-5. Two of the five losses were against the St. Albert Skyhawks by margins of 11 (league play) and 13 (Optimist Showdown final). The St. Albert rivals hook up next Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. at the SkyDome.
