The Comox Valley wrestlers competed in the North Island this past weekend at the Campbell River Invitational.

SD 71 wrestlers walked away with nine gold medals on the day. The Campbell River Invitational has a fun tradition at the end of the tournament every year called 鈥淭he Battle of the Belt.鈥� At the conclusion of the tournament three super-matches are wrestled to determine a Most Valuable Wrestler of the day. Six competitors are selected from the tournament champions.

Two Comox Valley wrestlers were chosen to vie for the Belt and the Most Valuable Wrestlers status. Jacob Price (Vanier) was the tournament champion at 84 kg and he took on Andre Makofka (ADSS) the 78 kg Champion. Price put on an impressive performance winning by a dominant technical fall 11-0 in the first three minutes of the bout. Jolina Healey (Vanier) 75 kg Champion drew Fayth Pontious (Campbell River) 69 kg Champion.  Healey earned a decisive victory by fall and with that secured the Belt and the Most Valuable Wrestler for the tournament.  

The Comox Valley wrestlers competed well and earned nine first place finishes on the day. In addition, the G.P. Vanier Girls team placed second overall in the team competition. Healey (Vanier), Price (Vanier), Aiden Skea (Highland), Nathan Malouin (Isfeld), Oscar Stehura (Isfeld), Lexi Acton (Vanier), Kane Acton (Vanier), Rhiannen MacDonnell (Vanier), and Inga Hollmayer (Vanier) all took home gold medals.

Kadence Johnson (Highland), Daniel Ingrey (Highland), Coady Frisch (Isfeld), Piper Eastman (Vanier), and Kylie Cameron-Patterson (Vanier) won silver medals.  

Simon Roberge (Highland), Eli Richardson (Highland), and Ryan Nasadyk (Highland) all finished atop the podium with third place finishes.

The SD 71 wrestlers are travelling to the mainland to compete in the Seaforth Cup on Saturday January 25th.