| StarPhoenix - 24 May 2005 |
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Sask. always a heavyweight in wrestling
Scott Larson The Saskatchewan women, making their first appearance at the Games this August in Regina, are the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. The men are ranked No. 2 based on their accomplishments at the 2001 Games. "We look really good on paper," says head coach Ron Gonzales. How many medals the team garners, and where they place overall depends on a number of factors, he said. "This is a contact sport," Gonzales says, "and anything can happen. "You have to be healthy and peak at the right time." One of the favourites to bring home a medal in the women's division, and there are many, is Saskatoon's Beth Thompson. The Grade 12 Bedford Road student is the reigning national juvenile and junior champion. But the Canada Games is a league of its own. "Canada Games is an entirely different kind of tournament," she says. "It's a totally different experience." Four years ago she watched her brother compete at the Games in London, Ont. It made a big impression on her. "I couldn't believe it," she said. "I wanted to be there (and experience it)." Thompson says the wrestlers must come together as a team. "The whole summer we will be developing as wrestlers, but also we'll be developing as a team," she says. "If we build as a team it will make us that much stronger." She knows expectations are high and is relishing the chance to perform. "This summer will be about training to get better," Thompson says. "People are looking to me to be on top and I want to be at my best." The men's team is just as strong. In fact one member of the team had to beat a provincial champion to qualify for the Games. "That's how deep this team goes," Gonzales says. One of the favourites to bring home gold is Daniel Olver, a Grade 11 student from Holy Cross. Olver is the national juvenile champion and also was the cadet champ. Olver knows he will be a marked man at the Games. "They will be gunning for me, so I'll have to step it up," he says. "I'll be training every day (until the Games). "You can't back off all summer. You take a day off and (your opponent) will get that day on you." Olver, Ryan Myrfield, Adam Kent and Craig Albert, all from Saskatoon, are going to Japan in June for a tournament. The rest of the team will head to Bismarck, N.D., to train and compete for two weeks. Gonzales says it should be solid preparation for the team. "They will be tough American farm boys," he says. Ontario is the team to beat at the Summer Games in both women's and men's divisions, while Alberta and B.C. should also be a handful.
They compete for two days
in team events and then wrestle for individual medals.
MEN'S TEAM © The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2005. |
