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Western Open Wrestling Tournament - Mustang Women grab the team title , men place second
London, Ontario , Saturday January 26, 2004The Western Open which was held at Thames Hall at University of Western Ontario in London was highly contested this year by the University teams from across Ontario. In addition to Ontario teams the competition was also attended by University of New Brunswick, McGill University, Montreal Wrestling Club as well as a team from Saskatchewan and two College teams from Michigan, USA.
The Western Mustang women grabbed the overall team title at the 2004 Western Open. Women’s captain, Terri McNutt took the gold at 53 kg making her the overwhelming favorite entering the Ontario University Association championships held back at Western on February 21, 2004. Jennifer Kryszak at women’s 70 kg also won a gold medal ( her first) by beating her more experienced opponents from Queen’s University and Guelph University. "Kryszak keeps improving in her wrestling technique and tactics from competition to competition" said coach Josip Mrkoci and Harry Geris . Mr. Geris is Canada’s - 3 time Olympian and is assisting in coaching Mustangs this year.
At 48 kg Katie Wilson pleasantly surprised the coaches Takahashi and Mrkoci by beating her opponents from Saskatchewan and Queen’s University to win a silver medal. Sarah Gil of Western wrestling at 61 kg won her early matches against her opponents from Queens University and Brock University and met in the final Katie Patroch, a London native ( Saunders Secondary School - grad) now attending Lakehead University. Patroch who is also 2003 Commonwealth Champion with lots of international experience overpowered Sarah in the finals. Sarah had to settle for the Silver medal. Other mustang women’s silver medalists was Jen Scheid (80 kg) Ali Huether at 57 kg had to settle for a bronze medal losing to her more experienced wrestlers.
The Mustang Women by winning 2 - gold, 3- silver and 1 - bronze medal won the team title with 42 points. Brock University placed second with 29 points and Lakehead University placed third with 20 points.
"It was a great tournament for us," said head coach, Ray Takahashi. "We ended off on a strong note and it was nice to do well at home". We’ll use that momentum as we prepare for the Ontario University Championships on February 21 , hosted by Western Mustangs.
Mustang men’s wrestling team place second at Western Open
Men’s captain, Eric McAlister (76 kg) won a gold medal in a highly contested weight class. In the finals, McAlister beat and avenged his Lakehead rival Steve Raine, whom he lost at the LU dual two weeks earlier. "Eric managed to catch Raine with his patented "arm-trap gut-wrench" and open the score up early in the match. Physically, Eric beat him up too." Takahashi commented.
This was Eric’s first gold medal win this season and he was quite thrilled that he won it on the home turf. The coaching staff hopes that captain McAlister can repeat his gold winning feat at the OUA’s finals on February 21st.
Mustang wrestler Seth Ross ( 54 kg) wrestled well in the early rounds beating all opponents. For the gold medal match he faced 2003 Commonwealth Silver medalist and Canadian University Champion , Jamie Maccari of Brock University. Ross wrestled well in first round and had Maccari on his back a couple of times, but could not pin him. Ross had to settle for a silver medal. Another silver medal was won by Al Bermingham (90 kg). Al lost his concentration in a tough match with John Ewing of Guelph in the finals and as a result lost his lead in points and lost the gold medal.
Scott Fockler (82 kg) also won a silver medal for the Mustangs. His match in the finals against Trevor Manchester of Lakehead University was a tactical match. Fockler could not adjust to this type of wrestling in time and therefore lost the gold medal match.
One of the most exciting gold medal matches of the finals at the 2004 Western Open was between two members of the London-Western Wrestling Club at 76 kilograms. The match was between a 38 yr. old Stewart Petrie and a young 21 year old Keenan Miller, a Canadian Army reservist. Both wrestlers were throwing one another in a high amplitude 3 point throws. The match was exciting to watch as both wrestlers were wrestling with explosive and dynamic techniques and a determination to win. The more experienced Stewart Petrie prevailed and won the match and the gold medal. The younger Kennan Miller had to settle this time for a silver. Chris Elward also wrestling for London-Western Wrestling Club won a bronze medal at 61 Kg.
In the University Teams Standings, the Western Mustang men’s team placed second with 41 points, 6 points behind Lakehead University which won the team title a with 47 points. Brock University placed third with 35 points.
In the combined University / Club Team standings overall Team title goes to Western and London-Western Wrestling Club (61 points). The second place goes to Lakehead (47 points) and third place to Brock University (35 points).
