UWO-Wrestling

Women take team silver, Men take bronze at Ontario Open Junior Wrestling Championships

Milton, Ontario, Canada, February 1, 2004

Two mustang women took gold at the Ontario Junior Wrestling Championships for a 2nd place overall team placing. First year Western students, Laura Skopelianos (48 kg) and Shannon Smart (59 kg) battled hard in the final to win gold in the under 20 year-old Ontario championships.

Skopelianos needed double overtime to upset Stephanie Szmiett, of Brock 5-3, who beat Skopelianos two weeks earlier. "Laura did an outstanding job to stay tough and not to panic especially when Szmiett was pressing hard in overtime.," said Coach, Ray Takahashi. "Laura finally caught Szmiett with her head low in a deep half-nelson when she was trying to push Laura out-of-bounds. "

Brock won the team gold with Guelph placing third. Teammate, Shannon Smart scored with less than ten seconds remaining to take a 9-7 lead over London-Western club teammate, Lesley McCallum who placed 2nd at 59 kg. "There was a stoppage in the match with 27 seconds left in the match," Takahashi recalls. "Shannon was down by a point and we agreed that she needed to hit either and "inside trip" or use her "head and arm" throw. She caught Lesley nice with the inside-trip near the edge of the mat." But, in another match, it was a heart-breaker for Jill McCallum (no relation to Lesley) who lost a controversial 6-5 decision to eventual winner, Katrina Piatowanakwat (Guelph). "There was a flurry of action when Jill countered a leg attack and received no points," said coach, Josip Mrkoci. "It was a great match which could have easily been scored the other way." Jess Fitzgerald rounded the fourth medal by the mustang women winning bronze in the 72 kg weight class.

In the men�s division, Ian Patton�s gold in the heavyweight division (120 kg) led to a 3rd place team finish for London-Western. Northwestern Ontario and Hamilton wrestling club tied for first, while Matmen Wrestling Club out of Brampton placed 2nd in team standings. Patton, dominated his four opponents winning by pin or technical superiority. "It was nice seeing Ian perform so well," commented Takahashi. "He competed with confidence and this should give him momentum for the Junior Nationals (mid-March in Calgary)." Teammate, Adam Shields placed 5th at 55 kg.

Matt Steel (50kg) of Saunders Secondary School , wrestling for London-Western Wrestling Club won a silver medal. Chris Capangyarihan - age group coach for London-Western Wrestling Club and Assistant with the Mustangs was very pleased with Matt�s performance for winning a silver medal since he is still 2^nd year Juvenile age wrestler. Overall the Coaching staff were pleased with the Junior athletes performance and are looking forward to the Junior Nationals in Calgary, March 19-20, 2004.

Local Results

Photos - Laura Skopelianos - 2004 Ontario Junior Champion

- Shannon Smart - 2004 Ontario Junior Champion

- Ian Patton - 2004 Ontario Junior Champion

Action photos from - 2004 Ontario Junior Championship

Junior Women

Laura Skopelianos (48 kg) 1st � Western

Shannon Smart (59 kg) 1st � Western

Lesley McCallum (59 kg) 2nd � Woodstock Huron Park grad -- London-Western Wrestling Club

Jill McCallum (67 kg) 2nd � London Saunders grad - Western

Jess Fitzgerald (72 kg) 3rd � Western

Jennie Wong (59 kg) 4th<o:p></o:p>