National Cadet-Juvenile Championships,

Saskatoon, April 12-14, 2008 

- NEWS

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Balfour and Takahashi win National Wrestling Gold

National Cadet-Juvenile Wrestling Championships, Saskatoon. April 11-13, 2008.

By: Ray Takahashi

London, Ontario, CANADA - Richard Balfour and Steven Takahashi won gold at the National Cadet
Wrestling Championships (16 years and under) leading London-Western Wrestling Club to an overall third
place finish in Cadet Male team standings. Balfour, a Laurier S.S. student, won the 58 kg weight class while
Catholic Central  S.S.student, Takahashi took the 50 kg crown.

In the women’s division, Olivia Gunnell took silver in 55 kg Juvenile category (18 years and under),
as did Dorchester S.S. student, Anne-Miet Van Den Nieuwelaar (65 kg).

Gunnell, who attends Mother Theresa S.S. in London, won gold at the Junior Nationals two weeks prior
but was pinned when caught in throw in the final against Kathleen Kent (Junior Huskies, Saskatoon).

“Overall,  London-Western did very well,” said London-Western  age group coach, Dave Spinney.

“I was pleased with  every one’s effort.”

Other medalists - were Brianne Barry (52 kg Female Juvenile) and Ramona Balfour (43 kg  Female Juvenile).
Beal S.S. student, Rishav Ranjit placed 5th in the 58 kg Juvenile Greco Roman category.

Brian Barry, Steven Takahashi and Romona Balfour also won their respective divisions in the National FILA
Cadet trials (16-17 years) held separately after the National tournament. The three qualified to represent
Canada at the FILA Cadet Pan Ams in El Salvador (July, 2008).

The National FILA Cadet program will see them attend the National camp, June 30-July 4, followed by the
Pre-Junior Canada Cup, in Guelph, July 5. The men’s team will train and compete in Iowa while the women
will attend a training camp in Nova Scotia before leaving for the Pan Ams.

It's been a banner year for  London-Western with four National champions -- Balfour and Takahashi

(Cadet Gold)  joining Olivia Gunnell (Junior Gold) and Katie Patroch (Senior Gold).
 
Individual Results: - National Cadet- Juvenile Championships

Gold - Steven Takahashi - (50 kg Cadet Male)
Gold-  Richard Balfour - (58 kg Cadet Male)
Silver - Olivia Gunnell - (56 kg Juvenile Female)
Silver-  Anne-Miet Van Den Nieuwelaar - (65 kg Juvenile Female)
Bronze-  Brianne Barry  - (52 kg Juvenile)
Bronze-  Ramona Balfour - (43 kg Juvenile)

London-Western Wrestling Club
Team Placing:  -  3rd overall in Cadet Men’s

 

National Team Trials:  (FILA Cadet category)

Gold - Steven Takahashi -  (50 kg FILA Cadet Trials)
Gold - Brianne Barry - (52 kg FILA Cadet Trials)
Gold - Ramona Balfour  - (43 kg FILA Cadet Trials)

 

 

Photo Description:  - (photo compliments of London-Western W.C.).

Brianne Barry (red) executes a head-and-arm throw that led to her victory

in the 52 kg Canadian FILA Cadet Trials.

The Central H.S. student won the match by pin and will represent Canada
at the Cadet Pan American Championships to be held in El Salvador (July 11-13),
She joins London-Western Wrestling Club teammates Ramona Balfour (women’s 43 kg)
and Steven Takahashi (men’s 50 kg) who also won their respective divisions.