When his season didnB次元官网网址檛 start well, Nolan Mitchell contemplated his future in wrestling.
But the 15-year-old and defending provincial champion didnB次元官网网址檛 quit. He just kept working, and on Saturday Mitchell won gold in the 45-kilogram class of the B.C. high school wrestling championships, held at DuncanB次元官网网址檚 Island Savings Centre.
B次元官网网址淚t was a big win and came with a big adrenaline rush. I like seeing that I can get better and I can continue,B次元官网网址� he said.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the second straight year heB次元官网网址檚 won gold at provincials as the only wrestler out of Claremont secondary school, though he actually trains with the Cowichan Wrestling Club.
ItB次元官网网址檚 also the second straight year Mitchell defeated Justin Cacatian in the final, and was a moment of retribution, as it was Cacatian who knocked Mitchell out at SFUB次元官网网址檚 War on the Floor in the fall.
B次元官网网址淚t wasnB次元官网网址檛 a dominant win or anything but it was nice to get (Cacatian) back after he beat me this (at War on the Floor).B次元官网网址�
In four fights Mitchell won by pin, then by technical superiority (leading by six points) in each of his next three, never needing a third round.
About a dozen Greater Victoria wrestlers in all competed at provincials.
EsquimaltB次元官网网址檚 Carlton Cochran (fifth) and Erin Geddie (sixth) and ReynoldsB次元官网网址� Paul Aquino (fifth) placed in the top six of their respective weight classes. ItB次元官网网址檚 a solid finish for Cochran, a Grade 10 and rookie to the sport.
Two more wrestlers from the Victoria Bulldogs district team nearly placed (top-6).
Oak Bay HighB次元官网网址檚 John Fayad pinned his second opponent but was knocked out in his third match. StellyB次元官网网址檚 Donovan Huynh went 2-2, losing his fourth match by a point.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exhausting to see one of your wrestlerB次元官网网址檚 lose by a point, it just drains you,B次元官网网址� said HuynhB次元官网网址檚 coach, Ed Ashmore.
B次元官网网址淏ut you gotta recover because you gotta get your kid recovered.B次元官网网址�
Mitchell is currently in fundraising mode seeking sponsorship to build on his national bronze medal when he attends the Canadian championships in Saskatoon next month.
Fayad is also planning on attending.
sports@vicnews.com
