SheB次元官网网址檚 fought through a debilitating injury that all but wiped her season last year. But Sooke wrestler Leigha Auld overcame the adversity and now has her eyes on Canadian gold.
The Grade 12 student at Edward Milne Community School had a breakthrough season, winning gold at the 2020 B.C. High School Wrestling Championships, and finding the podium in other events.
From a raw, hard-working kid who began wrestling in Ucluelet six years ago to joining both the Victoria and Sooke wrestling clubs, Auld has developed into one of the countryB次元官网网址檚 top young wrestlers, and is quick to share the credit with her coaches B次元官网网址� and older brothers.
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B次元官网网址淢y brothers were my biggest wrestling partners. I had two older brothers so I had to learn to defend myself,B次元官网网址� said Auld, 17. B次元官网网址淏ut it was also the coaching, IB次元官网网址檝e always had good coaches.B次元官网网址�
Victoria Wrestling Club coach Steve Rennalls has been proud to watch Auld as she competed this season, after she injured her elbow last year which kept her from competing at the provincials.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a pretty incredible wrap up to her season, especially in light of how the previous season ended,B次元官网网址� Rennalls said. B次元官网网址淭his year she won most of her matches, but never all at the same time until the provincial tournament.B次元官网网址�
Auld has now set her sights on winning at the provincial level to the nationals. SheB次元官网网址檒l get her chance when she competes at the Canadian Wrestling Championships next month in Edmonton.
B次元官网网址淎fter placing seventh in the nationals two years ago, it felt like it wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to happen,B次元官网网址� said Auld, who will compete in the 75-90-kilogram division. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping for gold this time, but IB次元官网网址檝e never wrestled any of the girls who will be there.B次元官网网址�
Auld has received plenty of help from her coaches and teammates with her training. This is likely her last year of competitive wrestling as she heads to Camosun College next year pursuing a bachelor of science degree.
For her part, Auld is giving back to the sport. This summer she wants to get her coaching licence and coach next year in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淭he first time I went on the mat, I fell in love with wrestling,B次元官网网址� Auld said. B次元官网网址淚t takes a special person to wrestle.B次元官网网址�
The words of a true champion.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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