If the mainlanders didnB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t know about Brett Matthews, they should.
The senior wrestler from StellyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s secondary cleaned out the 84 kgs division, winning all four of his matches to take gold at the Island school championships. He was also named the most outstanding male athlete.
The tournament was hosted by Dover Bay secondary in Nanaimo on Feb. 11. Matthews joined a list of winners who qualified for the upcoming provincials in Penticton, Feb. 23-25.
Matthews is one of many South Island athletes whose school is without a wrestling program, and trains with Ed AshmoreB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Victoria Bulldogs.
Claremont secondaryB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Nolan Mitchell won gold in the 41 kgs division. Mitchell trains with the Cowichan Wrestling Club twice a week with coach Nick Zuback, who was the first person to win the new Ed Ashmore Award. The award is named in honour of Ashmore for his long-time dedication to the sport of wrestling in Victoria, and will recognize the same service on an annual basis.
EsquimaltB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s highly-ranked Warren Clark (70 kgs) slipped to silver but is still a contender for Penticton.
Victoria results from Island School Wrestling Zone Championships, Feb. 11 in Nanaimo
41 kgs 1 Nolan Mitchell, Claremont (Cowichan)
4 Donavan Huynh, StellyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s (Bulldogs)
54 kgs 3 Michael Huynh, StellyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s (Bulldogs)
57 kgs 4 Daniel Norwood Esquimalt
60 kgs 5 John Fayad, Oak Bay (Bulldogs)
63 kgs 1 Mitchell Keeping, Esquimalt
3 Andrew Heels, Esquimalt
66 kgs 1 Alan Couldwell, Vic High (Bulldogs)
5 Lochlan Ellis, Reynolds
70 kgs 1 Warren Clark, Esquimalt
74 kgs 1 Liam Leippa, StellyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s (Bulldogs)
3 Mohammed Abubakar, Esquimalt
84 kgs 1 Brett Matthews, StellyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s (Bulldogs)
5 Chris Dube Esquimalt
90 kgs 5 Devin Campbell, Esquimalt
110 kgs 3 Matheus Lucareuschi, Mt. Doug (Bulldogs)
6 Tyson Atkins, Esquimalt
110+ kgs 1 Jordan Merrick, Esquimalt
(Winners advance to provincials Feb. 23-25 in Penticton)
School standings points
1 Alberni 123
2 Dover Bay 58
3 Cowichan High 57
4 Esquimalt 55
5 StellyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s 35
6 Timberline 28
7 Ucluelet 25
8 GP Vanier 22
9 Southgate 18
10 Phoenix 18