This past weekend featured the USPORTS National Wrestling tournament in Calgary, Alberta. Schools from all over the country went to compete for the ultimate goal any wrestler in USPORTS could achieve: the gold medal. While national titles are rare and hard to come by for many schools, UFV proved once again that in the five short years they’ve had a wrestling program, they’re not to be taken lightly.
At the tournament, seven Cascades were able to secure medal matches, while three went on to compete for the national title. It was a proud and exciting weekend for the team, which is still growing and developing. There were ups, downs, injuries, and rewards. It was a wild weekend and it all began this past Friday.
Though UFV fielded 11 team members, not all were able to escape their opening day matches without injury. In his first match, Cascades’ 61 kg Ali Rahguzar was hurt and had to concede, while Cascades’ 72 kg Amarvir Atwal completed his three matches (1-2) before having to exit due to injury.
Brad Hildenbrandt (120 kg), who put together a wildly impressive performance at the Canada West championships just two weeks prior, was consistent in his winning ways, going undefeated on the opening day of nationals and punching his ticket to the gold medal match. De’Andre Williams (68 kg) had a tougher road, but in three thrilling matches was able to secure his spot to wrestle for the national title.
Ana Godinez Gonzalez (63 kg) showed up intent on outdoing her score last year as the national silver medalist, starting on Friday where she swept her competition in three straight matches, giving up a grand total of zero points to her opponents. Calista Espinosa (48 kg), Amber Wiebe (55 kg), Simren Brar (54 kg) and Parker McBride (57 kg) went on to compete for the bronze, going 2-1. Karan Dhillon (82 kg) placed fifth on that day, while Sunny Benning (90 kg) went on to place sixth. Both went 1-2 but were able to end the day on a high note, winning the last of their three matches.
Saturday turned out to be a very big day for the Cascades wrestling program. The team took home a record five USPORTS medals in only its fifth year of the program, proving that with time, UFV has a lot to look forward to in their wrestling squad.
Brad Hildenbrandt found a big challenge in the gold medal match versus the Concordia Stingers Frederick Choquette. After a tough match, the Cascade edged the Stinger by a score of 7-6 for his third straight USPORTS gold metal. This marks the end of a historic season for Hildenbrandt, who now owns a trio of UFV national titles in only his fourth year of eligibility.
Ana Godinez Gonzalez put on a display of excellence that earned her more than a gold medal. For her dominance in the tournament and her ability to win every single one of her matches without ever surrendering a point, she was awarded the USPORTS female athlete of the year award, becoming the first UFV athlete to ever receive the award.
Three other medals were won on Saturday as well. De’Andre Williams picked up a silver medal at nationals, while Parker McBride and Amber Wiebe each took home bronze medals by way of tech fall. This capped off a five-medal day for UFV.
Though this concludes the season for UFV wrestling, it proved that a new program, with the right athletes and the right coaching, can truly overcome the odds and compete at the highest level in Canada. Stay tuned as the Cascades enter their off-season and look to next year for another inspiring campaign.
Image: Dan Kinvig/UFV Athletics
