UNITY—Students at McLurg and Unity Composite High have been making their presence known at tournaments over the past three months, preparing themselves for playoffs.
McLurg has a larger team with roughly 14 students, where Kylie Weber, Ashton Weber and Avi’endha Beaugrand are newcomers, while Unity has five members with Reid Ducherer as the one new addition to the team. Both coaches have been blown away by how quickly the new members have competed so far this season.
“We have had a history of champions but watching new athletes practise and compete in what is undeniably the hardest high school sport and learn through action, consistency and adversity how tough and awesome they are is what it is all about,” said McLurg coach Chris Kent.
UCHS coach Kyra Huber said Ducherer has exceeded all expectations with his strength, commitment and resiliency.
“He has a ‘never give up, never quit’ attitude. His natural athleticism and background in football make him a force to be reckoned with, despite being a first-year wrestler.”
While the two teams practice together with directions from their coaches in Wilkie under a combined team name of Warhorse, they have often competed against each other in the ring.
The teams first competed at a tournament in Saskatoon as a preseason takedown tournament. They then travelled to Regina in mid-January, where UCHS wrestlers Jamal Starchief and Ducherer went undefeated and earned gold medals. For the Broncs, Kierra Babchuk, Andreea Tatarciuc, Odin Kent, Kylie Weber and Beaugrand took first in their classes. Kash Smith placed second behind Starchief and Ashton Weber took third in his class.
The final tournament of the regular season was held Feb. 8 in Moose Jaw, where Starchief went undefeated once again and John Krentz achieved bronze. Smith placed second again behind Starchief while teammates Kylie Weber placed third and Taylor Bantle brought home gold.
Both teams will be losing some of their strongest members as many of them will be graduating. Odin Kent, Smith, Babchuk, Tatarciuc, Kylie Weber and Natalie Ironstand are among the McLurg graduates, with Starchief and Krentz graduating from UCHS.
“We will be sad to see them go. They bring an intensity to practice that helps keep the team focused on their goals,” said Huber.
Both coaches said they would like to see some younger members join, helping to grow the team as many of them are in Grades 11 and 12.
SaskToday.ca will keep you informed on how the teams do at regionals, held March 1 in Carrot River.
