Two provincial gold medallists were honoured as the Most Outstanding Wrestlers as the Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club held its annual awards banquet on Thursday, April 14.
Joaquim Dalton-Pereira, who won the provincial title for Duncan Christian School in the 48kg boys class, and Phoenix Skailes matched that feat for QMS in the 90kg girls class. Another provincial champion, Jessica Nakahara of Ladysmith Secondary, was a finalist for Most Outstanding Wrestler, along with Loryn Roberts, Darren Doherty and Carter Zuback.
The banquet — the first for the club since the 2019 season — was held at Queen Margaret’s School in Founders Hall.
“It was great to see all the kids dressed up for this event,” head coach Nick Zuback commented.
Skailes and Nakahara were also recognized as graduating wrestlers, along with Aiden Dyer-Price and Charlie Roberts.
Dyer-Price shared the Heart Award, presented to a wrestler who always gives 110 per cent, with Georgia Bond, and Charlie Roberts was honoured with the Inspirational/Leadership Award along with Carter Zuback.
Ross Meiner and Sabina Webber were recognized as the Most Improved Wrestlers in the club.
Leon Tsuboi and Rose Wu were named Rookies of the Year, and Wu also received the Most Outstanding Match Award, along with Doherty.
The Sportsmanship Award went to Jake Armstrong and Emma Greenwood.
Nicole Bond was named Volunteer of the Year.
“A huge thank you goes out to all of the parents that helped set up the event, QMS for allowing us to use their venue, Special Occasions for donating linens, and for some amazing food catered by Aashta Devotional Indian Restaurant,” Zuback noted.
Senior wrestlers from the CVWC are continuing to train for the national championships in Calgary in June, as well as the BC and Canada Summer Games.
A few spots are left in the club’s Future Wrestling Stars program for ages 5-10, which starts April 25. Contact Nick Zuback at nzuback@hotmail.com for more information.