Twenty-five students from École du Sommet competed at the Centre Est Championnat de Lutte wrestling tournament and more than half of them earned top three finishes.
“I was very pleased at the flow of the day. Since this was our third year we have been able to learn from previous tournaments. With many returning officials, the day proceeded without a hitch,” said tournament organizer Troy Gratton.
“Also the quality of wrestling is improving as many of the students are returning wrestlers with the exception of our Grade 3 students who are wrestling for the first time.”
The tournament saw 121 competitors take to the mat from four schools, and 13 École du Sommet students reached the podium level and the school finished third in the overall point standings.
Gratton said he was very impressed by the sportsmanship and participation from all of the kids involved.
“Judging by the steady cheering throughout the day, it would seem that the kids had a great time. Especially when the ribbons were handed out as well as the banner,” he said. “I was especially impressed with how they cheered for every wrestler that competed.
Gratton added that he feels wrestling is an important activity for young students, as it gives them a chance to burn off some energy in a controlled environment.
“What makes wrestling such a great sport is it allows students an opportunity to compete against other kids in their own weight class. It gives students a safe medium to expend all that pent up energy in a positive way within a structured competition,” he said.
“Kids are always told they cannot roughhouse and play fight in the school yard. Wrestling gives them that chance. Wrestling teaches them about strategy, using tactics and speed along with strength to try and gain an advantage over an opponent.”
Gratton thanked Centre Est superintendent Marc Dumont, who introduced the wrestling program to the school board.
“This whole initiative began with our superintendent, Marc Dumont, three years ago after having visited with a teacher friend in the Yukon,” Gratton said. “After witnessing the positive impact the program has had with elementary students there, Monsieur Dumont felt it was important to have something like this for our elementary students and so our wrestling program was born.”
Madison Leroux: 23kg, 6 pts
Eros Cueva: 34kg, 6 pts
Cueva Wolke: 39kg, 6 pts
Cheyenne Leroux: 26kg, 5 pts
Damien Langevin: 34kg, 5 pts
Annabelle Culham: 45kg, 4 pts
Nicholas Tucker: 58+kg, 3 pts
Catianna Culham: 29kg, 4 pts
Nicolas Beaudoin: 26kg, 4 pts
Monty Dallaire: 30kg, 4 pts
Zachary Foisy: 33kg, 3 pts
Halle Stybel: 37kg, 3 pts
Lyon Cueva: 58+kg, 2 pts
