Allan Bishop
Special to the Chief
Howe Sound Secondary (HSS) wrestlers will be trying to topple the competition at the Provincials this weekend.
Local wrestlers Jackie Maddox and Morgan Arnott will be participating in the Provincial matches this Friday and Saturday (March 3 and 4). After competing at Zone, the top five in each weight category qualify to compete in the Provincial matches. The B.C. Wrestling Zone qualifiers were held at Balmoral High and Maddox said they were a nerve-wracking experience.
"I was nervous to see who was in my weight category," she said.
Arnott said she was also under pressure at the qualifiers.
"I was nervous because if I found out I didn't do well, I wouldn't go to Provincials."
Out of a total of nine wrestlers, Maddox and Arnott were the only two from HSS to qualify for the Provincials, held in Prince George March 2, 3, and 4.
Maddox said it will be a challenge, but one she is prepared to take.
"It will be difficult but I will try my best for our school," she said.
Arnott said she is optimistic about the Provincials
"I'm going to wrestle as well as I can, and hopefully I will win a few matches," she said.
Maddox was the only person to go to Provincials last year.
"I didn't do as well as I would have liked, but it was the experience that mattered," she said.
Maddox said she has learned from last year, and this year as the days count down, she is getting herself prepared for her Provincial matches.
"I've been going to practice and thinking over all the things I can do," she said.
Coach Dave Anderson is proud of the girls' accomplishments.
Anderson, who coached the team for the first time this year, said he felt the whole team did well at the Zones.
"Only two other wrestlers had wrestled before. It was very good that they did well and that the younger guys got to see that," he said.
Anderson said he is confident that the girls will do well at the Provincials.
"Morgan has a good chance of bringing back a medal. She needs to stay focused," he said "I think if she pushes herself she'll do well. Jackie is quite strong- physically and mentally strong. She's got all the aspects covered."
