As Howe Sound Secondary student Adeel Patel took to the mat, it would be his first and last provincial championships for wrestling at the high school level.
Two Squamish students earned a spot at the provincials on Feb. 15 to 17, but Michaela Hoskin had to pull out due to an injury. Patel went on to compete in two matches in the 54-kilogram division. While he wrestled for the entirety of both matches — Patel wasn't pinned by either opponent — he lost based on points.
"He did excellent," Hillier said. "His wrestling the best I've seen him wrestle yet."
While that wraps the competition season for the club, Hillier said the athletes will help put on classes at Don Ross Middle School and Howe Sound Secondary in hopes of building the team for next year. All of the wrestlers currently in the club are in Grade 12, so Hillier and the two other coaches are looking to recruit more interested students. Hillier said students could also ask to participate in a club format and not compete.
"We're thinking about wrestling one day a week for a while as long as there's gym space," he said.
Anyone interested in getting involved can talk to their school or reach out to Hillier at [email protected].
