The Brock University men's and women's wrestling teams were crowned 2016 CIS National Champions.The Brock University men’s and women’s wrestling teams were crowned 2016 CIS National Champions in front of a capacity crowd at the Bob Davis Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The Brock men finished with a total of 80 points, with all 10 wrestlers collecting a medal, finishing with two gold, six silver and two bronze.
Jevon Balfour (82kg) and Mizam Tamaradze (62kg) both captured gold. Sam Jagas (54kg), Brian Cowan (57kg), Zack Falcioni (65kg), Matt Jagas (68kg), Tyler Rowe (72kg) and Ignatius Pitt (100kg) all took home silver, while Clayton Pye(90kg) and Chance Mutuku (76kg) finished with bronze.
The Brock women, who finished with 69 points, took home medals in seven of eight weight classes, highlighted by four gold and three silver. They become the first women’s team to capture five consecutive CIS national wrestling titles.
Kristina Mclaren (51kg), Carlene Sluberski (55kg), Emily Schaefer (59kg) and Olivia Di Bacco (72kg) and captured gold in their respective weight classes. Taking home silver medals were Farrantina Gatta (48kg), Indira Moores (63kg) and Jessica Brouilettee (67kg).
Brock captain, Olivia Di Bacco goes out on top, winning her first individual CIS gold at 72kg, and becomes the first women’s wrestler to lead her team to five straight CIS national championships.
UNB’s Alyssa Cleaves along with Alberta’s Michael Asselstine and Winnipeg’s Finn Higgins were named the 2016 CIS Most Outstanding Wrestlers. The Golden Bears Asselstine becomes the first male wrestler to win the award three consecutive seasons.
Brock’s Marty Calder was named the 2016 CIS Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year. Other major award winners included Western’s Ligrit Sadiku and Saskatchewan’s Kiera Prior who were named the 2016 CIS Rookies of the Year. York’s Alexandria Town and Winnipeg’s Brock Munro were the R.W Pugh Fair Play Award recipients. Winnipeg’s Kyle Nguyen received the CIS Community Service Award.
The Brock wrestling program has now captured 55 championships (33 OUA, 22 CIS) since their first championship in 1992.
