London-Western wins overall team title – Men’s team takes Silver

Ontario Junior (U20) Wrestling Championships, Jan 30, 2010 (Sudbury)

Women’s Results

Sudbury, Ont. – For the second straight year, London-Western won the overall women’s junior (Under-20) team title at the Ontario Junior Wrestling Championships held on Jan 30.    The men’s team placed 2^nd overall, an impressive improvement from a fifth place team finish in 2009. 

It was a strong showing for the men that included two individual golds from Steven Takahashi (55 kg) and Ilya Abelev in the 66 kg division. 

The women won three individual golds from Olivia Gunnell  (59 kg) and from mustang rookies, Brianne Barry (55 kg) and Larissa D’Alleva (63 kg) who both won gold in their respective divisions.   Barry defeated teammate, Sara Patenaude who took the silver, in the 55 kg final.  Ramona Balfour of Laurier SS took the 43 kg silver.

Larissa D’Alleva won the gold in the 63 kg division, while London-Western teammate, Karleah Bonk placed 4th

London-Western scored 46 points, well ahead of second place Brock Wrestling Club which placed second with 27 points, ahead of third L’Essor who scored 12 points each. 

Mustang brothers, Scott and Shawn Wheatley, of London South S.S. both placed second in the 84 and 96 kg weight classes respectively.  Mustang teammates, Adam Argue (66 kg) and Eric Jacobson (74 kg) both won hard fought matches to win bronze in their respective weight classes. 

Mustangs, Christine Schmidt  (72 kg) and rookie Sahana Mazumder (48 kg) both took silver medals while Jennifer Archibald won the bronze in the 67 kg weight division.  Schmidt, who attended London Clarke Road S.S., defeated mustang rookie teammate, Monica Varallo of London’s Mother Theresa S.S. , who placed fifth at 72 kg.

“We did well as a team because of our depth,” said coach Ray Takahashi. “Christine (Schmidt) and Jennifer (Archibald) both had great performances.”

It was an impressive showing for London-Western taking both the women’s title and placing second in the men’s.  “It shows our program has good overall depth in both men’s and women’s teams– and shows promise in our future.  London-Western is our primary feeder program and we get many good local recruits,” said coach, Ray Takahashi.

Other mustangs placing in the top six were, Adam Burns (6^th at 55 kg), while Josh Proctor (66 kg) placed 6^th. 

The Mustangs will be at their home tournament, the Western Open, February 6, in Thames Hall Gymnasium.  It will be the last OUA tournament prior to the OUA Championships which the mustang’s also host, February 20 in Alumni Hall. 

Women Team Standings

1. London Western 46 points
2. Brock  27 points
3. L’Essor 12 points

Men Team Standings

1. Guelph  40
2. London-Western  35
3. Matmen  31

Individual Results:

• 1^st  Brianne Barry  W55 kg
• 1^st  Larissa D’Alleva  W63 kg
• 1^st  Olivia Gunnell  W59 kg
• 2^nd  Sahana Mazumder W 48 kg
• 2^nd  Christine Schmidt  W72 kg
• 2^nd  Sara Patenaude W55 kg
• 2^nd  Ramona Balfour W44 kg
• 3^rd  Jennifer Archibald  W67 kg
• 4^th  Karleah Bonk  W63 kg
• 5^th  Monica Varallo  W 72 kg

Individual Results:

• 1^st  Steven Takahashi  55 kg
• 1^st  Ilya Abelev  66 kg
• 2^nd  Scott Wheatley  84 kg
• 2^nd  Shawn Wheatley  96 kg
• 3^rd  Adam Argue  66 kg
• 3^rd  Eric Jacobson  74 kg
• 6^th  Adam Burns  55 kg
• 6^th  Josh Proctor  66 kg
  

Ilya Abelev takes down Marcus Bennett (Matmen WC) in the 66 kg final.  Abelev won the final in two rounds straight.