THUNDER BAY – Lakehead wrestling is sending 12 athletes to compete in the Brock Open, taking place this Saturday, in St Catharines. It will be a critical test of conditioning after the December exam break, and one of 2 remaining chances for the ‘Wolves to compete in tournament action before OUA’s on Feb 12.
Emma Horner (59kg, photo below) will lead the women’s side, with some wondering who the Brock Badgers will chose to try and defeat her. Horner has already claimed the Ontario Senior and York Open titles earlier this season. The reigning CIS champion Badgers may well need to assign a heavier wrestler cut down to Horner’s weight to challenge her, if they wish to make a bid to defend their national title later in the season. With little on the line this weekend, Brock won’t likely lay all their cards on the table, but at this point Lakehead’s Horner presents a formidable hurdle to the Badger lineup.
Saturday will be the first tournament of the season for three Thunderwolves, namely Kelsey Dayler (72kg), Steven Chambers (65kg) and Gary Lynch (65kg). Dayler and Chambers are coming back from injury, while Lynch, a 2-year veteran Thunderwolf, returns to varsity competition after spending the past while at the club level.
All OUA wrestling teams will send athletes to the Brock Open, making this weekend a top notch event.
“With only 6 weeks before the OUA championships this should be a good test,” says coach Francis Clayton.
Lakehead Wrestling Roster for Brock Open
Women
59 Emma Horner
72 Dana Campbell
72 Kelsey Dayler
Men
57 Chris Waltner
61 Kevin Leatherdale
65 Gary Lynch
65 Steven Chambers
72 Mark Brousseau
72 Tyler Ashurst
82 Brody Evans
82 Cesar Fleurant
100 Drew Anderson
