Lakehead Wrestlers Grapple through the ranks

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NNL Thunderwolves SportsbeatHAMILTON, ON – Sports – The Lakehead University wrestling team grappled their way through the ranks at the 2012 OUA Wrestling Championships, hosted by McMaster University on Saturday.

The women’s team placed 2nd overall, led by Emma Brightwell who won the gold medal in the 82 kg division. Sara Cattani, Karleah Bonk and Kelsey Dayler won silver in their respective divisions, while Jenny Pranger and Bre Beh won Bronze medals. The second place finish as a team was narrowly accomplished, as Lakehead amassed 51 points, just ahead of Western (50 points) and Guelph (48 points). Brock University captured the OUA banner with 68 points.

On the men’s side, Preston Mikulasik (130kg) and Dustin Helwig (54kg) were the top Thunderwolves, taking silver medals, while Jake Devlin and Scott Christian won bronze. Full results are below. Western University won the men’s OUA banner with 73 points, 5 ahead of Brock and McMaster, who both scored 68. McMaster officially finished in 2nd place, due to more gold medals won. Lakehead had 52 points, 4 points back of Guelph.

The focus next shifts to the CIS Championships, hosted at Lakehead’s C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse in two weeks time, Feb 24-25. In order to qualify, a wrestler must have finished in the top three in their weight division.

Coach Brock Curtis was unavailable for comment following the tournament, but will be the featured guest on the Thunderwolves Sports Feed on February 21st. This radio talk show happens every Tuesday from 10-11 am Eastern on CILU Radio, 102.7 FM in Thunder Bay, and is hosted by SID Hugh Mullally. Listeners can also tune in online, www.luradio.ca

OUA Championships- Results Summary

Women – 2nd Place Overall

Emma Brightwell – 1st (82 kg)
Sara Cattani – 2nd (72 kg)
Karleah Bonk – 2nd (59kg)
Kelsey Dayler – 2nd (67 kg)
Jenny Pranger – 3rd (63 kg)
Bre Beh 3rd (51kg)
Alexi Kreps – 4th (55kg)

Team Standings
Brock 68
Lakehead 51
Western 50
Guelph 48
McMaster 29
Queen’s 8
Toronto 5

Men – 5th Place Overall

Dustin Helwig – 2nd (54kg)
Preston Mikulasik – 2nd (130kg)
Jake Devlin -3rd (76kg)
Scott Christian -3rd (72kg)
Gary Lynch – 4th (61kg)
Jackson Taylor – 4th (65kg)
Sam Driedger – 4th (68kg)
Steven Gross – 6th (57kg)
Nikkilas Wilson -6th (82kg)
Yasin Kaya – 6th (90kg)

Team Standings
Western 73
McMaster 68
Brock 68
Guelph 56
Lakehead 52
Queen’s 24
Toronto 12
Laurentian 5
York 3

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Hugh Mullally
Hugh Mullally is the Sports Information Director at Lakehead University. Hugh shares, "In the field of athletics, I aspire to continue developing my public profile as a source for sports information with my current employer, with a little bit of entertainment mixed in with my live game commentary and my weekly radio show that features athletes and coaches from Lakehead University".