A record number of young and talented Cochrane Cowboys will be representing Alberta in the Western Canada Summer Games (WCSG) after successful trials hosted in Wetaskiwin over the weekend.

At least five Cochrane Cowboys wrestlers will be wearing Alberta blue this August at the WCSG and three others have been named alternates. 

Most of the Cowboys pose for a snapshot in Wetaskiwin. (Courtesy of Cochrane Cowboys)

Annika Fines (38-40 kg) Jaityn LaBelle (53 kg), Autumn Shopa (57 kg) Zoe Adam (80 kg) and Nicholas Hooper (63 kg) have all been named to the 'A' team. Qualifying as alternate wrestlers were Grace Toner (38-40 kg), Danyka Labelle (57 kg) and Brendan Maguire (63 kg).

Noah Sharkey and Eli Fines took home third place and first-year wrestler Draeden Berry finished fourth in one of the toughest weight classes.

The strong performances by all 11 Cochrane Cowboys over the weekend were the result of dedicated training, says Cowboys head coach Vern McNeice.

"We shut down in April and those kids wanted to keep going. They went and trained at the University of Calgary for the last month and a half and that's what it takes. Getting these kids to this level is not by accident--they're dedicated. It's really neat to see. It's actually very rewarding because it's not just about one or two people doing a whole bunch of good things, it's about a whole bunch of people doing good things."

McNeice says the Cowboys' culture continues to evolve.

Earlier this year, Jaityn LaBelle was one of the Cowboys competing in Fredericton, NB in the national championships (file photo)"These young kids are competing very well. We're competitive in our province and I certainly expect they're going to be competitive at a national level," says McNeice. "That's a credit to the kids themselves, to their parents and there's a lot of new coaches that have really had an impact with these kids."

He believes this will be the most wrestlers the Cowboys have sent to a single Western Games.

"Years ago, we had two kids make the Western Canada Games and then we ended up with a few more. I don't think we've had as many qualify as this time around."

"These kids are doing just great and that's exciting because they're making the team and we have a ton of them."

In preparation for their quest for gold, the wrestlers will be participating in training camps in various locations, including Vancouver, Edmonton and Jasper.

They'll also continue training at the U of C.

"They have some great coaches and they're going to train with some older athletes which will be good for them. These kids are going to be busy, they're going to work hard and it will be a super experience for them. They're going to do great."

McNeice, who has previously coached for past games with Team Alberta, has other commitments that will prevent him from attending the games. He will, though, be assisting with some of their training.

The summer games are being held in Swift Current, SK from Aug. 13-18.