Twelve Cochrane Cowboys form the heart of the wrestling team representing Zone 2 in the upcoming Alberta Winter Games.

The trials were held in December and now the team is practicing regularly in preparation for the games, being hosted by Fort McMurray in February. 

Long-time Cowboys coach Frank Dostaler is head coach of the zone 2 team and explains all of the wrestlers from Zone 2 proper were from the Cowboys. While Zone 2 is geographically large, there are actually only two wrestling clubs (Cochrane and Olds) outside of high school wrestling programs. 

To supplement the team, six wrestlers were picked up from surrounding zones in weight classes left vacant after the trials. Those from outside the zone have been invited to join the team practices here in Cochrane, although for many it's not logistical and they train in their own home clubs. One of the wrestlers representing Zone 2 hails from Lethbridge, while the balance are from Calgary.

"Many choose to practice at their own club, which is fine, we just want them training for the games," says Dostaler.

Despite the gaps in the roster, Dostaler says the Zone 2 has been highly competitive at the games.

"We can never fill a team, but even if with the small pool of wrestlers, we came within one match of winning a team medal at the last games," he explains.

The 2018 winter games are specifically for those born between 2003-2005 and some of the younger wrestlers may get a second shot at competing in the 2020 games.

"About half of them are probably younger and they can go again in two years if they qualified. For a bunch of these kids, it's one kick at the can and that's it."

The Cowboys head to Fort McMurray at the crack of dawn on Feb. 16. The opening ceremonies are held that evening, followed by two full days of wrestling. The Zone 2 team's first draw is against the Zone 8 team from northern Alberta. 

On the team from the Cowboys are Jaityn Labelle, Eli Fines, Autumn Carr, Keath Dostaler, Zoe Adam, Mikhail Bond, Sofia Preece, Nicholas Hooper, Catherine Swedlo, Alex Washburn, Autumn Shopa and Brendan Maguire. Also on the team from Calgary are Jonathan Vance, Malika B, Manuel Delgado, Lucas Vandermeulen, Riley Moorman and Lethbridge wrestler Ryder Lowry.

Joining Dostaler in coaching Curtis Hooper and chaperone April Hooper.

Dostaler has been with the Cowboys since it was formed about 14 years ago and was one of the coaches for Zone 2 in the 2016 games. 

Several past Alberta Winter Games wrestlers from the Cochrane Cowboys have since gone on to higher level competition at a national and international level. An elite group of older wrestlers from the Cowboys is lead by head coach Vern McNeice and are currently completing much of their training against 19 to 26-year-old varsity wrestlers at the University of Calgary.

"Even though there are all in high school, they are at such a high level now they actually go train with the varsity guys and they do a lot of varsity tournaments," says Dostaler. "They're wrestling guys 19 to 26 years old and they're still in high school. They're just that elite now."