You may see a little blood, sweat, and tears this weekend (March 4) as the Alberta Amateur Wrestling Association and Cochrane Cowboys host the Alberta Open Wrestling Championships.

Frank Dostaler, Cochrane Cowboys, Coach says they are expecting more than 450 athletes from all over Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon. The Alberta Open is one of the largest wrestling events in Alberta, if not western Canada.

"I have a sneaky suspicion we will have more than that, the event is growing in recognition. For all wrestlers other than kids who are going to provincials it is the last tournament of the year."

This weekend you will see athletes of all ages take to the mat from junior to senior.

"A couple of years ago we even had a senior men's division and a 60 year old man was out there wrestling, it was awesome."

Dostaler says as far as predictions on how the Cowboys will do, he expects great results.

"You're going to see some real heart and hustle from the elementary kids, the junior high kids they are going to do well, the senior wrestlers are going to do very, very well."

Though Dostaler anticipates great results, anyone can have an off day especially in a tournament setting.

"The irony is sometimes what these kids know in practice in what they drill and learn, when they experience the limelight and the anxiety of standing in from of 500 people on the mat by themselves, sometimes 50% of everything they learned goes out the window."

Dostaler is extremely proud of his wrestlers and he knows a win or lose brings out some big emotions. Quoting famous wrestler, Dan Gable, Dostaler says this type of event shows the competitors they can handle anything.

"He once said 'once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easier.' I think there is a lot of truth to that, if you can step on the mat and put yourself in such a vulnerable position in front of so many people, going for a job interview or asking a pretty girl out on a date down the road is just not that hard compared to some of the difficult things you have done on that wrestling mat."

Spectators are encouraged and welcome, adds Dostaler. "We would love people to come out and see our sport, it's a great showcase we will have everything from 5-6 year old kids, right up to 60 year old male and female. You will see kids out giving it their all; you'll see blood, you'll see sweat, you'll see tears, guaranteed you'll see all three."

The Saturday line up at SLSFSC is as follows:

 9:50 am - 10:00 am – Opening Ceremonies
10:00 am - 1:00 pm – Bantam/Cadet/Junior Competition
1:00 pm - 1:20 pm – Lunch Break
1:20 pm – 5:20 pm – Tyke/Novice/Kids/Juvenile/Senior Competition

 

 

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