High School Wrestlers Claim 6 medals at Golden Bear Meet

The high school wrestling season has kicked off in earnest and it didn't take long for local athletes to return from one of the largest meets with medals.

Five wrestlers from local high schools and two from schools outside of the community, all members of the Cochrane Cowboys Wrestling Club, competed at the High School Golden Bear meet in Edmonton last weekend and returned with six medals.

Connor McNeice and Elijah Springer, from the St. Timothy High School's program, won their respective weight classes while Isaiah Springer won silver and Danika Cook placed fourth. Connor Pointen, of Bow Valley High School, claimed gold and Hunter Smith, of the David Thompson High School, returned with a bronze, as did Tyler Weninger, of Robert Thirsk High School. 

The Golden Bears meet attracts athletes from across Alberta and Saskatchewan and it will be followed by many other competitions for senior wrestlers.

"It was a good tournament for us," says Cowboys head coach Vern McNeice. "It's one of the tougher ones in Alberta, if not the toughest one. All of the best people in Alberta were there and we competed really well. I'm proud of the kids."

McNeice says the local wrestlers all represent their respective schools but he views the wrestling community as one big family in Cochrane that continues to grow.

Because of their solid reputation, the Cowboys continue to attract wrestlers from outside of the community to train here and that's all right by McNeice.

"It brings a bunch of great kids together to train and that's a positive thing."

The competitions follow many months of training and skill development and it should be another good season for the Cowboys. 

"The Cooks, Springers, Hunter Smith, Connor Pointon, Connor McNeice and Tyler Weninger should all compete well in our upcoming events," says McNeice.

Membership continues to boom for the Cowboys and they've established solid junior and senior programs with the help of many coaches and volunteers.

"We've had an explosion in the Cowboys. We have close to 60 athletes right now."

"It's definitely a balancing act. There's a lot of needs for our sport in our community and people are stepping up to make it possible. It's pretty neat to watch."