ELROSE - Wrestling students, under the tutelage of Monte McNaughton, did themselves proud at the recent provincial wrestling championships in Elrose.
Thirteen-year-old Avery Barnett from Carlyle won a gold medal. Twelve-year-old Kaleb Higgins won bronze, as did Wawota Parkland School Grade 8 student Caitlin Cross.
McNaughton is a teacher at the Manor School and has been a wrestling instructor the past 10 years. He was extremely proud of his students.
“This was our first season back since COVID, and it was great to have some wrestlers returning from before the pandemic. I was very impressed with the level of progress and commitment from all the wrestlers, not just the ones who were at provincials.
“It is a tough sport that comes with bumps and bruises and making it through a season is quite the physical and mental grind. One of our wrestlers, Rowan Murray from Wawota, injured his knee at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, so it was unfortunate that he could not finish the season. He was missed.
“It is also a huge commitment from parents, with driving to practices and tournaments, and this team has a great group of parents for which I am very appreciative,” said McNaughton.
Sarah Basey is proud of Kaleb’s efforts and the coach’s guidance.
“Monte McNaughton is a super knowledgeable and involved coach. He cares about the kids immensely. He graciously volunteers his time Tuesdays and Thursdays for practices to provide the kids with the option of wrestling in our corner of the province,” said Basey.
“His focus is never on winning but on the growth and development as both an athlete and person. The tournaments are held all over Saskatchewan. This year, we travelled to Weyburn, Swift Current, Regina, Saskatoon and finally, Elrose, where the provincial tournament was held.
“He fuels lots of time and money into being there to support his team in every way possible. He started boxing before wrestling and wanted to get involved in mixed martial arts, and that's where he picked up wrestling.
“Every year Kaleb has wrestled, has transformed him abundantly. Wrestling is a one-on-one sport. It's all on you, and how you do at the end of a match is solely on you. There is so much emotion involved. It's been such an incredible journey watching him give 100 per cent every match, win or lose.
“He's learned so much this year and will continue learning in the season to come. He's made so many friends from all over. At the end of the match there is never anger at the opponent they usually high five or shake hands. It's a very beautiful thing to see.”
The Saskatchewan Amateur Wrestling Association is the provincial governing body and was founded in 1968. Its purpose is to encourage the widest participation and highest proficiency in amateur wrestling in the province and thereby contribute to amateur wrestling in Canada.
The wrestling season is now officially over, but everyone involved is really looking forward to another stellar season in 2023-24.
