By Scott Roblin

Medicine Hat hosts ASAA Wrestling Provincials, earn two medals at home

Mar 11, 2018 | 4:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After months of preparation and training, the top high school wrestlers in Alberta were able to showcase their skills in search of gold.

Medicine Hat High School served as the host venue for 2018 ASAA 4A Wrestling Provincials, with fans, wrestlers, and their families packing the school’s gymnasium.

Over 400 athletes from across the province were in Medicine Hat for the two-day tournament, competing in a wide variety of weight classes.

The high school season came to a head on Sunday afternoon with medal matches in both the male and female divisions.

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Medicine Hat High’s Nolan McNaughton was a favourite to defend his gold medal in the 50 kilogram division from last year, but was upset in the semi-finals.

The Grade 11 student was able to rally however, pinning his opponent in the bronze medal match to win the first medal of the day for the Hawks wrestling team.

Although it wasn’t the colour of medal he was wanting, McNaughton said he’ll use this experience to get back on top of the podium in his senior year.

“I could get some lessons from this,” said McNaughton. “Next year, I have the same opponents most likely, so I’ll know what to do for them. I won’t be as off.”

The local Hawks wrestling club won another bronze on Sunday, with Mike Grose taking home third place in the boys 76 kilogram division.

Hawks head coach Darren Klein said it’s a special sight to see newer athletes to the sport having such success on the provincial stage.

“I had two brand new kids to wrestling this year,” said Klein. “One won himself a bronze medal and truly deserved it. Another got fourth place, fourth best in the province, a young lady, an athlete her whole life, Natasha McGraw earned herself fourth place in the province.”

Medicine Hat had eight athletes competing at this year’s provincial tournament, and Klein is hoping to boost that number next year and attract more high school athletes from across the city.