BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
For wrestler Alyssa Unwin, a step up in a
weight category hasnÂ't meant a step back in her
performance.
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Unwin, along with 11 other wrestlers from
Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, are headed to the
Cadet Juvenile Ontario Provincial Championships at Guelph
University this weekend.
Unwin won a gold medal last year at the same
event in the 44-kilogram class, but she has stepped up to the
48-kilogram division this year, and she loves the tough
challenge.
Â"I grew a little bit,Â" Unwin joked. Â"ItÂ's
a bigger challenge because the girls are stronger and thereÂ's
more of them. Last year, in the 44-kilogram, there were only
four other wrestlers. In the 48-kilogram, there are probably 12
to 15 wrestlers. ItÂ's a transition for sure.Â"
Unwin has used her trademark grit, supreme
skill and determination to make her mark in the 48-kilogram
class.
She has already won first place at two
tournaments this school year, and placed second at a third
event.
At provincials this year, Unwin has plenty of
motivation to grasp the gold.
Â"This yearÂ's provincials is also the (2005)
Canada Summer Games trials, so if I win this, I get to go to
the Canada Games,Â" said Unwin. Â"I think my chances are very
good. I have had to change my style, but I am sure I can win.
Last year, I was the strongest in my weight class, so I could
muscle a few moves. Now, I am not the strongest, so I have
adapted, and it has worked. It will take a lot of smart
wrestling. I will stick to the basics and not get fancy because
thatÂ's how you get beat.Â"
The move to a higher weight class will also
benefit UnwinÂ's future plans.
Â"It has been a great help,Â" said Unwin.
Â"When I go to university next year, thereÂ's no 44-kilogram
class at that level. The lowest is the 48-kilogram class, so
itÂ's good that I am getting used to it this year and it will
not be a shock. I have definitely improved by the move up in
weight.Â"
UnwinÂ's coach, Paul Berthiaume sees good
things for Unwin and credits her with building interest in the
sport in the community.
Â"She has her work cut out for her because
the 48-kilogram class has traditionally been one of the most
competitive divisions in Ontario,Â" said
Berthiaume. Â"She just returned from the
Ontario Junior Championships for 18 and 19 year olds. She is
only 17 but wrestled up an age class and placed second, losing
to a Brock University wrestler. SheÂ's built the Chelmsford
team and Sudbury club up for females, being one of the first
female all-Ontario champions out of this region. The team went
from two girls four years ago to 12 girls this season.Â"
Along with Unwin, Jenna Schroeder, Julie
Vincent, Tanya Silander, Jenna Howard, Sarah and Shawna
Sookram, Spencer Burton, Sheldon Burton, Ben Schram, Dilan
Byrnes and Cody Demeau will all take to the mat vying for
coveted spots in the Canada Summer Games, which will take place
in August in Saskatchewan.
The team will be without the services of two
silver medal-winning wrestlers from last yearÂ's championships.
Melissa Charron is out with a broken elbow and Cale Predon is
done due to torn knee ligaments.
Â"We have major injuries on the team, and
that will hurt the teamÂ's chances for a team title,Â" said
Berthiaume. Â"We have a large contingency of rookie wrestlers,
but with lots of potential. Jenna Howard has beaten most of the
wrestlers in Ontario at her own weight. Cody Demeau should fair
well, as he placed sixth in Canada last year. Julie Vincent
finished just out of the finals last year. SheÂ's been working
hard and should medal if she
has a good day.Â"
