BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
When it comes to wrestling, a big heart is
the difference between winning and losing.
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Jon Gregoris (front) practices his
wrestling moves on Jason Cecchini, who is also going to
the provincials. |
Lockerby high school wrestler Jon Gregoris
knows all about having heart. He used his to win a gold in the
77-kilogram class at the Northern Ontario Secondary School's
Athletics (NOSSA) wrestling championships last week and punched
his ticket to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic
Associations (OFSAA) Championships in
Brampton from March 3-5.
Gregoris is just one of 26 local wrestlers
looking to grab gold at the provincial event.
The grappler went to OFSAA last year and
placed sixth in the 87-kg class, but now, in a lighter
division, Gregoris is looking to dominate the mat.
"From last year, I learned I needed to have
better cardio and technique," said Gregoris. "I was a bit
sloppy last year. Winning NOSSA was just a step.
I want to be first at OFSAA this year. It's
going to take a lot of heart to win. It's how bad you want it,
and I really want to win."
Geoff Richer, head coach of the Lockerby
team, sees a great deal of potential in his own wrestlers and
the rest of the Sudbury field going to Brampton.
"The results of Lockerby wrestlers recently
just blows me away," said Richer. "Everyone has been wrestling
great. I have some veterans like Jason Cecchini and Gregoris
who both have a shot at the top-six in their respective weight
divisions. Gregoris has a good chance to medal. He will have to
work hard. Sudbury wrestlers have a good chance at bringing
home five or six OFSAA medals. There's Alyssa Unwin and Jenna
Howard from Chelmsford; Marissa Brown from Sudbury Secondary;
Gregoris from Lockerby; and Teena Lalonde from
Macdonald-Cartier, who all have a good shot at medals. Cody
Demeau from Chelmsford could also medal. I think Sudbury will
have its best showing ever at an OFSAA wrestling
championship."
Without patting himself on the back, Richer
believes coaching has become the deciding factor in why Sudbury
wrestlers are some of the best in the province, perhaps the
country.
"There's a new breed of coaches in schools
now," said Richer. "They're younger and working with kids more.
We also have low numbers this year, and that gives coaches more
one-on-one training with their wrestlers."
Alisa Scagnetti, who earned a NOSSA gold in
the 57.5 kg. class, is excited for her first-ever trip to
OFSAA.
"I have never won gold, so it was a great
accomplishment," said Scagnetti. "I surprised myself, but I did
work hard for it. I will try my best at OFSAA and, hopefully,
do well. I will learn as much as I can at OFSAA."
Derek Huffels shocked a few onlookers at
NOSSA by winning gold in the 51-kg division, as it was his
first year wrestling.
"I was glad because it showed that if you
work hard all year, you can win," said Huffels. "It's awesome I
can go to provincials in my first year. I didn't expect it at
all."
Emily Alatalo won silver at NOSSA in the
54-kg category. All gold and silver-winning wrestlers get to go
to provincials.
Alatalo can't wait to show the rest of the
province her skill.
"This means a lot to me," said Alatalo. "It
will be a really good experience for me. Being able to wrestle
different style wrestlers can teach you a lot
by having them kick your (butt)."
