Wrestlers earn eight medals and a championship

The Concordia Stingers wrestling team, under the direction of Head Coach Victor Zilberman, won eight medals and a second consecutive men’s championship at CIS nationals in Thunder Bay, Ont., on the weekend.

Five medals on the men’s side, including gold medals from James Mancini (65 kg) and David Tremblay (61 kg), who won his fourth gold medal at nationals, garnered the men’s championship.

Zilberman had nine wrestlers competing across 10 weight classes on the men’s side. The team finished with 56 points. University of Regina placed second with 54 points.

Other Concordia wrestlers contributing to the championship were silver medallist Scott Schiller (72 kg); bronze medallists Greg Rossy (130 kg) and Nariman Irankhah (82 kg.); Noel Tremblay (57 kg) and Mitch Krauter (76 kg) with fourth-place finishes; Stephen de Layen who was fifth at 68 kg, and Trevor Banks who was seventh at 54 kg.

On the women’s side, all three Concordia competitors won medals. Nikita Chicoine (63 kg) won a silver medal, and Veronica Keefe (72 kg) and Linda Morais (59 kg) each won bronze medals.

With 20 points, the women’s team finished ninth out of 13 schools in the standings.

Both Mancini and Chicoine were named the Athletes of the Week for their stellar performances.

Coach Zilberman was named the CIS Coach of the Year in men’s wrestling. It was the fifth time he received the coaching honour. His previous awards came in 2011, 2006, 1986 and 1984.

Watch this Two Mins with a Stinger video featuring wrestler Nikita Chicoine:



Related link:
•    Concordia Wrestling site