SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Two graduates of Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside had dominating performances in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) wrestling championships on Saturday.
Ligrit Sadiku of Summerside and Hannah Taylor of Cornwall both went undefeated en route to winning their respective weight categories as members of the Brock Badgers. Brock would go on to capture both the female and male team titles, winning 13 of the 19 gold medals handed out. A total of 120 athletes from 10 universities in Ontario competed at the University of Guelph.
“This (past) weekend was pretty exciting,” said Sadiku, 22. “My team did amazing and claimed both OUA banners.”
The 20-year-old Taylor won her third consecutive OUA title, and was named the most outstanding female wrestler for the 2019 championships.
“Winning most outstanding wrestler for the second year was just an added bonus, and a testament that my hard work is really paying off,” said Taylor. “It was nice that everything came together, and Ligrit and I ended up on the top of the podium along with both Brock male and female teams.”
Taylor, competing in the 59-kilogram division, pinned Esmee Hotson of the University of Guelph in the qualification round at the one-minute mark of the first round.
Taylor, who was ranked No. 1 in the U Sports rankings the last two weeks, advanced directly to the final after the qualification victory. She then defeated Julie Steffler of Western University in London with a technical superiority score of 10-0 in the first round. Steffler had defeated Taylor twice in gold-medal matches earlier this year.
“Having a technical superiority win over a tough opponent was an amazing feeling,” Taylor told the Journal Pioneer. “Having my friends, family and teammates all cheering me on was a big part of my performance.”
Also ranked No. 1
Like Taylor, Sadiku was also ranked No. 1 in U Sports the last two weekends, and only needed a win in the qualification round to advance directly to the finals. He achieved that with a 10-0 win over Sam Lockie of Lakehead University. In the final, Sadiku posted an 11-0 victory against Shevonne Witter-Watts of York University.
Both dominating victories in the 57-kilogram weight class were by technical superiority in short matches.
“This was my third OUAs, and second time winning, so I’m pretty happy overall with my performance,” said Sadiku.
Brock, located in St. Catharines, Ont., has won four straight OUA men’s titles and five straight women’s team championships.
Brock head coach Marty Calder was named coach of the year for both male and female teams.
[email protected]
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180
