Submitted by Paul Klose

Published Dec. 13 2016

The 2016 season has begun for the Red Hawks wrestling team.
Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) wrestlers have been hitting the mats for over a month to prepare for the busy pre-Christmas tournament schedule.  This year the team consists of many returning veterans eager to compete. In addition the team welcomes several rookie wrestlers who are ready to learn the sport.

On Wednesday Nov. 23 a select group of six Red Hawks travelled to Trenton High School for the first competition of the season. All Haliburton athletes returned home with hardware placing among the top three in their weight classes. Chloe Samson won the bronze medal while Emily Klose Sonya Flatman and Austin Weller took silver. A special congratulations goes to Aidan Coles and Rebecca Hamilton who emerged as champions in their respective divisions.

A week later 13 Red Hawks represented HHSS at the annual Kenner High School Invitational held in Peterborough. Seventeen schools from the COSSA (Central Ontario Secondary School Athletics) and Durham regions attended the event which showcased several high-calibre matches.
In his first tournament senior wrestler Dylan Freake (83 kg) went undefeated to take the gold medal. Once again Aidan Coles wrestled very well to earn a bronze medal in the 89 kg category. Sisters Hannah and Karissa Riopelle also performed well in their wrestling debuts earning bronze and silver respectively. Emily Klose narrowly lost in the consolation final to take home fourth place.
Congratulations to the entire team on a great start to the season.