Submitted by Paul Klose

Published March 5 2019

On Friday Feb. 22 the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School wrestling team competed at the 2019 COSSA Wrestling Championships in Belleville.
More than 160 athletes representing 15 schools from the COSSA region attended the competition. HHSS wrestlers performed very well and finished the day with six athletes qualifying for the OFSAA Championships however one of the wrestlers will not be able to attend.

In the women’s division Charlotte Paton (64 kilogram) and Connie Oh (57.5 kilogram) went undefeated to capture gold medals. Both women wrestled tactfully and with grit throughout the day to emerge as champions in their respective weight classes.
In the men’s division first-year wrestlers Nick Phippen Logan Heaven and Corin Gervais stunned their veteran opponents with excellent performances. Phippen narrowly lost his consolation final and earned fourth place at 54 kilogram. Heaven earned the bronze at 57.5 kilogram and Gervais took the silver medal in the 51 kilogram division.
Austin Weller had the best match of his wrestling career during his semi-final. He dominated to advance to the finals but lost to get the silver medal at 72 kilogram. Teammate Nic Graham (89 kilogram) wrestled well all day but lost in the final to earn silver as well. Senior wrestler Aidan Coles used his speed and mat sense to win the gold medal. This is Cole’s second consecutive year as the COSSA champion at 95 kilogram.

Congratulations to all wrestlers on a great COSSA performance. Hal High will be represented with five Red Hawks [with one not going] at next week’s OFSAA Wrestling Championship held at TD Place from March 4 to 6  in Ottawa. Good luck!