Gibson gunning for top five at OFSAA

Brodie Gibson had an unpleasant introduction to the sport of wrestling in Grade 9.

“I was also playing travel volleyball and when I was wrestling, some kid ran me off the mat and I landed on my head on the hard floor,” the Grade 11 student at Thorold Secondary School said. “I got a concussion and had to stop wrestling so I went back and played volleyball.”

There were no such issues for the 16-year-old in his Grade 10 year and he ended up qualifying for the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships.

“He didn’t win a match, but he was a new wrestler in a tough weight class,” Thorold coach Heather Sweezey said. “This year, he has been constantly improving and he narrowly lost his bronze-medal match at (juvenile) provincials.

“He lost to a national champion and then lost the bronze in the last few seconds.”

Gibson won’t forgetting his loss in the bronze-medal match any time soon.

“The score was three or two away from me winning and I tried a move and I messed up. I should have won it,” he said.

But without every setback comes a lesson learned.

“Just don’t try to do stupid moves,” the 16-year-old said, with a laugh.

Gibson has been having an excellent season and has won every high school meet he has entered this season with the exception of the Thorold invitational.

At Thursday’s combined Zone 3 and 4 meet, he went in his final match in the 64-kilogram division without having allowed a point against and ended up winning the division.

“Every time he practises, he is getting better and it’s getting more exciting,” Sweezey said. “Brodie is a really good athlete and very explosive.

“He started last year and he has been constantly improving.”

Gibson feels his biggest improvement as a wrestler is on the mental side of the sport.

“I am using my head more,” he said. “I am thinking before I do things and I am hand fighting more. My defence is really good and no one can get my legs.”

He is now focused solely on wrestling and loves the sport.

“I like that I don’t have to worry about my other teammates messing up,” he said. “It is just me.”

His goal for this season is to place in the top five at the OFSAA championships. His OFSAA experience from last year should pay dividends at this year’s event.

“It was so nerve-wracking, but once I settle down, it will be amazing,” he said.

Next up are the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association championships to be held Wednesday at Orchard Park.

Following are complete boys results from the Zone 3 meet held Thursday at Thorold Secondary School.

INDIVIDUAL

44 kilograms: 1. Jack Reynolds, Blessed Trinity; 2. Aiden Gowans, Laura Secord.

47.5 kilograms: 1. Jett Mann, Blessed Trinity; 2. Owen Pavao, Blessed Trinity.

51 kilograms: 1. Qasim Khan, St. Mike’s.

54 kilograms: 1. Alex Memme, Blessed Trinity; 2. Giuseppe Fortino, Blessed Trinity; 3. Parnav Parakh, A.N. Myer.

57.5 kilograms: 1. Henry Brunning, St. Mike’s; 2. Hunter Bauer, St. Mike’s; 3. Matthew Altobelli, Blessed Trinity; 4. Anthony Franciosa, Blessed Trinity; 5.Sam DeBoer, Blessed Trinity.

61 kilograms: 1. Noah Muraca, Blessed Trinity; 2. Max Diprose, Denis Morris; 3. Royce Crown, St. Mike’s; 4. Quintin Thiele, A.N. Myer; 5. Josh Lemire, A.N. Myer; 6. Jordan Peacock, Stamford.

64 kilograms: 1. Brodie Gibson, Thorold; 2. Toyib Oyeleye, Denis Morris; 3. Bryn Loewen, Governor Simcoe; 4. Michael Nikaronov, Eden; 5. Martin Vrekalic, Blessed Trinity.

67.5 kilograms: 1. Matt Jackson, Governor Simcoe.

72 kilograms: 1. Jordan Wylie, St. Francis; 2. Ryan Pereira, Blessed Trinity; 3. Sebastian Cardenas, A.N. Myer; 4. Peter Mhlanger, St. Mike’s; 5. Dean Donato, Blessed Trinity; 6. Ayden Roperti, St. Mike’s.

77 kilograms: 1. Christian Bradley, Denis Morris; 2. Jack Hendricks, Blessed Trinity; 3. Matthew Schweinbenz, Blessed Trinity; 4. Garrett Glowacki, Stamford; 5. Hunter Dugas, Thorold.

83 kilograms: 1. Lucas Iamarino, St. Paul; 2. Cole Corbett, Blessed Trinity; 3. Alex Lewis, St. Mike’s.

89 kilograms: 1. Carlos Posada, St. Mike’s; 2. Connor Rivette, Denis Morris; 3. Tommy Heddon, Denis Morris; 4. Quinton Frattaroli, Blessed Trinity; 5. Kyle Ippolito, Blessed Trinity; 6. Austin Kozlowski, Eden.

95 kilograms: 1. Micheal Gillis, Denis Morris; 2. Malcolm Reid, Denis Morris; 3. Zachary Meford, Stamford; 4. Bronson Hedden, Denis Morris.

130 kilograms: 1. William Bradley, Denis Morris; 2. Matthew Elia, St. Mike’s.

TEAMS

Boys: 1. Blessed Trinity 311; 2. Denis Morris 226; 3. St. Mike’s 184; 4. A.N. Myer 106; 5. Governor Simcoe 43.

Overall: 1. Blessed Trinity 575; 2. Denis Morris 284; 3. St. Mike’s 238; 4. A.N. Myer 155; 5. Governor Simcoe 89.

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