Corbett’s gold helps BT to girls SOSSA crown
Cassie Corbett traces her roots as a competitive wrestler to a fourth-place finish at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships when she was a Grade 9 student at Blessed Trinity.
“That is what got me to start doing Junior Badgers because I realized I wasn’t too terrible at it,” the Grade 12 student said, with a laugh. “It kind of inspired me, it got me excited and it made me love the sport more.”
Unfortunately, the 17-year-old’s first visit to OFSAA would be her last until this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was hard. Missing it made me realize how much I loved it. There were times when I could practise but it wasn’t the same thing as competing. It is kind of sad because I wanted to go to OFSAA every year and do a little bit better every year. I couldn’t do that, of course, but it is motivating me to do even better this year.”
Joining the Junior Badgers wrestling program has been crucial for Corbett.
“It is night and day. I’m nowhere near the same wrestler I was when I was in Grade 9. I just didn’t know.”
She started with the Junior Badgers and is now training with the Brock Badgers varsity program on occasion.
“Those connections have really grown me as a wrestler and I have changed a lot. I am a lot better skill-wise, I control my emotions better and I feel differently about the sport. I am more competitive with it now.”
Corbett came into Friday’s Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association championships at Blessed Trinity on a high after winning her first provincial title a few weeks ago.
“I was super-excited about that,” she said of her 69-kilogram gold medal. “I was ecstatic. Considering I don’t have the background that some people do. Some people started so young and it was disheartening at times because it felt like I had so much catching up to do. To win made me feel maybe I do have a chance to get good. I know winning provincials is just the start for me.
Corbett is wrestling 67.5 kilograms at the high school level and has won four tournaments already this year, including Friday’s SOSSA title. She would love to return from the OFSAA championships March 6-8 in Ottawa with a gold medal around her neck.
“That is at the top of my list right now. I told myself in Grade 9 that one day I would stand at the top of that podium and I want to make it up to my Grade 9 self a little bit. Again, that will only be the start for me because I am going to university next year.”
She is heading to Brock and hopes to one day wear a Brock singlet in competition.
“I know how much work they put it but is not work if you love it. They are in there every day working very hard.”
Blessed Trinity wrestling coach Megan Schweitzer has high hopes for Corbett.
“I have had her since Grade 9 and she is a very good wrestler. She trains really hard and she puts a lot of hard work in,” she said. “She should place top three at OFSAA and I believe she can win it.”
Schweitzer has seen Corbett take her wrestling to a new level this season.
“Her technique and confidence have improved a lot. I am looking forward to watching her compete at OFSAA and nationals as well.”
Blessed Trinity won the girls title at SOSSA with 248 points. Rounding out the top five teams were Eden (66), West Niagara (64), Centennial (42) and Orchard Park (27).
Blessed Trinity was also the overall champion with 413 points followed by West Niagara (177), Eden (104), Orchard Park (93) and E.L. Crossley (84).
Below are the top three finishers at SOSSA. The top two finishers move on to OFSAA.
GIRLS DIVISIONS
41 kilograms: 1. Arianna Romano, Centennial.
44 kilograms: 1. Mikayla Chamberland, BT.
47.5 kilograms: 1. Tommy Mair, Orchard Park; 2. Bianco Romano, Centennial.
51 kilograms: 1. Akria Grieve, Eden; 2. Paola Shaheen, BT.
54 kilograms: 1. Simona Ruggieri, BT; 2. Frances Warner, BT; 3. Mandy Clark, West Niagara.
61 kilograms: 1. Olivia Wist, BT.
64 kilograms: 1. Charolette Bowslough, Eden; 2. Zoya Dhillion, Saint Michael; 3. Jocelyn Baril, Myer.
67.5 kilograms: 1. Cassie Corbett, BT; 2. Jorga Lepp, Eden; 3. Jada McLaren, BT.
72 kilograms: 1. Brielyn Young, BT.
77 kilograms: 1. Sophia Smerek, BT.; 2. Adia Binfield, BT.
89 kilograms: 1. Isabelle Marinucci, West Niagara.
95 kilograms: 1. Ella Andrews, E.L. Crossley.
