Gatta commits to Brock
Eden was home Monday to least shocking signing ceremony in the history of Niagara sports.
To no one’s surprise, Eden’s Zubin Gatta committed to the Brock University powerhouse men’s wrestling program.
“I have been looking forward to this for years now and obviously I have known for a while that I will be going to Brock,” the Grade 12 student said. “Even though there might have been other options, I have never really looked at any other school. I am really excited for it.”
The 17-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake resident has had his sights set on Brock for a long time.
“It all started when my sister (Farrantina) and brother (Cyrus) went to Brock,” the six-time provincial champion said. “I was probably 10 years old, maybe a little older, and that is when I got the first feel for the Brock room because I would come to practices and talk to Marty (head coach Calder).”
The two-time Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations champion — COVID cancelled wrestling in his Grade 10 and 11 years — is a big fan of the Brock program.
“It makes me want to be there because of the fact that they have been the best in country for so many years now. Why would I go anywhere else? It is also the environment when I am in the room. It is all work and the coaches really want you to get better. And inside and outside the room, it feels like a family. They bring you in like it is nothing.”
The team gold and individual bronze medalist at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara has lofty goals in his first year of Ontario University Athletics wrestling.
“I want to make the OUA and U SPORTS lineup and then I would say top three at OUAs.”
The future business administration student knows it won’t come without effort.
“Obviously it is going to take a lot of work and a lot of rehab on my injury but that will be cleared up before the season starts.”
Gatta dislocated his left elbow in March in his first match at junior nationals.
“It is doing a lot better now and I would say there is only a couple months left of physio and a couple of weeks left of wearing the brace,” he said. “I am coming up to the end and I will be back to normal.”
He can’t wait to get started at Brock
“The No. 1 thing is becoming a champion which is what they do and No. 2, I would have to say is being part of a family.”
He has been in and out of the wrestling room during his rehab and will jump in full speed ahead once he is healthy.
Gatta will fondly recall his four years at Eden.
“I will remember the two OFSAA golds, for sure, and the staff at Eden everyone really cared about where you went athletically and the teachers were all very understanding. It helped a lot being here at Eden.”
Calder is thrilled to land Gatta.
“He’s a great kid from a great family and he’s a product of our Junior Badgers program so he has been around for a while. He’s very skilled and we have to get some meat on his bones because he is small,” he said. “He is going to be a great addition for us and we are looking forward to see what he can do. He wrestled in some university tournaments this year and he did well.”
Calder expects Gatta to be a strong contender to crack the Brock varsity lineup this fall.
“He’s going to have a chance, that’s for sure. He will be right in the thick of things if it takes a year or whatever. He may make it but it is on him with how much work he puts in and how much progress he makes, but I have confidence in him. I think he is going to do a good job for us.”
Calder is not worried about Gatta having to make an adjustment to the Brock wrestling room.
“He has been training there for a couple years now more than anywhere else so that’s going to be an easy transition. He knows the guys on the team. It won’t be a tough transition for him but he won’t be wrestling in high school tournaments any more. But we all make that jump and he will be fine.”
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