Ozogs add to OFSAA medal haul
For the third straight year, an Ozog from E.L. Crossley has been standing on the podium at the conclusion of the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations wrestling championships.
Seth Ozog won bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024 and Reed Ozog won silver in the 77-kilogram division at the recently concluded OFSAA championships in Kitchener. Younger brother, Heath, placed fifth at 72 kilograms as did Thorold’s Ryan Custers, who competed at 95 kilograms.
For Reed, the silver medal was bittersweet.
“This season didn’t start the way I hoped for myself or the team. Losing two of our mentors and leaders made things even tougher. Moving forward without the people who shaped and supported us isn’t easy,” the Grade 12 student said. “Kekoo (Gatta) was one of those people, a father figure to so many, not just his own kids. He had a heart of gold and was always there to help, offer advice, and his just being there made everything better. His impact was bigger than words can describe. Sadly, Michelle Fazzari lost her fight to cancer. She was an inspiration, not just on the mat, but off it as well. Throughout all the highs and lows life threw at her, she never gave up. Her strength, determination, and relentless had made a mark on my life.”
The St. Catharines resident was thankful for all those that helped him out along the way including coaches, Ryan and Diana Weicker, Perry Wakulich, Tyler Custers, Larry Grieves, Richard DesChatelets, Aurel Domanico, Chris Laverick, Randy Todd and CJ Hudson.
He also credited his wrestling partners for his success.
“Thank you for pushing me every day. Every tough practice, every drill, every challenge has made me better. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
Reed left hockey in Grade 4 to wrestle and had a lot of success in his earlier years, winning a pair of Canada East titles in Grade 6 and 7 and a provincial cadet title in Grade 9.
His first year at OFSAA he lost both his matches and then last year he missed OFSAA with an illness.
“I was disappointed in myself that I didn’t go. I was so frustrated so I just tried to make it to the podium this year. That was my main goal.”
Reed won four matches to make the finals. It was a big moment when the silver medal was placed around his neck.
“I was proud of myself because I hadn’t place anywhere since the Grade 9 provincials. It was surreal and exciting.”
Reed won’t be taking much of a break from his athletic endeavours. He and Heath plan to train through the March Break and Reed started tryouts this week for the St. Catharines Athletics junior B lacrosse team.
“I’m still unsure about what to do for post secondary,” Reed said. “There are so many options and it’s tough to decide what path to take. I want to make sure I’m choosing something that will make me happy.”
Heath, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, finished fifth at OFSAA for the second straight year.
“I have gone all three years and it has been fun every single year. It’s different environments, different places and new people,” he said. “This year I definitely think I could have medalled but in my first match I tore my rotator cuff. That put me in the loser’s bracket but I just had to continue fighting and keep going.”
He agreed it was difficult to wrestle with a shoulder injury.
“It hurt but the coaches were there and they supported me all the way through it. I knew I didn’t want to disappoint them so I kept wrestling to make them proud and let them know I was putting in the work. It was the last tournament of the year so you might was well put it all on the table.”
Seeing his brother’s medal pushes Heath to work hard.
“It’s motivating because I just want to beat them. I want to be better than them and I am always striving to be better than them,” he said. “Next year I am going to work twice as hard so I can be even better.”
Heath has been wrestling since Grade 2.
“I got into it because of a family friend of our. We were good friends with Mick Calder (the brother of Brock coach Mary Calder) and I wasn’t into sports at the time. He recommended it to me and I found that it was a great place and a great environment so we stuck with it. We kept adapting and kept going.”
He is a big fan of the sport.
“I like that it is you versus the other guy. There is no one else in between and there is no one else you can blame the other guy or blame a teammate.”
