Saunders gets over U SPORTS hump
Garette Saunders university breakthrough came at the recent U SPORTS Wrestling Championships at the University of Guelph Winning.
The Brock wrestler won all four of this matches by technical superiority to win the 61-kilogram division. After making two previous finals, it was the first U SPORTS championship of his career but it came at the price.
“In my finals match, we hit heads right off the bat, five seconds in, and the back of my head split open. They said I needed stitches but I didn’t end up getting stitches because I didn’t really want to go to the hospital and wait. It is healing pretty good but there is a nice gash at the back of my head.”
With his head wrapped in tape at a recent practice, Saunders reflected on his big moment at U SPORTS.
“I think that I finally proved to myself that I am above the level of most of the guys here. I am not talking about Brock but the guys at the U Sports level,” he said. “It took a few years to fix, not the skill level as much but I think a lot of it was mental being able to perform, being able to show up, and when everyone is cheering against you being able to stay focused and keep hunting down.”
The 23-year-old Brampton native is aiming to take the next step in his career.
“I am looking to make some senior national teams and get some international experience now. I have beat a couple of guys who have been in the way for awhile and I proved that I am ready for the international scene.”
His first crack at wrestling on the international scene in 2024 got detoured. A week before U SPORTS, Saunders failed to make weight for the Pan Am Championships.
“I went there as the No. 2 at 57 kilograms. I was up all night cutting weight and it wasn’t pretty. It doesn’t happen often for anyone and it was my first time ever. It was a pretty hard blow because I had cut a lot of weight and had put so much into the sport.”
He earned his status as No. 2 by finishing second at last December’s Olympic trials.
“That would be my highlight. I didn’t go in with a lot of expectations just because I knew I was young and I would be going up against some big competitors. I knew I was in the mix but I hadn’t made weight at 57 kilograms in three and a half to four years,” he said. “One it was could I make the weight again because I had gotten a lot bigger and stronger. When I made weight, that proved something to me. The first day I beat everyone in my pool and proved another thing to myself. Then in the finals, I gave the No. 1 guy a pretty good match.”
Next up for Saunders are the senior national championships March 14-17 in Ottawa. Last year, he won the 61-kilogram division in his first-ever appearance at senior nationals. Saunders will be competing on his birthday.
“Winning that would be the next step. In the summer, I am not looking to do anything crazy financially wise but maybe a few camps and I will keep trying to progress.”
Photos courtesy of Laurel Jarvis.
