Seven wrestlers from the Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club proudly represented their community at the U15/U17/U19 National Wrestling Championships in Calgary from April 25-27 and they brought home some impressive results.
In Freestyle competition, Lyla Boylan and Elyssa Olson stood out, each capturing silver medals in the highly competitive U17 girls' division.
Both athletes showcased incredible resilience and skill, defeating several of the country’s top-ranked wrestlers to earn their spots on the podium.
Amelia Korchinski also turned in a strong performance, finishing sixth in her weight class against a tough national field. Thanks to these outstanding efforts, the Cowichan girls' team finished third overall in the team standings — an incredible achievement for a smaller club competing against much larger programs.
"It was great to see our athletes go head-to-head with some of the biggest and best clubs in the country," said coach Nick Zuback. "They showed they absolutely belong at the top level."
On the boys’ side, Brayden Zuback led the charge, finishing fifth in his weight class after a series of hard-fought matches. Carter Zuback, Antonio Iannidinardo, and Tate Marston also performed admirably, each earning top-16 finishes in their respective weight divisions, demonstrating the depth and competitiveness of the Cowichan squad.
The action continued Sunday with the Greco-Roman National Championships, where the team once again rose to the challenge.
Brayden Zuback had an outstanding tournament, winning gold in his weight class with a dominant performance — conceding only two points across four matches.
"He was completely dialed in and wrestled at a very high level throughout the day," praised coach Zuback.
Adding to the club’s medal haul, Lyla Boylan and Elyssa Olson both earned bronze medals in their Greco-Roman divisions, while Tate Marston narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish. Carter Zuback rounded out the strong showing with a fifth-place result in his weight class.
The Cowichan Valley Wrestling Club extends heartfelt thanks to all the local businesses, Queen Margaret’s School, and community supporters whose generous contributions helped make this national experience possible.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support from our amazing Cowichan community," the club shared. "Opportunities like this are what inspire our athletes to reach their full potential."
Wrestlers shine at Club Championships
Three talented wrestlers from the Cowichan Valley made a strong impression at the inaugural BC Wrestling Club Championships held March 15-16.
Brayden Zuback and Cassidy Pace performed outstandingly, securing second place and earning alternate spots for Team BC at the Canada Summer Games in P.E.I. this August. Lyla Boylan also showcased her skills, finishing third in her weight class.
