NNSL (DEC 20/96) - St. Pat's Dang Huynh proved himself the best in the west on the weekend.

Huynh went undefeated in eight matches in his 54-kilogram weight division to capture gold at the Simon Fraser Elite Wrestling Tournament.

"I thought I'd place in the top five, maybe," said the 19-year-old of his expectations going into the tournament.

"Actually, that was a weight class heavier than he usually wrestles," noted coach Don Reid.

Reid has coached Huynh since 1993. The tournament win will go a long toward providing Huynh with one of the keys to wrestling success, said Reid.

"Obviously, he's very skilled, but he's got to start believing in his ability."

Reid said Huynh's biggest strength is his speed. "He's tremendously fast to the legs. I've seen him throw national champions for five points, just on speed."

Highly recruited in this, his last year of high school, Huynh is hoping to finish off the season the best way possible -- with a national championship.

To qualify for the tournament he will need to win the territorial championships, something he said would be "no problem."

Things won't be as easy at the nationals, to be held in Burnaby, B.C., in February, said Reid.

"Very rarely will you come across a weak opponent at the nationals," said Reid.

This will be Huynh's fifth trip to the tournament. His best performance came two years ago, when he finished sixth.

Huynh was one of five wrestlers representing St. Pat's at the Simon Fraser Elite Tournament.

Gabe McDaniel, wrestling in the 78-kilogram-and-over division, won three of his first five matches. It was his first tournament.

George Patterson also fought to three wins before being eliminated.

Joseph Marrai and Jonathan Menton both bowed out with a win and four losses.