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Wrestlers bring home gold
Two Grade 7 students fight to finish first at territorials in Yellowknife

Andrew Livingstone
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, February 19, 2015

INUVIK
It was a golden weekend for Inuvik's Dalton McLeod and Lane Voudrach.

NNSL photo/graphic

Inuvik's Dalton McLeod, in the fluorescent T-shirt, wrestles Weledeh's Paul Reid in Yellowknife on Feb. 7. - Walter Strong/NNSL photo

The two East Three School wrestlers brought home gold from the territorial wresting championship in Yellowknife Feb. 7.

McLeod took two of three matches from his opponent, winning gold on two straight victories.

"I felt like I accomplished something," he said.

The Grade 7 student went on to describe how when he lost the first match he was nervous about the fact he'd have to win two straight games.

"I didn't feel like I was going to win," said McLeod about losing the first match. "I looked at what I was doing wrong and made those adjustments and was able to win it."

It was McLeod's first time wrestling at the territorial championships. Having wrestled a little when he was in Grade 5, he said he wouldn't have been prepared for the competition if it wasn't for coach Steve Baryluk.

"He helped me a lot and I know everything about the sport that I know because of him," he said. "He always tells me to keep my head up and stay on my feet."

Voudrach, also in Grade 7, said when he saw the size of his competitors going into the tournament he got a boost of confidence because he was taller. However, he said he didn't take it for granted, describing how smaller wrestlers sometimes have a speed advantage and can get to his legs quicker for a take down.

The 12-year-old was able to win all three of his competitive matches, and also an exhibition match after he won gold. Voudrach said he felt he was clicking with his strategy on the mat and that his half nelsons were the biggest weapon he had.

"They were working good so I was ready," he said. "I was pretty happy with my performance."

Having Baryluk on the sidelines giving him advice during his matches played a key role in his success, he said.

"He stayed on the side and was helping me with what moves I needed to use," he said.

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