The ADSS Armada wrestling program added another accomplishment to their long list on the weekend at the B.C. Secondary Schools Wrestling Championships in Abbotsford.

In one of the most difficult achievements in high school sports, the Armada male and female wrestlers won the combined B.C. title for the second time in their history.

The Armada wrestlers have won five boys’ team B.C. High School titles and two girls’ team titles over the past 30 years, and have more top five team placings than any other program in B.C. during that stretch.

On Saturday in Abbotsford, Alberni wrestlers placed fourth in both the boy’s and the girl’s divisions and then later claimed the prestigious combined trophy. Alberni District finished with 81 points to edge WJ Mouat of Abbotsford by three points for the combined title.

The only other time ADSS accomplished this feat was in 1998. More than 100 schools were represented at this year’s BC High School Wrestling Championships.

“We pride ourselves in developing both our boys and our girls programs,” said ADSS head coach John McDonald, “so for us the combined title is very important.

“We have a reputation for performing well at the B.C.s. It is part of the strong tradition we foster with our athletes,” he said.

The ADSS girls were led by veteran grade 12 wrestler Savannah Toth led the Armada girls by capturing her second B.C. title in the 69 kg weight class. After taking the gold in Grade 10, Toth had a frustrating Grade 11 year plagued by injuries and inconsistency. At the B.C.s this year she was a woman possessed, McDonald said. “Savannah was very determined to come back strong this year and at the B.C.s she dominated. Heading into the final we just knew she wouldn’t be denied.”

The ADSS girls team was bolstered this year with the addition of Grade 9 dynamo Jordan Bodnar from Dunn Middle School, who won the 40 kg class for her second year in a row.

On the boys’ side, Grade 12 wrestler Cody McEvay led the way. He was ranked No. 1 at 66 kg going into the B.C.s. In his first match he needed a late point to take the second round and win the match. From there on McEvay used strategy to win four straight matches.

In the final it was a close battle with a very tough Abduhl Mohammad of Sentinel, with McEvay winning in two straight rounds, 2-0 and 1-0.

“Cody is the master of the mat strategy,” McDonald said. “He dictates the pace of almost all of his matches and forces his opponents to follow his game plan...

“His final was a textbook on how to win a close match. He just never gave Mohammad a chance to mount an attack or get any momentum,” McDonald said.

“He is one of the best high school wrestlers I have ever seen at that. He is certainly deserving of the B.C. title.”

McEvay’s teammate and training partner Cullen Hines also had an outstanding tournament, earning a silver medal in 70 kg in a controversial match won by Roy Millar of Penticton.

Jesse Wagner of Neill Middle School won his first three matches in the 41 kg category to earn his way into the final, where a more experienced wrestler from Tupper Secondary won.

Grade 8 Neill wrestler Rhea Wing took a bronze medal at 43 kg, and Grade 12 newcomer Karlie MacFarlane also won bronze in 90 kg.

Kraig Doskotch (51 kg) and Austin Evans (57 kg) came away with fourth place finishes for the ADSS boys.

In the girls 64 kg weight, Brianne Charles of ADSS turned a disappointing loss in her first match into some determination.

Fighting her way back on the consolation side, Charles won four matches in a row before getting knocked out of the chance at the bronze. She then won her last match for fifth place.

For most of the Alberni wrestlers the season is now over. For some the next month will bring another intense period of training as they prepare for the National Cadet/ Juvenile Championships at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby April 8-11.