Britannia wrestler Jilliane Viña finished third in the girls 54 kilogram weight class at the B.C. Wrestling Championship last weekend in the Cowichan Valley.

The Grade 12 student and rookie wrestler lost in the semi-final to defending champion Ashley Osachuck from Timberline secondary in Campbell River.

It was a surprise to see the two in the same weight class, said Frank Mensah, Viña’s coach at the Howard Gairy wrestling club.

"I believe either of them would have won the 54kg, 57kg or 60kg weight class if they had chosen to go there," he said. "To make it worse, they both were on the same side of the bracket."

Viña lost the semi-final but didn’t stop wrestling to win.

"She wrestled two more matches after that to take the well deserved bronze medal," said Mensah. "Jilliane […] was very impressive in the manner to which she handled herself after losing. She wrestled the champion really well. It is only a matter of time until Jilliane beats her."

The juvenile national championship is scheduled for April 4 to 7 in Saskatoon.

mstewart@vancourier.com