Skip to content

SFU wrestlers shine in mat showdown

It was a five-win weekend for the Simon Fraser University wrestling team at the SFU Open.

It was a five-win weekend for the Simon Fraser University wrestling team at the SFU Open.

Victories by Logan Nelson, Nishaun Randhawa and Taber Spray on the men’s side and Alex Hedrick and Serena Woldring for the women’s were highlights at the annual event, which drew wrestlers from 34 clubs Saturday.

Nelson, a native of Vashon Island, Wash., captured the men’s 79-kilogram division, powering through with three straight technical-fall wins. Abbotsford’s Randhawa dominated the 97-kg category, beating his rival in a 10-0 technical fall.

Spray, who hails from Anthem, Ariz., took three matches by decision to claim the 70kg division title.

On the women’s side, Hedrick of Fair Oaks, Cal., registered a pair of technical fall wins, then a 6-1 decision over teammate Lauren Mason to walk off with the 55-kg title. Vancouver’s Woldring was the final winner, overtaking four opponents in the 86-kg division en route to a title.

There were a handful of other Clan wrestlers who posted strong showings on the day. Nela Takufua finished second in the men’s 92kg division, while Alyvia Fiske (68kg) joined Mason as a second-place finisher in the women’s competition.

Securing third-place results were Nolan Badovinac (86kg), with a 4-1 record, Ciaran Ball, in the 125kg division, at 3-1, and Riley Prough (61kg).

Burnaby’s Sara Brinkac, in 62kg, shook off a quarterfinal loss to peel off three straight wins to place third. The last two victories were by close decisions. Also placing third was Rebekah Trudel, with a 4-1 record in the 76kg category.