Dinos set to host 2024 CW Wrestling Championships

The best wrestlers from across Canada West are ready to descend on Calgary this weekend for the 2024 CW Wrestling Championships, set to be hosted by the University of Calgary Dinos.

The event will take place at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium and features competitors from Calgary, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Lethbridge. Weigh-ins take place on Friday before a full-day of competition on Saturday, with the first of three “dual-meet” style rounds starting at 11 a.m. MT.

A full schedule and event information is available on the championship homepage. Fans can catch the action live and on-demand at Canada West TV.

The Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas will be looking to defend their conference titles from last season, which was the third time in the past decade that Alberta had swept both sides of the CW podium. The Pandas would also go on to capture their second women’s wrestling national title in program history, ending a string of nine straight championships by the Brock University Badgers.

As hosts, Calgary will look to use home mat advantage in their quest for a CW banner. Dinos head coach Mitch Ostberg is excited for the chance to host and says the Canada West championships are always one of the most highly anticipated events on the calendar.

“It is the most exciting tournament of the year for the student-athlete because of the dual-meet format we wrestle it in” says Ostberg. “It’s a good tournament and if we can add a little energy to the competition with some good hometown cheering, we sure hope we can help the athletes have success.”

Women's Wrestling | Top ranked Dinos look to thrill hometown supporters

The host Dinos enter the competition as the top ranked side in U SPORTS, led by many standout competitors including graduating wrestler Grace Lew. The hometown Calgary product has enjoyed strong form this season, including a pair of wins at the Lethbridge Pronghorns Invitational two weeks ago. She also gained great experience by competing at the Olympic selection trials in December.

“She’s been competing well all season and is one to watch on the women’s side,” says Ostberg. “We look for her to be a performance leader on our women’s team and it’s going to be exciting for her at her last Canada West competition. She’s been wrestling awesome and winning tournaments. She’s really turned the jets on in the second term.”

The competition won’t make it easy on the Dinos, as Canada West has three of the top four ranked teams in U SPORTS. Saskatchewan enters ranked second in the nation, while the reigning champion Golden Bears are fourth.

Men's Wrestling | Golden Bears look to defend CW title

The Golden Bears enter as the favourites on the men’s side as the top ranked team in U SPORTS, with Saskatchewan and Calgary close behind in third and fifth, respectively.

Elias Wile is a name to watch for the Golden Bears, as he was named a Canada West wrestler of the week earlier in January after a 5-0 performance at the Golden Bears Duals and Invitational.

For the hometown fans, Dinos rookie sensation Nicholas Hooper will be looking for a strong showing on his home mat. The first-year wrestler has gotten his varsity career off to a fast start, being named Canada West male wrestler of the week back in October following a dynamic performance at the Dinos Open and Invitationals. He outscored his opponents at that event by a cumulative score of 53-9, which led to him also being named the U SPORTS male wrestler of the week.

“Nick had won the first tournament of the year and was named U SPORTS athlete of the week, but then suffered an injury which unfortunately set him back," says Ostberg. "Now he’s coming back, he won the tournament down in Lethbridge and he’s looking good again. He’s back in the saddle coming off the injury and as a rookie on our men’s team he is excited about his opportunity. He’s got some tough opposition but I think he’s up to it.”

2024 U SPORTS Nationals

In addition to competing for conference glory, competitors will also be vying for berths at the 2024 U SPORTS national championships, to be hosted by the University of Guelph on March 2.