EDMONTON (U SPORTS) - One Brock University dynasty continued, and one ended on Saturday night in the Main Gymnasium on UAlberta campus, as the 2023 Friends of the World Cup of Wrestling Society U SPORTS Championship, presented by the Westin Edmonton concluded.
The Brock University Badger men captured their eighth-straight U SPORTS wrestling title, while the Alberta Pandas captured their second national title in program history, ending the Badgers title run at nine. It is the Pandas first national title since 2011.
FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET & RESULTS
The Pandas capped off their championship victory with a bang, as fifth-year Taylor McPherson pinned Saskatchewan Huskie Sierra Mullin in the final match of the event, sending the home Alberta crowd into a frenzy.
"This is what I was working on for the last six/seven years with the team, and to end it with both an individual and team title is all I could have hoped for," said McPherson."It was stressful, being the final match. I told myself I needed to wrap things up on a good note, and I knew I needed to win. Not only was I the last match, but it was also the last match of my varsity career. And I ended it on a high with my team."
McPherson (50kg) was one of three Pandas to earn individual gold on Saturday, joining Katie Mulkay (67kg) and Andrea Franko (72kg). Franko was also awarded the R.W. Pugh Fair Play award, given to the coach or athlete that best exhibits the standards of sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
Alberta also added two individual silver and two bronze medals on Saturday, winning the women's title by 14 points.
"It was an amazing feeling doing this at home. Winning both Canada West and U SPORTS here on our home turf," continued McPherson. "To end with both team titles and an individual gold meant so much."
Brock placed second on the women's side, followed closely by the McMaster Marauders.
Brock ran away with the men's title, finishing 14 points ahead of OUA rival McMaster for second. The host Golden Bears placed third.
The Badgers were led by two individual gold medalists, as Carlos Vargas (68kg) and Bobby Narwal (72kg) were both crowned national champions. Brock also added three individual silver medals and one bronze on the men's side.
"Our guys put the work in, that was the bottom line this weekend. They took on the challenge of being the defending champions, and stepped up and performed all weekend," said Badgers head coach Marty Calder, who was also named the U SPORTS Men's Team Coach of the Year. "It was great to be back competing at this event, it was for the athletes."