Two Squamish wrestlers represented their province at a recent national competition, resulting in bronze medal for one and lessons learned for the other.
Jaci Maddocks and Andrea Cordero, both in grade 12, competed in the Cadet Juvenile National Wrestling Championship held April 7 to 9 in Edmonton.
While Cordero, the Western Canadian Champion, was able to secure a bronze, forfeiting her first match left Maddocks somewhere between sixth and tenth place (in wrestling, positions after sixth place aren't classified).
"I was at the wrong mat for my first match and because I wasn't in the right place I had to forfeit the match," said Maddocks.
In the double knockout tournament, conceding her first match left Maddocks behind the eight ball. After losing her second match, she was out of the tournament. Apparently Maddocks's name was being called but she was unable to hear over the noise of the gym.
"I worked so hard and to have to forfeit my first match was disappointing," she said.
Cordero competed in different weight category then her teammate and her trip to the podium went more according to plan although she also believes she could have done better.
"I was happy with my result because I beat a longtime rival but I have also beaten the two girls who finished ahead of me before," said Cordero. "But that's the way it goes in wrestling. Sometimes it just goes to the person who wants it more."
Although living in Squamish Cordero has been going to high school at St. Thomas Aquinas since grade 8, a move she made because her parents commuted daily to the city.
Since starting four years ago Cordero said the female aspect of the sport has grown.
"Women's wrestling is almost just as popular as guys," she said.
Cordero hopes to take her recent success and continue with her wrestling career at Simon Fraser University where she was awarded a sports scholarship to compete on the school's wrestling team. She said the toughness of her sport combined with the passion it requires to win, make wrestling enjoyable for her.
"You have to have mental ability, you have to be fast and strong. It sometimes comes down to just how badly you want it," she said. "You have to be disciplined in all aspects in order to win."
Cordero plans to study Criminology and Spanish at SFU and one day plans to take her career to the international level.
"My dream is to one day compete at the Olympics, and I am training pretty hard to do it," she said.
While Maddocks, who plans to study at Capilano College and eventually become a teacher, has learned her own lessons as a result of the national competition.
"Listen all of the time, and double check, which mat you're supposed to be at," she said. "Also keep my head in the game and don't let the little things bug me."
Next year Maddocks is hoping to work with the Howe Sound Secondary wrestling team.
