Teams from Kamloops and Haida Gwai competed against teams from Prince George and area schools in the 43rd annual Shas Ti Kelly Road Wrestling Tournament Saturday.
Wrestlers from Grades 6-12, 32 female and 81 male for a total of 113 athletes, took part in the one-day tournament.
The long travel time and expense incurred by the athletes from Gidg̱alang Ḵuuyas Naay Secondary School (GKNS) was not the only sacrifice made to attend the tournament. Payden Ismay, 16, wrestling at 55kgs, chose to make the trip to attend the tournament with his 13 teammates rather than make a trip to Mexico with his family for two weeks.
"I missed a two week trip to Mexico for this," said Ismay. "It's my favourite meet of the whole year."
In all two teams from Haida Gwai and a team from Prince Rupert split the cost of a bus and a hotel to wrestle.
Nechako Valley Secondary School won the team standings, with the highest points total from female and male athletes at 112. Second was Daaxiigan at 46 points, and tied for third was Shas Ti Kelly Road and GKNS.
Athletes will participate in Zone Championships next month, where they can qualify to compete at the Provincials Championships at the PNE February 21-22 with 500 other athletes in attendance. Those that qualify can go on to the National Championships to be held in Calgary April 25-27.
