Two members of the Concordia Stingers wrestling team – Hana Askren and James Mancini – won gold medals at the Canadian university championships hosted by University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon last Friday and Saturday.
Askren, a PhD. student in her first year with Concordia, was also named the outstanding women’s wrestler at the championship. Competing in the 48 kg. weight class, she was undefeated in three preliminary matches and then defeated the University of Calgary’s Brandy Ens for the gold medal.
Mancini, a third-year wrestler, also went through the nationals undefeated, winning his three preliminary matches and defeating Brock University’s CJ Hudson to win the gold medal in the 61 kg. category. He was a silver medallist in 2006.
Both Askren and Mancini earn first team all-Canadian status in addition to their gold medals.
Patrick Okpalugo, a rookie, finished in fifth place in the heavyweight division, while Serguei Guevorkian, a second-year competitor, did not place in the 72 kg. weight class.
The Concordia wrestling team is coached by Victor Zilberman who has guided his athletes to more than 45 gold medals and six team titles at the nationals. Since 1980, Concordia has won 89 medals and six team titles at the CIAU/CIS championships. In addition six Concordia athletes have been named the outstanding wrestler at the competition.
