There were three golden performances by Brampton wrestlers at the recent Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) wrestling championships in Hagersville. Turner Fenton was represented by brothers Shane (left) and Jonathan Babullal while Brampton Centennial got gold from Chennelle Williams. OFSAA is slated to return to Brampton next year.
And two of them are in the same household. Brothers Shane Babullal at 41 kilograms and Jonathan at 44 kgs, led a strong showing by Turner Fenton as the Trojans had their best ever showing at OFSAA, finishing third in the team competition, out of 218 schools and 860 wrestlers.
In the girls' competition, Brampton Centennial's Chennelle Williams captured gold in the unlimited division, her second consecutive medal at OFSAA after winning silver last year.
Jonathan Babullal also has two consecutive medals. The 17-year old took gold in a lower weight class when the tournament was held in Brampton at the Powerade Centre.
Both brothers also wrestle for the Matmen club team. Jonathan's performance is especially impressive since, because he works every night of the week, he is only able to attend club practices on weekends.
Turner and Matmen coach Richard Knill said he has also spent a lot of time working with some of the younger wrestlers during school practice and only spent the last month of the season concentrating on his own wrestling.
But that did not stop Jonathan from going undefeated at the OFSAA tournament, defeating Chris Garneau from Hamilton Bishop Ryan in the final.
Shane, a 15-year old in Grade 10, was inspired to get into wrestling by his older brother. Having a provincial champion in the family has certainly helped as Knill said Shane has learned focus and intensity from his brother.
Shane is glad he got into wrestling.
"Its gotten me into shape,'' said Shane who has dropped 10 kilos since he started wrestling last year.
In many of his meets earlier in the season he was in the same weight class as his brother, so in 14 tournaments he has to settle for three gold, a silver and a couple of bronze medals.
Jonathan is undefeated in 12 meets this season.
For Williams, it was also a sibling rivalry that inspired her to get into wrestling. She said her older brother Conrad challenged her to get into the sport. He no longer wrestles, but plays rugby at the University of Guelph.
Chennelle, though, is hoping to continue on in wrestling and dreams of going to the Olympics. Her success has come even though she has yet to join a wrestling club and get that extra practice against experienced competition. That is something she is planning to do and she was invited to attend a March Break camp at the University of Guelph.
The 16-year old said winning at OFSAA this year was even more difficult than when she competed last year.
"The competition was tougher this year, the girls were stronger and better technically,'' she said.
Williams took the gold over Katie Hearn from Beamsville.
Turner Fenton also collected a bronze medal with Luke Roberts finishing third at 51 kgs.
Others from Brampton schools who placed included Gurpreet Multani of Harold Brathwaite fourth at 47.5 kgs, Alex Maceachern from Heart Lake fourth at 72 kgs, Scott Chisholm of Brampton Centennial fifth at 67.5 kgs and Marcus Bennett from Turner Fenton fifth at 61 kgs.
Turner Fenton, which had 13 wrestlers compete at OFSAA wound up third overall and fourth in the boys, eight points back of third-place Hamilton Bishop Ryan.
Knill said there is a group of dedicated wrestlers at the school.
"We've got a lot of kids who want to win, they like to be on the mat,'' he said.
After a one-year absence the OFSAA championship will return to Brampton in 2009 and will be back at the Powerade Centre.