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Carlton wrestler hopes to lock up third provincial title

Dec 16, 2017 | 7:00 AM

All eyes will be on Carlton senior Samantha Paradis this year.

Paradis, who won gold at provincials in Grades 9 and 11, hopes to add one more provincial title during her last school year. When asked if she feels any extra pressure, she said she is not.

“I am really excited to see how this year goes, see what other wrestlers are out there and if I have any new competition,” she said.

While acknowledging the university scouts may be watching, she said her focus for now is on the present.

“Personally, I’ve been working to get my fitness back up and ready for the season. It takes a lot of physical endurance and training over the season to get ready for provincials,” she said.

Paradis and the rest of the Carlton wrestling team will have their first tournament of the season this weekend in Warman. Coach Kevin LaVallee said he will not be keeping track of points scored.

“Winning and losing is not important this weekend. It is strictly a gauge for the wresters [to see] where [they] are at,” he said.

LaVallee said he is quite encouraged to have more female wrestlers on his team this year. He said his seniors do a great job of recruiting.

“I don’t go out and recruit; my kids go out and recruit. I just have strong girls who have won provincial titles and they get all the girls involved, which is a blessing for me,” he said.

 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell