Cynthia Lam, Staff Writer
Featured image courtesy of York Lions
Hot off a bronze medal win at the Ontario University Athletics Wrestling Championships, Alexandria Town prepared for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championships the following weekend to battle it out with the country’s best athletes. When the tournament finally came during the last weekend of February, she fought hard and became the Lions’ first ever female wrestler to win a CIS medal.
“For CIS, it was a different set up, more catered towards spectators with lots of bleachers and video equipment,” says Town.
“I’ve competed in many large tournaments, so I was fairly comfortable in the atmosphere.”
Town participated in several matches during the tournament. Her first match was against University of Alberta’s Sheina Fisher, where she put on a dominating 11-0 performance to secure her spot in the fight for the bronze medal in the women’s 55-kilogram category. Her second match was against Brock University’s Carlene Sluberski, the reigning CIS champion in Town’s weight category, who defeated Town and eventually went on to win the gold medal.
“I’m not at all upset by it though,” says Town, “as she has years of international experience under her belt.” However, the resilient athlete was not about to let the loss take away from her momentum as she headed into her historic contest for the bronze.
Town hustled for the bronze medal against Julie Steffler of Western University, who she has wrestled on several different occasions in the past. Town pulled through and defeated Steffler by pinfall, earning her a bronze medal and a place in York’s wrestling history as the first female medal winner.
“I didn’t even realize I was the first until after I hopped off of the podium and my coach congratulated me,” says Town. “It’s a wonderful feeling and it brings some well-needed attention to York’s wrestling program. It’s satisfying knowing that all the time I spent training is being recognized and appreciated.”
But the medal was not the only token of recognition that Town brought home with her. At the tournament, during an awards banquet, she was given the CIS Fair Play Award, and a few days later she was awarded the CIS Student-Athlete Community Service Award.
With all of that behind her, Town is focused on going above and beyond on the wrestling mat next season. “The opponents I face each season help me develop an aspect of my style,” she says.
“Each year brings new areas for improvement. I’m looking forward to becoming a well-rounded wrestler. This year’s success should bring good energy to our practices.”
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