Banner Season: Badgers put championships streak on the line in Sault Ste. Marie

Burlington, Ont. – A competitive field is once again set to hit the mats in Sault Ste. Marie for the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Wrestling Championships. Amidst the strong field of wrestlers hoping to make their mark, the Brock Badgers enter as the decade’s dominant force, with seven straight banner sweeps under the belts. The St. Catharines squad will rely on a full team effort to extend their winning ways and conquer the conference competition at the George Leach Centre on Saturday, February 8th.   

EVENT DETAILS

Host: Algoma Thunderbirds 
Date: February 8, 2025 
Venue: George Leach Centre 
Participating Teams (11): Algoma Thunderbirds, Brock Badgers, Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, Lakehead Thunderwolves, McMaster Marauders, Queen’s Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, TMU Bold, Western Mustangs, York Lions 
Format: Women’s Open Championship; Men’s Open Championship 
Past Champions: Brock Badgers (W); Brock Badgers (M) 

STUDENT-ATHLETES TO WATCH

Jonelle Clarke, Western Mustangs | Clarke has been on quite a run this year and if her results at the OUA Championships are anything like her previous competitions, the senior from London, Ont. will be taking home some provincial hardware. Clarke has medaled at every tournament she has competed in this year, a stretch that features four gold medal showings and a bronze medal finish. She will enter the 2025 finale as the reigning OUA silver medalist and U SPORTS bronze medalist.   

Ali Dahcha, York Lions | Dahcha is a key pillar of York’s wrestling program, known for his powerful performances and leadership qualities. A highlight of his season includes a strong third-place finish at the Brock Open, showcasing his technical skill and ability to perform under pressure. 

Haley Florell, Lakehead Thunderwolves | Florell was a nationally competitive wrestler throughout her high school years, but faced numerous obstacles over the next several years. Despite a 4.5-year hiatus from competition, Florell’s determination and persistence propelled her through the toughest times. She made a stellar return to the mat last year, securing a second-place finish at the U23 World Team Trials, laying the foundation for what has become an inspiring first season with Lakehead. 

Brianna Fraser, Brock Badgers | The defending gold medalist in 83kg, Fraser also found podium spots in 2022 (76kg) and 2023 (82kg). The Sarnia, Ont. native majoring in kinesiology has also added to her medal haul this year at the Brock Open and Western Open, claiming gold in the 76kg division at both. The senior will also look to turn a strong provincial showing into her third straight U SPORTS gold medal.  

Becca Gutteridge, Algoma Thunderbirds | A rookie on the mats with Algoma, Gutteridge has worked hard this season and has dedicated a great deal of effort toward improving her skillset. The London, Ont. wrestler enters the OUA finale ranked sixth in the 59kg and will eye a strong showing therein in front of the home fans. 

Blayne Helou, McMaster Marauders | Helou is a speedy and hardworking talent on the mats, having made significant strides in his two years of varsity wrestling. A two-time junior national champion and a senior national champion, the second-year standout has been dominant in his weight class. This included going up a weight class at the UofT Open, wherein he won gold. Over the summer, Helou also represented Team Canada at the Pan-Ams and Worlds, coming home with a bronze medal. 

Jessica Hong, Carleton Ravens | The fifth-year student from Ottawa, Ont. will once again be a threat when she steps on the mats at the OUA finale. With the potential to best any opponent she faces this weekend, the biomedical and mechanical engineering major is eyeing some more provincial hardware after claiming silver in 2024 (50kg).  

Macy Malysiak, McMaster Marauders | Malysiak is a dedicated member of the McMaster wrestling team. The team captain has put together an extremely successful season with two gold medal wins under her belt in the two tournaments she competed in. During her previous OUA Championships showings, she claimed two gold and one silver medal, and will enter the weekend as a defending individual champion.  

Dechlan Papadopoulos, TMU Bold | Papadopoulos is the top-ranked 65kg wrestler in the nation and will look to prove why when he represents TMU at the OUA Wrestling Championships this weekend. Much like he did at the Pat Bolger Open and Western Open earlier this season, reigning OUA silver medalist from Pickering, Ont. will set his sights on a first-place showing.  

Prabhleen Randhawa, York Lions | Randhawa has made a name for herself as one of York’s most dynamic wrestlers. A member of the junior national team in 2024, her experience and competitive drive have set her apart. Her agility, mental toughness, and ability to adapt in high-stakes matches make her a force to be reckoned with in the 65kg division. And as she returns to the OUA Championships, Randhawa is ready to lead York’s women’s team on and off the mat.  

Garette Saunders, Brock Badgers | Saunders is no stranger to the podium, having done so across multiple weight classes throughout his tenure with Brock. Among the accolades for the senior from Brampton, Ont. are a 2024 gold medal and 2022 bronze in the 61kg division. A gold medalist at the SFU Open and Brock Open this year as well, Saunders is eyeing more of the same this weekend. 

Treye Trotman, Western Mustangs | There is very little Trotman hasn’t accomplished during his tenure in the OUA. He has yet to lose a match throughout his first three seasons, a stretch that includes gold medal showings at both banner season appearances. A former OUA rookie of the year and a two-time U SPORTS champion, the London, Ont. local will look to add to his already impressive varsity resume in Sault Ste. Marie. 

Dany Wang, Toronto Varsity Blues | In his first season with the Varsity Blues, Wang has been a consistent threat in the 56kg division. The mathematics major from Weihai, China placed third at the McMaster Open, third at the TMU Open, and second at the York Open. Wang will look to add to his string of podium finishes when he takes to the mats this weekend at the banner season finale. 

Kelyn Young, Guelph Gryphons | Young is the reigning OUA and U SPORTS bronze medalist in the women’s 50kg. The third-year Brampton, Ont. native will look to make it three straight podium finishes at the banner season event, and will look to get back to the top of the field like she did at the 2023 OUA Wrestling Championships.  

BURNING QUESTIONS