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Ludwig most outstanding wrestler
The Central Elgin Titan pins three opponents on way to TVRA conference gold
while Parkside takes the female team title led by Boyko and Penner
February 22, 2023
By Rob J. Ross
LONDON, Ont. - Ivey Ludwig has come a long way in one season.
In her first year of wrestling, the Grade 12 student with the Central Elgin Titans, was named the most outstanding female wrestler, at the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) Charrette conference championships, February 21 at Saunders secondary school.
Ludwig went 4-0, pinning three of her opponents, on her way to the gold medal in the girls' 67.5 kilogram division.
"I just see what's there. I tried a couple different things," said Ludwig, who twice only needed 30 seconds for the pin. "I worked on my crawl and half nelson and worked just to get the weight right."
Ludwig who also plays soccer and volleyball for the Titans, took advantage of students being allowed to participate in both volleyball and wrestling this winter.
"I've always had that fiery spirit, so I was kind of wanting to try it. I wanted to try something new. I think you learn so many new skills from wrestling that you can use outside of this." Ludwig said. "Growing up I've always been physically active and the coaches have said, I'm a natural, and I take that as a compliment. It's been so much fun."
Ludwig has a busy winter with wrestling and Titans' volleyball.
"Some days I would go to volleyball until 4:15 p.m. and then put my wrestling shoes on. Other days I'd have an evening volleyball practice, so I could go to wrestling," Ludwig explained. "On game days, sometimes my wrestling team would come out to support my volleyball game for a few minutes. I had a crazy schedule, but when it's doing things you love it's really not difficult."
It was at a tournament prior to the TVRA championships, Ludwig sensed she was truly improving.
"Last tournament I was going against someone who I had lost against previously. She was a top wrestler and I beat her and got my first gold medal."
Heading into WOSSAA Ludwig believes she has a shot at a top two placement and qualifying for OFSAA, the high school provincial championships.
"If I can make top two that would be awesome. Walking home with a gold medal I'd love that," Ludwig said.
The Charrette conference featured 12 schools, including the Titans, Parkside Stampeders, East Elgin Eagles and St. Joe's Rams. On the same day, Medway high school hosted the TVRA Michienzi conference championships, with nine schools.
The top five in each weight division move on to the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA), Friday at Banting high school in London. This meet includes both TVRA conferences and Huron-Perth.
Parkside TVRA girls team champs
Six gold medalists led the Stampeders to second in the combined team standings behind host Saunders.
Champions Julie Boyko (64-kg) and Mandy Penner (47.5-kg) guided Parkside to the girls team title.
The Stampeders' boys placed third as a team, with Tyler Dale (67.5kg), Nolan Hicks (47.5), Jeremy Anderson (61-kg) and Ryan Nash (51-kg), each capturing individual gold.
Dale went 4-0 dominating his weight class, including taking care of Glendale's Dalton Cassidy, in less than a minute in the final.
"A lot of head and arm pin. That, or just attacking the guy," said Dale. "Throwing them with the head and arm then cinching it up and making it tight on them. The gut wrench worked a lot and my doubles as well."
The opening match against Saunders' Omar Ibrahim offered Dale his biggest challenge of the day.
"He was really scrappy. He was moving around a lot. All of the other guys were slower and more cautious with what they were doing. But this guy was moving around fast," Dale said.
Several Stampeders including Dale are eying a spot at OFSAA, with a top two finish at WOSSAA.
"It's been a good season and I've had a lot of tough opponents, Dale said. "The team has been doing really well. It'll be a real battle for making OFSAA."
Although he missed qualifying for WOSSAA, Dale pointed out teammate Joao Pedro Dos Santos as one of the highlights for the Stampeders, winning two matches, to place sixth in the male 57.5-kg class.
"JP is an exchange student. He hasn't won all year. He won today," Dale said. "That's the biggest thing that stood out today."
The top two in each division at WOSSAA qualify for OFSAA, the high school provincial championships, March 7-8, in Ottawa.
Ludwig and Kendelle Scott, the girls' 83-kilogram champ, led the Lady Titans team to second place. Titans' Jack Weisz and Clark Jackson, are the male 83 and 89 kilogram winners respectively.
St. Joseph's Rams Helen King won the female 72 kilogram division defeating Titans Hailey Basacco. Rams' Cecilija Meglic won the female 51 kilogram division.
Makayla Rice claimed the girls' 95-kg title, to lead a small team of four East Elgin Eagles. It marks a return to wrestling for the school following a multi year absence.
Rice, a first year wrestler in Grade 12, has 11 wins so far this season and enjoys the physical aspect.
"I enjoy doing this. I like flipping people. The fireman is my favourite (move)," Rice said. "It helps with everything. If you have built up anger, you can just let it out."
Rice looks good to move to OFSAA, with few competitors regionally in her division. If no competitors out of Huron-Perth, Rice will face Shelby Crozier, of London Montcalm, for the WOSSAA title.
Complete
TVRA results
Elgin County results
CECI
Kailey Beauchamp, second, female 51; Faith
Sullivan, third, female 54; Bryson Ferguson, third, male 54; Dollan Brown,
third, male 95; Kolten Hayhoe, fourth, male 83; Alex Vandemaalt, fifth, female
54; Cooper Doolittle, male 61, 1-2; Daniel Ludwig, male 61, 0-2; Nefi Isami,
fifth, male 67.5.
East Elgin
Emely Bold, second, female 61; Rylie Parliament,
fourth, female 61; Kyle Burr, 0-2, male 130.
Parkside
Zoey Astley-Duncan, second, female 67.5; Abagail
Coombs, second, female 83; Daniel Power, second, male 51; Owen Dale, third, male
64; Hayden Mount, third, female 51; Blythe Cheverie, third, female 72; Hannah
Anderson, fourth, female 54; Gabriel Forsyth, fourth, male 130, Braylen
Sutherland, fifth, male 130; Joao Pedro Dos Santos, sixth, male 57.5; Chris
Palmer, male 77, 0-2; Ethan Gautheir, male 67.5.
St. Joe's
Alex DiCristiforo, second, male 130; Hannah King, second, female 47.5; Julia Boin, third, female 61; Noah Pollnow, seventh, male 130.
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