OUA wrestling championships set

On Saturday Algoma University will host the school’s first Ontario University Association provincial event.

The OUA wrestling championship is set to open at the George Leach Centre on Saturday morning.

The event will be the first opportunity for Algoma wrestlers to compete on their home turf in a sport that they have had success in.

"We've had some tremendous success in the sport of wrestling," said Athletics and Recreation Director Mark Kontulainen in a statement. "And that is one of the reasons why we requested to host the OUA Wrestling Championships. Plus, it will also give our athletics program and our student-athletes greater exposure at both the provincial and national levels. University programs around the country are beginning to realize that the Algoma wrestlers are a force to not be overlooked. There's rarely a tournament where the Thunderbirds return empty handed."

Last year, Algoma’s Natasha Doroodian finished second at the national event but is unable to compete due to a leg injury.

The OUA event at Algoma will feature teams from Brock, Guelph, Lakehead, Laurentian, McMaster, Queens, Western and York.

Those who finish in the top three in each category will advance to the CIS Wrestling Championships in St. Catharines, ON set to open on Feb. 26.

Preliminary matches for the event are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and medal round matches tentatively set to begin around 5 p.m.