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'These are the kinds of events that we need to host and show we can do them well' (8 photos)

Algoma University hosted their first-ever OUA championship Saturday

The two full-length basketball courts at the George Leach Centre were covered in wrestling mats today, as Algoma University hosted their first ever Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship.

Teams from universities across Ontario gathered for the 2016 OUA Wrestling Championships.

University President Dr. Craig Chamberlin admits he is more of a 'basketball guy,' but would like to see the university hold similar events in the future.

"As we move up and take our role in the community of universities, these are the kinds of events that we need to host and show we can do them well," said Chamberlin.

It was also the first opportunity to show off the newly-refurbished Leach in a major event.

Chamberlin said he received positive feedback about the facilitiy from visiting teams.

Algoma University joined the more competitive OUA after years of their athletics programs competing in the Ontario College Athletics Association (OUAA).

The university's team competed without Natasha Doroodian, who won a silver medal in last year's event, due to an injury.

Chamberlin said he was impressed by the amount of students from across Ontario who compete in the sport of wrestling.

"We are hoping at Algoma to grow our team up to be competitive and the same size as these teams," he said.

The following is a news release from Algoma University:

After last year’s big upset which saw the McMaster Marauders men’s wrestling team steal the coveted OUA Championship banner from the defending Brock Badgers, the Badgers reclaimed their title, earning both the men’s and women’s team titles at the 2016 OUA Wrestling OUA Championships, held in Sault Ste. Marie at Algoma University’s George Leach Centre (GLC).

The Badgers tallied 95 points, blowing past the Marauders who earned 81 points. Rounding out the top three were the Guelph Gryphons, who earned a respectable 72 points on Saturday. The female Badgers claimed 78 points in the championship, good enough for first. The lady Gryphons earned silver with 49 points, followed by the purple and proud Western Mustangs, notching bronze with 32 points.

Brock returns home to St. Catharines with an impressive 13 gold medals. Brock also earned five other medals in the Championship. Only one weight class – the men’s heavyweight – did not see a Badger podium.

Brock also added in countless accolades to all of their hardware, including Male and Female Coach of the Year, both going to Head Coach Marty Calder. Badgers Clayton Pye and Carmella Fleurant earned the titles of Male and Female Rookie of the Year, respectively.

McMaster’s Jason Buckle earned the nod of Outstanding Male Wrestler after earning gold in the men’s 61 kilogram. Queen’s Gael Gillian Pegg was named Outstanding Female Wrestler for her golden finish in the women’s 82 kilogram.

Although the Algoma Thunderbirds didn’t earn a podium finish in the OUA Championship despite having the home advantage for the first time in history, Tbird Noodin Shawanda did earn the men’s Community Service Award for his upstanding involvement in the sport of wrestling and his involvement in the community, particularly within First Nations communities. York Lion Alexandria Town earned the Community Service Award for the women.

For full results from today's championships, please click here.

The top three finishers in each weight class will advance to the CIS Wrestling Championships, which will be hosted by Brock beginning February 24th 2016.

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

Men's
1. Brock Badgers (95)
2. McMaster Marauders (81)
3. Guelph Gryphons (72)
4. Western Mustangs (53)
5. Lakehead Thunderwolves (37)
6. York Lions (25)
7. Queen’s Gaels (14)
8. Laurentian Voyageurs (10)
9. Algoma Thunderbirds (8)
10. Toronto Varsity Blues (1)

Women's
1. Brock Badgers (78)
2. Guelph Gryphons (49)
3. Western Mustangs (32)
4. Lakehead Thunderwolves (25)
5. Queen’s Gaels (24)
6. McMaster Marauders (22)
7. Laurentian Voyageurs (21) and York Lions (21)
8. Toronto Varsity Blues (6)
9. Algoma Thunderbirds (3)

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

Men's
• Outstanding Male Wrestler – Jason Buckle (McMaster)
• Rookie of the Year – Clayton Pye (Brock)
• Community Service Award – Noodin Shawanda (Algoma)
• Coach of the Year – Marty Calder (Brock)

Women's
• Outstanding Female Wrestler – Gillian Pegg (Queen’s)
• Rookie of the Year – Carmella Fleurant (Brock)
• Community Service Award – Alexandria Town (York)
• Coach of the Year – Marty Calder (Brock)

MEN'S FINAL PLACINGS

54kg
1. Oren Furnamov- Guelph
2. Sam Jagas- Brock
3. Robbie Smith- McMaster

57kg
1. Brian Cowan- Brock
2. Ligrit Sadiku- Western
3. Chris Waltner- Lakehead

61kg
1. Jason Buckle- McMaster
2. Mizam Tamaradze- Brock
3. Elvir Uzunovic- Guelph

65kg
1. Omar Ahmed- McMaster
2. Zach Falcioni- Brock
3. Alexandre Chaves- Guelph

68kg
1. Matt Jagas- Brock
2. Caleb Ruter- Western
3. Chris Garneau- McMaster

72kg
1. Shamiya Ahmed- McMaster
2. Tyler Rowe- Brock
3. Nolan Deinum- Western

76kg
1. Chance Mutuku- Brock
2. Bradley MaGarrey- McMaster
3. Benjamin Bradford- Guelph

82kg
1. Jevon Balfour- Brock
2. Jobbamjit Pulka- McMaster
3. Daniel Humphrey- Guelph

90kg
1. Clayton Pye- Brock
2. Kevin Barret- McMaster
3. Wassim Ghadban- Guelph

100kg
1. Ignatius Pitt- Brock
2. Gordon Watkins- Guelph
3. Ameen Aghamiriam- McMaster

120kg
1. Tyson Frost- Guelph
2. Kyle Bonk- Western
3. Tyler Tate-Austin- York

WOMEN'S FINAL PLACINGS

48kg
1. Gatta Farentino- Brock
2. Natassya Lu- Guelph
3. Monica Wood- McMaster


51kg
1. Tina McLaren- Brock
2. Jade Papke- Guelph
3. Raeggan Bressette- Western

55kg
1. Carlene Sluberski- Brock
2. Julie Steffler- Western
3. Alexandria Town- York

59kg
1. Emily Schafter- Brock
2. Emma Horner- Lakhead
3. Alyssa Medeiros- Western

63kg
1. Indria Moores- Brock
2. Nicole Roach- McMaster
3. Brooke Jarrett- Toronto

67kg
1. Jessica Broullette- Brock
2. Alison Carrow- Guelph
3. Kelsey Dayler- Lakehead

72kg
1. Olivia DiBacco- Brock
2. Gracelynn Doogan-Guelph
3. Charlene Lapointe- Laurentian

82kg
1. Gillian Pegg- Queen's
2. Carmella Fleurant- Brock
3. Dana Campbell- Lakehead

About Algoma University
Algoma University was established in 1965 and is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Algoma University is a small, undergraduate, teaching-focused university that places an emphasis on serving the needs of Northern Ontario. Algoma University offers a wide range of degrees spanning the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines. As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma University has a special mission to cultivate cross-cultural learning between Aboriginal populations and other communities. Algoma University also offers satellite programming in Brampton and Timmins. For more information, please visit www.algomau.ca

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