Simon Fraser University red-shirt freshman Mallory Velte won her first national wrestling title at the U.S.A. junior nationals.
Velte defeated defending champion Alexis Porter of McKendree University in the women’s 63-kilogram final, earning her a berth at the Junior World Championships in Brazil in August.
Velte won her first four matches to advance to the best-of-three championship final against Porter.
The Clan wrestler was pinned in the opening bout by the 2014 U.S. junior world team member.
Velte took the next two matches 3-3 and 6-4 to gain the national title.
Another first-year Clan wrestler Francesca Giorgio also earned a medal at the junior nationals, taking a bronze at 59kg at the national meet in Irving, Texas.
Giorgio won her first three bouts before losing to eventual champion Kayla Miracle of Kentucky, who is ranked third in the world at her weight.
Giorgio settled for the third-place medal following a 5-2 decision over Natalia Hinojo of Oklahoma City.
BWC six picked up in recent draft
Western Hockey League clubs picked up six Burnaby Winter Club players at the annual junior entry draft in Calgary on May 7.
Gianni Fairbrother was the first AAA bantam Bruin chosen, falling in the fourth round to the Everett Silvertips with the 80th overall pick.
The scouting report on the 5-8 defenceman was Fairbrother is “very mobile, very intelligent and moves the puck out of the zone in a hurry.”
Baxter Anderson of Burnaby was also picked up in the fourth round by Medicine Hat with the 83rd pick of the draft.
Justyn Gurney was picked up next by Calgary in the sixth round at 117, while Liam Ryan of New Westminster went one round later at 139 to the Prince George Cougars.
Ilijah Colina was drafted by Portland with the 171st pick in the eighth round. Sean Gulka was taken by Victoria in Round 9 at 182.
The Spokane Chiefs took Delta high school academy skater Ty Smith with the first overall pick of the draft. Tyler Popowich of Surrey went third overall to the Vancouver Giants.
The North Shore Winter Club placed three skaters among the top 11 spots in the draft, including Luke Burzan of North Vancouver at sixth overall to the Moose Jaw Warriors.
