Three members of the Simon Fraser University women's wrestling team competed at the United 4 Wrestling event in front of 3,500 spectators at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Saturday.
The event, featuring teams from Canada, Russia and the United States, was held to support the fight to keep wrestling in the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee executive board recommended in February that wrestling be removed as a core sport, beginning in 2020.
Justina DiStasio and Danielle Lappage represented Canada in the event, while Victoria Anthony represented the U.S.
All three were Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association Champions this past year in university competition, contributing to the Clan's national championship.
In L.A., DiStasio wrestled U.S. Open champion Brittney Roberts, while Lappage faced American Elena Pirozhkova and Anthony grappled with Jasmine Mian of Midhurst, Ont.
All three dropped their matches.
DiStasio, Lappage and Anthony were not the only ones in action in support of Olympic wrestling, as their Clan teammate Helen Maroulis wrestled last week at The Rumble on the Rails, held at New York City's Grand Central Station.
The event featured wrestlers from Russia, Iran and the U.S. and pitted Maroulis, the 2012 world championship silver medalist and WCWA champion against Irina Kisel, the 2012 junior world championship silver medalist. Maroulis won the match by pin.
The event in Los Angeles featured appearances by numerous celebrities and Olympic champions, including actors Billy Baldwin and Tom Arnold, as well as mixed martial arts stars Randy Couture, Chael Sonnen, Urijah Faber and Daniel Cormier.
