They may have a historical claim to a round table, but the Knights are also profient on the mats as well.
Powered by a number of strong performances, the St. Thomas More Knights scored the aggregate crown for girls at the Lower Fraser Valley high school championships last week in Port Moody.
It was part of a 14-medal team result, where Gabriella Bellini and Amanda Silveri showed the form that won them gold medals at last year's provincials.
Bellini topped the girls 64-kilogram division, besting teammate Logan Stimson in the final.
Silveri took the top prize in the girls heavyweight class, going uncontested. Helping boost STM's point totals were silver medals by Ayesha Mian, in 43kg, Charlotte Cho, in 47kg, Isabella Liang, in 51kg, Clara Scaglione, in 54kg, and Annette Yu, in 60kg. The team also got a bronze result from Kayla Nobre, in 51kg, to tally 53 points -- beating runner-up Port Moody by a whopping 35 points.
The Knights' boys program was in a three-way battle for zone bragging rights, placing third with 59 points, just four points back of champion Centennial.
Sam Steele led the STM charge, collaring a gold medal with a decision over Pinetree's Khalid Nyzullah in the 110kg division. Luke Perizzolo picked up silver in the 84kg, placing second to New West's Titgol Jok, while Crouxificio Peluso finished second to New West's Daniel Dordevic in the heavyweight final.
Gian-Samuel Scaglione scored bronze in the 57kg division, while Tate Friesen did the same in 60kg.
The Burnaby Central wrestling team also proved to have the knack, accumulating three gold medals at the event.
Alen Ding captured the boys 64kg title, besting Port Moody's Alex Liu in the final, Tanisha Johal won the girls 40kg crown, and Sanna Bhayana topped the 51kg event, beating STM's Liang.
Burnaby North's Gina Bolognese won the 43kg final with her performance over STM's Mian, whil Burnaby Mountain's Marley Jackson came out ahead of STM's Cho in the 47kg division. Other boys securing medals were Moscrop's Ahmed Abouelenin, who won the 74kg title over Centennial's Chris Kariasmitas, and teammate Matteo Lucarelli, who placed second to Heritage Woods' Joe Hunter in the 70kg division.
Achieving top-four results were STM's Ryan Osmond (57kg), Vincent Cancatania (90kg), Burnaby Central's Shivan Rajkamar (heavyweight), and for the girls, STM's Angelina Conteiteiro (47kg).
All competitors are expected to compete at the provincial wrestling championships, which run Monday and Tuesday, at the Langley Events Centre.
