Simon Fraser University red-shirt sophomore Reid Watkins won the 74-kilogram weight class and the Clan opened its men’s wrestling season in impressive fashion Saturday at the Clan International in the West Gym.
Reid, dropping down a weight class to 74-kilograms this year, won a 6-3 decision over Aleksandr Sofronov to capture the weight class.
“Reid was up against a very experience wrestler in the final and he was very poised and confident,” said Clan head coach Justin Abdou. “He took advantage of Sofronov’s mistakes as they emerged to score points. This is the kind of performance we expect from him.”
Watkins posted two other victories by technical fall to reach the final.
Simon Fraser red-shirt sophomore Josh Kim also opened the season in impressive fashion posting a 7-1 record in the tournament and weekend dual meets. A former junior national champion, Kim reached the tournament final at 86kg with three victories, including a pin. In the championship final he lost 10-1 to Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club’s Jasmit Phulka.
“Josh was in the toughest weight class but he showed he is ready to emerge as one of our leaders this year,” said Abdou. “He had some impressive moments and we are expecting him to build on this performance. We are counting on him this year.”
SFU’s Ciaran Ball won the junior college 90kg weight class.
Simon Fraser also won a dual meet against Warner Pacific on Saturday, winning six of nine matches.
Women's Wrestling: Smith Captures Clan International Title
BURNABY, B.C. – Freshman Payten Smith won all three matches by pin to capture the women's 85-kilogram weight class, and three other Simon Fraser University wrestlers placed third at the Clan International wrestling tournament Saturday in the West Gym.
It took Smith less than seven minutes to win all three of her matches.
Bailley Halvorson, freshmen Abby Lloyd, and junior Jennifer Anderson all placed third at the event that attracted teams from across Canada and the United States.
"All of our athletes competed hard and improved on their early season performances," said head coach Mike Jones. "They all will learn and grow from the experience of competing against elite competition in this tournament."
Halverson won by a 13-6 decision over Jamie Herrington at 63kg. She finished the tournament with a 5-1 record. Her only loss was an 11-10 decision against Shai Mason of Titan Mercury.
Lloyd's third place finish came at 48kg with an 11-7 decision over Annie Montieth of Saskatoon. Lloyd also finished with a 5-1 record. Her only loss came by technical fall against Natasha Kramble, also of Saskatoon. Lloyd pinned two opponents in eight minutes combined.
At 55kg, Anderson defeated Krystin Paquette by technical fall for third place after losing in the semifinals to Tam Tillman. Anderson finished 3-1.
Darby Huckle moved up a weight class to finish fifth at 48kg, while Nikkie Brar placed fifth at 53kg and Ashley Osachuk placed fifth at 55kg. Osachuk pinned two opponents in two minutes and thirty seconds.
Friday night the Clan won three dual meets against Warner Pacific, Pacific University and Southwestern Oregon Community College.
For complete Results Click Here:
Women: http://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2014/11/1/WWREST_1101143100.aspx?path=wwrestling
Men: http://athletics.sfu.ca/news/2014/11/2/MWREST_1102142222.aspx?path=wrestling
