For St. Thomas More’s Gabriella Bellini,
the key to capturing the provincial title at the B.C. wrestling championships earlier this month was as basic as believing.
No newbie when it comes to the sport, the 16-year-old saw a lot of people drop wrestling when long-time coach Doug Corbett left the private school for another job. For her, it wasn’t an option.
“A lot of people ended up quitting this year, but I think that gave me motivation to keep on going and not give up,” said Bellini. “Even starting off the season, I kind of had a feeling maybe I wouldn’t do so good; I’m not sure why but that’s just how it started. As the season progressed, I got more confidence and it got better.”
She puts a lot of that credit to new coach Max Arcand and teammate Amanda Silveri.
When Bellini won her final match two weeks ago in Port Alberni, with a provincial gold as her reward, it was almost too much.
“It was an insane feeling. I couldn’t stop smiling until I got on the bus to go back home,” she recalled. “I was so excited. (My team’s) energy just fed right off of me – when I won I went straight to them. It was crazy.”
Bellini’s title in the girls 64-kilogram division came against Stepanie Mould of Cowichan, in a 4-1 decision that saw the Burnaby wrestler score early, then play defence until the end.
“(Mould) was going super hard trying to throw me the whole match. My strategy going in, I was super nervous, so I wrestled super defensive because she was going for throws the whole match. I used my head, really planned out my match while I was wrestling and defended what I knew was coming,” said Bellini.
It was her first B.C. gold, after placing third as a Grade 10 in the 60kg division a year ago.
Silveri, meanwhile, topped the girls 110kg division by besting Trinity Davies of West Van in 2:04. For the Grade 11 Silveri, it was her second straight B.C. title in the girls heavyweight division.
The other medallists from Burnaby were St. Thomas More’s Ayesha Mian, in girls 40kg, and Burnaby Central’s Sylvia Li, in girls 54kg, who both placed third.
For Bellini, her improvement this year has come by bolstering the mental part of her game.
“I had four matches (at provincials) – I was definitely super-stressed and had to mentally prepare myself,” she said. “Yes, 100 per cent (mental prep) has helped, especially since Grade 8. I didn’t have as much confidence as I do now. I’ve definitely grown as a wrestler.”
Arcand’s and his team of volunteer coaches has been a great boost, too.
“(Arcand) comes to help out and volunteers all his time. He’s an STM alumni as well who loves wrestling. He was so excited to be helping out (as) head coach. It was big shoes to fill,” she said.
As for Silveri, their practice sessions together gave her a lot of insight on where she could improve.
“(Silveri’s) really smart first of all, (and) really uses her head. She knows what she’s doing, even though her weight class is completely different than mine. … She’s still able to tell me what to do and help me in my technique and that kind of stuff. I feel she made me stronger, physically, because since she is bigger it took me more effort in practice to do certain things.”
Although she doesn’t know if she’ll make it to her third nationals – her club and school soccer teams have important matches coming up – she eagerly anticipates defending her title next year. Wrestling has a hold on her.
“I think it’s original, not a lot of people do it – especially girls. I think it’s different and none of my friends do it, so I get to meet new people, its super-inclusive once you join. You meet lots of friends.”
