EDMONTON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies finished on the podium 14 times at the Canada West Championship hosted by the University of Alberta on the weekend.
Saskatchewan captured three gold medals, four silver medals and seven bronze between the men's and women's teams.
No stranger to the top of the podium, Josh Bodnarchuk won his fourth straight gold medal at the conference championship, this time in the 61-kilogram weight class. Alexandra Schell won gold in the 48-kg on the women's side, while Taylor Follensbee added the Huskies' third gold medal in the 82-kg class.
The Saskatchewan women's team finished second in the standings with 27 points, just five points out of the first place. The men finished third with 35 points.
The Alberta Pandas won the women's title for the fourth time in history with 32 points. The Calgary Dino women placed third with 22 points, followed by Regina with 22 and Fraser Valley at 15.
Alberta also claimed the men's title with 48 points, followed by the Regina Cougars with 36. Calgary (30) finished fourth behind the Huskies and Fraser Valley had 23. It was the 11th time in history the Golden Bears have won the men's team title.
Bodnarchuk was also awarded the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Award. Four-time CW medalist Bodnarchuk takes home the conference's top honour as a student-athlete thanks to his prowess on the mat, in the classroom, and the community. The 2015-16 CW Rookie of the Year earned his second consecutive conference gold this weekend, and is now looking to claim another U SPORTS national gold when he heads to the national championship in two weeks.
Bodnarchuk, who posted an 85 per cent average last semester, has been active in the Saskatoon wrestling community, helping lead a variety of learn to wrestle programs for elementary aged school groups. He is also an aboriginal ambassador for the Saskatoon Tribal Council Youth Leadership Camp, where he mentors young indigenous athletes.
Along with this work, Bodnarchuk is also a representative on the Huskie Athlete Council, where he works to promote a variety of causes both on campus and in the surrounding community.
All five Canada West teams will now set their sights on the U SPORTS Championship, hosted by Algoma University February 23rd to 25th in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the national championship.
Download Canada West Championship Results
Full Canada West Championship Story & Awards List
FULL HUSKIE RESULTS
Women
48KG – 1st – Alexandra Schell
55KG – 2nd – Laryssa Barry
59KG – 3rd – MacKenzie Alexson
63KG – 3rd – Berit Johnson
67KG – 3rd – Alison McPhee
72KG – 4th – Hilary Palchewich
82KG- 1st – Taylor Follensbee
Men
54KG – 3rd – Kieran Akhtar
57KG – 3rd – Remington Tschetter
61KG – 1st – Josh Bodnarchuk
65KG – 3rd – Ayobami Peluola
68KG – 2nd – Jon Risto
72KG – 4th – Trent Siemens
76KG – 4th – Tyler Bentley
82KG – 2nd – Noah Bertholet
90KG – 2nd – Hunter Lee
100KG – 4th – Liam Graham
120KG – 3rd – Kalin Langford
TEAM RESULTS
Women
1. Alberta Pandas - 32 points
2. Saskatchewan Huskies - 27 points
3. Calgary Dinos - 22 points
4. Regina Cougars - 22 points
5. Fraser Valley Cascades - 15 points
Men
1. Alberta Golden Bears - 48 points
2. Regina Cougars- 36 points
3. Saskatchewan Huskies - 35 points
4. Calgary Dinos - 29 points
5. Fraser Valley Cascades - 23 points