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Tue Canadien Chanplan, Frldey, Match 10,2000-21 Spartans pin down gold at OFSAA 5v STEVE LOBLANC The Champion Mission accomplished! E.C. Drury spent more than s decade- and-a-half scalîng tIse ranks of provincial high achool wrestling - then over one glorious and emotionally exhausting week- end planted their flag at the top of the mountain. In Woodstock Saturday, Larry Jaroslawski and his band of grapplers real- ized the ultimata dream of capturing the taam title at OFSAA. Knocking on tIse door with silver medals tIse previous two yaars, tIsa perennial pow- erhouse squad flnally dethroned defending champion Brampton Centennial 134-120. Drury's wrestling guru recognized as aarly as the falI that winning the crowning jewel was within reach, but it wasn't until after tIse second last match of the touma- ment tIsas he was convincad his team had prevailed. "A tremendous amount of work went into this season. This (championship) is the culmination of every effort put in since the program began," oemarked a still men- tally drained Jaroslawski Monday. "The great thing is Sa many guys contributed to this, that's what makes it raally special. From top to bottom, cverybody played a part in this victory." Leading the charge with individual gold medal efforts were rookie Mike Devries and senior Chad Merritt - who became only tIse second and third local wrastlers ta win OFSAA. Colin Widdis was tIse firat ta do so, back in 1994. A pint-size mascot for the taam when his father was an assistant coach tbrough tht mid-tOs, Merrits earned the distinction ol closing things out for Drury. The 64-kilograro combatant - who'c steadily elevated both his individual per. formance and leadership akilîs over tht final few weeks heading into provincialt - led from start to finish in the titIs match. Facing Biahop Ryan's Dennis Sousa in rematch of the district championships, ht earned a decisive 12-6 triumph that left nt rooro for doubt as to which school woult grab gold. Said Memtt, '3t was amazing, the hast feeling in the world. When I Iooked into the crowd after my ami was raised, it feit like everyone was nght there with me." For Devries (41 kg.), winning the provincials was juat as memorable - and certainly more surprising. Squaring off with seasoned veteran Clayton Sereires, River High's silver medalist last year, he feu behind early on a couple of throws but then turned the tables with an authontative tosa of bis own and a follow-up pin about a minute-and-a-half into tIse bout. The Spartans' other medaliat for the weekend was fellow senior John McCart (95 kg.) While upset en route to gold, due in part to a rip injury, the towering co-captain quickly discarded disappointment in favour of an impressive showing during the bronze medal match. He won in convincing fashion to take bis firat OFSAA medal. "I jusr sucked it up and concentrated on team gold," said McCart, one of a handful of Drwy wrestlers who oeachcd the finals and one of 15 who eamed points in the team title victory. "But thst's the way it's alwsys been here. We always support each otlser and work as a team." Even Kevin Heffron - Drury's most accompliahed grappler over the past two years, who surprisingly failed to place at Isat weekend's provincials - couldn't help but focus on how the team triumphed, rather than his personal shortcomings. He sud, "The best thing was seeing two of my beat frienda win medals. During Chad's match, I must have jumped out of my seat five limes. It was non-stop excite- ment ail weekend. It was juat great." Added fellow team leader Tom I Gallinger, "This is the greateat feeling I've * ever experîenced. It was amazing." Also reaching the tinals, Rob Petherick t placed fiflh and Sean Bumhain took sixth spot. Chris Holmes, Rory McDonell, Will Van Duyn and Mark Wilson aIl cracked s the top 12. Making up the rest of tIse cham- pionship crew were Nîck Barkley, Nick Baron, Graham Carroîl, Jason Landry, i Andy Wadeson and assistant coach Simon Vanellis. Spartan wreetlere (from Ion) Chad Merrltt, John McCart and Mike Devries led their school to 1h. team titI. at OFSAA lasI weekend in Woodatock. Here, Merritt and Devries display their gold medals whlle McCart - who secured bronze - holde the team championship plaque. new! * Spacious bedrooms with adjoiî patios * Playground and pool faciitie~ *Sel«t luxury suites available *Check out our Pamper and Spoil Me Silly Programs! Tours Welcome: Come and have a personal tour aI aur beautitul new facility. Gheck ouI jual where your pal staya before you board. - -~ - - ~ - Office Hours Moh4ay-Thuraday 8am-6pm Frl~ys Bam-Bpm ~eturdeye 8 aro -4 pm Sundaye l2pm-8pm ~nce Trainmng * 7594Aubiam Rd., MiIto#i 9058789410