Burnaby, B.C. – Rio Olympians Korey Jarvis, Michelle Fazzari, Danielle Lappage and Erica Wiebe found victories today at the Commonwealth Games Trials at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.

The Trials, running United World Wrestling’s new Olympic weight classes and a same-day weigh-in, saw many athletes competing in different weight classes.

The winners of each weight class are provisionally nominated to the Commonwealth Games Team, pending any injury provision wrestle-offs, and final confirmation of quota spots.

Jarvis, of Elliot Lake, Ont., won his 125 kg weight class defeating both Sean Molle and Brad Hildenbrandt by technical superiority. Jarvis has been a member of two other Commonwealth Games teams. He competed in both Delhi, India in 2010 and Glasgow, Scotland in 2014. He captured silver in 2010 in the 96 kg division, and won gold at 125 kg in 2014.

2017 Senior World bronze medalist Fazzari moved up from 58 kg to 62 kg recently and defeated 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Braxton Papadopoulos to win the 62 kg division. Fazzari, of Hamilton, Ont., won all three of her bouts, finishing with a 10-5 victory over Papadopoulos in the final.

“This will be my first Commonwealth Games so I am beyond excited to be a part of such a talented and amazing team,” said Fazzari. “I’m looking forward to showing the world what Canada can do against the worlds best.”

Danielle Lappage, defending 2014 Commonwealth Games champion, also changed weight classes, moving up to 68 kg from 63 kg. The Olds, Alta., native defeated Veronica Keefe of Montreal 6-0 in the final to win the 68 kg weight class. Lappage, who competes for the Dinos Wrestling Club was also a member of the 2016 Olympic team.

Rio Olympic champion Erica Wiebe finished at the top of the 76 kg class after defeating three opponents, including former teammate and London Olympian Leah Ferguson in the final.

The highly anticipated match-up between Wiebe and 2017 Senior World bronze medalist Justina Di Stasio did not take place, after Di Stasio withdrew in the days leading up to the event due to injury. Wiebe, of Stittsville, Ont., has her eyes set on defending her 2014 Commonwealth Games title.

Other highlights included 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medalist Jevon Balfour of Scarborough, Ont., winning the 74 kg division. Balfour’s Brock Wrestling Club teammate, Jessica MacDonald, swept all four of her bouts with technical superiorities to take the 50 kg title.

The Montreal YMHA Wrestling Club came away with three Trials winners, led by Alex Moore in the 86 kg weight class, Jordan Steen at 97 kg and Vince De Marinis at 65 kg.

Trials Winners

Women:

50 kg – Jessica MacDonald (Brock WC)
53 kg – Diana Weicker (Brock WC)
57 kg – Emily Schaefer (Brock WC)
62 kg – Michelle Fazzari (Brock WC)
68 kg – Danielle Lappage (Dinos WC)
76 kg – Erica Wiebe (Dinos WC)

Men’s Freestyle:

57 kg – Steve Takahashi (London-Western WC)

65 kg – Vince De Marinis (Montreal-YMHA)
74 kg – Jevon Balfour (Brock WC)
86 kg – Alex Moore (Montreal-YMHA)
97 kg – Jordan Steen (Montreal-YMHA)
125 kg – Korey Jarvis (Guelph WC)

The full results package can be accessed at the following link: https://www.wrestling.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Commonwealth_Games_2017_Trials_Results.pdf

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For more information:
Chris Reith
Marketing & Communications Manager
[email protected]