Two Cochrane Cowboys wrestlers, Connor McNeice and Hunter Smith, pinned their way to a gold medal and a fifth placing overall at this year’s 2017 Canada Summer games in Winnipeg from July 28 to Aug. 13.
McNeice, 17, won gold in the individual up to 65kg male category with a dominating score of 11-0 against Team Ontario.
“It’s been a busy summer McNeice said, adding it’s great to know all his hard work paid off.
The humble McNeice said he is most proud of his team and their efforts.
“It’s been super exciting,” McNeice said of the overall experience. “I’m more excited about how my team did than myself.”
McNeice has other athletic accomplishments, which include placing first at the 2017 Canadian National Championships, placing first at the 2016 Pan American Championship and placing fifth at the 2015 World Championships.
Smith said he is proud of his efforts and the team’s overall fifth placing.
“It feels really good,” Smith said. “It feels surreal it’s almost over.”
The 16-year-old has been wrestling for four years and 2017 has been a busy one.
Smith’s other 2017 athletic accomplishments include placing first at the 2017 ASAA Provincial Championships, placing third at the 2017 Canadian National Championships and placing second at the 2017 FILA Team Canada Trials.
Vern McNeice, head coach of the Cochrane Cowboys and Men’s Canada Games Provincial team, is extremely proud of both Smith’s and his son, Connor’s, performance at the summer games.
“He’s just amazing,” Vern said of Smith who he has been coaching for the past three years. “He’s so full of heart and spirit.”
Vern added Connor has been very consistent in his wrestling.
“Connor wrestled very well,” Vern explained. “It was very disciplined.”
“I’m proud of our Cochrane group,” Vern said of the whole experience. “I’m also so proud of how supportive our province has been … it’s kind of like the Olympics for these kids.”
Vern said it was a team effort that made the Cowboy’s spirit so strong – and wants to give all the alternates credit for their hard work over the summer.
Isaiah Springer, Elijah Springer, Connor Pointen and Brendan McKeage came out to almost every practice throughout the summer, which was “something special” Vern said.
“They supported their teammates through thick and thin,” Vern said proudly.
