The Sarnia Invitational Wrestling Tournament, a staple in Ontario’s wrestling calendar since the early 1970s, is set to take place on Saturday, January 18, at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and runs until approximately 4:00 p.m.
Hosted by St. Patrick’s Catholic High School and the Sarnia Bluewater Wrestling Club, the tournament will draw around 400 wrestlers from Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Lambton-Kent, and Michigan. It is the final high school tournament before the provincial age group championships on February 1-2 in Markham.
“This tournament has always been one of the premier events in Ontario, bringing together some of the best high school and club teams,” said John Burke, head coach of St. Patrick’s. “It’s an opportunity for local athletes to compete against top-tier talent, including the defending OFSAA champions.”
Returning OFSAA girls and combined champions, Bishop Ryan of Hamilton, headline the competition, alongside perennial contenders like Great Lakes Secondary School, St. Patrick’s, and Windsor-based powerhouses Massey, L’Essor, and Sandwich.
Local talent will be on full display. Great Lakes Secondary School’s women’s team, coached by Eric Clarke, Stu Baillie, and Ryan Bedard, features standout wrestlers Lucy Butler (41 kg, two-time OFSAA champion), Katie Brooks (57.5 kg, OFSAA bronze medalist), and Kaelyn McArthur (61 kg, provincial team member). Great Lakes is the defending LKSSAA and SWOSSA girls’ champion and won the boys’ OFSAA team title in 2023.
St. Patrick’s Catholic High School’s men’s team, coached by Dave Mottram, Kelly Gordon, and John Burke, includes elite wrestlers like Vito Salamanca (57.5 kg, 6th at OFSAA and 3rd at provincials), Owen Adams (54 kg, defending provincial champion), and Griffin Wittliff (95 kg, 4th at OFSAA, 3rd nationally). St. Patrick’s is the reigning LKSSAA and SWOSSA boys’ champion.
Event results will be posted on the Sarnia Bluewater Wrestling Club website (www.sarniawrestling.ca) and the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association website (www.oawa.ca).