Considering the rest of the Bay of Quinte field boasts grapplers with three and even four seasons of mat proficiency, PECI made tremendous strides in their training leading up to the Bay of Quinte tournament. Their competence belied their inexperience.

Coach Doug Holt said organizers created the program to offer a new athletic opportunity to students in the County.

“We couldn’t have pictured this immediate success, and we’re grateful to the students for believing in us and trying something new. We’re also grateful to the community for their support of our student-athletes and we’re grateful to have the support and help from other schools in the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board.

“Wrestling is not an easy sport to pick up and it’s a long season. All the PECI athletes who compete in the sport should be celebrated for their commitment and toughness. We look forward to continuing to build this program as a key piece of PECI,” Mr. Holt added.

Panthers Kieran Craig, Claire Hunter, Audrey Maracle, Cassie Mazurski, Bella Watts, and Abby Wilkinson all won Bay of Quinte Gold and followed that up with Central Ontario Secondary School Association Gold.

Emersyn Bedore was not only a Bay of Quinte Gold medalist. She also claimed a COSSA silver at the Central Ontario meet. She was a key member of the PECI women’s team that won the championship at the Bay of Quinte meet, a first for PECI.

The Panthers finished second overall at COSSA. Kieran Craig was PECI’s top wrestler at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association Championships in Peterborough earlier this month, finishing in the top eight in his weight class.

“We started this program from scratch with first-year athletes who were willing to work, learn, and trust the process. To have seven of our wrestlers represent PECI at the OFSAA Championships in Peterborough in our very first season says everything about their character and commitment,” added PECI Wrestling coach Ryan Gabourie.

“They showed that with discipline, toughness, and belief in each other, a brand-new team can compete with the very best in the province.”