Coles stands alone in history after OFSAA

By Darren Lum
Published March 13, 2018

Red Hawks wrestler Aidan Coles proved his Central Ontario Secondary School Athletics championship title wasn’t an aberration with his fourth place finish at the all-provincials last week.

Coles represented COSSA well, making it to the bronze medal match at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations wrestling championship held from March 5 to 7 in Windsor.

Although Coles lost by decision to Myles Mcveigh of Georgetown, his coach Paul Klose was impressed and said his wrestler “had a great tournament.”

“He finished the tournament with a record of six wins and two losses. He made it to the bronze medal match, but lost. Still, he placed fourth in the province at 95 kilograms,” he wrote in an email. “Aidan is the first male wrestler from HHSS to reach the OFSAA podium. His wrestling was consistently solid throughout the tournament.”

Coles wasn’t the only Hawk to make it to OFSAA.

Two-time OFSAA competitors Hannah Riopelle and Emily Klose also competed.

“Hannah Riopelle (44 kilogram) and Emily Klose (61 kilogram) both advanced to the second day of competition, but lost early on that day. This accomplishment, however, puts them in the top 12 of the province in their weight class,” Klose wrote.

“Emily’s weight class was likely the toughest women’s division at OFSAA. Any one of the top 12 wrestlers could have reached the podium. They were all quite evenly matched...they were all technically sound and gritty wrestlers. No one wanted to give up a point and the matches were awesome. I’m pleased to say that Emily fit right in. She ended with a record of three wins and two losses. In both of her losses, Emily was clearly the better wrestler that created more offence. Unfortunately, she got caught during some scrambles on the mat and was pinned. It was a great tournament for Emily,” he wrote.

the next level,” Klose wrote.

In his last year Grade 12 Matt Manning, who has been to the all-provincials twice, earned his OFSAA berth with a silver at COSSA, but lost two matches and did not continue the second day. First year OFSAA competitor and Grade 10 athlete Nic Graham also had an early exit, losing two matches.

“Things may have been a little different with a better draw, but it is what it is. Both had a great experience at OFSAA. Nic will benefit from this experience...he now knows what to expect at