By Larry Moko
The longest-standing win streak in the history of Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic high school sports has come to an end.
The Bishop Ryan Celtics entered the 2024-25 city wrestling finals having captured the overall points championship for 47 consecutive years.
But this year, after a recount of the final results, it was determined that the St. Thomas More Knights had edged out BR for top spot.
"I thought they had won," More coach Stefanie West admitted.
The last team to finish ahead of Bishop Ryan was Scott Park when public and Catholic schools all were together in the HIAC league.
"We had our winning streak snapped so it's horrible," said Sheldon Francis who has been coaching at his alma mater since 2012. "It sucks. Next Friday we'll be going to GHAC still competitive, though, and ready to do well."
More finished with 137 points. Bishop Ryan had 108. The host St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves came third (36) among the seven schools.
Bishop Ryan took the girls' team title, while the boys' trophy went to St. Thomas More.
"I couldn't be more proud of our program," West said. "We started it five years ago. "The kids committed to it. They work hard, encourage each other and hold each other accountable."
West, whose maiden name is Howorun, won medals internationally for Canada during her wrestling career. She credits Bishop Ryan coach Sheldon Francis -- both were inducted into the McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame -- for contributing to More's successful rise to the top.
"The reason we have this program is because of Sheldon," West said. "He supports Hamilton wrestling and encourages me. He wants Hamilton wrestling to be as good as it can be so we all get better."
Francis, too, won numerous times at the national and university levels. He has coached at BR for 13 years, following in the footsteps of John Di Benedetto and Harry Mancini.
"We always knew that with Stef at St. Thomas More and STM being a big athletic school with a championship pedigree, it would be just a matter of time for them to really challenge us," Francis said. "They made a challenge last year and stepped up this year."
One of More's top performers was veteran Yousef Al-Udayli. He placed first in the open boys' 72-kilogram division.
"After Grade 9 I made it a goal to help the team win a trophy," Al-Udayli said. "It's a cherry on top for me being the first ever four-time city champion from More."
Al-Udayli believes he has improved from his experience at OFSAA last year. "From Grade 9 to Grade 11 I just worked hard and focused on winning. I wasn't really focused on techniques of how to become a better wrestler."
More's captains are Aydan Cook and Juliana Skaljin.
Next up, on Feb. 21, is the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference tournament in Milton.
This year's OFSAA competition for those who qualify is March 4-5 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
HWCDSB MEDAL WINNERS
Boys
38 kg -- 1. Yahya Deeb, More.
41 kg -- 1. Adam Huybers, Cathedral 2. Jax Hampshire, More.
44 kg -- 1. Jacob Fazari, Bishop Ryan.
47.5 kg -- 1. Anthony Canuto, Brébeuf 2. Christian Coccia, Bishop Ryan 3. Mohammad Alshhadat, More.
51 kg -- 1. Aaron Gregory, More 2. Nicholas Markous, More 3. Noah Benito, Brébeuf.
54 kg -- 1. Nathan Evangelista, More 2. Khaleb Stinson, St. Mary 3. Mahmoud Oso, More.
57.5 kg -- 1. Aydan Cook, More 2. Sebastian Lucia, Bishop Ryan 3. Jawad Al-Mesaar, Cathedral.
61 kg -- 1. Ion Lumi, Bishop Ryan 2. Gavin Guinto, Bishop Ryan 3. Moatasem Al-Mesaar, Cathedral.
64 kg -- 1. Brady Mines, Bishop Ryan 2. Brandon Cisneros, Bishop Ryan 3. Cole Sadai, Bishop Ryan.
67.5 kg -- 1. Joey Macri, Brébeuf 2. Phoenix Santi, More 3. Derek La Belcasio, More.
72 kg -- 1. Yousef Al-Udayli, More 2. Landen Mehlenbacher, More 3. Tyler Haldanby, Bishop Ryan.
77 kg -- 1. Amir Newallo, Cathedral 2. Malik Mattar, Bishop Ryan 3. Jesse Ni-Dileo, Bishop Ryan.
83 kg -- 1. Robert Coleman, More 2. Angelo Galang, More.
89 kg -- 1. Anthony Perrins, Bishop Ryan 2. Shadi Fayad, Bishop Ryan 3. Edonit Rekaj, Bishop Ryan.
95 kg -- 1. Sammy Said, St. Mary 2. Joshua Stinson, St. Mary 3. Renas Saeed, More.
130 kg -- 1. Luca Capretta, More 2. Zac Covey, Brébeuf 3. Shon Mah, Cathedral.
130 -- 1. Michael Diegbe, More 2. Siri Diegbe, More 3. Daniel Morris, St. Mary.
Girls
44 kg -- 1. Olivia DeGiorgi, Brébeuf 2. Tamara Cifuentes, More.
47.5 kg -- 1. Gianna Gallo, More 2. Madison Mella, St. Mary 3. Nora Deeb, More.
51 kg -- 1. Isabella Rendina, Bishop Ryan 2. Anh Dang, Cathedral 3. Cecilia Boss, St. Mary.
54 kg -- 1. Gia Bedours, More 2. Vienna Tice, Bishop Ryan 3. Sylvia Rosenberger, More.
57.5 kg -- 1. Elma Albaba, Bishop Ryan 2. Juliana Ruiu, Bishop Ryan 3. Shikemi Soyemi, Bishop Ryan.
61 kg -- 1. Taylor Engelen, Bishop Ryan 2. Katalina Sanchez, More 3. Kat Schafer, Bishop Ryan.
64 kg -- 1. Juliana Skaljin, More 2. Wid Ali, Bishop Ryan 3. Kella Garden, Brébeuf.
67.5 kg -- 1. Ella De Almeida, Bishop Ryan 2. Daniella Deluca, More.
72 kg -- 1. Jaslene Niculita, Bishop Ryan 2. Frances Berquist, Brébeuf 3. Rowan Welch, More.
77 kg -- 1. Allegresse Matukala-Nkosi, More.
83 kg -- 1. Charlize Goddard, Bishop Ryan 2. Maya Kurpan, More 3. Harli Hoblak, Bishop Ryan.
95 kg -- 1. Krista Coleman, More.
Photos by Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More Photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
