Huskies ready to host 2025 CW Wrestling Championships
Four schools hit the mat in Saskatoon this Saturday
Feb. 12, 2025 - The best wrestlers from across Canada West are ready to hit the mat in Saskatoon this weekend.
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies will play host to the event, set to take place at the U of Sask Education Gym. The event features student-athletes from four schools, with the host Huskies welcoming competitors from Calgary, Alberta and Lethbridge.
Weigh-ins take place on Friday before a full-day of competition on Saturday. The action kicks off with Round 1 at 11 a.m. CST, pitting Alberta against Calgary and Lethbridge against the host Huskies. Round 2 takes place at 1:30 p.m. (CGY vs LET/ALB vs SSK), followed by the final round at 3:30 p.m. (ALB vs LET/CGY vs SSK).
Awards will follow at 5:30 p.m. CST.
Fans can stream the event live and on-demand on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel.
A full schedule and event information is available on the championship homepage.
Women's Wrestling - Tight battle expected for CW crown
Expect another close battle at this year's championships, especially after last year's competition went right down to the wire.
It was the Calgary Dinos who won the 2024 CW banner, narrowly topping the Alberta Pandas by two points in the team standings. It was the Dinos 12th conference title in program history, and also put an end to a two-year title run by the Pandas.
Saskatchewan was also right in the mix, finishing just three points behind the Dinos.
The Dinos enter this year's competition with a formidable roster and have received many great performances so far this season. Second year Annika Fines was recently named a BioSteel Wrestler of the Week after a dominant 5-0 performance in the 59 kg category at the University of Lethbridge Duals and Invitational. Teammate Mackenzie Cayer has enjoyed a dynamic rookie season, highlighted by dominating the 65 kg weight division at the Golden Bear Invitational, where she racked up a 3-0 record with all wins coming by pin in 90 seconds or less.
The Pandas will been keen to take back the title and will be led by fourth year Edmonton product Vianne Rouleau. The defending 72 kg U SPORTS champion will enter as a favourite to medal this weekend, having captured a silver medal at the 2024 U23 World Wrestling Championship back in October. She was the first University of Alberta wrestler to podium at a world championship in over two decades.
The Huskies hope to give their home fans plenty to cheer about and enter with confidence after coming off a second place team finish at the Lethbridge Invitational. Myah Phillips captured gold in the 83 kg at that event, with wins coming from two pins and two technical falls. Rookie Ellia Gaudet also impressed in Lethbridge, winning her first gold of the season in the 50kg weight class.
Men's Wrestling | Golden Bears look to extend dynasty
The Alberta Golden Bears have been the class of Canada West men's wrestling over the last decade, winning nine of the last 11 conference titles. That included their third straight conference crown last season, where they bested second place Saskatchewan by 12 points in the team standings.
The Bears will sport a deep roster again this year, led by the dynamic duo of Eli Fines and Aidan Stevenson. Fines has already experienced success in Saskatoon this season, dominating the 82 kg weight class with a 4-0 record at the Huskie Open. Stevenson's strong season has been highlighted by a gold medal at his home meet, going 3-0 at the Golden Bear Invitational.
Fifth-year Bear Devan Larkin also enters as a favourite in his category, recently dominating the 72 kg weight class with a 4-0 record at the Lethbridge Invitational.
Coming off a second place finish last year, the host Huskies will be led by team captain Drake Beuchler. The fifth year is no stranger to success on his home mat, previously going 4-0 in the 61 kg weight class at the Huskie Duals/Open events earlier in December.
The Calgary Dinos will be counting on their star Nick Hooper, the reigning CW and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. He had a strong outing at the Golden Bears Invitational back in January, winning gold in the 76 kg category after picking up a 12-0 tech fall win in the first-place match.
2025 U SPORTS Nationals
In addition to competing for the conference podium, competitors will also be vying for berths at the 2025 U SPORTS National Championships, to be hosted by Brock University from Feb. 28 to March 1.