Abelev, Barry named Athletes of the Week

By Communications Staff
March 05, 2013

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Wrestlers Ilya Abelev and Brianne Barry have been named the Western Mustangs Goodlife Fitness Athletes of the Week for March 4-10.

Abelev, a third-year Kinesiology student, won gold in the 72kg weight class and helped the Western Mustangs to a third-place finish at the CIS Wrestling Championships this past weekend in London. Abelev defeated two-time defending champion Ryan Myrfield of Saskatchewan to claim first place. It’s the third consecutive CIS gold medal for Abelev, who won the 65kg class in 2011 and the 68kg class in 2012.

“Ilya’s opponent is very good, but I knew Ilya would win,” said head coach Ray Takahashi. “He is a solid wrestler and is strong technically. When he wants to score he can do it.”

Barry, a fourth-year Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) student, earned her second consecutive CIS silver medal in the 55kg weight class at the CIS Wrestling Championships this weekend.

“Brianne could have easily been on the top podium having defeated Brock’s Carlene Sluberski two weeks earlier at the OUA Championships. She will use this loss to get better and to re-focus toward the Senior National Open on March 23,” Takahashi said.