Thunder Bay, ON - Seventeen Western Mustangs travelled to Thunder Bay this past weekend to compete at the U SPORTS National Wrestling Championships, returning with a strong overall showing highlighted by two national champions: Lukas Geske and Jonelle Clarke. The Mustangs men's team finished tied for fourth while the women's team placed fifth, rounding out a weekend filled with memorable performances, emotional highs, and difficult setbacks.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster of a tournament," said head coach Scott Proctor. "We had some tremendous highs with Lukas and Jonelle winning, and some lows with OUA champion Charlie Ortencio injuring out." He also reflected on the team's overall performance, adding, "We lost some close matches that we could have won, but we'll learn from these experiences and be better off because of them."

The headline performance of the weekend belonged to Lukas Geske, who capped off his varsity career and an undefeated season by winning the national title in dominant fashion. Geske went 5–0 at the championships, outscoring his opponents 59–6 and winning every match by technical superiority. In the gold-medal final, he overwhelmed defending U SPORTS champion Aidan Stevenson of the University of Alberta with a decisive 12–0 victory. The win completed Geske's perfect 27–0 season, which also included his fifth OUA championship, and earned him recognition as the U SPORTS Male Wrestler of the Year.

Assistant coach Steven Takahashi praised Geske's achievement, saying, "Lukas put together one of the most dominant seasons I've ever seen. The way he controlled every match this weekend showed just how much work he has put in. His final was a statement performance, and ending his career as an undefeated national champion is incredibly special." Takahashi also reflected on the adversity the team faced, adding, "It was heartbreaking to see Charlie go down. He was in great form, and knowing he had beaten the eventual champion 10-0 at OUAs makes it tough, but that's wrestling."

Joining Geske at the top of the podium was Jonelle Clarke, who ended her varsity career by claiming national gold in the 65 kg division. Clarke defeated Calgary's Mackenzie Cayer 12–1 in the championship final, putting an emphatic end to a season in which she medalled at every tournament she entered. Her year included five golds and two silvers in league competition—one of those silvers coming from a loss to Jolie Brisco of Concordia, whom Jonelle later defeated in one of her toughest matches of the tournament during pool action. Clarke then went on to claim titles at both the OUA and U SPORTS Championships.

Assistant coach Ella Doornaert highlighted Clarke's remarkable finish, saying, "Jonelle has been such a steady, disciplined leader for our women's team. To see her end her career with that kind of dominant performance was incredible. She earned every bit of that national title." Doornaert also praised Western's bronze medalists, adding, "Cyenna and Jennifer both showed so much grit. Winning your bronze match by technical superiority takes confidence and courage after a tough loss. I'm really proud of how they battled back and represented our program."

Off the mat, the Mustangs also celebrated a major national honour as Iman Zedian earned the U SPORTS Female Student-Athlete Community Service Award, recognizing excellence in wrestling, academics, and community involvement.

The Mustangs added three more national medals to their totals as Chayton Valleau captured silver in a thrilling final, narrowly falling 9–7 in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. Takahashi spoke highly of Valleau's fight, noting, "Chayton left everything out there. It was a back-and-forth match that could have gone either way. His progress this season has been phenomenal, and he showed he belongs among the best in the country." Meanwhile, Trotman and Nwamadi secured bronze with decisive technical-superiority wins of 13–0 and 14–4.

Despite the medal success, the weekend also brought challenges. OUA champion Charlie Ortencio was forced to withdraw due to injury early in the tournament — a difficult moment for the team given that he had previously defeated the eventual national champion 10–0 at the OUA finals. "Feel terrible for Charlie," said Proctor. "But that is part of sport. Even with the setbacks, our athletes battled every step of the way."

With two national champions, five total medals, two major U SPORTS award winners, and strong performances throughout the lineup, the Mustangs reaffirmed their place among the top wrestling programs in the country. For graduating champions Geske and Clarke, the championships served as a fitting final chapter to two remarkable varsity careers.

Final Placements – Western Mustangs

• 1st – Lukas Geske
• 1st – Jonelle Clarke
• 2nd – Chayton Valleau
• 3rd – Cyenna Trotman
• 3rd – Jennifer Nwamadi
• 4th – Callan Beggs
• 5th – Emmanuela Okeke
• 5th – Zachary Ortencio
• 6th – Myah Kyle
• 6th – Leo Kitambala
• 6th – Jamie Kim
• 6th – Osatohanmwen Edokpayi
• 7th – Gracie Blake
• 7th – Iman Zebian
• 8th – Elizabeth Paguirigan
• 8th – Charlie Ortencio (INJ)
• 9th – Luca Roma

TEAM STANDINGS
Women
 

Place	Team	Score
1	Alberta	74
2	Calgary	73
3	Brock	68
4	McMaster	50
5	Western	43
6	Saskatchewan	41
7	Guelph	29
8	Lakehead	23
9	Algoma	18
10	Lethbridge	15
11	Concordia	14
12	Carleton	10
13	Queen's	9
14	Toronto	6
15	UNB	5
16	TMU	0
16	York	0

Men

Place	Team	Score
1	Brock	86
2	McMaster	64
3	Saskatchewan	49
4	Alberta	46
4	Western	46
6	Guelph	40
6	Calgary	40
8	Toronto	23
9	Algoma	20
10	Lakehead	18
11	York	15
12	TMU	8
12	UNB	8
14	Lethbridge	7
15	Concordia	5
16	Carleton	1
17	Queens	0
17	TMU	0

 Full event details can be found HERE