Wrestling with Breanne Graham

By Kris Kotarski

After a successful first year at the University of Calgary, Breanne Graham isn’t taking any time off. She’s working out, setting goals and getting ready. Graham is going to Europe this summer.

It’s not your ordinary student vacation though; ordinary students plan sightseeing, relaxing and enjoying the culture. Graham plans to do all those things too, but her first objective is to kick some ass. The CIAU women’s wrestling champion is getting ready for a trip to Nantes, France where she will compete in the Junior World Championships in early July. Even though she was one of the youngest members of the U of C team, Graham is more than ready for a strong showing for the red and white in France.

Graham has had a storybook career so far. She dominated high school wrestling by winning a provincial title each year. She also won the distinction of outstanding wrestler in her three years at Crescent Heights High School. She already has one Junior World’s appearance under her belt, where she earned a bronze medal for Team Canada two years ago. Now Graham is ready to return to take another run at a world championship.

"I got third place the last time I went and my goal is obviously to improve," she remarked. "Not a lot of athletes get an opportunity like this and I am very thrilled that I get to go and represent Canada."

She smiled when asked about her chance to sightsee while in France.

"I am very excited to get a chance to see a different part of the world," she said. "But above all, I want to just enjoy being there and have a good time."

The team will start their European adventure in June when they leave to train in Austria for a couple of weeks. Graham hopes the fun will begin there and carry over to France. And hopefully Canadians will have a good time watching her compete at the Worlds where she is certainly one of Canada’s best chances for a medal.

She is joined at the championships by her teammate from the CIAU champion women Dinos, Kate Eckfeldt. Together, they and the rest of Team Canada hope to show in France that Dinos rule the world!

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