Lethbridge, Alta. – The University of Calgary Dinos wrestling teams got their final tune-up before hosting the Canada West Wrestling Championships, picking up a men's team win at the Pronghorns Invitational.

It was the first competition hosted by the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns since joining Canada West Wrestling in 2023-24.

The action got underway at the 1st Choice Savings Centre on Friday with dual bouts between the Dinos and Pronghorns. Calgary compiled 54 team points to defeat Lethbridge, who scored 38 points. Ellise Daynes (68kg), Angelina Ellis-Toddington (65kg), and Joseph De Maio (100kg) all won their matchups via pin – with Ellis-Toddington needing just 58 seconds to do so against Danya Braun.

The Dinos returned to the mats early Saturday for the invitational.

It was an impressive outing from the No. 4-nationally ranked Dinos men's team who scored 74 points to roll past the No. 3 Saskatchewan Huskies (52) and top-ranked Alberta Golden Bears (25). 

Nicholas Hooper (76kg) and Brantley Saar (82kg) were two of the standouts for the Calgary men. Hooper recorded a pair of tech fall wins over Alberta and Saskatchewan wrestlers before pinning Alberta's Eli Fines in the first-place match. Saar earned wins over a pair of Saskatchewan wrestlers en route to his win. It began with a tight 7-6 win by decision over Judah Arthurs before pinning Simon Trokhymchuk in 1:04.

Prosper Ademoye claimed a first-place result at 68kg, winning an 8-4 decision against Isaac Lemorvan of Alberta in addition to a tech fall win over Isaac Lemorvan from the Dinos Wrestling Club. Shane Richards topped the 72kg competition with a tech fall win against Saskatchewan's Cale Mohan and a pin of Solomon Prenevost from Lethbridge.

Calgary's women's team – ranked first in U SPORTS – placed second with 41 points in a tight three-way battle versus No. 4 Alberta (51) and No. 2 Saskatchewan (32).

Gabriela Cross (59kg), Ellis-Toddington, and Grace Lew (62kg) each had big performances to place first in their field. All three took down their opponents from Alberta and Saskatchewan in a preview of some key matchups upcoming at the Canada West Championships.

Maya Johnston also finished first with a pair of tech fall wins versus Alberta's Julia Daus at 53kg.

Calgary welcomes the Best of the West to the Jack Simpson Gym for the conference championships on Feb. 10. Tickets are on sale now at GoDinos.com/tickets.

-UC-