When residents think of athletic training facilities, Camp Whitney does not immediately come to mind.
But a recent training camp held by the Manitoba Amateur Wrestling Assocation (MAWA) may change that preconception.
As preparation for the upcoming Canada Summer Games, which are being held in Winnipeg from July 28 to August 13, almost all members of the Manitoba provincial youth wrestling team headed to Camp Whitney for a unique training camp.
Wrestling mats were laid down in the camp’s Ponderosa hall, where coaches conditioned athletes with long runs through the woods and thrice-daily on-mat sessions.
“Here, you’re basically on an island, twenty-hundred miles from nowhere. They eat, sleep and they go out and wrestle,” said head coach Kris Stasiuk.
The provincial wrestling team features 18 wrestlers – 10 boys and eight girls.
The team will include three Flin Flon athletes.
Carson Lee is fresh off winning a silver medal at the United World Wrestling Pan-American Championships in Argentina. He will wrestle in the 76-kg division.
Keelan Salamondra will take part in the 85-kg division, while Hunter Lee, who earned a bronze in last year’s Pan-Ams and a berth in the UWW World Championships, will compete in the 100-kg division.
The three teens took on a vital role at the camp, with each providing a helping hand around Camp Whitney for out-of-town wrestlers.
During training sessions on Monday, July 17, Salamondra – sidelined for the day with an injury – brought freshly cooked fish for teammates and coaches during practice.
For the Lee brothers and Salamondra, top-calibre training usually means long trips out of town.
Having a high-level training camp just a boat ride away is both convenient and good preparation for their upcoming meet.
“I think this will prepare us good for the Games,” said Hunter. “It’s about seven hours of training and 10 hours of sleep a day. The rest of it is just eating and being in the awkward stage between waking up and not wrestling.”
Carson added, “We’re training three times per day.”
This year’s provincial team is on the younger side, with many members still in high school. The Lee brothers may be the team’s best hope at a strong medal finish.
“I don’t want to say it because I might jinx it, but those two are my ace athletes,” said Stasiuk. “I’m hoping they can bring home gold medals and have a successful games.”
