Men’s Wrestling News

Ben Zahra of the McMaster Marauders men’s wrestling team and Daphné Danyluk from the McGill Martlets women’s swimming squad are the U SPORTS Male and Female Athletes of the Week for the period ending February 2, 2020.

Male Athlete of the Week: Ben Zahra, McMaster

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Zahra was about as unstoppable as it gets when he took to the mats at this weekend’s OUA Wrestling Championships, managing to tackle a feat he had yet to accomplish in his university career.

After bringing home the silver for three consecutive years, Zahra took that long-awaited step up the podium this season to cap off a strong banner season showing in the 76kg category. The native of Mississauga, Ont. began his day with a trio of tech falls in the pool rounds against Queen’s, Toronto, and Algoma, respectively. He parlayed those dominant performances into a gold medal match against Brock, in which he prevailed over the previously unblemished and No.-1ranked Ty Bridgwater by a narrow 8-5 decision.

After rolling out an undefeated effort on the day and brining home the gold for his McMaster squad – who finished second overall in the team standings (66 points) – Zahra claimed some additional hardware, getting named the OUA’s Outstanding Male Wrestler

Nominees

  • CW: Eric Loeppky, volleyball, Trinity Western
  • OUA: Ben Zahra, wrestling, McMaster (Winner)
  • RSEQ: Clément Secchi, swimming, McGill
  • AUS: Owen Headrick, hockey, UPEI

Female Athlete of the Week: Daphné Danyluk, McGill

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Danyluk, a 5-foot-7 sprinter, won six gold medals, setting school records in each event, while being named Swimmer of the Meet, Rookie of the Year and conference MVP as McGill captured the RSEQ women’s championship at Sherbrooke over the weekend. It was their first title since 2012. A 21-year-old science freshman majoring in anatomy and cellular biology, Danyluk swept all three backstrokes, winning the 50m (28.06), the 100 (1:01.08) and the 200 (2:09.14). She bettered her time in the 100 back on the leadoff swim of the 4x200, posting a sizzling record of 59.74. Danyluk also won the 200 butterfly (2:14.89) and was also part of two record-setting relay golds, helping the 4x50 and 4x100m medley relays finish in 1:55.32 and 4:08.32, respectively.

Nominees

  • CW: Madison Landry, basketball, UNBC
  • OUA: Jennifer Nwamadi, wrestling, Western
  • RSEQ: Daphné Danyluk, swimming, McGill (Winner)
  • AUS: Hailey MacLeod, basketball, Cape Breton 

- Player bios courtesy U SPORTS member conferences