Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy growing and winning

Lakeland Legends Wrestling Academy at the Alberta Winter Games 2024.

Lakeland Legends Wrestling had many successes to be proud of this past season, before competitions fire back up in the fall.

The academy, which operates out of Assumption School in Cold Lake, trains wrestlers in a variety of age categories, from across the Lakeland area, while also coaching the school’s team.

Their motto is “Rise Now” which speaks to the their values of dedication, effort, and continuous progress.

Competing in a variety of competitions, Lakeland Legends had a strong showing at the ASAA Rural Wrestling Championship, the Western Alberta Youth Championships, and especially the 2024 Alberta Winter Games in Grande Prairie.

With wrestlers from Grade 7-9, Riley Papalia (female 51 kg) and Lyla Garden (female 65 kg) each won individual golds at the Winter Games. The team earned 4th overall as a team, which features Caden Ross, Jordan West, Adrianna Papalia, Venus Laboucane, and Reighynn Pawlowski. 

That team represented a wide area, combined with the Fort McMurray Wrestling Club, saw 12 boys and eight girls, totalling four golds and silvers.

It’s the first time the Zone 7 team did not finish last, and even pushed the typical stalwarts from the Calgary and Edmonton zones.

Showing promise

Meanwhile, Emery Ringuette is getting a lot of attention for his wrestling prowess.

In his first wrestling competition, the Grade 10 Assumption student placed 3rd in an ASAA high-school freestyle event, and then 3rd at rural Provincials.

“He’s an amazing person, a great athlete, and an outstanding teammate,” said head coach Nick Papalia.

“Emery is not only skilled and strong but also possesses a fantastic attitude. He’s extremely coachable, always eager to learn, and approaches every match with attention to detail. Having him on the team is a pleasure, and the sky’s the limit for this remarkable young athlete.”

Riley Papalia, 14-years-old, was able to compete at Nationals for U15-U19 in Mississauga, Ontario from April 5-7. She squared off in freestyle and Greco Roman, where wrestlers must only hold their opponents above the waist.

More could’ve been able to go, but due to the costs, it was Papalia who went. She took home the bronze medal in freestyle and 4th place in Greco Roman.

Right before that tournament saw Lakeland Legends’ team win three golds, two silvers, and two bronzes at the 2024 Alberta Open. It’s known as the largest wrestling event in the province as over 600 were there to square off.

That tournament saw a great showing again by Lyla Garden. On the U15 side, she won gold there, as well as at the Western Canada Youth Championship. 

Western Canada Youth Championship:

• Lyla Garden U15 female 65 kg gold
• Riley Papalia U15 female 49 kg gold
• Adrianna Papalia U15 female 34 kg, silver
• Lila Papalia Kids female 28 kg, silver
• Carter Papalia novice male 24 kg, gold

Alberta Open:

• Lyla Garden U15 female, gold freestyle
• Jordan West U17 male 60 kg
• Riley Papalia U17 female 49 kg, silver freestyle, gold Greco Goman
• Adrianna Papalia U15 38 kg, silver freestyle, bronze Greco Roman
• Lila Papalia kids female 28 kg, bronze
• Carter Papalia novice male 24 kg, gold

The Lakeland Legends Club team operates year round and continues to practice and hold training session during the off season.