The Brock Badgers wrestling program continues to be a launchpad for national team success. 

Members of the men's and women's teams represented Canada at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Championship Combat Sports in Brasilia, Brazil from June 8-11 and the under-23 Pan-American Championships in Lima, Peru from June 10-11. 

The Badgers earned an impressive three medals at the FISU competition and sent the most wrestlers of any Canadian university with a total of five athletes competing. 

"Our three medallists had an outstanding varsity season this year, and winning medals at the World University Championships was a fitting way to cap it off," said Brock assistant coach and Team Canada coach  Heather Sweezey. "Their performances showcased their talent and dedication on the international stage." 

Mia Friesen bested all challengers to capture gold in the women's 57-kilogram division. All four of her matches ended by fall or technical superiority, highlighted by a win in the final over Assiria Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil. 

Two women's wrestlers also captured silver at the event as Francesca Lo Greco finished the round robin of the 55kg weight class with a 2-1 record while Cassie Corbett came up short in her only match of the tournament against Daniela Tkachuk of Poland in the finals of the 72kg event. 

These impressive results from the Brock contingent helped the Canadian women's team win the overall title at the competition. 

Javier Tonita-Charriez finished fourth in the 57kg weight class on the men's side after winning two of his three round-robin matches before falling in the bronze medal match by technical superiority 14-4 to Gaspard Cheynoux of France. 

The other Badger competing at the championships was Roger Li, who placed fifth in the 125kg division after finishing 1-2 in the round-robin stage. 

At the U23 Pan-American Championships, Vanessa Keefe and Zakir Ibrahimkheil both delivered strong showings. 

Keefe won both of her round-robin matches in the 68kg division, which included an 8-3 victory by points over Noelle Gaffney from the United States, who went on to win gold. The Oyster Bed, P.E.I., native fell by points 4-3 to Colombia's Nicoll Parrado Osorio before dropping the bronze match to Mexico's Debanhi Tapia Garcia. 

In the quarterfinals of the 57kg freestyle event, Ibrahimkheil dropped a 9-3 decision to Kenai Soto Rodriguez of Mexico, in what would be his lone match of the event. 

"Having five of our Brock wrestlers represent Canada at the FISU World University Championships and two at the U23 Pan-American Championships speaks to the strength of our program and the dedication of our athletes," said Brock associate coach Dave Collie. "We are proud to see them earn the opportunity to compete against athletes from around the world."