EDMONTON - As winter wraps up the Golden Bears and Pandas Wrestling teams prepare for the 2026 Canada West Championship, hosted this Saturday in the U of A's Main Gymnasium. The host Bears and Pandas will be joined by wrestlers from Calgary, Lethbridge, and Saskatchewan. 

The host Golden Bears enter as the four-time defending champions on the men's side, while Calgary's women will seek a third straight conference banner.

Backed by returning members Bjorn Nelson (125 KG) and Ben Reid (57 KG), the Bears team is a force to be reckoned with. Front runner and senior national medalist Elias Wile (76 KG) will also try to lead the team to conference gold. 

"We are excited to be able to host the Canada West Championship again," said Wile, who won a conference silver medal and U SPORTS bronze medal in 2024. "Anytime we get to compete at home, in our gym, in front of our families we all look forward to it. Both of our teams have been working hard and constantly improving throughout the season. I'm confident come this weekend we'll be firing on all cylinders."

The Pandas are seeking their 6th Canada West title and look to avenge their loss to Calgary last year. Key members Vianne Rouleau (83 KG) and Julia Daus (53 KG) put the team in strong contention. Senior Maria Sawiak, fresh off a summer abroad with the U23 Canadian National Team, is confident the Pandas can bring it home with their young roster this year. 

"I am really looking forward to the Canada West Championship this year," said Sawiak, who won CW silver in 2025. "Our team has great momentum and we have put in a lot of work in preparation for this. I am confident that all of our girls will be able to show off their skills and bring home the win for the U of A!"

There are two young rookies that could be the difference makers this championship season: Joshua Lundin and Victoria Stefanov. 

Lundin (72 KG) took the mat by storm this season with gold medals at the Huskies Open in Saskatchewan and the Battle of the Rockies in Montana. Stefanov (50KG) made a name for herself on the women's scene after taking gold in Saskatoon and at the Canada Summer Games this past summer in Newfoundland. They look to finish out their rookie years with a bang, and push their teams to Canada West gold.

With strong lineups and high hopes, the Bears and Pandas are sure to have a performance to remember February 14th, at the University of Alberta Main Gym.
 

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