Mustangs Wrestling Team Welcomes 2021-22 Recruits

The Western Mustangs Wrestling Team is ready to get back on the mat with the addition of eight new recruits for the 2021-22 season.

The new team recruits include Duncan Blake, Lucas DiPonio, Gavin Eldridge, Luke Field, Olivia Former, Lukas Geske, Brooke Rivers, and Vaikunthan Thanarajah.

When speaking of the new recruits, Head Wrestling Coach Scott Proctor stated, “This group of athletes is a phenomenal recruiting class. Through these recruits, we have targeted several key areas in our line-up that needed addressing. These student-athletes are joining our team already having achieved some impressive results in wrestling. They are a hard-working group, and we are excited about their future here at Western.”

Coach Proctor also added, “We feel that at Western, we have the best of both worlds to offer student-athletes. Athletically we provide top-level coaching, are committed to our athletes’ athletic and academic success, and athletes receive exceptional support from the Athletic Department and the University. Academically Western University provides a paramount student experience: a positive social environment, access to a world-class educational experience, opportunities for professional networking, and personal/professional development. We are excited to get back on the mats and are looking forward to a great season.”

More detailed new recruit bios are below.

Duncan Blake 

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• High School: Georgian Bay District S.S.
• Weight Class: 47.5kg
• Program: Aviation Management
• Athletic Highlights: 2020 OFSAA Champion, 2019 OFSAA Silver Medalist
• Why did you choose Western? I chose Western because they offer one of the best aviation programs in Canada and they have an excellent wrestling team.

Lucas DiPonio 

• High School: Saunders S.S
• Weight Class: 57.5kg
• Program: Criminology (Kings)
• Athletic Highlights: 3 X OFSAA qualifier, 4th in 2019
• Why did you choose Western?: I chose western because I want to get a good education and continue wrestling at a great school.

Gavin Eldridge

• High School: Parkside Collegiate
• Weight Class: 61kg
• Program: Criminology (Kings)
• Why did you choose Western?: I chose Western so I could continue wrestling while getting the best education I can.

Luke Field

• High School: Nelson High School
• Weight Class: 89kg
• Program: BMOS
• Athletic Highlights: Multi-time OFSAA qualifier, 4th in 2020 (OFSAA)
• Why did you choose Western?: I chose Western because of their exceptional athletics, business program and campus. Since I was fourteen years old I’ve had a Mustang’s flag on my wall, I’m just thrilled to be a part of the Western legacy.

Olivia Former

• High School: Bluevale Collegiate
• Weight Class: 67.5kg
• Program: Physics and Astronomy
• Athletic Highlights: WCSSAA Silver medalist
• Why did you choose Western?: The first reason I chose Western was because of the unique physics and astronomy program. Another reason I chose Western was because of the wrestling team’s philosophy, which emphasizes character development of the athletes.

Lukas Geske

• High School: Bishop Ryan Catholic S.S
• Weight Class: 82kg
• Program: Kinesiology
• Athletic Highlights: 2 X top 6 placer at OFSAA, 5th in 2020
• Why did you choose Western?: I chose Western University because it provides a good balance between academics, athletics, and social life. I’m excited to be a part of Western Wrestling and look forward to contributing to the team’s success.

Brooke Rivers

• High School: Central Algoma S.S
• Weight Class: 57.5kg
• Program: Kinesiology
• Athletic Highlights: 8th 2020 OFSAA, Multi-time City Champion
• Why did you choose Western?: I chose Western to continue my wrestling career and continue to get the best education on a beautiful campus.

Vaikunthan Thanarajah

• High School: Mentor College
• Weight Class: 61 KG
• Program: BMOS
• Athletic Highlights: 5th place OFSAA (2020), ROPSSA Champion
• Why did you choose Western?: I chose Western as I wanted to further my educational and wrestling capabilities with the great resources provided by the school.