Bechard getting ready for busy summer

Sophia Bechard's year didn't have a promising start. She broke her hand at practice a month before nationals in March. She visited her doctor the week of the championships. "At that doctor’s appointment I was told that there was still a risk to compete, however with some padding and tape the risk would be minimalized." Bechard said. "This was a risk I was willing to take."

The night before competition she wrote a note in her journal, "Sleep tight, tomorrow you're going to be a national champion."

At nationals she pinned her first two opponents without conceding a point. She beat Coast Wrestling's Ella Finding 13-5 in the final. "Once I realized what I had accomplished I was in shock. It was an emotional moment for sure." said Bechard. "Not only had I won the National Championships, I earned a spot on team Canada which has been a goal for a very long time."

The Holy Names grad is now getting ready to compete at the Pan American Championships beginning July 7th in Chile. She'll also fly to Poland in August for the World Championships. Bechard is at Concordia taking Therapeutic Recreation. She graduated from Holy Names in 2017 and was part of the L'Essor Wrestling Club.

Here's a look at her gold medal winning match against Finding.