[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/howorun_headshot2.jpg” caption=”Stefanie Howorun “]Second-year McMaster wrestler Stefanie Howorun qualified for the 2005 Summer World University Games winning the 67 weight class at the Canadian FISU wrestling trials held in Renfrew ON this past
weekend. The trials were held in conjunction with the 2005 Wresting
Canada Canadian Senior National Championships. Howorun placed third in the 67 kg weight class in the National Championship competition held on Saturday.

Howorun started the weekend in the National Championship draw advancing to the semi-finals of the 67 kg weight class were she faced off against the 2005 CIS Champion in the 70 kg from the University of Saskatchewan, Megan Buydens. Howorun opened the semifinal match winning the first period 1-0. Buydens won the second period 3-2 and took the match in the third period. Howorun and Buydens had squared off twice previously with Howorun coming out on the losing end 10-0 at the 2004 Guelph Open and 6-1 at the 2004 Senior Nationals. Howorun rebounded from the semifinal loss defeating Meaghan Wilton of Guelph to secure the bronze medal.

The single elimination FISU trials took place on Sunday with the winner of each weight class receiving a spot on the Canadian team that will compete at the year's Summer Universiade in Izmir, Turkey from August 11-21. Howorun missed out on the opportunity to avenge her previous day's loss when Buyden with drew from the trials with injury. Despite Buyden's withdrawal Howorun still needed to have the meet of her career to make the Canadian team. In order to advance to the gold medal match she had to defeat Concordia's Martine Durgrenier in the semifinals.

Durgrenier was named the Nationals Wrestler of the Meet a day earlier
winning her second consecutive Senior National title. She was also the 67 kg gold medallist at the 2004 FISU World University Championship as well as a three-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champion. The 2003-2004 Quebec Student Sports Federation (QSSF) Female Athlete of the Year, Dugrenier hasn't lost a tournament in two years heading into the match. In the semifinal match, Dugrenier opened an early 3-0 lead in the first period, but made a critical mistake allowing Howorun to throw her for three points. Howorun finished off the move pinning Dugrenier securing the colossal upset. Howorun went on the secure the gold medal with a defeat of Meaghan Wilton in the final. The win not only qualified Howorun for this summer?s games, but also earned her a stop on the Under-23 National Team.

Howorun, the 2004 Canadian Junior National Champion (at 67 kg) recently placed third at the CIS Championship and second at the 2005 OUA Championships. She was also the recipient of the Bob McLeod Scholarship for the 2004/05 academic year, from the Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association. A native of Brampton, Ontario the second-year kinesiology student plans to attend the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College upon graduation. Her wrestling goals include one day representing Canada at the Olympics.

McMaster's top male wrestler at the event, Sheldon Francis, battled
through difficult early round draws, but was unsuccessful in his bid to advance to the medal matches.

Former Marauder and three-time CIS gold medallist Pam Wilson also
competed at the event. Wilson finished third in the National
Championship competition and second in the FISU trials eliminated in
both instances by long time foe Ohenewa Akuffo of Guelph.