The last thing that wrestler, Marina Dykstra was going to do at last weekend's BC High School Wrestling Championships in Abbotsford, was let a torn shoulder muscle get between her and a gold medal.
When it became apparent that the gritty 16-year-old wasn't about to give up after her injury, her coach, Phil Johnston, from the 100 Mile Wrestling Club, had to step in.
Dykstra was well on her way to the gold after an easy first round win in the final, and showed clear domination in the second round when she suffered the injury while tossing her opponent with a shoulder throw. The ref halted the match when it became apparent that Dykstra was in pain and at that time, coach Phil Johnston made the call to pull her from the match.
"I knew it was really hard on Marina to stop her from continuing on in the final and only taking the silver medal, but I do not want her to damage herself any more so that she can be able to compete at nationals," says Johnston, noting that Dykstra has been training for the nationals all season long.
The national championships take place from April 7-10 in Windsor, Ontario.
"Marina wanted to continue, but she had no use of her injured arm," says her mom, Donri Dykstra. "If it had gone to the end of the round, she would have won gold."
It is expected that Marina will be healthy again in time for nationals.
Marina was the 2010 Cadet division national champion and the 2011 Western Age Class silver medallist.