Zilberman and Co. wrestle for gold

By John Austen

Concordia's Big Mat Attack is set to invade St. Catharines, Ont., this weekend.

Six athletes from the school's wrestling team will take part in the CIS championships, which get under way Friday at Brock University. Coach Victor Zilberman's squad is expected to do well against the top competition that the country has to offer.

Zilberman's son, David, is one of the top contenders. The Montreal heavyweight has had a great year and looks to defend the gold medal he won at last year's Nationals.

David Zilberman has won two university events and represented Canada at two international events this season. Also, last June he placed second at the world university championships in Poland.

The four-time junior and juvenile national champion is a carded athlete who hopes to represent Canada at the next Olympics in Beijing in 2008. He finished second in qualifying for the 2004 Athens Games.

Another medal hopeful for Concordia is Tyler Marghetis, at 76 kilos. He is looking for his third straight medal. He was a gold medallist in 2004 and, as a rookie in 2003 he won a silver medal at the national championships.

He was a junior national champion in 2003. Marghetis was named Concordia's Male Rookie of the Year in 2003. The math major is a two-time CIS Academic All-Canadian and on the Dean's List at Concordia.

Expectations are also high for newcomers James Mancini (61 kilos) and Tim Wadsworth (65 kilos). Mancini won both of his events, also since starting classes at Concordia in the January. Wadsworth has won all four of his competitions since joining Concordia earlier this year.

Rounding out the men's side are Nicholas Russell (72 kg.) and fourth-year veteran Tony Ronci (68 kilos).

No fewer than five of the Concordia wrestlers finished first in the AUS/QSSF qualifying tournament in Fredericton two weeks ago. Only Russell finished second. The men's team heads into the national championship ranked No. 3 in Canada.

Victor Zilberman has guided his athletes to more than 38 gold medals and six team titles at the nationals.

Since 1980, Concordia has won 78 medals and six team titles at the CIAU/CIS wrestling championships.

In addition, five Concordia athletes have been named the outstanding wrestler at the CIAUs, and Zilberman has been named CIAU Coach of the Year on two occasions, in 1986 and in 1984.