CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos head to Regina this weekend for the 2012 Canada West Wrestling Championships, where they will field one of the most youthful teams in memory in the dual meet competition.

Since winning the women's team title a year ago, the Dinos  have a new look after bidding farewell to a graduating five-time CIS champion Gen Haley (55kg) and Olympics-bound Leah Callahan , the 2011 CIS champion at 82 kg.). The loss of these top athletes, however, doesn't make a dent in 16-year head coach Mitch Ostberg's game plan.

“Certainly, the objective is to win the men's and women's team title at Canada West,” said Ostberg There is no other objective.”

His confidence stems from the preparations the team has made throughout the season, and he insists that if the team stays within their game and executes what they've trained to do all season, they'll see a successful result on Saturday.

On the women's side, leading the charge onto the mat is fifth year-Erica Wiebe (72kg).  Compared to a locomotive by her coach, Wiebe claimed the 2011 conference gold in her weight class and is looking for a repeat performance. She is joined by teammates Holly Ellsworth-Clark (82kg) and Shani Frugtniet (51kg), and both second-year wrestlers are making their first appearances on the Canada West stage.

On the floor for the men, third-year Brian Hutton (68kg) is eager to reprise his 2011 Canada West Outstanding Wrestler role with the men's team. Ostberg also has high expectations for sophomore  Spenser Burk (65kg) at his second Canada West meet.

“He's performed very well this year,” Ostberg said.. “He's always a very dangerous competitor.”

Another athlete to keep an eye on is second-year wrestler Sudeepta Aurka (62kg).  Along with Ellsworth-Clark and Fugtniet, Aurka is new on the Canada West scene, but not someone to be overlooked.

“He's very explosive and has had some great matches this year, so I think he's the one who's going to surprise somebody,” Ostberg said.

The squad is one of the youngest Ostberg has put on the mat in recent years, but his expectations remain consistent.

“Even as rookies, they generated quite a few medals this year in tournaments, so there's no reason we can't expect to medal at Canada West as well,” he said.

The Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport in Regina will be the place to be for the best wrestling in the west this weekend. Following the competition, the top athletes will head to Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont. for the CIS Championships February 23-25.

-UC-