Burnaby - Roozbeh Banihashimi, Danny Einhorn and Chris Harada of Simon Fraser University captured titles last weekend at the Canadian Trials for the World Student Wrestling Games.

Banihashimi, an SFU student from Burnaby, went unchallenged at the Trials, winning the 84-kilogram weight class with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Andrew Bourns of McMaster University. A former Canadian junior champion, CIS champion and two-time NAIA all-American, Banihashimi was expected to win the weight class.

"He's one of the top three wrestlers at that weight in the country so he looked upon this competition to gain some experience," said Clan coach Mike Jones. "We're hoping that he continues to develop his training base here at SFU and ultimately becomes one of Canada's top international wrestlers."

Harada, a senior from Sarnia, ON, didn't have it so easy in the championship final of the 66-kilogram division. He scored a 4-2 win over Clan teammate Alexis Roumanis (Port Alberni). The week before at a tournament in Edmonton Harada has scored a 10-0 win over Roumanis.

""Chris is a little more experienced and he used his athleticism to gain the advantage," said Jones.

Einhorn, a senior from Toronto, scored a 4-0 win over Sheldon Francis of McMaster at 74-kilograms. Einhorn got off to an early lead, held off Francis during the middle stages of their match, and then finished strong for the win. "He was very composed on the mat and executed very well," said Jones. "Starting and finishing hard has been a successful tactic for him all year."

With the wins all three SFU student qualified for the World Student Wrestling Championships in Lotz, Poland June 3-6.

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Burnaby - Simon Fraser University female wrestlers captured three of seven weight class titles on Sunday at the Canadian Trials for the World Student Wrestling Championships later this year.

Emily Richardson, a senior from North Vancouver, avenged her Olympic Trials loss to Breanne Graham of the University of Calgary by defeating Graham 4-2 to capture the 59-kilogram weight class. Richardson, along with Clan teammates Jessica Peterson (Victoria) and Carol Huynh (Hazelton) have all qualified for the World Student Wrestling Championships in Lotz, Poland June 3-6.

Richardson was eliminated by Graham at the Canadian Olympic Trials in December. Sunday, however, Richardson turned the tables and dominated Graham. The CIS No. 1 ranked wrestler was leading 4-0 until the final 30 seconds when she gave up two points. The victory improved Richardson's season record to 24-5. "Emily was in total control for the whole match and what I liked about her performance was that she scored from a lot of different positions on the mat which was a big difference for her," said Clan coach Mike Jones. "She scored off her offence and defence which is a profound change that tells me she's finding new ways to beat her opponent."

The defending Canadian champion at 59-kilograms, Richardson re-established her dominance at that weight with her victory Sunday. "She was very focused and determined and I think not having the pressure of an Olympic Trials on her allowed her to really stay focused," said Jones.

Peterson and Huynh were equally dominant. Peterson captured the 55-kilogram weight class title with a 5-1 win over Brittanee Laverdure of UCWC and Huynh scored a technical fall victory over Krista Wells of Queen's University at 48-kilograms. The victory qualifies Peterson for her first major international event. Peterson, 25-1 this season, is also the top-ranked wrestler at 55-kilograms in the CIS.

"Jessica has defeated Laverdure several times this year and with expectations of winning comes success," said Jones.

Source: Steve Frost Media Relations Simon Fraser University Recreation and Athletics