Members of the Brock Badgers women’s wrestling team added another meaningful performance to their season with a strong showing at the Kolbotn Cup in Oslo, Norway on Nov. 22. Representing Team Ontario, three Brock athletes competed against international opponents and produced results that reflected both individual growth and the steady consistency of the players.
Third-year wrestler Francesca Lo Greco led the group with a standout performance in the U20 55-kilogram division, winning all three of her matches — two against Norwegian athletes and one against a competitor from Japan. The undefeated run earned her the gold medal and marked her first international title. For Lo Greco, the result served as a personal checkpoint in a season built on incremental progress.
“Winning my first international tournament makes me really happy,” she said. “It is great to see my hard work pay off, but there’s still more work to do.” Her reaction captured not only the satisfaction of the moment but the straightforward way that Brock athletes often interpret success: something earned, not exaggerated.
The Badger players added another medal through Cassie Corbett, who secured bronze in the U20 72-kilogram category. Corbett finished the day with a two-two record, picking up wins over an Ontario athlete and a Norwegian opponent. Her losses came against wrestlers from Japan and Norway, both of whom advanced deep into the bracket. Corbett’s ability to respond to different styles and maintain composure throughout the rounds added value to the team’s overall showing.
Assistant Coach Hannah Taylor, who travelled with the group, noted the significance of competing abroad as not just for the results, but for the exposure to diverse opponents and training environments.
“It was great to see our girls have a strong showing at an international tournament here in Norway,” Taylor said. “The next few days will be spent training with the same international competitors, where we will continue to gain experience.”
Taylor’s focus was on the long view. With the championship stretch of the season approaching, these matches provide more than medal opportunities; they offer an early look at the adjustments Brock athletes may need to make as the competition intensifies.
Olivia Mathezer rounded out the Brock contingent, finishing fifth in the 57-kilogram class. Her placement reflected the depth of the field and the value of gaining international experience at this time of the season.
For Brock, the Kolbotn Cup was not defined by the number of medals collected, but by the way that each athlete used the tournament as part of a larger process. Competing overseas, adapting to unfamiliar opponents and testing themselves outside the Canadian circuit all contribute to the dignity the program continues to build. As the Badgers shift their attention back to the upcoming domestic schedule, the weekend in Norway stands as a meaningful step toward the months ahead.