Down to Edmonton

Jac’s passion for wrestling has been growing ever since he joined the Down to Wrestle program, but his excitement reached a whole new level after watching the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in action. So inspired by their skill and determination, Jac convinced his parents, Francis and Meaghan, to make the trip to Edmonton just to cheer on the Green and White. As they settled into the stands, Jac’s enthusiasm was impossible to miss—his cheers echoing through the arena as he watched his wrestling heroes take to the mat.

The Huskies took notice of Jac’s dedication and made sure he felt like part of the team. Before the matches began, they invited him to join their initial team chant, a moment that filled Jac with pride. And despite the tough competition, the wrestlers didn’t forget about him after the final tournament whistle. As they gathered for a team photo, they made sure Jac was right there with them—standing side by side with the athletes he looks up to. What started as a trip to watch a wrestling match became a deeply personal experience, reinforcing just how powerful sports can be in creating meaningful connections.

When Dan and Johann founded Down to Wrestle, the goal was to help kids build confidence and find a meaningful place in sport. But this experience with Jac and the Huskies has shown that the impact goes far beyond the mat. While the Huskies may have faced a loss that day, the true victory was the sense of belonging and camaraderie that grew from the experience. And in that sense, Down to Wrestle is already winning in ways we never imagined.