Heather Wright/The Independent

Micah Kember is hoping for big things to come out of the Canadian Wrestling championship.

The Grade 10 LCCVI student, who is also a member of the Bluewater Wrestling team, is going to the meet in Montreal May 28 to 30.

“When we do well, the club encourages us to participate in those bigger competitions,” Kember tells The Independent.

The teen started wrestling in Grade Nine when one of his friends urged him to try out for the team. This year, he was first at LKSSAA, second at SWOSSA and in the top eight at OFSAA in Peterborough.

Kember competes in the 51 or 56 kg weight class, and is shorter and leaner than you might expect for a wrestler. But, he says, that’s to his advantage.

“Being shorter, it’s easier to take over the legs, which is important in wrestling.“

Kember says he learns something each time he goes to a tournament. But the nationals could lead to a bigger stage.

“If I do good in nationals, it could get me to Team Canada,” he says.

If he wins his weight class, Kember will compete on the international stage. If he comes second, he’ll face opponents from the United States.