Throughout high school, Emma Walker has been an outstanding wrestler for St. Mary’s College.
Ready to graduate from SMC in June, the 18-year-old athlete will compete for Algoma University’s wrestling team starting in September.
“I'm really grateful to have that opportunity to be a varsity athlete. I'm really excited. I'm looking forward to it. They have an amazing team atmosphere at Algoma and the coaches are so supportive and knowledgeable. I'm really excited to be a part of that beginning next year,” Walker told SooToday.
She began wrestling for SMC in Grade 9.
“I didn't know a lot about the sport before I went into high school but then one of my friends convinced me to join the St. Mary’s team with her.”
The rest is history.
Walker credits the Campioni family - coaches Sergio, Jordan and Ashley - for being a big factor in her development as a wrestler.
“I was fortunate to have them as coaches. They really made me want to stay in the sport and commit to it throughout my whole high school career. I played many sports growing up, like karate, soccer, ringette. You name it . . . I've probably played it at some point, but by Grade 11, I really decided to fully commit my time to wrestling.”
Wrestling in the 61 kilos weight class, Walker won city championships in her Grade 9, 11 and 12 years, tasted victory twice at NOSSA and placed second at OFSSA in the current school year.
That’s a lot of success but Walker is especially proud of that performance at OFSAA.
“I beat the defending OFSAA champion in my semi-final match to go to the finals this year, which was definitely a great accomplishment for me, and after the finals I came home with the silver medal. I’ve competed against some of the best,” Walker said.
While wrestling for SMC against students from other local high schools, Walker also started travelling with her team to southern Ontario for bigger competitions against teams such as Simcoe County’s K-Bay Wrestling Club.
“That's a great experience to see kids who have been wrestling their whole lives because we don't start wrestling very young here. There are a couple of new youth programs opening up in town, which I think is great.
"In the north we kind of have to catch up to where the southern Ontario kids have been the past few years,” Walker said.
She’ll be studying biology at Algoma University.
“I took sciences and math all the way through high school and I really enjoyed it. I find it really interesting. I've heard good things about the biology program at Algoma, so I'm really looking forward to that. I would like to apply to veterinary school once I get my undergrad,” Walker said.
Despite the intense test of physical strength involved in grappling with opponents on the mat, Walker said she thoroughly enjoys wrestling and the camaraderie with both teammates and opponents in the sport.
“I love the supportive environment that wrestling creates. Everyone has a mutual respect for each other on the mat because you know how much time the other person has put into this sport,” Walker said.
She works out at the gym five days a week - sometimes six - gets proper nutrition and the right amount of sleep to keep in shape.
“Wrestling makes me feel physically strong. It's taught me how to be disciplined. It’s always a great experience to compete.”