Houston's Rebecca Ells wrestles the top girls in Canada at Nationals this April.
A grade 12 student, Ells won gold at the High School Wrestling Provincials in Vancouver Feb. 28.
With ten in her weight class, Ells fought and won three matches.
Houston Coach Don Roy says she wrestled really well.
"She's small for that weight class [but] she beat all the girls - pinned them all," he said.
Ells says the final match was one of the hardest of the season and a highlight of the weekend.
"It was fun to have a challenge," she said.
Coach Roy says her key to victory was patience.
"She was real patient and just took what was available when it was available and didn't get herself in any bad situations," he said.
"When you're up against a bigger person that's very important."
"She wrestled her best and she wrestled well… anytime that happens - regardless of the outcome in the tournament - I'm happy," he said.
Roy says Ells has a lot of strengths as a wrestler, particularly strength and speed.
"She's quite aggressive, she doesn't hold back.
"She's really quick and she has good body position," he said, adding that past figure skating has given her good body awareness and balance.
She also has "good mental focus and she doesn't beat herself," he said.
"She's pretty confident [and] she just gets down to the job and gets it done."
Ells has been wrestling in the high school league for nearly three years, travelling to Smithers to continue in the league during the second half of the season.
"I really enjoy it," she said.
"I had a natural talent for wrestling when I first started, so I just really wanted to develop in the sport. I love the level of intensity and that it's very physical."
Ells says it has also helped her develop leadership abilities though coaching elementary students and summer leadership camps.
Ells heads to the National Championship in New Brunswick April 8.
She says it feels kind of unreal.
"This kind of stuff happens to other people," she joked.
But she's excited.
"It will be fun to travel so far for wrestling," she said.
"It's going to be a great learning experience no matter what happens."