Engineering student takes national wrestling medal

A Memorial University engineering student took home a national wrestling award this weekend, even though he only started the sport a few years ago. 

Dennis Sutton won a bronze medal at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships in St. Catharines, Ont., competing in the 100 kg weight class.

Sutton began wrestling five years ago, having no previous experience.

"I have two older brothers, so I had some skills beforehand," he joked.

"It was something I always wanted to do. There just wasn't an avenue for it beforehand."

Sutton didn't have a wrestling team at his high school, Bishop's College in St. John's, although he enjoyed playing rugby.

He said he was nervous to start wrestling at MUN, but the team welcomed him warmly.

"I kind of worked myself up to walk into a practice one day. I didn't really know what to expect, but they take on athletes with open arms, especially ones they see have potential," he said.

"If you're willing to work hard, the MUN wrestling team has a spot for you."

The wrestling community in St. John's is small right now, Sutton said, but it's a "tight knit community with a lot of dedicated athletes."

The wrestling team practices three to four times a week.

Now that the season is over, Sutton said he'll have more time to focus on his heavy engineering workload.