Day 1

With the daily countdown to OFSAA over and as I wrap up day one, I can't help but feel the energy ready to burst at OFSAA wrestling in Guelph tomorrow.

Hundreds of kids lineup to get their skin checks and weigh in.

After hunting for parking, we enter the Gryphon Fieldhouse - a vast indoor track and soccer field with a domed roof and massive yellow dividers pulled up less than half way. There are kids being kids, throwing around Frisbees, running around and jumping rope. But this isn't some playground. This is a gathering of Ontario's top high school wrestling athletes. And the few kids running around aren't doing it for fun. It's to loose that last tenth of a kilo.

Now in their singlets, the athletes are corralled to get their skin checked for signs of ring worm. After getting the green light, they are then ushered to the weigh-in area, holding their breath in anticipation. After battling the flu less than 48 hours ago, Taylor was concerned about having lost too much weight. She emerges from the weigh-in area with a look of relief and satisfaction on her face. Now she can focus on the 11 other athletes in her weight category - the most she's ever wrestled. Challenge accepted!

Anxious and excited after sizing up their competition and realizing the magnitude and importance of this event, Taylor and the other athletes head for the hotels (hopefully to get some much needed rest, yah right!).

As we left, some kids were still sweating it out, desperately running and jumping around in hoodies, toques, and sweats.

This is OFSAA after all!

Day 2

Talk about excitement! Today did not disappoint. The Sleeman Centre was buzzing and the athletes were primed as they waited for their turn to explode onto the mats.

For some, the day started early. For others, like Taylor, it was just the beginning of a long day of playing "hurry up and wait". After two byes, Taylor's first and only match of the day was in the quarter finals against Monica Muscedere from St. Josephs.

And with that, the "Beast" had her first taste of blood ar OFSAA and the tournament jitters were gone! She finished the day 1-0.

Day 3

The tournament began bright and early, and for Taylor, this was the day she'd been waiting for – semi-finals. Unbeknownst to Taylor, the next match was going to be a challenge. Her semi-final match was against Cassidy Noonan from St. Jean de Brebeuf CSS.

Although it was a tough battle, probably the toughest yet, Taylor was able to dig deep and come out with the pin and the win! Now 2-0, Taylor was going to the FINALS!!

The finals began after lunch. Bodies were re-fueled and minds re-focused. But first, the march of athletes and ceremony! Seeing the increasing body movement from the athletes on the sidelines, having to stand for what seemed "like forever", I think Taylor summed it up best: "It's like putting racing horses back in the barn after letting them warm up around the track".

After the ceremony and award presentation was complete, it was back to business. "Let's get ready to rumble"!

Taylor's gold medal match was against Maggie Paquette from St. Patrick's high school in Ottawa. Despite being friends and having wrestled against each other in the past, Taylor remained as hungry as ever. The "Beast" was loose. And with her mind focused on the end result, a match against a friend was only a means to an end. A victorious end!

Once the reality of her accomplishment sank in, Taylor, ever humble, friendly and sportsman-like, sat down with her fellow wrestlers and waited patiently to hear her name announced at the medal ceremony.

When the time came, who more fitting to place the gold medal around her neck, but her amazing coach, Jeff Doyle. Like a proud lion king, he glowed at his daughter who caught her first major hunt.

Taylor wins gold. The youngest and lightest in her category. Undefeated and with not a point scored against her. Go Beast go!