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No program, no problem: Oakridge wrestler forges his own path to OFSAA

A London high school athlete will compete in provincial wrestling championships in a singlet that doesn’t bear his school’s logo.
No program, no problem: Oakridge wrestler forges his own path to OFSAA
A London high school athlete will compete in provincial wrestling championships in a singlet that doesn’t bear his school’s logo.
By Ryan Goodison Published Feb 24, 2026

Parker Zimmerman of London's Oakridge secondary school
Parker Zimmerman of London’s Oakridge secondary school, which doesn’t even have a wrestling program, is heading back to OFSAA in the sport. He practises at Banting with his Oaks teammates Henry Kim, Cooper Gray, Michael Zimmerman and Jayden Kim. Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

A high school athlete from London will compete in the upcoming provincial wrestling championships, but will do so in a singlet that doesn’t bear his school’s logo.
Oakridge secondary school Grade 11 student Parker Zimmerman is heading to his second straight Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) event March 3-4 in Peterborough. The 83-kilogram weight-class wrestler made it there without a coach of his own at Oakridge.
For two years, Parker Zimmerman and teammates Cooper Gray, Michael Zimmerman, Jayden Kim and Henry Kim have been building something out of almost nothing. Four of them made the regional wrestling championship last week.
And from there, Parker Zimmerman earned a berth at the provincial finals. “It’s something we’ve sort of built on our own,” he said.
He was in Grade 9 when he wanted to try wrestling after coming from a Brazilian jiu-jitsu background. But Oakridge didn’t have a program due to low interest, he said.
With no teachers experienced in wrestling, he reached out to Sir Frederick Banting secondary school  coach Mark Puddicombe, who let him train with his team. The other Oakridge wrestlers began to join him soon after.
“The coaches are super welcoming,” Parker Zimmerman said. “It’s been great to be able to train and wrestle with them.”
The Oakridge athletes make the trip to Banting three to five times a week after school. The commute isn’t always easy. … more at … https://lfpress.com/sports/local-sports/no-program-no-problem-oakridge-wrestler-forges-his-own-path-to-ofsaa

March 3, 2026 - Posted by | Uncategorized |

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