When Danielle Lappage asked for a volunteer from a crowd of students at Holy Trinity School, Allona Delapena didn't expect to get picked.
Now the Grade 6 student can say she's been taken to the mat by somebody who's headed to the Olympics in Rio this summer.
As part of her visit to the students in grades 5-8 on April 6, Lappage set up a mat to demonstrate how scoring works in wrestling.
She showed a one-point score by pushing – gently – Delapena out of bounds. Then, four points, by picking the volunteer up and laying her on her back. Two points, by taking her from feet to stomach. Then she demonstrated a roll that would score another two.
"She's really strong. I didn't expect to get picked up," Delapena said, who admitted to being nervous up in front of her peers.
During her qualifying journey, Lappage's supporters have sported custom "Road to Rio" T-shirts. She gave Delapena one at the end of the demonstration.
Tyler Weston, in Grade 8, also got to meet the imminent Olympian. During a brief question-and-answer period, he asked Lappage for her autograph.
The Didsbury boy said he had seen a broadcast of one of Lappage's matches. He wants to wrestle and said Lappage has been an inspiration for him. He too received a shirt.
Before closing her appearance with a group photo, Lappage spoke for about half an hour. She started by screening a video of the match she won to qualify for the Olympics. The students applauded as Lappage was shown scoring and as time expired.
She also talked about getting into wrestling in Grade 6, more so for the social aspect, as her friends were involved.
After choosing to attend Simon Fraser University, she recalled seeing Carol Huynh, the first Canadian gold medallist in women's wrestling, on T.V. at a going-away party held by her parents.
"Once I saw Carol, my goal changed," Lappage said.
She had always wanted to make an appearance at the Olympics. But now she was out to win.
Another topic in her speech was overcoming adversity, talking about finally defeating Justine Bouchard at the national team trials in 2014 and recovering from her ACL (knee ligament) injury in 2015.
"If you find your passion, don't give it up. You'll face hard times; that's part of life. But resilience will allow you to achieve your dreams," she told students.
School principal Michael Cellini introduced Lappage, saying they were "blessed to be able to have a presentation like this, especially from somebody from your own town."
"If you find your passion, don't give it up. You'll face hard times; that's part of life. But resilience will allow you to achieve your dreams."DANIELLE LAPPAGEOLYMPIC WRESTLER
