Senior Jess Hong etches her name into Ravens record books with Carleton’s first national wrestling medal
March 17, 2025
By Isabella Disley
Carleton’s Jess Hong pins Western’s Cyenna Trotman for the women’s 50 kg bronze medal at the 2025 Canadian university wrestling championships in St. Catharines, ON. Photo: Bill Bain / bainphotos.com
Jess Hong made her final moment as a Raven a historic one when she won Carleton University’s first-ever medal at the U Sports wrestling championships on Mar. 1 in St. Catharines, ON.
“I remember the throw at the end when I pinned her, and then when the whistle blew, saying that was the end of the match and I kind of came back – I still haven’t processed it,” the fifth-year senior recounted by phone, a week after she ended her women’s 50-kilogram bronze medal match with Western’s Cyenna Trotman at the 4:09 mark by pinfall.
“My whole team ambushed me right after saying, ‘You did it!’” she added. “It was a really cool experience.”
It’s been a long journey to the surreal finish for Hong.
A three-time OFSAA medalist, four-time provincial champion and 2018 national junior champion while competing for the National Capital Wrestling Club, Hong began her post-secondary career with the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
She won a 2020 Ontario University Athletics silver medal in her second year at the Thunder Bay, ON school, but the Sir Robert Borden High School grad felt homesick as COVID swept in shortly thereafter.
Hong returned to Ottawa and enrolled at Carleton to study biomedical and mechanical engineering as well as music, and quickly became president of Carleton’s student wrestling club, which had been in operation since 2018.
In 2022, the team was promoted to competitive club status, which is still a step below a varsity athletics-funded program. Among the unique challenges Hong encountered was having to design her own singlet, which she did on her iPad.
“I had to learn about the school colours and the brand guidelines,” Hong recalled. “Creating all that is wild to me, now that it’s on the same national stage as I competed in five years ago.”
Hong didn’t medal in her first Canadian university championships with Lakehead, and she just missed last year when she placed fourth for Carleton nationally in Guelph on the heels of an OUA silver.
After taking bronze in the strong OUA conference this season, Hong was a force at the nationals. She lost just once in her five U Sports matches – to eventual national-champion Kelyn Young of Guelph in the pool round – and won every other match by technical superiority or pinfall.
Finishing off the bronze medal match with a decisive pin provided a euphoric moment for Hong and the Ravens program.
“It ended with a very big throw that was particularly exciting. That one’s ingrained into my brain,” recalled Ravens/NCWC head coach Chris Schrauwen, whose team produced four more top-8 finishes by Heaven-Lee Emond (fourth), Ziad Saif El Nasr (sixth), Ifeatu Melifonwu (seventh) and Alecsandra Vlad (eighth) at the nationals.
Jess Hong and coach Chris Schrauwen celebrate the Carleton Ravens’ first Canadian university medal win. Photo: Bill Bain / bainphotos.com
Schrauwen was particularly pleased to see Hong rewarded for her long-term dedication to the sport.
“It’s not built in a day. It’s putting together good habits, and trying to be consistent in your training, and good results are generally a byproduct of that,” he underlined. “We’re really proud of Jess for being the first person to achieve that goal for us.”
Whether it is reviewing previous matches, practicing positions and techniques, or strength training, Hong worked out with the Ravens five times a week en route to her national medal win. She also visited the Sport Science Rehab and Performance Centre three times a week.
The Baxter Rd. facility is run by Ryan Morrison, whose wife Gen has been by Hong’s side as a coach, training partner and, more significantly, a mentor.
Jess Hong and Gen Morrison training at National Capital Wrestling Club practice. Photo: Dan Plouffe
“The second I finished my match, she was the first person who contacted me,” Hong indicated. “She was talking to me earlier and prepping me as much as she could beforehand.
“I’ve learned everything from her. I feel like my wrestling has jumped so many levels since meeting and training with her and Sports Science.”
Hong had earlier served as Gen Morrison’s main training partner in the three-time Canadian champion’s quest to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“Gen’s one of the best people you can find in the sport,” Schrauwen highlighted. “A great person to be around, a great attitude, and a great role model for the kids. I can’t say enough good things about her.”
Hong noted that it’s not only the local wrestling community that fuelled her success – her family, friends and Carleton staff have also provided crucial support. Hong talked to her parents before making her big decision to transfer schools, and when academic and athletic schedules overlap, her friends and professors have been there to help catch her up, she outlined.
(From left) U Sports wrestling women’s 50 kg silver medallist Samantha Romero of Brock, champion Kelyn Young of Guelph and bronze medallist Jess Hong of Carleton. Photo: Bill Bain / bainphotos.com
While winning the historic bronze is the most recent highlight, Hong’s favourite memories are the relationships and bonds created with her team.
“After winning that medal, so many people messaged me, saying that they were watching and they were so proud,” Hong signalled. “We were all together and we were there for each other in every way.”