Mitch Mason

2003 Inductee – Athlete, Wrestling

Wrestler Mitch Mason was inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition in 2003 under the athlete category. Upon his induction, his reaction was right to the point, “great, thrilled and honoured.”

Click to view the interview with Mitch Mason.

Mason’s wrestling career took off while he was attending North Park Collegiate. During his time at high school, Mason would win an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) championship for his first major title. That win would lead Mason to enroll and attend the University of Guelph, where he continued to collect awards and accolades.

Mason was a three-time Ontario University Athletics (OUA) provincial champion while also winning a pair of silver medals. From 1982 to 1986, he was named a five-time OUA All-Star.

At the national level, Mason was a two-time U Sports (Canadian university) champion. He would also win silver and bronze medals while being honoured as a three-time All-Canadian.

Named Guelph’s Most Improved Wrestler in 1984 and its Most Valuable Wrestler in 1985, Mason was a member of three OUA championship teams at the University of Guelph as well as being a two-time member of national championship teams. He is also a Gryphons Sports Hall of Fame member.

Outside of school, 1984 was a huge year for Mason as he captured the Canadian Open Greco Roman Championship and finished fourth at the Olympic qualifying event.

Mason was also the Canadian national freestyle champion in 1987 and he was a two-time Canadian freestyle bronze medalist.

Mason was a member of Canada’s 1987 Pan-American Games team that competed in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He had several matches during his career against world-class wrestlers including world and 1980 Olympic champion Sanasar Oganesyan of Russia (points loss), 1984 Olympic Greco Roman champion Steve Fraser of the U.S. (points loss) and multiple Canadian freestyle champion, Commonwealth Games champion, and Olympian Steve Daniar (won by pin).

List of accomplishments:

• Inducted into Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition in 2003.
• Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) champion at North Park Collegiate.
• Three-time Ontario University Athletics champion at University of Guelph (1982, 100kg; 1984 and 1985, 95kg); also won two silvers in 86kg division.
• Five-time Ontario University Athletics All-Star (1982-1986), member of three Ontario University Athletics championship teams (1981, 1984 and 1985).
• Three-time All-Canadian (1981, 1984 and 1985); two-time U Sports champion (1984 and 1985, 95kg); also won silver and bronze at U Sports championship (86kg).
• Canadian Open Greco Roman champion (1984, 100kg) and fourth at Olympic qualifier (1984).
• Canadian National Freestyle champion (1987); two-time Canadian National Freestyle bronze medalist.
• Pan-American Games (1987).
• Canada Cup (finished in fourth place).