A gold medal from sophomore Karan Dhillon highlighted a solid showing for the University of the Fraser Valley wrestling program at the Golden Bear Invitational in Edmonton on Saturday.

Dhillon, a bronze medalist at last year's Canada West championships, showed he may be poised for bigger things this season, emerging victorious in the tough 82-kilogram men's weight class. The Surrey, B.C. product won his first two matches in decisive fashion, via tech fall and pin, respectively. In the final, Dhillon faced a stiff test from John Fayad of the Calgary Dinos, but battled his way to a 6-4 decision.

Three other Cascades climbed the podium in Edmonton. Rookies Jason Bains (men's 100 kg) and Gurjot Gill (men's 76 kg) showed great promise, winning silver in their respective weight classes, each posting 3-1 records.

Two-time defending U SPORTS national champ Brad Hildenbrandt settled for bronze in the heavyweight division – he was upset in the semis by Tyler Duguid of the Alberta Golden Bears, but bounced back for a technical-superiority triumph (11-0) over Jordan Tholl of Cattown Wrestling Club to clinch third.

Five other Cascades earned top-six placings for the UFV men's team, which finished third overall with 36 points. The host Golden Bears amassed 57 points, while the Saskatchewan Huskies were runners-up with 43 points.

Sunny Benning (90 kg) finished fourth, Harvin Mand (68 kg) and Simren Brar (54 kg) were fifth, and Parker McBride (57 kg) and Ali Rahguzar (61 kg) were sixth. Amarvir Atwal (72 kg) and Ravi Manhas (54 kg) also competed for the Cascades men's team, but did not place.

On the women's side, with reigning Canada West champ Ana Godinez Gonzalez a late scratch from the tournament due to injury, Calista Espinosa was the lone UFV entry. She posted a fifth-place finish, defeating Robbie Ann Pinagal of the EWC Bears 6-1 in her final match of the event.

The Golden Bear Invitational marks the start of a second-half sprint which will see the UFV wrestling program host two major events in the next month. The Cascades Classic, UFV's annual Canada West regular-season tourney, takes over the Envision Financial Athletic Centre Jan. 26-27. Two weeks after that, the Cascades host the Canada West Wrestling Championships for the first time in program history, Feb. 8-9. The season culminates with the U SPORTS national championships Feb. 22-23 in Calgary.