Dylan Molnar’s Medal Highlights One of Craig Kielburger’s Best Wrestling Seasons in Recent Memory

Few moments in sports are as satisfying as a well-earned payback.

Facing yet another defeat against his longtime rival, Dylan Molnar seized a high-stakes opportunity late in the first half of his OFSAA consolation semifinal.

Thanks to a successful challenge block ruling, the Craig Kielburger wrestling captain—celebrating his 18th birthday on March 5—staged an unforgettable comeback.

In one of the Spartans’ most dramatic turnarounds, the 51-kilogram competitor overcame a nine-point deficit with two four-point reversals. Then, in the final 30 seconds, he executed a fireman’s carry and an insurance tilt to secure a stunning 17-13 victory over Elsie MacGill’s Ali Mahran.

“I couldn’t believe what I had just done,” Molnar said, reflecting on his win. He later clinched the bronze medal with a defensively dominant 14-8 victory over North York’s Anfaal Butt. “That was the biggest comeback I’ve ever pulled off—one of the best matches of my high school career. It was the first time I cried happy tears. The emotions were overwhelming.”

Molnar’s triumph was made even sweeter by the fact that Mahran had consistently bested him over the past three years, including a recent showdown in the GHAC gold-medal match.

Despite the history, Molnar’s coach, Simon Vanellis, emphasized his wrestler’s unshakable mentality. “No matter the circumstances, you have to wrestle smart,” Molnar said. An avid hip-hop dancer, he credits the sport with improving his footwork and overall coordination—an advantage he plans to carry into his university wrestling career. “You can’t let the score dictate how you perform. A comeback is always possible. Anything can happen.”

Inspired by his two uncles—both regional champions and former OFSAA competitors—Molnar showed early promise, despite his freshman season being wiped out by COVID.

His first-ever high school match ended in defeat to Mahran, who was initially a teammate before becoming a rival. However, Molnar quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, building mental resilience to match his technical skill. Over the years, he claimed numerous tournament titles, including last year’s GHAC championship.

Leading one of Craig Kielburger’s most successful seasons since its championship days at E.C. Drury, Molnar elevated his endurance this season, increasing his practice time and improving his stamina.

“My conditioning was on another level. Compared to last year, I felt like a machine—I didn’t get exhausted late in matches.”

The Spartans made history by winning their second-ever GHAC title since moving to Craig Kielburger. They sent 10 competitors to OFSAA in Kitchener, with six returning next season.

Joining Molnar at the provincial tournament were Deen Douha, Ryan Mitrovich, Mateo Savinetti, Daniel Burch-Smith, Arthur Costa, Sammy Miqdadi, Faizan Saleem, Sami Sideiqui, and Abdur Irshad.