The match was deja-vu for the two wrestlers, as Malloy beat Jagas in the final last year and also met in the Junior National final in 2010 in which Jagas came out out on top.
The big win could have been the last university match for the fourth year veteran. Malloy, who is pursuing a degree in International studies is planning on forgoing his last year of eligibility next year so that he can do a student exchange. Travel, along with his degree in International studies have become passions in Malloy’s life and are why he is putting wrestling on the back burner for now.
This time next year Malloy hopes to be in Singapore on exchange. It will be the first time since he was nine that he won’t be on the wrestling mat. Malloy says wrestling has been a big commitment, “It is one of those sports where you really get out of it what you put into it. So there is a lot of demand for training. It takes a toll mentally and physically...It is pretty busy. My social life is pretty non-existent for part of the year." he says.
Malloy got his start in wrestling at a University of Regina sports camp when he was seven and had immediate success when he began competing in the sport when he was nine, winning gold at the freshie provincials (first year wrestlers’ provincials). His success continued into high school at Dr. Martin Lebodus, where he won silver at the national championships when he was in Grade 10 and Grade 11 and a gold in nationals in Grade 12.
Although Malloy’s wrestling future may be up in the air, Regina wrestling fans will still be able to cheer on another Malloy next season. Malloy’s younger brother Gaelan Malloy, 20, will be back in the ring trying to follow his brother's footsteps and win a national championship.
Lastweekend Gaelan Malloy had to withdraw in the 68 kg final because of an injury during his finals match against Western’s, Ilya Abelev.
The Malloys were part of a men's wrestling team over the weekend that won their fourth second place finish and first since 1999. The men's team has also won two National Championships in 1997 and 1998.
