The 18-year-old St. Stephen High School student spent a week in Guatemala for the Junior Pan-American Wrestling Championship.
Cleaves tells Tide News she was in shock when she received gold. She says they went into the competition with hopes of a podium finish, but never expected to finish in first place.
She says she is very proud to bring a gold medal back to her hometown, especially after representing Team Canada. Cleaves says she has only been to competitions representing her school (SSHS) or New Brunswick.
Local Coach Pat Zwicker also attending the Championship as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada.
