Lightning quick: Bradley Hlina races in the 400m event.

Lightning quick: Bradley Hlina races in the 400m event.

Ice Breakers set personal bests at weekend events

The Salmon Arm Ice Breakers Speed Skating Club raced in back-to-back competitions last weekend.

The Salmon Arm Ice Breakers Speed Skating Club raced in back-to-back competitions last weekend.

On Sunday, the club hosted their second Annual Ice Jam at the Shaw Centre.

Out of the 36 skaters competing, 14 Skaters were from Salmon Arm.

Ila Isaac received a silver medal with two personal bests.

This was the first competition for skaters Callie Belway, who got bronze, and Ava Dollack who was fourth, and Keagan Isaac the youngest skater, came fifth.

In division 2, Jack Isaac hauled in a gold medal and three personal bests.

Marissa Dollack  achieved a silver medal and two personal bests.

Bronson Jameus set personal bests in the 200-metre and 400m.

In Cole Desautels’ first competition, he finished fifth.

In division, 3 Jack Verdurmen got a silver for his performance as he skated to five personal bests in all of his races.

Daniel Hlina finished in fourth place and continues to impress the coaches with his determination as he narrowly missed the bronze medal.

He fell in his 200m but also managed to get a personal best in the 500m.

Shan Chhokar came in sixth and had personal bests in the 400m and 500m.

Devyn Hughes came in seventh in an older more challenging division, and set a personal best in her second 200m sprint.

Bradley Hlina raced in division four and improved his times in the 200m, 400m and 500m races. In the 400m sprint, he had the lead in most of the race but fell in his final lap. He continues to take huge time off his bests by taking off 1.3 seconds in the 200m sprint and 3.72 in the 400m distance.

Aila Norlin, one of the fastest females in her age, also set three of her own records in the 200m, 400m and 500m distances.

Head Coach Rick Hofmann is pleased with the participation of the club at this event and at the Coyote cup.

“The skaters all got personal bests and have set higher goals for themselves to achieve in their next competition.

“I’m proud of all their determination to improve at every chance, particularly at their early age. They are a super group of skaters,” said Hofmann.

On Saturday, eight skaters travelled to Kamloops for the Coyote Cup.

Six-year-old Ila Isaac skated in her first speed skating event ever placing third in the 100-metre, 50m, 200m, races in division 1.

In division 2, also making his first racing debut was Jack Isaac. He raced in the 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m distances.

Hughes skated to an Iron medal, placing fourth in all of her 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m distances, while setting a personal best in the 200m sprint.

Division 3 saw Daniel Hlina tie for a silver medal and earned four personal bests in all his races.

Shan Chhokar set three of his own record times in the same division.

In division 4, Bradley Hlina came very close to getting gold, but had to settle for silver.

In the 400m sprint, he had the lead during most of the race but fell in his final lap.

Norlin and Verdurmen were in a tough grouping but earned a bronze and a iron medal respectively.

Both raced in 200m, 400m, 500m and 1,200m distances.

Verdurmen had injured his leg by pulling a muscle during the warm-up but decided to race anyway.

Masters Skater Alex Seal placed first in all his races and got a gold medal.

The Ice Breakers placed fifth overall in club points ahead of six other clubs. The club’s next racing event is on Feb. 14 at the Vernon Winter Carnival.

 

Salmon Arm Observer