The Vernon Speed Skating Club’s year-end Okanagan Funale Saturday at Wesbild Centre saw several locals set personal best times.
Skaters from Kamloops, Kelowna and Salmon Arm raced against Vernon for their final time this year.
Sam Eddy and Brooke Meeks made their competitive debut, setting up the next racing season by each achieving three personal best times.
Local skaters represented their community well, on and off the ice. In total, there were more a dozen personal best times recorded by Vernon skaters. Laura Hall and Shaughnessy Barker led the team in the first division, while Daniel Hall and Nate Benn had some fantastic races out of the second division.
Sam Eddy walked away with the third division while establishing his seed times for the 2013-14 racing season. Lauren Eddy and Luca Ariano each established new best times while chasing Sam Eddy. Meeks and Jared Eddy each set new best times out of the fourth division.
“The competition was very well run, as good as the best provided by much larger and more experienced clubs,” said Vernon head coach Mike Hall.
“The volunteer group of parents worked together to pull off a tremendous event in which all participants had a chance to record personal records while at the same time having the opportunity to enjoy friendships established with competitors from other clubs for the final time this season.”
The Vernon coaching group is looking ahead to next season with anticipation to see what these skaters can accomplish with another year of racing experience and training to draw on.
For information on how to join this fun and exciting group of athletes, contact Pauline Kereluk at pakereluk@shaw.ca or vernonspeedskatingclub.com.
