Morning Star Staff
The Vernon Vortex Speedskating club qualified its largest ever team for the B.C. Championships in Vanderhoof and came back with some great results.
Qualifying for the Western Canadians, March 21-22, in Selkirk, Man. by finishing fifth overall was Laura Hall, 12.
Nate Benn, 10 won his division with an admirably gutsy performance in the 2,000-metre race, and Daniel Hall was ninth in his division.
Skating as rookies at their first provincials were Nathan Stewart, Lauryn Eddy, Tadhg Boyle, Declan Fitzpatrick, and Mattias Isobe, all placing top half of their division.
The ice conditions were not the greatest but the Vernon team was still able to achieve a few personal best times and their performances in the longer distances is earning them a reputation as a team that doesn’t quit.
“Lauryn Eddy bounced back after a rough collision with the boards, crashing at high speed, to skate well in her final 2,000 race,” said coach Mike Hall. “Many skaters would have dropped out of the meet after a crash like hers, but in a display of resilience that has started to define this team, she chose to carry on and compete.
“The coaches and parents of the Vernon club are proud of the way that this team has come together to train and compete this year. It has been a year of significant growth and development for the entire team. It’s been fun to watch the team come together on the ice.”
