Terrace Figure Skaters found out today, Jan. 30, that they won the team trophy for earning the most points of all the regional teams at the championships on Jan. 23-24.
Skating coach Jennifer Kuehne said this is the fifth time in history the team has won the team aggregate trophy, and skaters, parents and coached were thrilled.
“We found out while at a Saturday morning practice,” said Kuehne.
Parents watching from the sidelines received and read the email, and then yelled out “We won the trophy!” to those on the ice.
“The skaters screamed with joy,” Kuehne said, adding that she and the other coach Kelsey Minhinnick were very happy.
“Our skaters have been working very hard and we (coaches) have been pushing them for top performances.”
Terrace was first in the region overall, second went to Mile O (Dawson Creek), and third was Snow Valley (Kitimat).
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Terrace figure skaters had a blast with their friends at regional championships in Prince George, and came home touting a whopping 34 medals.
All 12 of the Terrace skaters who competed brought home a medal (or more) from the Cariboo North Central Regional Championships Jan. 23 to 24.
The girls, ages 7-15, say their favourite part of the weekend was hanging out with their friends, watching each other compete, and skating well and improving.
“I like being with my friends, seeing them compete,” said Camryn Monson, 12-year-old Terrace skater.
Monson said she was happy to be a bigger competition where she didn’t have to compete against her friends.
“I usually have to compete against my best friend, which is hard,” she said.
Monson earned five gold medals out of six events she entered, and said her favourite one was the interpretive skate, choreographed to the song “Hallelujah.”
“It’s emotional,” she said to describe it. “I have to use my face a lot, to show emotions on my face…Even when we mess up, we have to stay in character.”
Monson says her favourite part of skating is showing emotions and doing different jumps.
“I like that I can express myself on the ice,” she said.
“I really like competing against people from different places and seeing how they compete and what their strengths are,” she added.
Though very nervous before a performance, “I let all the nerves out before I go on the ice, so that I’m not nervous on the ice,” Monson said.
Kaytlin Gingles also sparkled in her performances, and earned one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
“This was one of the best times I competed. I’m proud of how I did this weekend,” she said. “I was in the higher placings so I know that I have improved… it feels great.”
Her favourite part was her interpretive skate: “I act like a robot and it’s really fun,” said Gingles.
“I like skating because it makes me happy, skating with my friends,” she said. “And I get to meet new people from other clubs: when we skate against other clubs, we become friends as well.”
Maya Lecuyer, who earned two gold and two silver medals, said her favourite part is also being with friends and cheering them on when they compete.
The Terrace Figure Skating Club test chair Elaine Sanchez, said all the girls on the team are very humble about their skating.
“It’s not about winning,” she said of their perspective. “It’s about being with their friends and beating their past scores.”
Next up, several Terrace skaters are headed to the Northwest Jamboree in Smithers Feb. 13 to 14. It is a fun event which coach Jennifer Kuehne says is “great for new competitors to get the feel of competition and great for experienced competitors to prepare for their next competition.”
Seven skaters will climb the competitive ranks, competing against skaters from across the province in the Super Series Final Competition in Kelowna on March 4 to 6.
Other winners from the regionals last weekend are as follows:
Halle Classen earned three gold, two silver and one bronze medal – one in every event she entered.
Mikayla Beaudette won one gold and one bronze; Teysean Henry won one gold, Emma DeCario one gold and Brianne Monsen five silver.
Makayla Forrest earned four silver, one bronze, Miley Harris won two gold, Tristen Morgan one silver and Cricket Elliott one bronze.
