Dawson Creek speed skaters Pauline Sutherland and Jacob Graham skated some of their fastest times at the Canadian Age Class Short Track Championships in Campbellton this past weekend and placed 13th and 15th respectively among juvenile skaters.
The two have been to the national championships before on both the long and short tracks and knew it would be difficult to earn a medal, but both went into the three-day New Brunswick competition knowing that it would be a fantastic opportunity to earn some experience at the highest level short track competition in Canada.
"It was an excellent experience and opportunity for our two young skaters to see just how tough it is at the older levels and to help prepare them for the work they need to do next season so that they are in podium contention," said coach Ron Cartier, who has been to many provincial and national championships over his many years of guiding local speed skaters and, from his home in Dawson Creek, knew it would be tough to beat the skaters from central Canada.
"Quebec and Ontario really were dominate at this event with fast ice and tough competition - exactly the way a national championship is meant to be.
"Both going in knew that they would not be making the podium and just wanted to skate well and gain valuable experience."
The Dawson Creek Speed Skating Club also qualified James Hopkins, Patrick Hopkins and Braden Clouthier for the national competition, but they opted not to attend.
The meet wraps up the season for most of the skaters in B.C. They will now concentrate on cross-training and playing summer sports before the speed skating season begins again in the fall. There is the odd summer camp that some of the skaters are expected to attend.
