Erik Haaheim of the Kelowna Speed Skating Club made the most of his first experience at the Can West Short Track Championships this past weekend in Saskatoon. Coming off a third-place finish at the BC Short Track in early March, Haaheim emerged as the top BC skater and ranked 3rd over-all against the best 12 year-olds in Western Canada. Erik earned silver medals in the 400m and 2000m Points race and a bronze medal in the 200m. He also set new personal bests in the 1500m by five seconds and lowered his 400m time from 45.24 seconds to 42.90 seconds. Haaheim will now put up his skates for the season and finish off the BC Alpine season.
Kenzie Adams also made her first appearance at the Can West and competed in the 12 year-old age division. Adams came 10th overall amassing personal bests in her 200m, 400m and 1500m.
Dylan Baliski (U15) rounded out the trio of skaters competing from the KSSC competing in the U15 age division. Dylan set a season best time in the 1500m and tied his 200m time finishing 15th overall.
On the long track scene, Abigail McCluskey, age 20, competed in the Canada Cup Finale in Calgary. Abigail skated to personals in the 1000m and 1500m and garnered a fourth top Canadian finish in the 3000m, fifth in the 1000m, sixth in the 1500m and seventh in the 500m. Points are accumulated throughout the season to rank skaters for the National Teams. She is one of Canada’s future stars, continuing to improve each season and rank amongst the country’s best skaters.
The KSSC skaters will begin the 2017-18 preparation with dryland training resuming in late April. Anyone interested in joining the club training is invited to contact the club at www.kelownaspeedskating.com.
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