Estevan figure skaters skated away with three medals from sectionals competition in Weyburn last weekend, and one qualified for a place at the 2018 Skate Canada Challenge in Pierrefonds, Que., Nov. 29-Dec. 3.
Emily Hanson, a pre-novice skater, qualified with a bronze medal in her age group and Juvenile's Carly Paton and Kelsey Carter placed second and third in their age groups respectively. Also getting a personal best was pre-novice Madison Folkerts.
The expectations were fairly straightforward for the girls according to their coach Janice Grocholski
“Usually you go into this competition, which involves the best skaters in Saskatchewan, usually it's really tough to just be a medal contender or to go achieve a medal,” Grocholski said. “But I had good expectations for the kids that are stepping up to their second sectionals at that level, as they've already proven themselves to be among the best skaters in Saskatchewan compared to last year.”
All four of them received personal bests at this sectional, Grocholski said. The national qualification part of Skate Canada begins at the pre-novice level.
“They put it all out there and stepped up to the podium,” she said. “That's huge for Estevan. Having three of four skaters achieving a medal at that level of competition.”
While this city doesn't have the most members – or the most ice time as of late – of all the clubs the fact that there are elite athletes coming from here now is a testament to those athletes and what they've been through.
Other than Hanson, the other three will be heading back to the club to train for next year's sectionals.
“We're not going there probably hoping to be in the top ten but we are going there to get experience,” said Grocholski. “It's still such a great accomplishment to be able to make it to that level.”
The four girls begin training specifically for sectionals a week after school is done, spending a summer training in Saskatoon. Next year, the same four skaters will likely be going to sectionals, with a few others just nearing the cusp of qualifying.
Hanson meanwhile will be among the presence of the best skaters in Canada.
“It's a huge stepping stone,” said Grocholski. “You only get stronger by competing at a national level. You can see what's out there. She doesn't understand right now what an opportunity this is and she's just going to grow so much.”
