Locals finish short track season with impressive results

Skating in their last competition of the year, the Moose Jaw Kiwanis Speed Skating Club wanted to make it count.
Mission accomplished, on several fronts.
The club came away from the competition in Melville last weekend with the most overall points and boasting medals in every group.
But coach Glenn Kendall sees more value on the personal level than in the hardware taken home.
"Most of the time the kids like the medals, but going for those personal bests and taking some time off . . . is what we're all about," he said. "It was a great experience for our skaters."
Taking golds in the different categories of the short track competition were Graeme Fish, Matthew Morris, John Morris and Ryley Huber. Silver medals went to Joshua Gallipeau, Brian Fish, Jane Morris and Tyren Huber, while Stephanie Kendall and Sam Rigetti took home bronzes.
The coach believed the dominance of the club at the meet was partly due to the sheer number of skaters it fielded.
"We had a bigger group than many of the other towns," said Kendall. "It's a smaller meet . . . but it's a great learning experience, especially for the younger (skaters) because they don't have that intimidation factor with all the big guys around."
The competition - second in a series of five collectively known as the Sask Cup - is the final meet of the year for the club. It's also the last short track meet before the start of their long track season, something that many skaters are looking forward to.
"We have a lot of kids that really enjoy the long track," said Kendall. "Some of the older guys want to get out there, skating those long laps are really a lot of fun for them. It's a whole different style of skating. They don't have to deal with those tight corners and they usually don't have to deal with the congestion in the corners."
The club's next competition will be in mid-January, possibly in Moose Jaw. The date and location are being determined as the original host city of Red Deer is having problems with their ice. Their next short track competition will not be until February.
January is a busy time for the club as the coach expects to have a meet every weekend during that month. Also on the horizon is the Canadian Long Track Championship which will be held in Regina in mid-February. Kendall says that the team is keeping that in mind as they strive to improve over the course of the season.
"Our kids will be skating towards that goal to make that team and see how they compare against the rest of the country."
But for now, "we're all itching to get some water down on the oval and get out there."

Taylor Lambert can be reached at 691-1260.