Speed skaters light up Wakamow Oval

It was an excellent weekend for the Moose Jaw Kiwanis Speed Skating Club, as they hosted their first outdoor long track competition of the season.
Attendance was higher than expected, records were broken - both personal and provincial - and even the weather co-operated.
"We had as close to a perfect weekend as you could have for speed skating," said Moose Jaw coach Lee Moyse.
The meet was held at the Wakamow Oval on Saturday and Sunday, and featured athletes from all age and skill levels from across Saskatchewan. Moyse was pleased with the impressive turnout.
"It was a good weekend," he said. "I had projected 70 to 80 (skaters) and we ended up with 84, so that's not bad."
Moose Jaw's Joshua Gallipeau, 15, placed second in his category, and Moyse noted that he was competing against athletes several years older than him. Sam Rigetti and Ryley Huber finished first and second, respectively, in their group. Rigetti, 10, is in his first year of speed skating, having switched over from figure skating, and Moyse said he has shown excellent development. This gold medal comes in his first-ever long track competition. In all, 23 Moose Jaw athletes competed in the meet.
Moyse said four provincial records were broken, but many more athletes set personal bests at the competition. Those times are important for advancing to the national championships.
A large number of young skaters were attending their first long track meet. Moose Jaw has a history of success at long track, so this was the new generation just getting started.
"There's a number for whom it was their first time out," said Moyse. "And the weather really helps when it's so nice. They came out and had lots of fun."
In that youngest group, four of the top ten finishers were Moose Javians, with Terence Stark placing highest at third.
But inexperience and youth can take its toll, and a number of the youngsters took some time to adapt to the longer distances and tough competition.
"Some of the younger ones, because of their ability, ended up skating in a group or two above (their regular group)," said Moyse. "They found the extra distances a little tough. You've got Pee Wees and Bantams doing 1,000 metres. But they did well."