It has been an eventful season for Eastman Speed Skating Club. After relocating from Steinbach to the CRRC in Niverville, coaches and skaters have been equally thrilled with the opportunities presented. Skaters of all skill levels have seen improvement, enjoying their new space and feeling at home on the ice.
Among the season’s highlights, six skaters represented Manitoba at the Canadian Youth Long Track Championships in Quebec City on February 10–11, as well as seven skaters at Canadian Youth Short Track West in Medicine Hat on March 23–24.
Prior to these events, the club had great success at local competitions.
“It was an extremely successful year for Eastman Speed Skaters both in provincial and at national events,” says club vice-president Cassandra Tetrault. “The club felt confident in our skaters abilities. They are a hard-working, passionate, and committed group that continue to make strides in the sport… It was also great to see the improvements made by our beginner skaters.”
Many of the young athletes finished the season by achieving personal best times.
At the Quebec City event, Mackenna Reimer won gold in the 1,500-metre and bronze in the 1,000-metre. Mia Tetrault earned gold in the 500-metre Olympic Style, the ISU 7 lap mass start, the 300-metre, the 1,500-metre, and the 1,000-metre. Willa Dowse won gold in the 500-metre Olympic Style and the 1,500-metre, as well as silver in the ISU 7 lap mass start, and bronze in the 300-metre and 1,000-metre. Justin Cheng got silver in the 500-metre, the 1,000-metre, and the 1,500-metre, as well as the bronze in the ISU 7 lap mass start. Yule Wang had a strong showing and Everett Saydak skated numerous personal bests.
In Medicine Hat, Reimer won gold in the 400-metre and finished fourth overall. She was also awarded the sportsmanship award. Mia Tetrault finished first overall with a gold in the 800-metre, the 1,000-metre mixed age ability, and the 1,500-metre, as well as a silver in the 400-metre. Dowse finished third, with a silver in the 800-metre and a bronze in the 1,500-metre. Cheng finished second and earned silver medals in the 400-metre, 800-metre, and 1,500-metre races. Wang finished fifth overall, and Saydak and William Larouche skated numerous personal bests.
Tetrault notes that they had an exceptional amount of support from parent volunteers and coaches.
“We are excited about the growth of the club and look forward to continuing to build on this successful season,” said Tetrault.
The club also received provincial recognition for the skaters, coaches, and volunteers who went above and beyond in their efforts this year.
Coach Rachel Spridzans was recognized with the Coach of the Year award from Speed Skating Manitoba.
Volunteer official Tao Cheng, father of skaters Justin and William, was recognized as the Official of the Year. He was a volunteer starter at both national events as well as at all the long and short track races hosted in the province.
Mackenna Reimer received the Terry Mymryk Award, which is given to a club skater who displays outstanding commitment, sportsmanship, and potential.
“Our skaters brought home multiple medals and many personal best times,” says club president Mark Spridzans. “Going into the season, our skaters were fast coming out of our preseason ice. The intensity continued into and throughout the season. Our coaches delivered with all of our skaters having noticeable improvements every week. As the club president, I am proud of our athletes, coaches, and our parent volunteers who made this season a success.”
Spridzans says that after a short break the committee will begin planning the 2024–2025. Organizers are excited to invite even more skaters of all levels to try speed skating. The club will host a come-and-try event on September 8 at 2:00 p.m. Interested participants can find more information online on Facebook, Instagram, or the club website (eastmanspeedskating.weebly.com).
