Six Islanders competing in Quebec

Speed Skate P.E.I. athletes are competing at the Canada East Short Track Championships this weekend in Lévis, Que.

After winning P.E.I.’s first ever medals in the Canada East event last year in Ottawa, the Island’s team of six athletes is set for this year’s competition.

The P.E.I. contingent, which also captured the award for the most improved province last year, will compete in a field of more than 120 of the best 11- to 15-year-old short track speed skaters from Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Nunavut.

Team P.E.I. will feature a pair of multiple medal winners from last year’s event, with Andrew Binns and William Lyons back for the Island squad this season. Binns, a triple medallist and third overall ranked skater in his age group last year, will challenge the best in the 14-year-old boys’ category this year. Lyons, a double medallist last year, will be looking to add to his medal count, competing this year in the 13-year-old boys’ category.

The veteran Island team also includes: Kyle Connell and Thomas McQuaid, both competing in the event for the fourth time and in their final year of Canada East eligibility. Both Charlottetown skaters have had multiple top-10 results in their previous trips to the Canada East event and teamed with Matt Kozma to set a new P.E.I. record in the 14-/15-year-old boys’ relay in Ottawa last year. Connell set a trio of new provincial records for 15-year-old boys earlier this season and will be looking to better those times in Lévis.

Carter Bruce, competing in the 14-year-old boys’ category, will be making his third Canada East appearance. In addition to his four individual events, the Stratford native will team with Binns, Connell and McQuaid in the relay after a season of significant progress and personal-best times.

Liam Chatfield will be the rookie entrant from P.E.I., competing in the 12-year-old boys’ age group. The Charlottetown skater has turned in a strong season on the Atlantic circuit, where he was the top skater in his age category in two of his four meets and second best for his age in his other two outings.

Sarah Taylor will be making her fourth trip to Canada East as coach of the P.E.I. squad.