P.E.I. speedskaters post strong results at national, regional events

Island speedskaters were in action on three fronts recently, including the Canadian Open national qualifier in Montreal, Que., the Atlantic Canadian short track championships in Dieppe, N.B., and the Atlantic Cup long-track championships in Halifax, N.S.

The best results came in Dieppe where the 22-member Island team grabbed 10 medals, including gold to Charles Burke (Division 7), Tiernan Dewar (Division 11) and Una Grant (Division 12).

It was Burke’s second consecutive gold medal and third medal in three tries this season. He was also the highest overall finisher in his age group.

Dewar won every race in every distance in his off-Island competitive debut, while Grant set new personal best times in all four distances en route to her gold medal.

Zack O’Meara (Division 5), Jane Bruce (Division 7), Ava Bradley (Division 13 female) and Zyler O’Meara (Division 13 male) took home silver medals, while Alex Rogers (Division 6), Brendan Reynard (Division 8) and Saul Grant (Division 9) claimed bronze medals.

At the national qualifier, Jenna Larter of Brookfield notched a new personal best in the 1,500 metres along with seasonal best times in the 1,000 and 500-metre events. She placed 45th overall in the women’s division.

On the men’s side, Charlottetown’s Peter McQuaid put up a new personal-best time in the 1,000-metre event, taking three seconds off his previous mark, and tallied seasonal best times in his 500 and 1,500-metre events. He finished 53rd.

In Halifax, Jane Bruce picked up a bronze medal for 11-year-old girls in her first long track competition.

Carter Bruce finished at eighth place overall in his division, highlighted by a fourth-place showing in the 500 metres, and Matthew McKenna placed 11th, with his best showing was a seventh-place finish in the 1,500 metres.

Next up, Island skaters compete at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta.

Saturday, the long-track competitors take to the ice, followed by short-track competitions Sunday.

All events streamed live at canadagames.live.

More at www.speedskatepei.com.