Hanson getting ‘a lot more steady’ as a competitive skater
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Hanson finished second to St. Rose in the 1,500 A-final, an unexpected result for the 14-year-old Vanderhoof native. Hanson was sitting fourth three laps into the 13 -lap race when Telizyn stepped on one of the pucks that mark the lanes, causing him to fall, and he took out Miller in the process.
“That was the first race I’ve seen Craig take Josh out with the puck on the corner,” Hanson said.
Hanson also placed second in the 500 Afinal when he and Miller took advantage of St. Rose’s fall.
“That was great, I was like ‘wow, he’s down, let’s go.’ It was a great opportunity.
“This year my skating is a lot more steady, I don’t fall nearly as much. Last year I was falling three times a meet. It feels a lot better.”
Hanson, who moved to Prince George three years ago, is now in his seventh year of racing short track. He prefers long track racing and can’t wait to start practicing his outdoor form on the Exhibition Park oval, as soon as it gets cold enough to keep the ice firm.
Due to the strength of the Zone 8 skaters and the times he posted, Miller will qualify as a wild-card entry in the Games.
Brooke Braun of Fort St. John was the only female skater in the U-16 age category on the ice at Kin 1 Saturday and automatically claimed her Zone 8 B.C. Games berth.
Jack Hanson, Kieran’s 12-year-old brother, also qualified for the Games in the U-14 category. Ty Lauren of Williams Lake will join him on the U-14 male team. Hannah North and Sidney Bennie, both of Fort St. John, will represent Zone 8 in the female U-14 events.
The one-day meet attracted 95 skaters from seven clubs.
This is the last time the B.C. Games will be open to two age categories. It will become strictly a U-14 event for short track in 2020. St. Rose’s birthday is late in the year and he just made the age qualifying criteria.
“Keanan is lucky, he’s probably one of the few kids in the province who has done four B.C. Games,” said Lorelei St. Rose, the Blizzard club’s advanced group coach. “He hit it just right and they have tons of fun, he just loved it and he’s always looking forward to going.”
Next up for the local skaters is the Western Elite Circuit meet in Richmond, Dec. 15-17, a qualifier for B.C. team trials for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.