Kelowna Skating Club skaters take home 10 medals and three provincial titles

The Kelowna Skating Club and Centre of Excellence made an impact at the 2019 B.C. and Yukon Sectional Championships, held in Coquitlam last week.

Local skaters came away with 10 medals through seven events, including three provincial titles.

Ava Sanderson, a competitor in the juvenile women’s under 14 division, won both the title and the artistic award with a personal score of 29.18.

“The best part is always after you finish. It’s such a good feeling knowing you did your very best. It was especially great because this season has been high and low, so I’m glad I ended on a good note,” said Sanderson, who’ll now work towards the pre novice level.

“Reaching this achievement (winning juvenile U14) means I get to work on new things. That would mean double axels, difficult spins, and a longer program.”

Sanderson wasn’t the only skater from the KSC who had success in Coquitlam.

At the junior level, 15-year-old Emma Bulawka landed seven triple jumps to win the title and artistic award with a personal best total score of 156.18 points.

“From the moment I stepped on the ice, I felt the energy in the entire building. My heart was pumping and I just wanted to show off all that I had worked on and mastered from the weeks leading up. When I finished my program, I knew I had just laid it down and executed both programs to the best of my ability, with a few wobbles here and there,” said Bulawka.

“It’s so exciting to compete in my home province and showcase all the hard work my teammates and I have put in. But I can’t take all the credit. If it weren’t for my amazing on ice and off ice coaches, I would not be where I am today. I am so grateful for my mom and dad and all my siblings who I can always count on to give me the best pre-competition pep talks.”

Other KSC skaters who had success included Megan Yudin who scored a personal best 33.54 points to capture gold and the artistic award in the juvenile women under 12 event. Konstantina Lock had a personal best and captured the same event’s bronze medal. Sarah Mullins, who won silver in the women’s under 14 just behind Sanderson, Daria Carr who finished fourth in the Junior level, Vienna Harwood came second in the novice level and won the event’s artistic award. Mikayla Kramer, Olivia Gran, Emily Sales, Ariana Rose, and Calissa Adlem all had outstanding performances in their respective skates.

Best of Luck to the following skaters who qualified for Skate Canada Challenge in Edmonton Nov 9-Dec 2nd: