The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Approximately 40 skaters filled the Roy H. Johnson Arena in The Pas recently as the 2008 Norman StarSkate Competition was held. Twelve skaters from the Flin Flon Skating Club made their way down for the Regionals, which for a few of the skaters was their first competition. But none the less, the girls traveled the snow-covered roads, and according to the girls, they all had fun. Melissa Ziehlke was one of the first-time skaters. ÒIt was a good experience, but it was strange going somewhere else to skate,Ó says the 11-year-old. Melissa was joined with skaters Hasana Church, Kelsey Farkus and Hanna Buettner in the Team Maneuver group FlintyÕs Rainbow. According to Melissa, each girl is given a different element to portray and teams compete against each other. Another first-timer for competition was Hasana, who said that it was Òfun, but I was nervous.Ó Hasana spent her time in the Free Skate as well as in FlintyÕs Rainbow. Although coach Carla Wabick has seen a competition or two, she says for her, nothing really changes. ÒYou're nervous for the kids out there, but at the same time, itÕs whatever happens,Ó says the local coach. ÒYou just hope the remember all the good stuff youÕve taught them.Ó Aside from watching the girls, Wabick says itÕs waiting for their program to be over. ÒYou just always hope they do their best.Ó And doing their best can sometimes be harder than it seems. Melissa says her favourite part of Regionals was that Òit was my first competition.Ó ÒIt went all wrong, but it was fun,Ó she says with a smile. And although she couldnÕt pinpoint why it was fun, she says, ÒI donÕt know exactly why, but it was fun and it was a good experience.Ó Even though things didnÕt go her way, Melissa hopes to be back on the ice for next yearÕs Regionals as well. Much like a coach, the parents of the skaters are hoping their children do their best. Carrie Leclaire-Nivon has been watching her daughter, Dayle, skate for the last eight years. And looking back, Leclaire-Nivon says there have been some bumpy roads and some good times. ÒAs a parent itÕs nice to see them practice all year and then head to Regionals and see it pay off, if they place,Ó she says. She says that the Regionals are good for the skaters as it shows them where they are. ÒAnd you get to meet old friends again. And the host always puts on a good competition.Ó Aside from the good hospitality, Leclaire-Nivon says there is always a lot of encouragement for the skaters. ÒIt doesnÕt matter where they are from, everyone is representing Norman Region.Ó With the recent competition in mind, Dayle chipped in, Òit feels good to win.Ó The 13-year-old has walked away with three wins from Regionals, including this year, and has been to Provincials for two years as well. She will be making her third appearance this year in Saint Adolphe, MB, this year. Results from the 2008 Norman StarSkate Competition, for the Flin Flon Skating Club, are as follows: Entry Level Ladies Free Skate 1. Hanne Buettner 2. Kelsey Farkus 3. Hasana Church Pre-Preliminary Ladies 10 and over Free Skate Megan Yaworski Shania Nordick Preliminary Ladies 10 and over Freeskate 5. Hanna Hvidsten 7. Robynn Munro Junior Bronze Ladies 11 and over Freeskate Dayle Nivon Senior Bronze Ladies Freeskate Mikayla Gawiak Shilo Baribeau Kara Rutley Pre-preliminary Spins 1. Megan Yaworski Shania Nordick Preliminary Spins 3. Robynn Munro Hanna Hvidsten Junior Bronze Spins 1. Dayle Nivon Senior Bronze Spins 1. Shilo Baribeau 2. Kara Rutley 3. Mikayla Gawiak Pre-Introductive Interpretive 1. Hanna Hvidsten 4. Shania Nordick 7. Robynn Munro Introductive Interpretive 1. Dayle Nivon Bronze Interpretive 1. Shilo Baribeau 3. Kara Rutley and Mikayla Gawiak Introductory Beginner Compulsory Elements 1. Hanne Buettner 2. Kelsey Farkus 4. Melissa Ziehlke Pre-Preliminary Compulsory Elements 1. Megan Yaworski 2. Shania Nordick Preliminary Compulsory Elements 6. Robynn Munro 11. Hanna Hvidsten Junior Bronze Compulsory Short Programs 1. Dayle Nivon Senior Bronze Compulsory Short Programs 1. Mikayla Gawiak 2. Kara Rutley 3. Shilo Baribeau Junior Improv 3. Hanna Hvidsten Intermediate Improv 1. Mikayla Gawiak Entry Level Team 1. FlintyÕs Rainbow Melissa Ziehlke Hasana Church Kelsey Farkus Hanne Buettner Preliminary Level Team 4. FlintyÕs Frosty Snowflakes Hanna Hvidsten Robynn Munro Megan Yaworski Shania Nordick Senior Bronze Level Team 1. Dream Team Dayle Nivon Mikayla Gawiak Shilo Baribeau Kara Rutley
