By Caroline SeTwo Drayton youth competed at the national level in synchronized skating last weekend and came home with gold medals.
Micayla Shantz and Rachel VanAnkum, skating with the Burlington-based Nexxice Intermediate Synchronized Club, participated at the Skate Canada National Synchronized Skating Championships in Calgary Feb. 24 to 26.
Shantz, a student at the University of Waterloo, is in her second year of competition with the Burlington club. She is currently a coach with the Drayton and District Figure Skating Club (DDFSC).
VanAnkum, also in her second year with the club, attends Mohawk College and is a former skater with the Drayton club.
“This is a story about two local athletes who continue to participate in figure skating into their early twenties,” said DDFSC executive member Valorie Giles. “It is a great example of determination and their ongoing love for the sport of figure skating.”
The Nexxice team placed first out of 15 teams from across Canada. In two performances the team scored a total of 120.53 points with the Ilderton Silver Jets, also from Ontario, earning the silver medal with 116.87.
“The Drayton and District Skating Club is exceptionally proud of two of our club’s former skaters [Shantz and VanAnkum],” Giles said.
“The girls skated two wonderful performances with their Nexxice Intermediate teammates to earn the gold medal.
“The Drayton and District Figure Skating Club family wishes to extend our most heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Micayla and Rachel for their continued determination, hard work and passion leading to excellence at the national level.”
