Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month: Maria Hansen

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month for November is a 16-year-old speed skater who has competed at the provincial and national levels and is set on hopefully becoming a future Olympian.

The individual who nominated Maria Hansen this month listed off her busy schedule, displaying the dedication and discipline the Fort St John Elks Speed Skating Club member has.

“Maria trains five days a week, is involved in 4H, has excellent grades in school and still manages to have time to be a volunteer coach for our younger skaters,” read the nomination.

Like most Youth Athletes of the Month, the North Peace Secondary student was very humble when the nomination was read back to her.

“It’s nice to know that someone does recognize that I do lots, but it’s how it goes. Everybody does everything,” said Maria.

The 16-year-old has been speed skating for around seven years and credits the club members, as well as her love for “going fast,” as reasons she has stuck with the sport.

“The team we have —it’s really a great community.”

Maria has huge goals for her future: she would like to go to university to become a chiropractor and make the Olympic team for speed skating, like a few Elks members before her, such as Denny Morrison.

She was actually able to skate with the Olympic medalist while he was in Fort St. John for Speed Skating Week in November.

When asked what was one of her favourite moments with the club, Maria mentioned meeting Morrison for the first time when he was in the city a few years ago.

“I was like, ‘Wow, what a cool guy. This is totally what I want to do.'”

To her fellow youth athletes, Maria suggests focusing on one thing at a time, no matter how jam-packed their schedule is.

“So, I get up in the morning, go to school, then focus on just school. And then, after school, that’s when I focus on skating. Then, the weekends are usually for 4H. I keep everything separate in my life.”

Reciting a line she was given by her coach, Richard Stickel, Maria says, “To learn how to ride a bike, you have to ride a bike, ride a bike, and ride a bike some more.”

“So basically, just practice what you want to get good at, and you will get better.”

Despite her jam-packed schedule, Maria does find time for some of her hobbies, including cooking, horse riding, and motorbiking.

Congratulations to Maria Hansen for being named the Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month for November.

If the athlete you nominated didn’t win this month, keep nominating! The votes carry over, so keep submitting your picks for the Northern Vision Care Youth Athlete of the Month!