Matthew Mitchell earns World Junior Championships berth

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Canadian Neo-Junior and Junior National Long Track Speed Skating Championships wrapped up on Sunday at the Pomeroy Sports Centre in Fort St. John.

Throughout the weekend, the home team was able to hold its own against the country’s best teenage speed skaters, with each team member clocking some season-best times from 500 to 3000 metres.

Fort St. John skater Matthew Mitchell put on an incredible performance over the three-day weekend, placing in the top ten in all four distances he entered.

Mitchell’s podium finishes in the 1500 and 3000 metres punched him a trip to the World Junior Long Track Championships. 

They will occur in Collalbo, Italy, from February 7th to 9th, 2025.

Austin MacGregor finished 25th overall, with his best times coming in the Junior Men’s 1000 metres, where he placed 23rd with a time of 1 minute, 20.59 seconds.

Among the junior girls, Fort St. John’s Maria Hansen placed 15th overall, and Cheyenne Key had her top times in the 500 and 1500 metres.

In the Neo-Junior competition, Max Wu placed in the top ten, with each of his times getting under the 45-second mark. 

Taha Ahmed and Tara Ashrafi also had some of their best personal times over the three-day event.

The Canadian Neo-Junior and Junior National Long Track Speed Skating Championships occurred at the Pomeroy Sports Centre from December 13th to December 15th.

The oval will next host the BC Long Track Speed Skating Championships, scheduled for January 18th and 19, 2025.

Further information about the club is available on the club’s website and Facebook page.