From left to right: Stefan Lotz, Grace Vedress, and Morgan Burns. (Submitted photo/ Mandy Burns)

By Nigel Maxwell

Figure skating

Prince Albert skaters aim to find their groove at Sask. Winter Games

Dec 21, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Three St. Mary students have been selected to help represent Team Lakeland at February’s Winter Games in Regina.

Grace Vedress, Stefan Lotz and Morgan Burns, all 15, train seven days a week both on and off ice. Stefan Lotz told paNOW he is looking forward to the competition.

“It’s quite a shock for us because it’s a brand new experience and its going to be a learning experience for all of us,” he said.

Acknowledging a lack of ability to go to any major competition such as this, for nearly a year, Morgan Burns explained the winter games represent a great opportunity to show what they can do.

“Because of the pandemic we have not been able to show what we are capable of and since we are training seven days a week, I feel now is a good opportunity to show everyone,” she said.

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Grace Vedress was equally excited about competing at a higher level.

“I am very nervous for this though, just because I have never competed at this level before. It’ll be fun though,” she said.

(Submitted photo/ Mandy Burns)

Coach Carla Matheson told paNOW she is very proud of all three skaters.

“They have worked extremely hard to get where they are and I think this was a real niche in their careers as figure skaters,” she said.

Training started in the spring/summer with a lots of travelling to Saskatoon for ice times, as well as trips to Regina to see a performance coach. Matheson said she is not worried about the extra miles and costs.

“To me they are worth it and I am committed to however far they go,” she said.

Matheson who jokes about the fact she is called “Grandma”, has been working with the trio for the better part of six years and has therefore formed a strong bond with them. When asked if she gets nervous watching them compete, she explained she does not, adding they are at the level where she does not have to worry about the unknowns.

“They seem to know how to react if they make mistakes and they’ve been trained quite well to accept anything that happens and to think quick on their edges,” she said.

Shellbrook’s Julia Shindle (front) also hopes to make an impression at the Winter Games. (Submitted/ Mandy Burns)

Also joining the team is Shellbrook’s Julia Shindle. She is normally Stefan Lotz’s pairs partner but they will only be competing in singles at the winter games.

Melfort’s Lauren McLean also made the cut.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell