Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Humboldt Club History published in History book
In 1989 Wendy Toye took up the torch for speed skating in Humboldt and laid the foundations for one of the most successful clubs in the province. Toye and a group of volunteer parents organized the Club and served as founders, coaches and every other position required of a new club. They approached the City schools and recreation department started operations that year with skates donated by the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club.
The club grew from a few families to include as many as 40 skaters in the learn to skate program. Early families both volunteers and skaters included Stumburgs, Toyes, and Stolzs. Other skating families included the Spences, Peters, and Eatons.
By the mid-nineties Carol and Hugh Jenkins were providing leadership for the club and their three sons were skating. In 1995-96 another soon to be well known skating family joined the club and Addison and Ebony Thiel hit the ice.
In 2000 Ebony and Addison Thiel brought home the club's first 4 National medals and Ebony was the clubs first national champion in Long Track. Addison was the first of many runners-up and won 2 medals. Along the way Ebony set both Provincial and National records some of which still stand six years later. Sadly Ebony broke her leg twice in short track and the club lost one of it's best competitors to injury. Ebony retired with six national medals including winning 2 more in 2002 when she finished 3rd in Canada.
Addison also set a number of Provincial and Canadian records. In 2002 he won 2 gold the first day but finished second after being knocked off his feat in the next two races by team mates of the eventual winner. In 2004 he finished 2nd overall with 1 gold and 1 bronze. He also represented the province at the 2002 Canada Winter games. Addison retired in 2006 with many provincial titles, two national runner-up finishes and 5 national medals.
In 1999 another speed skating family hit the ice, the Burner family - Nathan, Ryan, Terran Bernhard. Lloyd and Susan Bernhard both serve on the executive.
Nathan won his 2 first national medals in 2001 in Regina. In 2004 he picked up a second National medal. In 2005 he cleaned up winning 2 gold and a bronze.
Little brother Ryan became the club's second National Champion winning 3 gold and a silver.
In 2006 Nathan became the club's third national champion winning 3 gold and a bronze. He also became the club's first North American Champion winning three gold and a Silver at Salt Lake city.
Willie Dutton joined the club in 2002. He brought home 2 national medals that year. In 2004 he won another medal at Nationals. In 2006 he won three medals and finished second overall at Canadians. He also finished second in the North American Championship at Salt Lake City.
Through the years the club has been fortunate that many volunteers have stepped forward to provide the means for skaters to compete recreationally, at club events, provincially, Nationally and Internationally. All of this generations skaters have blossomed under the 'winning-est' coach in the province, Larry Thiel. His patience, knowledge and willingness to share are the foundation of the club's Provincial and National Championships. Successor coach Craig Dutton has been fortunate to work with Larry and to continue the winning tradition of the Humboldt speed skating Club.
In 2006 another strong volunteer stepped forward, Rachel Krueger re-introduced the school based speed skating program with the help of teachers from St. Dominic. The program and Cindy Klassen's astounding success in the 2006 Olympics and World Championships have again raised the profile of speed skating in Humboldt.
Maybe one of Humboldt's finest will make the final step to the Olympic podium in the future.
The club grew from a few families to include as many as 40 skaters in the learn to skate program. Early families both volunteers and skaters included Stumburgs, Toyes, and Stolzs. Other skating families included the Spences, Peters, and Eatons.
By the mid-nineties Carol and Hugh Jenkins were providing leadership for the club and their three sons were skating. In 1995-96 another soon to be well known skating family joined the club and Addison and Ebony Thiel hit the ice.
In 2000 Ebony and Addison Thiel brought home the club's first 4 National medals and Ebony was the clubs first national champion in Long Track. Addison was the first of many runners-up and won 2 medals. Along the way Ebony set both Provincial and National records some of which still stand six years later. Sadly Ebony broke her leg twice in short track and the club lost one of it's best competitors to injury. Ebony retired with six national medals including winning 2 more in 2002 when she finished 3rd in Canada.
Addison also set a number of Provincial and Canadian records. In 2002 he won 2 gold the first day but finished second after being knocked off his feat in the next two races by team mates of the eventual winner. In 2004 he finished 2nd overall with 1 gold and 1 bronze. He also represented the province at the 2002 Canada Winter games. Addison retired in 2006 with many provincial titles, two national runner-up finishes and 5 national medals.
In 1999 another speed skating family hit the ice, the Burner family - Nathan, Ryan, Terran Bernhard. Lloyd and Susan Bernhard both serve on the executive.
Nathan won his 2 first national medals in 2001 in Regina. In 2004 he picked up a second National medal. In 2005 he cleaned up winning 2 gold and a bronze.
Little brother Ryan became the club's second National Champion winning 3 gold and a silver.
In 2006 Nathan became the club's third national champion winning 3 gold and a bronze. He also became the club's first North American Champion winning three gold and a Silver at Salt Lake city.
Willie Dutton joined the club in 2002. He brought home 2 national medals that year. In 2004 he won another medal at Nationals. In 2006 he won three medals and finished second overall at Canadians. He also finished second in the North American Championship at Salt Lake City.
Through the years the club has been fortunate that many volunteers have stepped forward to provide the means for skaters to compete recreationally, at club events, provincially, Nationally and Internationally. All of this generations skaters have blossomed under the 'winning-est' coach in the province, Larry Thiel. His patience, knowledge and willingness to share are the foundation of the club's Provincial and National Championships. Successor coach Craig Dutton has been fortunate to work with Larry and to continue the winning tradition of the Humboldt speed skating Club.
In 2006 another strong volunteer stepped forward, Rachel Krueger re-introduced the school based speed skating program with the help of teachers from St. Dominic. The program and Cindy Klassen's astounding success in the 2006 Olympics and World Championships have again raised the profile of speed skating in Humboldt.
Maybe one of Humboldt's finest will make the final step to the Olympic podium in the future.
Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Fire on Ice ...Burner wins Province Again
(Prince Albert) Ryan Bernhard racked up another provincial Championship for the Humboldt Speed Skating Club at this weekend's Short Track Championships held in Prince Albert. Four Humboldt Club Speed Skaters traveled to Prince Albert March 4th and 5th to compete in the Championships.
Ryan “Burner 2” Bernhard, a first year juvenile, won 3 out of 4 races in his age class. He was on track for a four gold performance but was disqualified for impeding in one race. Coach Craig Dutton said "Ryan skates tough but honest. He's the best and sometimes his opponents get the sympathy call because Ryan's kicking their butts. Ryan skates clean."
Ryan was awarded the overall gold medal and provincial title. "Ryan competes at a national level and he's been coached to keep his track and make someone take it away if they can. Humboldt skaters win because they are tough competitors. Sometimes you get disqualified...bottom line he is the Champion again." Dutton added. He also won the crowd’s respect during the relay races when he jumped over a fallen skater narrowly avoiding a serious injury to the fallen skater.
Terran "Torch" Bernhard, a Midget Boy, placed a respectable 6th in his division. Terran kept spectators on the edge of their seats with some gutsy and tough outside passes. Bernhard pulled what might have been the upset of the meet when he burned the leader of his division and pre-race favourite in a heat and qualified for the medal final. The Torch has some solid wins this season and is looking good for next year.
Nigel "Krazy Legs" Krueger, a first year Pee Wee skater set four smoking hot personal bests, one in each distance. Sneaking past a number second year skaters Krazy Legs placed a very solid 5th place. Krueger put the dagger in the opposition and served notice that he would be a contender for the Championship next year by winning his final and longest race of the weekend.
Jacob Krueger, a first year speed skater raced in the cradle division of short track for the first time. maybe the smallest and youngest skater of the competition "Jake the Snake" was as quick a rattler. He was a crowd favourite and finished in second place.
Teammates Nathan Bernhard and William Dutton did not compete. Dutton suffered a broken collar bone in practice and Nathan had prior commitments pounding the skins with his band Groundwire.
For further information call
Craig Dutton Coach
1-306-231-9906
Ryan “Burner 2” Bernhard, a first year juvenile, won 3 out of 4 races in his age class. He was on track for a four gold performance but was disqualified for impeding in one race. Coach Craig Dutton said "Ryan skates tough but honest. He's the best and sometimes his opponents get the sympathy call because Ryan's kicking their butts. Ryan skates clean."
Ryan was awarded the overall gold medal and provincial title. "Ryan competes at a national level and he's been coached to keep his track and make someone take it away if they can. Humboldt skaters win because they are tough competitors. Sometimes you get disqualified...bottom line he is the Champion again." Dutton added. He also won the crowd’s respect during the relay races when he jumped over a fallen skater narrowly avoiding a serious injury to the fallen skater.
Terran "Torch" Bernhard, a Midget Boy, placed a respectable 6th in his division. Terran kept spectators on the edge of their seats with some gutsy and tough outside passes. Bernhard pulled what might have been the upset of the meet when he burned the leader of his division and pre-race favourite in a heat and qualified for the medal final. The Torch has some solid wins this season and is looking good for next year.
Nigel "Krazy Legs" Krueger, a first year Pee Wee skater set four smoking hot personal bests, one in each distance. Sneaking past a number second year skaters Krazy Legs placed a very solid 5th place. Krueger put the dagger in the opposition and served notice that he would be a contender for the Championship next year by winning his final and longest race of the weekend.
Jacob Krueger, a first year speed skater raced in the cradle division of short track for the first time. maybe the smallest and youngest skater of the competition "Jake the Snake" was as quick a rattler. He was a crowd favourite and finished in second place.
Teammates Nathan Bernhard and William Dutton did not compete. Dutton suffered a broken collar bone in practice and Nathan had prior commitments pounding the skins with his band Groundwire.
For further information call
Craig Dutton Coach
1-306-231-9906
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