Greater Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Sabrina Byrnes 
Members of the Sudbury Skating Club will be competing in the
2009 BMO Skate Canada Western Challenge from Dec. 3-7 at the
Hershey Centre in Mississauga.
To qualify, skaters had to place in the top four at the
northern Ontario Sectionals, which was held in Thunder Bay Oct.
30 – Nov. 1.
Heading to the Western Challenge are Cassandra Bilsborough, who
placed first in pre novice ladies, Jason Perdue, who placed
third in pre novice men, Danielle Coulombe, who placed second
in novice ladies, and Melanie Roque, who placed third in novice
ladies.
Joel Bond, who skates out of Espanola, but practises frequently
with the Sudbury Skating Club, competed at the Eastern Ontario
Sectionals and placed second in novice men. Marianne Laporte
competed in the Central Ontario Sectionals and placed second in
senior ladies.
Jessica Niemi, who skates in the junior ladies level, was
supposed to compete but was injured at the time.
The Western Challenge is the qualifying round to compete at the
nationals in Saskatoon in January for the senior and junior
skaters. The Nationals for the juvenile, pre novice and novice
skaters will be held in Calgary in February.
