More Figure Skating photos by Michael Parkinson
Toronto (February 18, 2009) - The University of Guelph Gryphons edged the Queen's Gaels by a mere six points to capture the 2008-09 OUA figure skating championship, Feb 18-19 at the University of Toronto's Varsity Arena.
Guelph claimed the banner with 93 points, while Queen's finished with 87. Last year's champion, the Western Mustangs finishe third with 64 points.
The Gryphons led from start to finish in the two-day event, capturing only their second OUA team title (1993-94). Guelph and Queen's were separated by just one point, 77-78, heading into the final event of the competition – the synchro teams.
There was no room for error as the final flight of teams skated their four-minute routines and in the end the judges felt that the Gryphons had the edge over the competition, placing them ahead of their main competitors from Queen's and Western.
Martha Carruthers of Markham, Ont. skated away with three medals for the Gaels, a silver in the individual Gold Ladies category, and a gold medal in the Pair Four category along with Kaitlin Finetry of Uxbridge, Ont.,
Sarah Farrow of Brampton, Ont., and
Cathryn Schroeder of Kitchener, Ont. She would team with Schroeder again, taking bronze in the Senior Similar Pairs.
The Gaels also had six skaters named to the 2008-09 all-star team. Along with Caruthers, Farrow, Finetry, and Schroder were sisters Emily and
Janel Young of Calgary.
Guelph's all-star trio of Ariel Porty (Guelph, Ont.), Sandra McCubbin (Barrie, Ont.) and Laura Barbison (Brampton, Ont.) led the way for the Gryphs. Porty was golden in the open solo dance and partnered with Barbison to capture a second gold in the senior silver similar dance category. Barbison, Porty, McCubbin and Caitlin McCann (Barrie, Ont.) again stood atop the podium in the bronze rhythm dance fours.
McCubbin claimed a second gold in the senior silver solo dance as did teammate Charlotte Drewett (Cambridge, Ont.) in the senior silver ladies event.
Down by 18 points after day one, Queen's closed the gap on the second day of competition to give themselves a shot at their 17th provincial crown.
OUA coach of the year
Rhonda McKnight guided her squad to two gold medals, two silver medals, and a bronze on day two. However, with a second-place finish in the synchro event, the team would be this year's runner-up.
The 2007-08 champions, Western Mustangs, slipped to third after finishing day in second position and picked up an OUA bronze medal.
The host Varsity Blues made the biggest move of the event, jumping from seventh to fourth on day two. The 2009 spirit award winners captured two gold medals in STARskate creative dance and senior similar pairs and finished fourth in the synchro team event, bumping them 35 points up the leader board.
Full Championship Results
2008-09 OUA ALL-STARS
Laura Barbison – Guelph
Annie-Claire Bergeron-Oliver – Toronto
Alitsha Burden – Laurier
Martha Carruthers – Queen's
Charlotte Drewett – Guelph
Sarah Farrow – Queen's
Katie Finerty – Queen's
Veronica Hall – Toronto
Stacey Henderson – Toronto
Caitlin McCann – Guelph
Sandra McCubbin – Guelph
Caroline Myzyk – Waterloo
Ariel Porty – Guelph
Cathryn Schroeder – Queen's
Lydia Schultz – Toronto
Emily Young – Queen's
Janel Young – Queen's
OUA Coach of the Year
Rhonda McKnight – Queen's
OUA Spirit Award
Toronto
