SPO R TS SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LSBLANC a-mai alahlnnc mltonlCUflmflClUPOf 0 z .coi skater conquers one-minute markç 116 PILE PHOTO BY GRAHAM PAINE / CANAOIAN CHAMPION ON THE EDGE: victoria Dodds races 10, a first place finish in recent competition at John Tonelli Sports Centre. Becomes clubýfirstfeniale competitor to do so By Herb Garbutt METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP V ictoria Dodds is flot one to set fimits on berself, but even she couldn't foresee bier recent entry ito ber club's record books. Dodds flot only became the Milton Speed Skating Clubs first female skater to break the one-minute mark in the 500-metre, the i 2-year-old became tbe club.s youngest skater to ever accomplisb the leat when she recet tuti mcd ni a time of 59.32 seconds at an Ontario (.up competition in Gloucester. "From a very early age, shes been very driven. Shes a bard worker and she really pushes herself," said mom Margaret Kirkup. "She bas a built-in con- fidence wbere she just won't allow bier- self to say'l can't do it."' But even Dodds thought the minute mark was beyond hier grasp wben the season began. Her personal best timec coming into this ycar was 1: 16. 1I was looking more at cutting off sec- onds, flot getting to :59 - espcially not tbis season,- shec said. But sbe quickly began sbedding time and by the clubs meet in December she was down to 1:05.03. Earlîer this year sbe came agonizingly close - missing the mark by four one-bundredtbs of a second. Knowing tbat it was in reacb, Dodds said tbe bardest part was waiting two weeks for the next competition in Gloucester. Wben that finally came she was forced 10 wait a little longer. On pace for a lime of 58 seconds in the qualifying roundf, ,he feli in the final tomn bot got back Up and sifl inanaged ru qoaff for tbe final. This tîme she would not be denied. 1t was very exciting," Dodds said. "Especially being tbe first girl in the club to break one mintute." Added coacb Matbew Scberer, 1I kncw witb tbe fevel of competition sbe would be facing tbere that it would pusb bier and sbc'd probably do it." Scercr said ibere bave been many factors in Dodds' rapid progess. Dodds growing and getîng sironger bas played a role as bias improved technique. "Tbe lower yotir fîmes gel, technique becomes more and more important," hie said. -Getting that fine tuning that you 9 need in order to improve your times.' Perbaps the biggest factor, though, ix N Dodds' dedication. Scberer said when o coaches give skaters a break in practice, Dodds continues skating. "People can't befieve ber energy level," said ber mom. "Shes tbe kind of kid that just goes untif she drops." I was that energy that got Kirkup thinking shoot speed skating when sbe saw a notice in the Champion four years ago about a clinic being put on by the local club. Mother and daoghter hiad watched Olympie speed skating together and Kirkup suggested it to bier daughter. Dodds went to tbe clinic and signed up for tbe foflowing season. "I f iked it and now Ive started to, get more senious about it," said tbe Grade 7 student ai Bruce Trail Public Scbool. Witb the one-minute barrier con- quered, Dodds is already setting hier sigbts on bier next goal. 'There are a couple of guys in tbe club wbo cfo 57 (seconds) and one guy wbo does 53,' Dodds said. FIm going to bc working more towardsbeating tbem. " AE minor bantamns take lead in Tri County finals Milton's addiuional entry minor han- tains have drawn f irsi blood in the Tri Ciuonty cbampionship finals. Despite being short-staff cd due to, Match Break vacations, the Winterfiawks toppled the Oakville Rangers 3-f Saturday niighit at Meini aI Amena. The onfy local iri Couinty fînafîsts ibis year, the AE bantamns have now field the opposition to a single goal uin six of' their fast seven gaines - cfating back to the siart of a peifeî.i quafifying run. Becateni umni on a second period penalty shot, Mu..k Mindenhaîl sers cd as a major equalizer while the hosts haiiled tbrough a thînned oi.t fineup. and \vas especiaf fy sharp dlown the stretch as Oakvif fe presse1 for a comnehack. Robert Manning scored the gaine winner early ni the ibird period on a thunderous sfapsboi just inside the blue- fine thai irang off1 hoifu posis before finl- Jack Gonz seafed the dcal n ith a fate insurance mnaiker, whilc Eill op Jimes ffslev hiad tbe initial goal. Aclam Poirier assisted on the fîrsi and third goals. .T he hest-of five seiles continues Tuesdlay i Oakvilfe. 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