Full Throttle Speed Skating team competed last weekend in the Buffalo Short Track Championships. Pictured are, front row from left, Steven Kong, coach Taylor Burdekin and Gabe Marimoto Taqueushi; and back row, Quin Fortner, Luis Marimoto Taqueushi, Wyatt Kiefer, Maria Marimoto Taqueushi and Eric Nichols.
Submitted photo
The Full Throttle Speed Skating Team traveled to the Buffalo Short Track Championship Oct. 25-26 in Buffalo, New York. The event attracted speed skaters from across North America, including participants from states such as California, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Utah, as well as Canada.
Steven Kong debuted in his first race of the season, joining Gabe Marimoto Taqueushi in the Purple Eagles division, racing at 222m 333m, 500m and 7-lap distances. They finished ninth and eighth, respectively, in their group for men.
Quin Fortner competed in the Northtown division, racing at distances 222m, 333m, 500m and 777m. He finished the weekend seventh for men.
Eric Nichols competed in the Bills division, claiming first place for men in his group, while racing at 333m, 500m, 777m and 1000m distances. His performance qualified him for the Heartland Racing Series.
After qualifying last year, Maria Marimoto Taqueushi, Wyatt Kiefer and Luis Marimoto Taqueush competed in the Heartland Series B Division, racing at 500m, 1000m and 1500m distances. Maria Marimoto Taqueushi finished ninth for women, with Kiefer and Luis Marimoto Taqueush finishing 15th and 12th for men, respectively.
Full Throttle Speed Skating heads to Chicago Nov. 8-9 for the Franklin Park Barrel Buster. The club practices at the Hamilton Center Ice Arena and is coached by Taylor and Mikey Burdekin of Columbus.
