Sylvia Masich had a goofy reason for skipping the western Canadian short track speedskating meet this year.
"I was hanging out with all the Disney characters," she said about the family's trip to California. "I had a blast at Disneyland and I was glad I went instead of to westerns. I can just goof around and go on all these rides that are extremely crazy. You don't know anyone there so you can just be yourself."
The 11-year-old dual athlete is a member of both the Prince George Blizzard Speedskating Club and the Prince George Track and Field Club, which her grandfather Tom founded in 1972. Athletics are fun and a good complement for Masich's passion for skating around the ice oval on a long track or an arena short track.
"I'm planning on improving my speed at short track and long track next season," said Masich. "I think doing some endurance running will be good and just doing some bike riding."
Masich is coming off a good season on the oval with the Blizzard. In long track, she placed first in her age category in British Columbia and was seventh at the Canadian national event. In short track she was third in B.C. Masich skates the 100m, 300m, 400m and 3,000m distances in long track. She recalls off the top of her head her personal best for the 500m is 55.7 seconds and in the 3,000m it's six minutes, 17 seconds.
Her grandfather Tom said he enjoys watching his granddaughter skate or take part in track and field competitions. Last week, he was able to watch her as she competed for Ecole College Heights at the annual elementary school relay meet where her team took the silver medal.
"It's a real thrill," said Tom. "Her team made the finals so I got to see her run the backstretch twice and overtake some other girls and that's always nice. That's my granddaughter."
He had a front row seat Saturday to watch his granddaughter take part in the Sub Zero Meet at Masich Place Stadium where she placed first in the shotput for under-13 girls with a distance of 5.93m before entering the high jump to give a friend some competition. Masich was able to get over the bar at 1.09m.
She spends her time dreaming of one day speedskating in the Olympics and world championships. Unfortunately her dream of competing at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George has already flickered out.
"I wish but I'm a year too young," she said. "I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't do it."
Masich's unhappiness didn't last long though when she found out she'd have the opportunity to spend time with her good friends Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck and, of course, Goofy.
"We're planning to go to Disneyland again that year," she giggled.
