Nine-year-old Abigail McCorquodale already made a bit of local history by qualifying for Canada’s top level of Highland dance competition. Earlier this month in Richmond, she reached even greater heights.
McCorquodale achieved an overall placing of 5th runner-up in the Scotdance Canadian Interprovincial Championships (7-9 years), which is the highest level of competitive highland dance in Canada.
“This was the first year that a North Island dancer has qualified to dance at the interprovincial championships, and to have a top six placing overall in Canada is an amazing accomplishment for Abigail,” said teacher Teresa Charlton of Port McNeill, head of the North Island’s Team Charlton Highland Dancers.
McCorquodale competed for the entre Scotdance Canada Championship series in the Premier 9 & under open category. She placed in the Canadian Championships with a third in the Seann Truibhas, in the open Highland competition with a fifth in both the Fling and the Seann Truibhas, in the open Premiership with fifth in both the Irish Jig and the Blue Bonnets, and in the international Scotdance Canada Open Championship 7-9 years she placed sixth in the Fling and fifth in the Sword Dance.
Xandryn Frost of Port McNeill also had an excellent week in Richmond. She won the 10-years Restricted Premier aggregate award while placing first in the Seann Truibhas and second in the Fling. In the open Premiership she placed fourth in the Irish Jig, and in the Scotdance Canada Open Championship 10-years she placed sixth in the Fling and fifth in the Seann Truibhas.
Teacher Teresa Charlton watched her dancers compete throughout the week and said she was very pleased with their performance.
“These dancers have worked very hard to get to this level and they have had some amazing results this week dancing against some of the best dancers in the world.”
McCorquodale, Frost, and Eileah Cotter also danced in a special choreography in the opening ceremonies, with more than 150 Premier dancers from around B.C.
Other North Island dancers attending the event in Richmond included Catherine Symons (who placed seventh in the Fling in Restricted Premier 14 years); Eileah Cotter (Restricted Premier 13 years); Kalina Cotter (Intermediate); Jerzie Cheetham (Novice 7 & under 9); Kaia Mackay (Beginner 7 & under); and Sienna Cotter and Paisley Barolet (Primary).