After a very successful provincial championship in Prince George, the Whistler Gymnastics competitive team was back in action this past weekend at the Zone 5 Championships in North Vancouver, competing against teams from the Lower Mainland. Whistler athletes found the podium in several categories, including the all-around rankings.
In the Level 2 Novice category (for more advanced 13- and 14-year-olds), Whistler athletes won three of four gold medals and placed four gymnasts in the top five. Caitlin MacConnachie placed second all around with gold medals on beam and floor and fourth place ribbons on vault and bars.
Cassia Jean was third all around with a gold medal on the vault, a bronze on bars, a fourth on beam and fifth on floor.
Hannah Peatfield was fourth all around with a silver on beam, bronze on vault, fourth on floor and fifth on bars.
Caleigh Lamont was fifth all around with a silver medal on bars, a bronze medal on floor, a fifth on vault and an eight place result on beam.
Leah Brownlie was seventh all around, placing sixth on floor, second on vault and beam and eighth on bars.
Charlie Jarratt was fifth on beam, sixth on bars and eighth on vault and floor.
In Level 2 Tyro (advanced 11 and 12-year-olds), Katie Faerge won silver on beam, bronze on bars and was sixth on floor and seventh on vault to place fourth all around. Jen Lafreniere won a silver on the floor, was third on vault, fifth on beam and sixth on bars to place fifth.
In Level 1 Novice, Ronin Devine was the only Whistler girl competing, placing third all around with bronze medals on bars and beam and fifth place results on vault and floor.
In Level 1 Tyro, Amy Ertel won gold on floor and bronze medals on vault and beam to place fourth all around. She also won a prize for her spirited floor routine. Teammate Ayva Spierings place fifth all around with a silver medal on beam, a fourth place on bars and fifth place results on vault and floor. Aja Newsome was sixth all around, placing sixth in all four discplines.
In Level 1 Argo, Mali Ricard placed third all around with a gold on beam, silver on bars, a fifth on vault and an eight on the floor. Skyler Williams was fifth all around with a gold on the floor, fourth place ribbons on bars and beam and an eighth place on vault. Elle Johnston won a bronze on the vault, was sixth on bars and floor and seventh on the beam for sixth all around. Tessa Juniper was sixth on floor, eighth on bars and beam and 11th on vault for ninth all around. Kaila Lafreniere won silver on floor, was fourth on vault, ninth on beam and 11th on bars to place 10th.
The Level 1 pre-Argo athletes are not ranked, but win gold, silver or bronze medals for each discipline based on their performance. Mardi Williamson won three silvers and one bronze, Andrea Vasques-Vela earned two silver medals and two bronze, and Annie Sproule, Gabby Collins and Sierra Johnson each won one silver medal and three bronze.
As well, the eight-member interclub team also took part in a fun rec meet on Friday evening. The events aren't judged but performances were acknowledged, and the group was presented with the team spirit award at the end of the evening.
The team is busy through the end of the season in mid-June with meets in Delta and Kelowna, Gymnaestrada in Nanaimo and the annual year-end show. As well, the club is offering more summer camps and drop-in programs this year. For information, visit www.whistlergymnastics.com.
