A new generation of Whistler Gymnastics athletes recently participated in their first competition: the 2023 Christy Fraser Memorial Invitational held from Feb. 2 to 5 in Langley, B.C. Three young Whistlerites in the Xcel Gold program distinguished themselves, each earning a medal in the all-round event of their respective age categories.
Parker Watts earned a gold medal in the all-around by finishing first on bars, second on beam and floor, and fifth in vault. Kai Kwok won all-around silver by coming first in vault, second in floor, third on bars and fourth on beam. Last but not least, Juno Buhler took home bronze in all-around after a solid effort of her own: first in vault, third on bars and floor, and fourth on beam.
Fellow Xcel Gold participant Alexa Maxwell finished fifth in the all-around.
Meanwhile, Ruby McLatchie and Ocean Anderson were the only Xcel Platinum athletes from Whistler to win medals. McLatchie's bronze on bars was enough to push her into fourth in the all-around contest, while Anderson's bronze on floor contributed to her seventh place all-around result.
“As this is our first time competing at this level, we weren’t sure how the athletes would fare, and we’re thoroughly impressed by their solid performances and by their podium visits. The teams represented Whistler so well!” said Whistler Gymnastics head coach Karin Jarratt.
This was the 30th edition of the annual Christy Fraser Memorial Invitational, which is hosted by the Langley Gymnastics Foundation in honour of a young gymnast who passed away tragically in August 1992 after contracting E. Coli at the age of 12. The event draws athletes ranging in age from five to 17 to compete in recreational, provincial and elite levels.
The Christy Fraser Invitational has grown steadily in scope and repute, with over 1000 registered attendees in each of the last two years. In 2023, one team came all the way from Ontario to take part.
"[The competition] has always been a lot of work, but rewarding as well,” said Lory Fraser, Christy's mother, in an interview with the Langley Advance Times.
Whistler Gymnastics athletes will next compete this April in Coquitlam, B.C.
