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Gymnastics teams on top in Lower Mainland

The impact of having a full-time training facility for Whistler Gymnastics Club has been considerable, given recent results at meets in the Lower Mainland. The West Vancouver Invitational took place Feb.
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The impact of having a full-time training facility for Whistler Gymnastics Club has been considerable, given recent results at meets in the Lower Mainland.

The West Vancouver Invitational took place Feb. 15 to 17 with all of the top clubs from the Lower Mainland taking part. The Whistler team didn't know what to expect with 12 of 24 athletes moving up to a higher provincial level — including three athletes at Level 3.

In Level 3 Tyro, Hailey Jackson won a gold medal on the vault, a silver on the beam and was fourth on floor and fifth on bars to placed second all around. Gabby Flynn won gold medals on the bars and floor, with the highest floor score in the entire competitions, and also won a bronze medal on vault. She placed sixth all around.

In the Level 2 Novice, Caleigh Lamont was first all around with gold medals on vault and beam and a fifth place result on bars. Hannah Peatfield was second all around with a silver medal on vault, bronze on bars, a fourth place result on beam and a fifth place result on floor. Caitlin MacConnachie won the floor gold medal in that event and placed fourth all around, and Cassia Jean won a bronze on vault in placing seventh all around. Leah Brownlie and Charlie Jarratt were both competing at a higher level, with Brownlie placing sixth on floor and Jarratt 12th on bars.

In Level 2 Tyro (2001) Jennifer Lafreniere was eighth all around with a sixth place on bars and a seventh place on beam, while Katie Faerge (2002) came close to the podium with a fourth place on bars to place 10th all around.

In Level 1 Tyro (2002) Ayva Spierings was sixth all around with a bronze medal on beam, while Ajah Newsome was fifth on floor to place ninth all around. In the 2011 group, Amy Ertel won the gold medal on the floor exercise to place ninth.

In Level 1 Argo (kids 8 to 10) Elle Johnston, Skyler Williams and Tessa Juniper were 17th, 18th and 22nd. Mali Ricard won a silver on bars and a bronze on beam to place 10th in the younger group, while Kaila Lafreniere won a bronze on the floor to place 11th all around.

Other members of the team competed in Level 1 Argo where athletes were given gold, silver or bronze medals based on efforts. Members of the team are Mardi Williamson, Annie Sproule, Sierra Johnston, Andrea Vazquez-Vela and Gabby Collins.

This past weekend members of the advanced recreational team attended an interclub meet in Surrey. Athletes weren't ranked, but Julia Hepditch won the Beautiful Beam award and Jade Quinn-McDonald won Vigorous Vault. Other participants were Robyn Minton, Mackenzie Jackson, Kaiya Nixon, Julia Hepditch, Takaya Maynard, Jade Quinn Mcdonald, Emily Sargent, Callie Hirsh and Katelyn Garcia.

Trampoline athletes on podium at Flip City meet

The Whistler Gymnastics trampoline team took part in its second meet of the season at Flip City in Langley this past weekend, with several athletes making the podium.

Jamie Gormley placed first in the tumbling event, Jett Williams was second in trampoline, Caitlin MacConnachie was second in both trampoline and tumbling and Nicole Bolleman was fourth in the double mini trampoline. Sydney Lovell-Schmidt also competed and while she didn't earn any medals she completed all of her routines on trampoline and double mini with only small mistakes.

The team will be heading to Provincials in three weeks, and the team is using video from the meet to work on their routines.

Also worth mentioning is Keeley Wentzel who did not finish on the podium at Flip City but is currently ranked first in tumbling in the zone. She has a shot at making the B.C. Trampoline Team and to attend the Western Canada Cup. To make the team she'll need to finish the season in the top three.

Circus School hosts Spring Break camp

The Vancouver Circus School, which has been hosting programs in Whistler over the past year, is hosting a five-day Spring Break camp from Mar. 18 to 22. Students will practice silks, trampoline skills, juggling and more. Kids aged six to 16 are welcome. For details and registration, visit www.whistlergymnastics.com.