Nelson's Glacier Gymnastics Club (GGC) hosted the 2014 Kootenay Zone Gymnastics Championships last weekend.
Two hundred and twenty gymnasts from Nelson, Trail, Castlegar, Creston, Cranbrook, Kimberley and Golden were vying for all around and event titles in the Boys and Girls Provincial Level 1-3 categories.
Level 3, the highest skill level, was dominated by the Glacier Gymnastics Club girls as they took the top three podium spots, plus fourth and sixth.
Competition highlights included Brianne Steffani in the girls Level 2, ages 9 and under who is a strong up and comer with the potential to compete with the top clubs in BC said Club Manager Steve Long. “She won her category by two points and showed excellent poise in performing her routines.”
The high school category included 20 girls from Glacier participated.
“It's a great opportunity for girls Grades 9-12 to continue with sport at a time in their lives when they are often making other choices,” said Long. “Many other clubs in the zone plan to add this category to their programs for next season.”
The all around champion was Kylee Dyck, followed by Glacier gymnasts Ella Keelan in second, and Victoria Lawrence-Jeffery in third (tie). Dyck took the gold on vault, beam, and floor. Keelan finished on the podium in all events with silver on vault, bars, and floor. Lawrence-Jeffery earned silver on the balance beam.
The boys categories range from beginner inter club through to competitive level 3. Boys at this competition did not compete against each other and were awarded gold, silver, or bronze depending on their performance.
Long said there was a great turn out with highlight routines from their boys competitive level 3 athletes including Chris Jeffery who is the Provincial Champion on high bar.
This competition is the last one of the season. There are only three Kootenay competitions annually, two of which are hosted by GGC.
“We're really happy with how smooth the event ran,” said Steve Long, club manager. “We host it each season, and as only one of three events, it's really important for the sport at a local level.
“We'd really like to thank all the community businesses who support us year after year and are always so generous with donations. This weekend's event had one of the best silent auctions we've ever put together. It wouldn't be possible without the fantastic job the parent volunteers do. It takes over 250 volunteer hours to run the event and Hosting BC is also a partner.”
Kootenay Zone Results:
Boys Results
Boys categories range from beginner inter club through to competitive level 3.
Interclub - Lachlan Bibby-Fox, Ryder Faraguna
Level 1 - Cameron Bibby-Fox, Tavish Cutler, Sam Kitch, Koa Wintraub
Level 3 - River Murphy, Chris Lawrence-Jeffery
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Girls Results
Highlights
Level 2 Argo - Brianne Stefani All Around Zone Champion, finished on the podium on all events with gold medal performances on Bars, Floor and Vault, finishing 3rd on Beam.
Level 3 (all ages combined)
Category was dominated by the Glacier Team.
The all around champion is Kylee Dyck, followed by Glacier gymnasts Ella Keelan in 2nd, Victoria Lawrence-Jeffery in 3rd (tie), Hailey Lothrop in 4th and Sara Tolles in 6th. Kylee took the gold on vault, beam and floor. Ella finished on the podium in all events with silver on vault, bars and floor. Victoria earned the silver on beam.
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Level 1: 9 yrs and under
Abigail Majeski - Gold on floor; 3rd All Around
Dafni Van Hellemond - 2nd beam
Raven Sperling - 2nd floor
Rebecca Semple - 3rd vault and bars
Level 1: ages 10 yrs
Brynn McYague - Zone Champion on vault, beam, and floor finishing in 2nd place for the All Around
Level 1: age 11 yrs
Lily Taylor - AA Zone Champion, 2nd vault
Amanda Schacher - Vault champion, bronze on bars and beam
Shawnessy Skea - silver Beam, 3rd Floor
Elisa Clark - Beam champion and silver medalist on floor
Level 1: 12-13 yrs
Sarah Quinn - bronze on beam
Level 2: 9 yrs & under
Brianne Steffani - Zone Champion in the All Around, winning 1st on bars, floor and vault and finishing 3rd on beam.
Level 2: ages 10-11 yrs
Gwen McRory - 2nd vault,
Versailles McGeady-Bruce - 3rd beam
Level 2: ages 12-13 yrs
Olivia Kelly is The All Around champion with Teagan McTague finishing 3rd.
Olivia won the gold on vault, beam and floor, with a 2nd place finish on bars. Teagan is the silver medal winner on vault and beam, also winning the bronze on bars and floor.
High School
Level 1 - All Around was won by Taila Lancaster, who took gold on bars and beam. Peyton Whitaker claimed the gold on vault, and Neive Harris earned gold on floor.
Level 2 - All Around was won by Maya Bennett, who also finished 1st on bars. The other event winners include Arianna Murphy-Steed on vault, Kano Major on beam, and Samantha Garbula on floor.
Level 3 - Casmin McCatty is the All Around winner, with Chultim O'Neill the runner up. Casmin won beam and floor, while Chultim finished in top spot on vault and bars.