Submitted by Glacier Gymnastics
Thirty-three gymnasts from Nelson’s Glacier Gymnastics Club competed at the Great West Gym Fest held in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, winning 67 medals and three team championships at the competition.
The event, which ran Feb. 21 to 23, hosted 1,400 gymnasts from 43 of the biggest and best clubs from across the United States and Canada.
Head coach Sandra Long said that the Glacier team does better every year, this year taking home 13 All-Around titles.
“This is a major accomplishment and big improvement for our club,” said Long. “Every season our gymnasts lift the bar higher in their technical abilities and confidence.”
The gymnasts competing in the Xcel Silver category brought home the first-place team award, and Glacier’s Junior Olympic Team won the second-place team award and the Xcel Gold category won fifth place team.
Dafni van Hellemond won the prestigious honour of participating in the Finale Exhibition Show. Only 112 gymnasts out of all the competitors at the Great West Gymfest were selected to participate in the big show.
Van Hellemond earned her spot by scoring a 9.575 for her explosive floor routine in the Level 8 category.
“This is the third time Dafni has earned the honour of participating in the show,” said Long. “It is a very special experience that is not available for most athletes. It is an experience of a lifetime.”
For more information, contact Sandra Long at 250-352-2227 or sandra@glaciergymnastics.com.