Nelson’s Rhythm Ropers have skipped their way to another successful B.C. and Yukon Championship.
The club started out the weekend by placing second in the 14-and-under large group category — an impressive performance for a group whose average age was only 10, in their first outing as a large group.
The senior skippers then went out and skipped an amazing large group choreographed by Darren Fuss, continuing the Ropers’ annual large group domination.
On small team day, the teams continued to find success. The Candy Cane Ropers — Ashleigh MacLean, Sophie Packham, Lauren Robertson and Lauren Hartridge — took first in the four man and had several second and third place finishes to end up second overall in the eight and nine year old division. They were closely followed by the Rockin’ Ropers — Kaitlyn Fitchett, Willa Morrison, Amy Schellenberg and Elli Southam. Fitchett and Morrison led the group to a third place overall finish by placing first in their duo.
In the 10 to 11 age category the young team of the Lollipop Ropers — Ella Pelosa, Abby Jackson, Emily Schellenberg and Sierra Jones — placed third overall. Frankie Pierce, Makayla Shaw, Kalina Spurge, Michelle Oudemann and Kayleigh Foxcroft, known as the Funky Monkeys, placed fifth overall and did an excellent job on their double dutch single freestyle, placing first in that event.
Roper team Kyle Poulin, Jordan Mulvihill, Ashley McKen, Danielle Solari and Tessa Exley burned up the four speed events, taking four firsts and set as many new records. They placed first overall. They had the highest freestyle scores of the tournament in both their double dutch and four-man events.
The young team of Joscelyn Koehle, Bradley Spurge, Lillea Goian and Emily Musa placed second overall. They were led by a strong duo result by Koehle and Spurge.
The Raging Rapid Ropers, comprised of Kate Exley, Christina Musa, Larissa Napora, Courtney Craig and Dana Knapik, competed in the 18-plus category and took firsts in double dutch pairs freestyle, double dutch single free four-man freestyle and double dutch pairs speed. They met the challenge from the very experienced group from Abbotsford. At the end of the day they had to be happy with a second overall, as Abbotsford beat them by one point.
Coach Brenda Reid said she was impressed with the club’s results, especially since it is a rebuilding year as they have so many new skippers.
“The new skippers had progressed very well and so they did not skip as rookies for the usual two years but instead went straight into the national stream,” she explained.
“The senior skippers had to regroup after last year’s worlds as some of our senior skippers had moved away and some were now in the workforce. This was to be a year to adjust to the new combinations and begin to gel for next year, which is another world’s year. So the results showed us that our combinations are very strong.”
On Sunday the Rhythm Ropers participated in master events, which are all single or solo-type events. In the main stream, where
the skippers are trying to earn a berth to the nationals, the following skippers qualified: Ella Pelosa, Lauren Hartridge, Abby Jackson, Sophie Packham, Kalina Spurge, Michelle Oudemann (alternate), Bradley Spurge, Ashley McKen, Tessa Exley, Larissa Napora, Dana Knapik, Christina Musa, Jordan Mulvihill, Kyle Poulin and Kate Exley.
In the rookie category several skippers did well, with seven-and-under rookie Jessica Fitchett picking up three blue ribbons in the individual events.
“Most of the jumpers skipped their goals and personal bests in the speed and power events on Sunday so I was pleased with their results,” adds Reid.
At the end of the day on Sunday Kyle Poulin challenged the triple under record he had set at Records Day and succeeded in breaking it.
Some other notable results were Sophie Packham winning the freestyle in the eight and nine category, with teammates Abby Jackson taking second, Lauren Hartridge taking third, Ella Peloso in fourth and Lauren Robertson sixth.
Michelle Oudemann in her first year of skipping took second out of 27 skippers in 10-11 freestyle. Tessa Exley took third place in the 15-17 category which was great for her first year in that division.
Her sister Kate managed to repeat the placing in 18-plus, taking third in her first year in that very tough category. She skipped against veterans such as Rheanne Segstro, who went on two take first place.
Kyle Poulin was first in the boys 15-17 and Bradley Spurge was first in 12-14 boys.
Rookie skipper Joscelyn Koehle took first in freestyle in the 12-14 category.
In the endurance skip Joscelyn Koehle, Jordan Mulvihill, Bradley Spurge and Kalina Spurge all had first place finishes and Dana Knapik took a second.
In 30 second speed, Jordan Mulvilhill led the way setting a new record and was followed by first place finishes by Ella Pelosa, Joscelyn Koehle and Bradley Spurge.
In power, Ella Pelosa Joscelyn Koehle took seconds, and Bradley Spurge, Kyle Poulin, and Dana Knapik walked away with firsts.