High school gymnasts combine for 32 medals

Madeline Gareau had an amazing meet, winning three medals in a large category of girls in Level 2.

submitted

Amazing performances by valley high school gymnasts secured spots on the provincial team during Central Island zone trials at Powell River.

The high school program consists of representatives from Cowichan Secondary, Frances Kelsey, Mount Prevost and George Bonner.

What keeps the program running is the support of schools and volunteer coaches and the donation of gym time by the Duncan Dynamics Gymnastics Club, according to coach Rhonda Dale.

Practices are typically held after school at Quamichan School and the program is open for students in Grades 8 to 12 to try out every October.

“High school gymnastics offers five levels of competition for boys and girls with a level for all students from the beginner to the highly skilled,’’ pointed out Dale.

Students train five to six hours per week and compete in three meets during the season. The Central Island trials were the second and the commitment level the students need to make the provincials is huge.

Adam Morris from Cowichan earned five gold medals in Level 1, winning the floor, pommel, parallel bars, horizontal bars and first all-around.

Holly Ellison of Kelsey and Madeline Gareau from Prevost won three medals each in Level 2. Ellison placed first on the floor, second on vault and third all-around while Gareau took first on the vault, second on beam, third on bars and fourth overall.

Jade Canning of Bonner grabbed three medals in Level 1 in her first meet, including gold on beam, third on bars and third overall.

The valley group earned a total of 32 medals overall.

Ariel Gamble of Bonner placed second on the floor and third on beam in Level 2.

Best results for Patrick Cools of Prevost in Level 2 included second on the floor and vault and third on horizontal bars and all-around.

Melissa Lewis of Kelsey claimed third on vault and floor in Level 2. Georgia Bowdery’s top placing was sixth on bars in Level 1.

Best results for the rest of the Cowichan group were: Twyla Downey (second on beam, third on vault Level 1 senior); Wendy McAfee (fourth on beam Level 3); Nikole Simons (third on vault Level 3); Kaitlynn Woodard (third on floor Level 4); Cassidy Fernandes (second on floor Level 4) and Will Slang (first on vault, third on rings and parallel bars Level 2).

The provincials are at Burnaby March 8 to 10 for qualifiers.