On Feb. 3 and 4, Gymtastiks Moose Jaw sent 26 young gymnasts to their first competition of the year.
The competition took place in Humboldt, Sask., and was titled the ‘Calico Humboldt Competition.’ Over 200 young gymnasts attended from across the province, but for many in the younger age category, it was more about self-improvement than about competition.
“What’s nice about leaving our community and our facility is they meet kids that are their same age, and they have a lot of the same interests,” explained Jamie Olmstead, the administrator and a coach at Gymtastiks Moose Jaw.
“It’s a big deal to our club, and I think to our community, because it brings back different thoughts and different experiences,” she added.
These experiences include a familiarization with competing in different spaces and using different equipment, which helps broaden an understanding of the sport.
The young athletes were judged on both technique and execution, and the four areas included vault, bars, beam, and floor events.
“You want to make sure you can do all the skills that could potentially get you that 10 (in later competitions),” Olmstead explained.
She said it’s difficult to score a perfect 10, but all athletes aim for that goal as they seek to improve on their routines.
In gymnastics, a white ribbon represents a score of 8.299 or lower, blue represents 8.3 to 8.999, and red represents a score of 9.0 to a perfect 10. All four scores are then taken, added up, and an all-round medal is awarded based on the final colour score.
In the final score, red is equivalent to gold, blue to silver, and white is equivalent to bronze.
Athletes as young as six competed, as the Interclub program ranges from ages six to nine. Athletes over the age of nine can then enter the Gymtastiks Xcel program or the Canadian Compulsory Program (CCP). These optional programs each feature five levels of training.
“The athletes are able to put the skills into their routines that best fit them and will take the (one with fewer) execution deductions.”
In the CPP program, participants from across Canada all do the same routines. There are strict rules concerning the program, and gymnasts cannot substitute any skills they find difficult or can perform better.
“It’s working toward being an all-around gymnast who is strong on all four events,” said Olmstead.
“Some (of the girls) showcased some really great things, and some had their wobbles and had some things they would like to come back into the gym and continue to work on,” she said.
“Everybody did something good – I can tell you that – which we are very proud of.”
Competition results
Interclub CCP1
- Iris Hayes: earned all around blue
- Josette Cochet: earned all around blue
Interclub CCP2
- Colbie Gebkenjans: earned all around red
- Hailey Flegel: earned all around blue
- Nora Mitchell: earned all around blue
- Aubrey Cameron: earned all around blue
- Summer Olmstead: earned all around blue
- Lennon Oonincx: earned all around blue
- Ainsley Anuik: earned all around blue
- Teagan Gebkenjans: earned all around blue
CCP 3
- Eden Dodd: earned all around seventh place
Interclub CCP3
- Langley Buchanan: earned all around white
- Julia Cochet: earned all around white
- Lilliana Hayes: earned all around white
Xcel Bronze
- Olivia Sewell: earned all around 19th place
- Viktoriia Ilnitska: earned all around 20th place
- Sawyer de Graauw: earned all around 21st place
Xcel GOLD (ages 9.4 – 10.9 years)
- Olivia Cameron: earned all around second place
- Sawyer Chelsberg: earned all around fifth place
- Madelyn Smith: earned all around ninth place
Xcel GOLD (ages 11 – 11.8 years)
- Eliana Magnus: earned all around fourth place
- Aubrey McKechnie: earned all around 10th place
- Brinley Smith: earned all around 11th place
Xcel GOLD (ages 12.1 – 15.5 years)
- Alyssa Ofukany: earned all around fifth place
- Grace Forrest: earned all around 14th place
- Leah Johnstone: earned all around 15th place
The best way to contact Gymtastiks of Moose Jaw is by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, Gymtastiks can be reached by phone at 306-692-2303.
To register online, visit Gymtastiks.com and look for the “Registration” tab on the website’s top menu.
Gymtastiks of Moose Jaw is located at 24 Chester Road.
