Okanagan Gymnastics Centre’s female artistic gymnasts are off to a strong start in 2014, after compiling 36 medals at an early season competition.
Many of the Kelowna girls are looking strong and confident heading into the B.C. championships which will be held next month in Kamloops.
After competing at two different competitions in the Thompson-Okanagan region, the local gymnasts attended their first event of the season last weekend on the Lower Mainland.
In the Provincial 2, 8-9 year old category, Amanda Jaggard earned a silver medal in the all around after a consistent medal placing on each event. Jaggard earned a silver on the vault and bronze medals on the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.
Samantha Pelletier won a silver medal on the floor and Naomi Schraeder earned a bronze on the vault.
In the Provincial 2, 10-year-old category, Kayleigh Nicolson was the top Kelowna athlete finishing in third place all around after a solid performance on all four events.
Kamryn Greenhalgh won gold on the vault after a performance with a stuck landing.
Dixie Cabel earned two silver medals on the vault and uneven bars.
In the largest category of the competition, Taylor Bowden, competing in Provincial 2 Tyro (11-12 year old) finished with a fourth on the floor out of 29 athletes.
Kenedi Woodcox competed in the Provincial 3 Argo (10 and Under) category and earned a bronze in the all around. She also brought home a gold on the floor exercise, a silver medal on the vault and two bronze medals on the uneven bars and balance beam.
In the Provincial 3 Tyro (11-12) category, Grace Akurienne earned two bronze medals on the vault and floor exercise.
Camille Phillips competed on her 11th birthday and earned a bronze medal for her performance on the uneven bars.
Vanessa Bulcock competed in the Provincial 4 Novice (13-14) category and earned the top spot after winning the vault and balance beam and earning second place on the uneven bars and floor exercise.
Jenna Mick competed in the Provincial 5 Novice (13-14) category and earned second place all around with a score of 50.90 after finishing in second place on balance beam and floor exercise and earning third on the vault and uneven bars. Mick is in a good position heading into B.C .Championships which is also trials to Western Canadian Championships for this level. Gymnastics BC will take the top five athletes in this category to Westerns.
Brooke Murray competed in the Provincial 5 Open (15 and Over) category and finished with three silver medals on the vault, uneven bars and balance beam, also earning a bronze medal on the floor exercise earning her a bronze overall. Murray is also eligible for Western Canadian Championships this season.
Lucia Jakab and Gabriela Beselt competed in the Pre-Novice Elite category just two weeks after representing B.C. in Montreal. This weekend, Jakab earned a gold on the floor exercise while Beselt earned the gold medal on the balance beam.
