Okanagan rhythmic gymnasts jumpstarted a busy portion of their season by racking up medals in the Planet Rhythmics Invitational at Capilano College in North Vancouver.
More than 250 participants from Canada, the U.S., Luxembourg and Russia competed, including 29 from the Okanagan.
In the 11 National Stream level, national teamers from other countries competed alongside Okanagan gymnasts considered national-calibre.
“It was a wonderful event,” said head coach Camille Martens. “To have all the levels of athletes together was really exciting and it provided a fabulous learning ground for beginners full of lots of inspiration, while also providing heated competition in the international levels.
“It was a great mid-season event for our team. Having completed in a bunch of early-season competitions, it was a perfect and inspiring meet for us at this time.”
Megan Hamilton won silver in hoop, bronze in clubs and took the overall bronze in the junior class.
In the senior division, Loren Stanley won clubs, Jessica Krushen topped the ball, Kelsey Anderson bagged bronze in ball and Hannah Stanley collected silver in hoop.
Emma Jotie took a bronze in the hoop and Amy Palmer won a silver in ball in pre-novice, while Isabella Haldane captured a bronze in free in novice.
Okanagan placed top-three in every category of the interclub level. Elizabeth Hirschkorn produced three gold medals in free, rope and overall, while Anastasia Martens earned a gold in free, silver in hoop and silver overall.
Cadence Arpots rung up three silver in free, rope and overall, while Cheyanne Scott garnered a silver in the free routine.
The provincial stream category saw Level 1 gymnast Gillian Turpin earn a trophy for best dance performance.
In the western stream, Naomi Yacyshen earned a bronze medal in free and also won best dance performance in pre-novice, while Chantel Bennett was awarded most flexible gymnast in novice and Isabel Wiseman won four bronze (hoop, ball, ribbon and overall) in junior.
Okanagan gymnasts sent eight athletes (three juniors, five seniors) to the Elite Canada the weekend before at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
It was a national team re-ranking event and saw Hamilton and Krushen both reaching the high performance pool finals. They are now eligible to make Team Canada at the National Championships in May.
In Senior, Kelsey Anderson finished 13th, Hannah Stanley 18th, Loren Stanley 21st and Caroline Hoffman 32nd.
In Junior, Tessa Rohatensky was 26th and Emily O’Quinn 34th.
