Morning Star Staff
A team of five athletes represented Vernon’s North Valley Gymnastics Club well at the recent Kamloops Invitational Wild West Fest meet.
It was the second provincial-level meet for the club’s new competitive girls team – first was last May in Kelowna – and their first event under the USA Junior Olympic (JO) program.
“The girls had a great meet,” said North Valley coach Naomi Rokus. “We’ve been wondering how the new JO program would work and where our girls would fit. They had a great competition. They were all so positive and represented the club wonderfully.
“As their coach, I learned what we’re doing really well and what we need to work on. It’s very cool to see them work so hard on the (program) changes and we’re all very excited for their next meet in Abbotsford (Twisters Invitational this weekend).”
Veronika Yacovelli, Charli Calvert and Tyra Green competed in the JO 4 category for ages 10 and 11. Aysia Morgan was in the JO 5 category aged 9-11 and Brooklyn Ashby entered in the JO 6 category for 12-year-olds.
Yacovelli placed ninth all around with a 10th in vault, 11th bars; fourth beam and sixth in the floor routine. Calvert was 10th all around by finishing ninth vault, bars and floor. She was 11th in beam.
Green ended up 11th all around with 11th vault and floor, 12th bars and eighth beam. Morgan took sixth all around with third vault and floor, seventh bars and sixth (tie) beam.
Ashby finished 12th all around with ninth vault and floor, 10th bars and 12th beam.
Ashby and Morgan both qualified for the Artistic B.C. Championships, April 10-12, in Vancouver.
The North Valley Gymnastics is a non-profit society that provides both competitive and recreational gymnastics opportunities.
Incorporated in 1993, and functioning in several shared facilities for the first 19 years, the club was unable to continue its competitive program from 2004-2013. Today, the club leases a commercial unit on 45th Avenue (near Canadian Tire) – serving 1,150 regular members, plus 550 members who are drop-in users.
A total of 600 youth are trained at the facility each week throughout the school year. A steady increase in demand for gymnastics has resulted in the club outgrowing its leased space in less than three years. A permanent facility is being sought to meet the community needs.
Anyone wishing to try the fun and sport of gymnastics – from toddler and parent to adult – is welcome to attend a drop-in class or register for a program. Spring session starts March 30. Summer camps will run in July and August. Qualified malecoaches are always welcome to apply.
Visit nvgym.com or call 250-558-5136.
