The Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club will be represented by six athletes at the national championshps, May 28-31, in Ottawa.
Vernon owned the podium a month ago at the Western Canadian Championships, in Winnipeg, with each province carrying both Western Stream athletes, in the hunt for regional titles.
National Stream girls were vying for podium or top-10 finishes and a berth to the Canadians.
The Vernon athletes’ commitment to excellence was evident yet again.
In a field of 27, Jaedyn Andreotti took silver in the National Novice level, securing herself a ticket to nationals, as did teammate Isabella Haldane, finishing eighth, landing squarely in that coveted top-10.
In the Junior National level, Tessa Rohatensky and Emma Jotie were strong, paving their way to Ottawa. Emily O’Quinn entertained with her always sassy hoop routine, and Senior National Kelsey Anderson snagged a sixth and a spot at nationals.
Okanagan athlete and Junior National teamer, Megan Hamilton, will accompany her five teammates to Ottawa, determined to retain her spot on Team Canada.
Of the 18 Vernon athletes who competed at Westerns, an incredible 14 finished in the top-eight.
Ashlyn Andreotti was seventh in free, Georgia Currie, place eighth in free, Abby Wessels and Meagan Lightfoot were both fifth all around, Anastasia Martens place eighth in ball, Leah Defeo was seventh all around and Isabel Wiseman claimed eighth in clubs.
The Junior ‘Hoop Group’’ of Chloe Bozak, Defeo, Martens, Emmalee Holland, and Isabel Wiseman struck gold at the Westerns, while the Novice ‘Ball Group’ of Halle Moger, Lightfoot, Jaedyn Andreotti, Chantel Bennett, and Isabella Haldane took silver.
The Western Stream Level 3 podium standings mirrored that of the Vancouver provincials; Moger earning gold as Level 3 Western champ, and Naomi Yacyshen at her side as the silver medalist.
Holland, the Level 4 provincial queen, didn’t disappoint, stealing gold yet again, and the title of Level 4 western champ.
The road to the nationals started at provincials in early April. Led by head coach and Olympian, Camille Martens, and assistants Brie-Anne MacPherson and Tammy Andreotti, the 18-member team was strong and ready.
Training hard since December, competing in their own local Zones/Queen of Hearts event, invitational events in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, a national qualifier in Edmonton, and a World Cup event in Hungary, the hard work had clearly paid off.
In a field of athletes from eight clubs, Moger reigned supreme as the Level 3 provincial champion and gold medalist.
To her left, was Yacyshen taking silver. The Vernon athletes kept the podium warm as the spotlight turned to Level 4, where Holland pocketed the gold medal. At her side was Lightfoot, taking bronze.
At the National Novice level, Team Okanagan’s grip on the podium remained strong with Jaedyn Andreotti taking silver.
The Novice group of Moger, Lightfoot, Jaedyn Andreotti, Bennett and Haldane stole the gold with their riveting ball routine.
The Junior ‘Group’ of Bozak, Defeo, Martens, Holland and Wiseman also took gold with their enchanting hoop routine.
