Three members of the Olds Gymnastics Club (OGC) are competing in the provincials, which take place in Red Deer, April 13-15.
Jen Conway, 15, Tuesday Martinson, 11, and Avory Redekoop, 12, qualified for that during the southern zones, held March 16-18 in Calgary.
Conway was a top qualifier. She placed first in floor exercises, third in vault, fourth on the uneven bars and 15th on the balance beam, for a rank of fourth overall.
"This has been an amazing year for Jen Conway," head coach Michelle Jaffray says. "She placed first overall in trials (for the) Alberta Winter Games, first overall in Airdire, first overall in Cranbrook, B.C. and is now ready to represent Olds at provincial championships."
Martinson qualified in her second zone championships.
"Tuesday showed amazing determination to earn a spot on this team. She had her best performance of the season with an overall score of 35.832," Jaffray says. "She placed sixth on floor and beam, seventh on vault and 10th overall. She is ready to show Alberta Gymnastics her determination on April 13 in Red Deer."
Redekoop qualified for provincials in her first year competing in Junior Olympic Level 6.
"Avory’s hard work and never-give-up attitude was a huge factor in her making this provincial team. She was able to secure her spot by placing 9th on vault, 9th on beam and 7th on floor for an overall finish of 11th."
In total, the OGC sent 11 members of its competitive team to the southern zones.
"Olds Gymnastics Club was up against 105 Junior Olympic Level 6 athletes, with the top 48 scores earning the spot to compete at provincial championships," Jaffray says.
Jaffray notes the southern zones provided nine-year-old Abby Watson, who competed in Junior Olympic Level 4, with the highest level of competition she had faced in gymnastics.
"(She) showed grace, elegance and power during her competition," Jaffray says, adding, "our nine-year-old from Olds Gymnastics Club was the first-place finisher on vault and won the Most Dynamic Vault Award. She also took home a third on floor, fifth on beam."
She placed fourth overall.
Other highlights included Emma Legris who placed fifth on floor and finished 14th overall; Dani Giles, who placed seventh on floor and 19th overall; Reegan Johnston, 15th on floor, 16th on beam and 21st overall; Chelsea Jardine – 11th on beam and 24th overall; Chloe Gardner, seventh on bars; Kennedy Jaffray, 22nd overall; and Avery Johnston, 25th overall.
"Our OGC athletes train year round and over 12 hours per week. We are so proud to see our gymnasts succeed in a sport they show so much dedication and love for," Jaffray says.
The club is now gearing up for its annual competition, which takes place April 7-8 at École Deer Meadow School.
"We have over 240 athletes coming from all over Alberta. Please come on down to support your local athletes," Jaffray says.
