Five members from FitKidz Gymnastics enjoyed success in the B.C. provincial championship in Kamloops March 15.
Instructor Annette Card said the group performed well, despite the occasional falls. Olivia Dunley Owen, 12, placed fourth overall after taking first on the beam.
Julia Nixon, 10, finished ninth in B.C. after earning second on beam. Hannah Patterson,11, was first on beam, third on floor and finished fourth in the province.
Katarina Sterk, 12, was fourth on the beam, while Ella Simmons, 13, was seventh on the beam.
Card said it was strong results for their small club with 42 clubs competing.
“It’s wonderful for us,” said Card.
“The girls worked as hard as they could. Had a lot of preparation. I think everyone was very happy. Gives you a push for next year.”
In the Wild West Festival, a provincial level one competition held in Kamloops that same weekend, FitKidz had 13 girls compete, including younger kids in their first meet, finish well. Paige Gibbings, seven, the youngest competitor, took bronze, while Emily Dunley Owen, eight, was fifth on the beam.
Rylea Taylor, eight, was 10th on the floor, Hannah Pritchard, nine, was eighth on floor, Claire Taylor,11, placed third on vault, sixth in uneven bars and fourth on floor. Elsa Lefteruk, 11, tied for third on vault and fifth on bars.
At the provincial two level, 10-year-old Jayna Bamber placed 11th on beam. For 11- and 12-year-olds, Ella Hiebert was 10th on beam, while Kiah Planedin was fourth. Annie-Dora Perrier, 13, was first on vault, second on bars and beam and first in floor.
“For many girls it was their very first meet and therefore also a bit scary,” said Card.
“We worked on mental preparation prior to the competition and it was interesting to see most of them being able to turn this theory into action.”