Cariboo Chilcotin Gymnastics Association competitive team members went out on a high note during the weekend at the Ogopogo Invitational in Kelowna.
Seventeen Williams Lake athletes joined hundreds of other gymnasts at the meet, which was celebrating its 30th annual event.
Local gymnasts competed in divisions ranging from Junior Olympic 1 to Junior Olympic 4.
At the JO4 level, three CCGA gymnasts participated.
“With 100 level fours in the entire competition, it’s safe to say the judging was intense and the gymnasts were zoned in on the gold medal,” CCGA level 4 coach Michaela Newberry said.
“The final results were promising with multiple podium finishes including Kalli’s [Campbell] silver all around.”
Campbell recorded scores of 8.55 out of 10 on vault for fourth, 8.625 out of 10 on bars for third, 9.375 on beam for second and 9.2 out of 10 on floor for first place to record the second-place overall result at the meet.
Also in the division, Williams Lake’s Alyssia Irawan finished fifth overall, and fellow teammate Nya Chutskoff was 11th overall.
“As our season is coming to an end the level fours are all preparing to compete in level six in the upcoming season,” Newberry said.
“Their hard work and dedication has paid off all year and I’m extremely proud of their focus and responsibility they’ve all taken on to make sacrifices and train these intense hours every day.”
Meanwhile, CCGA coach Raeanna Brown managed the team’s level one to three gymnasts at the Ogopogo.
“The last competition of the year was an overall success,” Brown said. “It’s the little things that we learned that are crucial, from small technique elements to their overall understanding of gymnastics.”
Isabelle McMath, Chloe Boucher, Laura Strang, Madyson Couture and Mackenzi Johnson each brought home gold medals in their respective events, while Cali MacKinnon, Jana Schreve, Ava Johnson, Ariana Dyck, Ella McDonald, Raquel Tomelin and Harmony Glanville collected silvers.
In the level three division Marajade Goertz was 11th, and Shaelynn Dyck was ninth.
“The emotions were high and the nerves had set in but despite anything thrown our way we conquered it,” Brown said.
She added the team showed amazing sportsmanship and should be proud of the support they provided each other at the meet.
“The level threes had the pleasure of making some friends in their group from Calgary, cheering them on alongside our team,” she said.
Strang provided one of the meet’s highlights, leaving the judges in awe following her perfect 10 score on vault.
“Many all around golds and personal goals were met this year,” Brown said.
She noted a special thanks to team member Goertz, who will be moving to Kamloops where she plans to continue training in gymnastics.
“I am beyond proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year,” Brown said.
For anyone interested, regardless of skill level, the CCGA will be hosting competitive tryouts this Friday, June 22 at the gymnastics club on Mackenzie Avenue beginning at 3:30 p.m. Anyone is invited to attend.