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As the River Valley Gymnastics Competitive Team prepares for the 2008 Provincial Championships at the end of this month, they remain motivated by their performances at the Prince Edward Classic at the end of January and the ‘I love Gymnastics’ meet held in Miramichi in mid-February.

PHOTO BY SHAWN MERRITHEW

Team Dynamic coach Jayne Geddes does some practice work with young gymnast Kaylee Reynolds.

At the Prince Edward Classic held on the Island, River Valley Gymnastics sent seven athletes. Anne Deweyert, Emma Horsman, Drew Hallett, Olivia Tingley, and Olivia Floyd competed in the Provincial Argo Level 1 category while Crystal Nason competed in Level 2 Novice and Cori Crovo competed in Level 2 Open. The Level 1 girls came home with mostly firsts and second place ribbons for their strong performances.

The Level 2 girls used this meet as their first one of the year. “This is a hard meet to have as your first competition of the season in Level 2. Many of the kids from the other clubs had already competed at one or two meets prior. Plus this meet has athletes from clubs in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and of course New Brunswick. Some categories had upwards of 40 kids,” said Head Coach Jayne Geddes.

Despite the nerves and tough competition Crystal Nason and Cori Crovo competed with ease and confidence. Crystal Nason came fifth on the balance beam and 17th overall in her category. Cori Crovo placed sixth on Vault, fifth on balance beam, and seventh overall.

Two weeks after the Prince Edward Classic the team headed to Miramichi to compete in the annual “I Love Gymnastics” competition.

“There was vast improvement in all the girls’ performances, especially the level 2 girls,” noted Geddes.

Nason placed fifth on Vault, Bars, and Beam. She also placed sixth on floor and sixth overall while Crovo placed fifth on Vault, second on beam, fourth on floor, and fourth overall.

In the Argo Level 1 category Anne Deweyert caputred the all round gold medal as well as first on bars and floor, fourth on vault and second on beam.

Emma Horsman showed improvement with a third place finish on beam, fifth on floor and fifth in the all round. Olivia Tingley, now with more competition experience under her belt, placed fourth on beam and eighth in the all round. Adding to the excitement was the Level 1 girls claiming second place as a team.

“At this meet they competed not only for individual awards but also for a team award. Each team consisted of four athletes with the top three scores counting on each event. It was especially difficult and especially rewarding for our team to win because we only had three girls in that level so all their scores had to count. We could not throw out any low scores like the other teams could.”

“This meant that these girls had to hit each routine to even have a chance, Geddes said.

“We had a little trouble on the bars but I told the girls if they could all stick a clean beam routine they would be back in the running. So that’s what they did and it made all the difference.”

Ultimately Woodstock beat out Fredericton, Moncton, and two teams from St. John. Miramichi captured the gold.

Drew Hallett competed in the Sparx category, being too young to compete in Argo level 1 in New Brunswick. She placed second on floor and also won the judges award for best salute to the judges on each event. Danika Devost and Chantal Polchies made their competition debut in the Interclub Silver category. Chatal placed first on bars and first on vault. There is no all round awards in the Sparx and Interclub categories.

“After doing so well at these last two meets we are looking forward to doing even better at Provincials.

There is still room for improvement and the girls are well aware of this. The best part is they are more than willing to put in the work and effort it takes to make the necessary improvements,” Geddes said.

Crystal Nason and Cori Crovo are working especially hard since they will be attempting to qualify for the opportunity to represent Team New Brunswick at the Level 2 and Up Atlantic Gymnastics Championships in April. The Level 1 girls will also be competing for the Provincial team award. For more information on recreational programs offered by River Vally Gymnastics such as Tiny Tumblers for two and three year olds, Flip Kids for four and five years and Can-Gym for ages six and up simply contact the Carleton Civic Center.