Gymnasts medal at Shewfelt festival

Canmore gymnasts brought home a boatload of medals from the Kyle Shewfelt gymnastics festival in Calgary, March 26-27.

Both boys and girls teams faired well, with multiple athletes bringing home several medals in what was a warm-up before zone and provincial championships.

Tess Engel was Canmore’s top female gymnast, scoring three gold (bars, beam, all-around) and a silver (floor) in the P3 open.

“Tess was strong on bars and one of the only athletes to stay on the bar and had enough to be at the top of the group,” said coach Marilou Gariepy.

In the P1 Novice competition, Nalia Evans won five medals, including a gold on bars, silver in the all-around and three bronze medals in vault, beam and floor.

“Nalia performed well, she was beautiful and straight... At this level, you have to be clean on form,” Gariepy said.

Abby Houck had a strong day in the P2 Tyro level, winning gold on the beam and first all around in her age category.

“She was consistent and nailed all of her routines,” Gariepy said.

Also in the P2 Tyro, Mia Landi won gold on the vault and was consistently in the top 10 in her other events.

“Mia was trying level two for the first time. She had 10 new skills to compete in and she nailed nine of them,” Gariepy said. “It was good experience for next weekend.”

Erika Lepper and Skylar Belczyk faired well in the P2 Argo competition. Lepper won a silver on the bars and Belczyk was fifth on the floor and all around ranking.

“Erica and Skylar had good days, but not their best,” Gariepy said. “We can work to have them ready for next weekend.”

In all, Gariepy was proud of her team and has her sights set on more top performances.

“I think most of our athletes were consistent. There were a few little mistakes, but nothing major.”

On the boys’ side, Ian Cram brought home the most gold medals, winning the gold in the Level 1 vault and high bar. He also added a bronze on the pommel horse.

Cole Richardson had the most medals to carry home, finishing with a gold in the vault, silver all around and bronze in the rings, pommel and high bar in the Level 1 competition for competitors 10 and under.

Luke Fricker competed in the same age group, winning a silver on the rings and high bar and grabbing fourth all around.

Lance Holland, also competing in the same age group, grabbed sixth in the pommel and vault.

The girls will travel to Medicine Hat for zones and the top 12 finishers will qualify for provincials.