By Dan Plouffe
MacKenzie Lewis and Sophie Paquin already shared many things in common – they are in the same Grade 6 class at Arc-en-ciel elementary school and they are both Tumblers gymnasts in Orleans – and after their recent provincial championships qualifier, they can add one more thing to that list.
Both athletes attained some personal-best scores en route to all-around titles in their respective Level 5 Age 11 and Level 7 Age 11 categories in Alliston, Ont.
“We’re good friends,” notes Paquin, who felt very proud of her total score. “And we spend an awful lot of time together.”
On top of the full day at school, the pair are together for 18 hours a week training with the Tumblers.
“It’s not hard to keep going, although it can get tiring by the end,” describes Lewis. “Your muscles are sore, but you start to get used to it.”
The competition was Lewis’ first after returning from a foot injury that required physiotherapy.
“I was really surprised at what happened because of my foot,” adds Lewis, who was also taken aback to learn she was first all-around. “I felt so happy when they said my name. I was pretty shocked.”
Several other Tumblers also positioned themselves to move on in the top-32 places as determined by standings from athletes attending meets province-wide.
Around 75-80% of Ottawa Gymnastics Centre competitive team members should earn berths for the April 19-22 provincials set for Ottawa. Before many athletes headed off to a meet at Disney World, they posted some impressive results on their own at a Pickering qualifier.
Sofia Baggio, in Level 8 Age 10/11, and Bella St. George, in Level 9 Age 14+, both topped the all-around standings in their categories for the second time this year.
Adrianka Forrest earned gold in every event to leave no mystery about who the all-around winner would be in the Level 7 Age 10/11 category, while Meaghan Smith topped the Level 8 Age 12/13 all-around competition.
OGC coach Tobie Gorman is particularly enthusiastic that her girls will get to compete at provincials locally.
“I can’t even remember when the last time championships was held in Ottawa,” adds the veteran coach. “This is a real treat as we get to stay home, sleep in our own beds and not have to travel. Friends and family that normally cannot attend now have the opportunity to cheer on their OGC athlete and support the club.”
That’s an especially bright prospect for the young Olympia Gymnastics club located between Kanata and Stittsville as all three of their athletes – Sara Miller, Meghan Heer and Emily Urbisci – are poised to claim provincial qualifying positions.
“For a club our size and only in its fourth year of having a competitive program, it is a great result,” says Olympia coach Nausikaa Muresan.
Jamie LeFort, Manisha Blasketvich, Anna Meech and Dianna McAllister are some of the top medal threats from the provincial host Nepean Corona club, while Les Sittelles are also poised to send a sizeable group to the event.
“Having the provincials hosted locally was an added incentive this year,” Muresan adds, echoing the sentiments of many Ottawa clubs. “At the start of the season while identifying goals, we emphasized the idea of seizing the opportunity. What better chance for these girls as well as the club to show families, friends and the community that dedication, hard work and determination is possible for anyone – even girls from small clubs but with big dreams.”