North Peace Gymnastics Association squads shine at provincial meets

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local gymnastics squad had several podium placings in two B.C. competitions this past weekend. 

North Peace Gymnastics Association (NPGA) sent athletes in the Xcel divisions at the Prince George Invitational, which took place from February 21st to 23rd in the city.  

NPGA also entered a group of three athletes to the Key City Classic, an event which took place in Cranbrook, hosted by the Key City Gymnastics.

With 50 athletes heading to Prince George, several had top placings in their age groups, says NPGA competitive coach Mimi Lessard.

“We had male and female athletes in artistic gymnastics,” said Lessard. “Almost all of them placed in various events and some placed in multiple events.

“We came home with a lot of placings and many athletes that qualified for provincials.”

They competed in six classic Olympic events, including the rings, high bar, parallel bars, vault, floor and pommel horse for boys, and the uneven bars, balance beam, vault and floor exercise for girls.

Placings for the all-around competitions in each meet are below:

Prince George Invitational:

Xcel Bronze:
Iyla Teeter 1^st place (U7-U9)
Presley Antoniak 2^nd place (U7-U9)
Ashlyn MacGillivray 3^rd place (U7-U9)
Courtney Andres 2^nd place (U9-U10)
Brielle MacDougall 3^rd place (U9-U10)

Xcel Silver:
Kadence Franklin 1^st place (U12-U13)
Brooklyn Antoniak-Boehm 2^nd place (U12-U13)
Kendal Huth 1^st place (U11-U12)
Lexi MacDougall 3^rd place (U11-U12) 
Morgan Andres 1^st place (U10-U11)
Nora Ostero 3^rd place (U10-U11) 

Xcel Gold:
Cordelia Millions 2^nd place (U14-U15) 

Key City Classic:

Xcel Diamond:
Katie Yates 1^st place

With the bulk of the delegations qualifying for provincials, Lessard commented it is “wonderful” to see the progression of the young athletes.

NPGA is gearing up for provincials, which will take place in Langley on April 17th and 18th. The team’s Facebook page and website provide more information.