N.L. has strong showing at Canadian gymnastics championships

Newfoundland and Labrador gymnasts had a strong showing at the recent Canadian championships held in Richmond, B.C.

The province sent 15 athletes to the competition held May 18-22 and had some substantial results. Of those 15, there were 10 female competitors and five male competitors. There were two medals, a pair of top choreography awards and some best-ever team finishes.

Lauren Winters was the top Newfoundland and Labrador athlete. In her national debut, the 12-year-old finished second in floor exercise for her age group.

Winters also received the top choreography award for her level.

Rachel Dooley also medaled at the event. The 15-year-old finished third in the balance beam in her age group. She also placed fifth in the uneven bars, eighth in the floor exercise and fourth in the all-around, just missing the podium.

Chloe Power, 15, was also awarded a top choreography award by Gymnastics Canada for her floor routine.

Grace Hill finished fifth in the uneven bars and eighth all-around.

Kyla Piercey finished fourth on the balance beam and seventh on the vault.

Jirah Hiscock also made the finals in her division.

Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s Level 9 teams, made up of athletes age 11-14 and 15-plus, finished fifth in Canada for their work at the competition. The team members consisted of Winters, Dooley, Power, Hill, Piercey, Sophie Belbin, Grace Bramwell, Jada Crane and Abby Macdonald.

On the male side, Michael Drover finished 11th on the pommel horse, and the male national open team finished eighth.

That team is made up of Gabe Flynn, Jan Finke, Tyler Gosse and Will Osmond. Each of those athletes advanced to the finals and had personal bests.