OGC Gymnasts Make Their Mark At Kamloops Meets

Four members of the Okanagan Gymnastics Centre combined to win the Level 5 team award at the Kamloops Invitational on the weekend — at the same time qualifying for the B.C. championships next month in Langley.

Natalia Simeunovic, Thea Elma, Miah Denis and Sydney Ortynski all qualified to the Level 5 team, where six athletes will represent the zone at provincials. Joining them will be the level 6 team of Haley Pritchard, Naomi Schraeder and Alayna Butler, all of whom will represent Zone 2 (Thompson Okanagan) at the B.C. championships — along with 20 OGC athletes in Level 7 or higher.

Simeunovic dominated the Level 5 competition with five gold medals for her consistently strong performances. Elma finished second overall, earning silver medals on the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Denis finished with a bronze medal on the balance beam.

In the largest category (Level 6) of the competition, Schraeder finished in second place on the vault and floor exercise.

Meanwhile, in the Level 7 (2003-04), Kenedi Woodcox of the OGC earned the overall gold medal in Kamloops, while Kayleigh Nicolson earned the silver medal overall. Woodcox took first place on the uneven bars and floor exercise and finished in third place on the balance beam. Nicolson won the vault and the balance beam and finished in third place on the uneven bars.

Emily Mackay’s performance was good for gold in the Level 7 (2002-2000) category where she earned gold medals on the vault and floor routine with 9.625 and a 9.7 respectively. She also earned silver medals on the uneven bars and balance beam.

Mackenzie Carroll finished third overall in the same category, placing first on the balance beam and second on the vault and in the floor exercise.

Competing in Level 3 (2007-2008) category, Olive Fenske dominated the competition once again, this time winning five gold medals. Fenske’s highest score was a 9.75 on the uneven bars.

Haylee Van Steinburg earned a gold medal on the vault and a silver medal on the floor exercise and Junelle Sabang earned a bronze medal on the vault in the same category.

In the Level 3 (2006-2007) category, Summer Houston claimed the on gold on the vault and Alexandra Kennedy won the silver on the vault.

Piper Campo finished with a gold medal on the vault and a silver medal on the floor exercise in the Level 4 (2006-2007) category. Jaelyn Spavor earned a silver medal on the balance beam and Taylor Morrison finished in third place on the balance beam.

In the Level 4 (2005-2006) category, Kate Levinsen finished in second overall with the help of a second place on the floor exercise and first on the balance beam with her teammate Teagan with a score of 9.475.

Twenty-seven Okanagan Gymnastics Centre trampoline and tumbling gymnasts were also in Kamloops for the Canada Cup competition and the third provincial trials competition.

Jordyn Yendley was a gold medalist in the Level 5 Canada Cup synchronized trampoline event with her partner Emily Welsh. Yendley also earned a silver medal on the individual trampoline (Level 6 - under 17) and took the bronze for her performance on the double mini trampoline.

In the Kamloops Invitational, Madi Eagle was the top finisher, bringing home three gold medals for her efforts in the Level 4 (U15) trampoline, Level 3 (U13) double mini and Level 1 (13+) tumbling events.

Jaylin Otteson finished with two bronze medals for the Level 4 (U15) double mini trampoline and in the Level 2 (U13) tumbling event.

Isabel Gremmen earned a silver medal in the Level 4 Under 15 trampoline.

Taya Lawless finished with the silver medal in the Level 3 15+ double mini event.

Paige Paynter won a silver medal in the Level 5 15+ trampoline event.

Kelly Dolgopol finished with two bronze medals in the Level 4 (16+) trampoline and Level 2 (14+) tumbling.

Vanna Harris claimed three medals as well earned gold in the Level 2 14+ tumbling, silver in Level 3 (U14) double mini and bronze in the Level 4 (U15) trampoline event.

Janiah Harris finished in 1st place Level 3 (U14) double mini and earned a silver medal in Level 2 (14+) tumbling.

Carter Calvert earned a gold medal in the Level 4 (U15) trampoline and a bronze medal in Level 4 (U15) double mini.

Travis Towers finished with a gold medal in Level 4 (U15) double mini trampoline.

A gold medal went to Max Vandenburg in Level 3 (U14).

Taylor Pillinger finished with gold on Level 3 (U14) trampoline and a bronze on double mini trampoline.

Brett Judson earned a bronze medal in Level 4 trampoline, while Sheyanna Lawrence earned a silver in Level 2 (14+) trampoline.

Matthias Bishop finished in second place in Level 1 U13 double mini trampoline and Isabelle Glen earned a silver medal in Level 3 (U14) trampoline.

Jonothan Welsh finished with two bronze medals in the Level 3 (U13) trampoline and Level 1 (13+) double mini trampoline.

The bronze medal in Level 1 ((13+) trampoline went to Sydney Taylor, while Ella Law finished with first place in Level 1 (13+) double mini trampoline.