Local gymnasts earn top spots

The Fort Frances Gymnastics Club got its season off to a strong start at the “Ready or Not” competition in Winnipeg earlier this month.
Rhythmic gymnasts Kathryn Pearce and Chanelle Mathews exceeded all expectations for the opening competition of the season, finishing among the top two spots in each of their two events.
Pearce, competing in the 16 and over age category, finished atop the field in the Level 6A hoop competition and also took second place in the Level 6A ribbon event.
Mathews, meanwhile, competing in the 10-12 age bracket, finished as the runner-up in both the Level 4B ball and Level 4B free events.
“It was a very good start,” rhythmic gymnastics coach Mirela Bica said.
“I’m really proud of them. I never imagined that they would do so well,” she added. “We can see the progression every time [they compete].
“This year, at the beginning of the year, to have first place and second place, it’s a little bit shocking but I’m really happy about it,” Bica enthused.
Despite their strong results, both Mathews and Pearce believe there’s lots of room for improvement.
“I was kind of nervous,” Mathews said of her performance. “I don’t think I did as well as I could have, but I still ended up doing well, I guess.”
“At first I felt like I could do it, but then I started breaking down and I got really nervous, and I didn’t really do what I was supposed to and I got lost,” she added.
“I was surprised I finished first,” echoed Pearce. “I could have done a lot better because my scores were really low.”
Both Mathews and Pearce currently are working on their routines for their next competition, the Crocus Cup, which is being held Jan. 26-28 in Winnipeg.
In other gymnastics news, 17 of the local club’s members are scheduled to take part in an artistic gymnastics competition on the weekend of Jan. 20 in Thunder Bay.