Local gymnasts win top awards

Several local gymnasts earned first-place showings during the annual Springfest inter-club competition at the Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy last weekend.
Among the boys, John Ans (Beginner aged nine/10) and Travis Hahkala (Advanced aged nine-12) each placed first in their respective divisions while Joshua Stromness (Advanced aged seven/eight) finished third.
On the girls’ side, Michelle McFayden had an all-around score of 32.38 to top flight two of the Novice V level. She also received the highest total score to claim the top gymnast trophy.
Janelle Williamson placed fourth while Claire Crichton was fifth in that same division.
Hannah Kennedy-Dault also received the top gymnast award in her flight with an all-around score of 30.87 while Karly Cameron took the gold in the Pre-Novice VI level.
In flight three, Chelsea Green won gold in the Junior VI level, placing first on the beam, floor, and vault and second on the bars.
Cara Yellowega placed first on all events for the overall gold medal in the Junior VII category while clubmate Lisa Edwards finished first on bars, beam, floor, and vault for the gold all-around medal.
In flight four, Janelle Taggart of International Falls won the bronze in the Pre-Novice IV division while Alexandra Crichton was fourth, Sarah Blais fifth, Skylar Odahl seventh, and Samantha Loveday ninth.
At the Novice IV level, Jill Howarth captured the all-around silver medal while Kristine Solum won the bronze. Jeanna Toninato of International Falls won the bronze in the Pre-Novice V level while Sydney Boustead was fourth.
The fifth and final flight was held Sunday afternoon, and all girls in the Mini IV level received ribbons and a participant picture medal (they are not judged for all-around because it is a beginner group).
Sara Kellar earned a fourth-place finish on the vault, second on the bars, first on beam, and fourth on floor while Courtney Olson of International Falls was second on the vault, third on bars, first on beam, and third on floor.
Nadine Mayer, also of the Falls, was third on vault, fourth on bars, first on beam, and fourth on floor.
Pre-Novice II are advanced beginners and in that category, Kari-Lynn Manty, competing in her first meet, received a fifth on the vault, third on bars, second on beam, and fifth on floor.
Also competing for the first time was Brittany Jasper of Rainy River, who placed first in the Novice III level for the all-around gold medal.
“They all did very well,” first-year coach Mike Lang said yesterday morning. “It was a good year, they all did well at meets. There were a lot of firsts, top three [placings], and top five.”
The superior judge for the meet was provincial judge Joel Perron of Hamilton.
Provincial judges on hand included Susie Grynol (Fort Frances) and Arianne St. Jacques (Thunder Bay). Caylee Brow (Winnipeg), Tina Herdman (Thunder Bay), and Steph Logan (Fort Frances) were the regional judges.