Coming off an outstanding showing on their sport's biggest provincial stage, Delta Gymnastics will be looking for more success east of the Rockies.
The club has qualified eight athletes to represent Team B.C. at the Western Canadian Gymnastics Championships, slated for April 30-May 3 in Okotoks, AB.
Sierra Chang, Ella Rogers, Sophie Anderson, Conor Edgson, Caleb Richmond, Cole Schallig, Eric Wiebe and Que Bidewell have all earned spots on the provincial team, in their respective categories, thanks to impressive showings at a qualifying competition in Abbotsford.
The B.C. team will also feature Delta coaches Jennifer Dober and Mike Hood, while Chris Sheremeta will participate as a judge.
The club warmed up for the Westerns with some terrific results at last weekend's 2015 Artistic B.C. Gymnastics Championships, held at Capilano University in North Vancouver.
Delta dominated Gymnastics B.C.'s Junior Olympic (JO) age groups, designated for provincial level athletes.
Astorte Garnett was first to reach the podium, earning all-around silver in the JO 6 (2004) category. Nica De Guzman followed by capturing the JO 6 (2003) all-around honours.
The highlight of the weekend was the club's complete domination in the JO 7 (2002-03) competition.
In a field of 32 gymnasts, Delta swept the top four all-around positions, led by Eva Stewart's gold medal performance.
She was followed by Ava Groves (silver), Rachel Benjamin (bronze) and Anna Miletich (4th).
Michelle Anderton was also in contention in the JO 8 (2000-01) division, placing sixth all-around. Ella Rogers, Sophie Anderson and Sierra Chang then tuned up for their upcoming Westerns competition by taking charge in the JO 9 (2001-03) category. Rogers edged Anderson for all-around honours, while Chang was eighth, highlighted by a third place finish in the floor event.
In Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Level 4 13 and under, it was another gold and silver Delta showing as Cole Schallig edged Que Bidewell for all-around honours. In MAG Level 4 13 and over, Connor Edgson captured the silver all-around thanks to first place finishes on the pommel horse, rings and vault. Teammate Christopher Lin was seventh.
In MAG Level 5, Caleb Richmond led a trio of Delta gymnasts by earning the bronze all-around. Richmond earned the top score on the pommel horse and was second on the parallel bars. Eric Wiebe finished sixth all-around and Douglas Carroll was eighth.
In the MAG Novice competition, Ryan Woodhead earned the silver all-around. He had second place scores on the floor, pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar.
Fresh off competing for B.C. at the Canada Winter Games, Alex Farquharsen placed ninth all-around in the MAG Senior category.
