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Gymnasts lead Delta contingent headed to B.C. Winter Games

After a one year pandemic pause Vernon welcomes up-and-coming athletics from around the province
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Delta Gymnastics Society will be well-represented at this week's B.C. Winter Games in Vernon including WAG members Annabelle Ma, Clare Steinke, Mackenzie Hayes, Sydney Hollas, Miele Teiffel, Aliya Mori, Madelyn Hickling and Jordan Ackerman, along with MAG member Daniel Delf. Mark Booth Photo

The Delta Gymnastics Society (DGS) will once again be well-represented when the B.C. Winter Games gets underway Thursday in Vernon.

The biennial multi-sport competition is taking place for the first time since 2020 after the pandemic postponed the original date a year ago. Since the Games are designed to showcase the province’s up-and-coming athletes, plenty can change over 12 months.

Such is the case in artistic gymnasts where the Zone 5 (Vancouver-Coastal) trials were re-staged in December.

The Ladner-based DGS continued what has become a tradition with eight women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG) members earning their ticket to Vernon, along with a male artistic gymnastic (MAG) member. The strong representation means Delta coaches Jennifer Dober and Kristina Sharpe will be coaching the Zone 5 WAG team.

“This group is exceptionally large in terms of club representation, but we have a history of sending quite a few athletes and having good results as well,” explained Dober. “It’s not exactly the same group of girls that initially qualified as (competitive) gymnastics was still pretty proactive during COVID.

“There was a substitute event last year that at least brought all the athletes together to try and still make it special for them so they wouldn’t completely miss out. Some of those athletes may have moved onto a higher level because so much time has elapsed. B.C. Winter Games targets developing athletes with around 10 years of age being the very youngest, up until about 16, so this is going to begin their career to larger team events.”

Dober added the Winter Games comes at the height of the competitive season. Delta’s level eight, nine and 10 gymnasts attended Team B.C. trials last weekend for the Western Canadian Championships and provincials are on the horizon too, which will serve as a qualifier for nationals.

DGS members participating in the B.C. Winter Games include: Annabelle Ma, Clare Steinke, Mackenzie Hayes, Sydney Hollas, Miele Teiffel, Aliya Mori, Madelyn Hickling, Jordan Ackerman and Daniel Delf.

Other Delta athletes competing in Vernon are:

Curling: Alexandria Halliday, Brooke Halliday, Kristin Taylor, Sydney Taylor-Hunt.

Figure Skating: William Bryan.

Ringette: Nerissa Beeby, Gabriella Bender, Amorey Cronmiller, Farryn Leigh and Rachel Pugsley along with coach Lisa Cadeau.