The Yorkton Springers recently hosted an invitational gymnastics meet in Yorkton held at Sacred Heart High School. Coach Todd Appel says gymnasts from all over the province participated in the two day event. The first day featured competitive gymnastics while the second day was a recreational, fun meet. It provided an opportunity for the recreational gymnastics clubs in the area to showcase their training and activities throughout the season. "It gets the younger kids and smaller communities that can't afford to have a competitive club to come out to show their parents what they can do," Appel explains.
The invitational meet had about 160 recreational gymnasts performing as well as 80 to 100 competitive gymnasts, Appel estimates. Competitive clubs included Regina, Hudson Bay, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, and Humboldt, he recalls.
Appel says the sport continues to attract members with numbers holding fairly steady. Generally older youngsters tend to drop off, as they become more involved with school sports and other activities, he says, but then the are always new youngsters joining the sport.
Currently there are a good number of males participating in recreational gymnastics. The competitive component of the club currently involves girls only. While there have been boys involved in competitive gymnastics in Yorkton previously, there doesn't appear to be enough interest presently. "If there were enough boys coming up through the rec program who were expressing enough interest, we would definitely start up the boys' program again," Appel states.
Gymnastics is an excellent sport to start youngsters out in, Appel proposes. Kids can start at a very young age. It builds strength, flexibility, endurance, and a good work ethic. "You can take that and go to any other sport. The time you spend in gymnastics will not be wasted. All those skills will be enhance your ability in that sport," he points out.
Many youngsters involved in gymnastics also study dance, Appel notes. The two activities complement each other.
The Yorkton Springers have one more competition in Regina at the Queen City Gymnastics Club. Following that the young athletes will have about a month to prepare for the provincial competition in Prince Albert. There will be about a week of tone down training after provincials to end the competitive part of the current season, Appel reports.
Results for Yorkton Springers gymnasts at their home competition at Sacred Heart were: Gym Cat - Beginner: Ashley Ivanochko, gold (47.10); Kaybrie Lutz, gold (46.70); Ashten Miller, gold (46.70); Emileigh McClenaghan, silver (46.65). Gym Cat - Advanced - Alison Landstad, gold (47.10); Courtney Matychuk, silver (45.80); Meaghan Pinno, gold (47.45); Jessica Gascho, silver (46.20); Sidney Shyiak, silver (46.85); Hayley Fayant-Stephens, silver (44.80); Kiara Lutz, silver (46.75); Jenna Schofer, gold, (47.25); Brynn Jarvis, gold (48.25); Alexis Repsch, bronze (44.40); Hanna Wennberg, gold (48.40). Provincial 1 Argo and Tyro - Shalysa Brown, first (48.567); Jayden Jarvis, ninth (46.917); Emily Zajac, 10th (45.850). Provincial 1 Novice - Laura Betker, fourth (46.167). Provincial 2 - Argo, Tyro, Open - Breanne Gelowitz, first ( 46.500); Cassidy Stachowich, second (46.400); Bryn Nystrom, fourth (46.220); Sierra Cook, fifth (45.800); Hannah Herman, seventh (43.700).
