Snowbirds take top spots at provincals

Labrador West gymnasts showed they could hold their own with the best at spring provincials.

Competing among the best-of-the-best, nine rising stars from Snowbirds Gymnastics Club, snatched several medals at the tournament in Corner Brook, June 4-5.

According to Tracy Critch, Snowbirds Gymnastics Club president, Mallory Coish placed first overall in the open, Jessica Ryan second, and Sara Johnson fourth, while receiving medals on vault, beam, and floor.

She added that Emily Benson placed second on vault, Kyra Louvelle sixth on vault, and McKenna Head fourth on vault, and sixth on bars, beam, and floor.

"We are very proud of our gymnasts," said Critch. "The fact that they can place alongside gymnasts, who train much more, demonstrates their talent and perseverance."

She explained that the Snowbirds practice four times per week at the J.R. Smallwood Middle School gym, while their competitors spend eight to 12 hours training per week.

She said that the club's future is very uncertain if it doesn't get a permanent facility and she fears the club will never get back up to the level where it was in the past.

"If we could have maintained our practice schedule that we had at Labrador City Collegiate, we could be sending kids to the Atlantics every year," she said. "It is heartbreaking to see such talent unable to develop further."

It makes it that much harder, she added, knowing that gymnastics used to be the third largest sport in Labrador West, behind hockey and soccer.

The spring provincials is the last tournament of the season, according to Critch, who said that the club will start up again in the fall.

Snowbirds Gymnastic Club athletes excelled on bars at the Newfoundland and Labrador Gymnastics Spring Provincials in Corner Brook, June 4-5.

Back row: Mallory Coish (left), Jessica Ryan, Emily Benson, and Sara Johnson. Front row: Sarah Barry (left), Cassidy Nicholas, McKenna Head, Brittney Collins, and Kyra Louvelle.