Gymnastique Artistique féminine

3 local gymnasts earn Team Ontario tour berths for Arizona competition

By Brian Trota

Pick between Belleville in November and Phoenix in January and the choice of destination is pretty easy for most, but for a trio of local gymnasts the way to sunny rays was paved by their stay in Quinte Bay.

Ottawa Gymnastics Centre’s Sarah Hu, Nepean-Corona’s Sophia Nizalik and Les Sittelles’ Jessica Reddin all qualified to be members of Team Ontario for the Grand Invitational competition Jan. 22-24 in Arizona thanks to their strong performances at the Nov. 13-15 Tour Selection meet hosted by Quinte Bay Gymnastics Club.

“There were a lot of gymnasts at the competition,” highlights Level 6 all-around silver medallist and balance beam champ Nizalik, who was up against gymnasts of all ages looking for one of eight Team Ontario positions (plus two alternates) at each level. “I was shocked when I found out I had placed in the top-10.”

Despite her athlete entering the competition “with no expectations,” Sittelles coach Jocelyne Legault says “hard work at training paid off” for Reddin, placed 6th all-around out of 68 competitors in Level 6 and won an uneven bars bronze medal.

“I'm extremely happy with my results,” indicates Reddin. “A little surprised because it was only my first year going (to Tour Selection).”

Following her all-around bronze medal win in the age 12-13 category at last year’s provincial championships, Hu continued to build on her exploits in the Level 9 division in her first competition in the age 13+ group, winning silver on floor and bars bronze to finish 3rd overall and secure her ticket to Arizona.

Avery Rosales and Hanna Nixon from Tumblers Gymnastics Centre also posted solid results in Belleville. Taking part in their first Elite Canada screening event of the season, Rosales placed 6th all-around in the novice high-performance division and captured floor gold and bars bronze, while Nixon won floor silver in the pre-novice aspire class.