By Lisa Parent

LATEST

‘These girls work very hard’: Four Medicine Hat gymnasts prepare for Alberta Winter Games

Jan 24, 2024 | 4:06 PM

Every two years the Alberta Winter Games brings together the best young talent from all over the province.

With the Games around the corner in February, there will be some Medicine Hat gymnastics talent to keep an eye out for.

Alivia Theofan, Chelsia Cooper, Camryn Kingsley and Brynnley Gertner all secured their spots in the Games at a qualifying event in Wetaskiwin last month.

The athletes needed an individual top four finish in their respective category to qualify.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

15h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

15h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

23h ago

It was a scary moment for 12-year-old Theofan.

“I was pretty nervous,” Theofan told CHAT News.

“I knew that it was just regular competition, but it was really nerve-wracking because you wanted to make it.”

The athletes are preparing to compete in four categories including vault, balance beam, floor and bars. There is a great deal of preparation that goes into preparing for each event.

“I’ve been getting lots of rest and just focusing on the basic routines and fixing anything that I got deductions on,” Brynnley Gertner said.

“I love the hard work that it comes with [practicing] and it’s going to sound a little weird, but I like the pain,” Theofan added.

The four will represent zone one alongside athletes from Lethbridge, who they’ve already met and trained with.

One of the coaches, Ashtyn George, wants to make sure all their bases are covered before the games. George was an athlete in the games in 2016 and knows what it takes to compete.

“These girls work very hard, extremely hard, they train between 16 and 18 hours a week here,” George said.

“Mentally, they’re always visualizing stuff before they take their turns and they put a lot of effort into everything that they do.”

George has made sure the young athletes know there will be some fun to be had at the Games, too.

“I’ve never been there before, but I’m really excited to compete with many other athletes, meet new people and I’m also really excited to see some of the other events that are going on there too,” Cooper said.

Theofan anticipates meeting the other competitors.

“I’m really excited to meet new people and get out of my comfort zone a little bit and not just stay at home,” she said.

The SALTA athletes leave for the games on Feb. 14 and competition starts on Feb. 16.