Gymnasts ready to set the bar at Games

Ten members of the Airials Gymnastics Club in Gander are ready for the experience of a lifetime.

Four male and six female gymnasts were selected to represent Team Central at the 2010 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games later this month in Grand Falls-Windsor.

The club could have sent six male gymnasts, but it only has four of Winter Games age. However, the club had to hold a qualifying event for the girls, as more than six were interested in going. The qualifying meet was held the first weekend of February, and two judges came in to determine the six girls who would compete for Team Central.

"For the guys, we didn't need a qualifying meet because we only have four of Winter Games age. We have a lot of boys in the club, but they're not old enough to go," said Airials and Winter Games coach Joanne James. "We had an in-house qualifier for the girls...we had seven tryout for six spots. When only one girl can't go, it's definitely hard, but the good thing is I didn't have to choose it. We had two judges come in to judge our qualifying event."

The four boys travelling to Grand Falls-Windsor are Curtis Simpson, Riley Cooper, Aaron Murphy and James Rayner, while Evan Hollohan, Daniella James, Jennifer Turner, Jackie Oates, Allison Hollohan and Brittany Freake will compete on the ladies' side.

The girls compete in floor, balance beam, uneven bars and vault, while the guys compete in vault, floor, high bar, rings, pommel horse and parallel bars.

James, who's no stranger to coaching at the provincial Winter Games, said it's extremely important that the gymnasts give it their all once the gymnastics competition begins, while at the same time enjoy what's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I've been to a few Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games as a coach and I think the main thing is enjoying the entire Games' experience," said James. "This only comes around once every four years, so most of the kids will never get an opportunity to go because their age just won't allow it. For us, we want to go and enjoy the Games and we want the kids to have fun, but we also want them to do the best they can do when they compete."

Simpson is one of the four boys that will compete at Exploits Valley High School on March 21-22. Of the six events he will compete in, he said the parallel bars - known to gymnasts as the p bars - is his favourite.

"I like p bars the best because that's what I'm best at," said the young gymnast, who's also a purple belt with the Gander Shotokan Karate Club, with a laugh.

Besides competing, Simpson is also looking forward to seeing firsthand what the 2010 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games is all about. However, once his competition begins, Simpson said he wants to do something that's eluded him all year.

"I haven't won a gold medal yet this year, so I'd love to win a gold medal there," he said.

Of the four events Hollohan will compete in, she said the balance beam is her favourite. There's no easy way to succeed at a sport you love, which is why the balance beam is so appealing to Hollohan.

"I'm pretty sure it's one of the hardest apparatuses in gymnastics," said Hollohan. "It's really challenging, so it feels good when you do a good routine."

Hollohan, like Simpson, is extremely dedicated on improving the craft she loves so much. Both gymnasts practice 12 hours a week, and Hollohan is hoping it all comes together for her at the Winter Games.

"I want to do my best because it's such a huge competition. I would love to place, but my goal is to go there and do my best," she said.

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