It’s hard to believe that’s it’s been over two years since a competitive gymnastics meet was last held in Orléans. Like many other minor sports events, competitive gymnastic meets have been on a hiatus since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last weekend, the Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles played host to more than 100 gymnasts from across Ottawa and as far away as Thunder Bay and Kingston who took part in ENVOL 2022.
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| Level 9 over 15 all-around champion Amanda Springate is flanked by Rachael Peck (left) from Trillium Gymnastics and Demeter Riedmueller (right) from the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO |
The gymnasts, age 11-15, competed on floor, balance beam, vault and uneven bars at six different levels based on their ability and skill.
All of the competitors had to show proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, and several opted to wear face masks during their routines even though they’ve been deemed optional in competition by Gymnastics Ontario.
Besides Les Sittelles, among the clubs represented at the meet were the Tumblers Gymnastic Centre in Orléans, the TRYumph Gym in Gloucester, the Nepean Corona School of Gymnastics, the Kanata Gymno-sphere, the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre, Trillium Gymnastics in Kingston, Ultimate Gymnastics in Thunder Bay and North Bay Apollo Gymnastics.
Amanda Springate led the way for the host club, winning the all-around title in the Level 9, 15 and over division after claiming first place in beam, floor and uneven bars to go along with a second place result on vault.
Three other Les Sittelles gymnast placed third in the all-around competition:
- Catherine Venne, placed third overall in the Level 2, 11-year-old age group thanks in large part to a first place result on the uneven bars.
- Lili-Jade Coté placed second overall in the Level 2, 10-year-old age group after placing second on floor and uneven bars and third on vault and beam.
- Elodie Philips placed first on beam and third overall in the Level 2, nine-year-old age group.
- Chelsea Jocelyn, placed second overall in the Level 6, 11-year-old age group after placing first on both vault and floor.
- Holly Ray-Simard placed first on beam and second overall in the Level 6, 12-year-old age group.
- Noëmi Fortin placed third all-round in the Level 6, 15 and over age group thanks to a trio of second place result on vault, floor and uneven bars. The only blemish on her scorecard was a sixth place results on beam.
- Maia Ford placed third overall in the Level 6, 13-B age group after placing second on vault and beam, and
- Aurelle Brisson placed third overall in the Level 8, 14- and 15-year-old age group that included a first place result on beam.
THE ORIGINAL NAVAN MARKET rain or shine from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Navan Fairgrounds, 1279 Colonial Road in Navan. Over 100 vendors in attendance. For more information 
CANADA DAY CELEBRATION from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. Enjoy live music and delicious BBQ treats provided by Prestige Catering.
