Nanaimo Gymnastics School coaches Tracy Welbourn and Louise Demers continue to work with Mylah Vanden-Elsen (CL) and Samantha Jones (CR) after the two athletes helped Team BC win a silver medal at the Western Canadian Championships. (Dan Marshall/NNN)

By Dan Marshall

Vaulting into Westerns

Local gymnasts help Team BC take silver at Western Canadian Championships

May 8, 2022 | 10:40 AM

NANAIMO — Two local gymnasts were part of Team BC at the Western Canadian Championships in Winnipeg in late April.

15-year-old Mylah Vanden-Elsen and 16-year-old Samantha Jones were part of the senior Level 9 team which earned a silver medal.

In the individual all-around competition Vanden-Elsen finished in fourth place and Jones came in 19th.

Coach Louise Demers was proud of the way both athletes performed.

“They did really well. It’s a huge accomplishment as this is a step up from a provincial championship and a step towards a national championship.”

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With her performance on the first day of the Westerns Vanden-Elsen qualified for the apparatus finals on the second day.

Only the top six athletes in each category were allowed to compete.

She finished with a gold medal on vault along with a bronze medal on both beam and floor.

“I am definitely very proud of how I did,” Vanden-Elsen said. “It was so nice to be able to be part of Team BC and do live events again. After two years off, I’m just really happy to be back at it.”

It was the second Western Canadian championship for Vanden-Elsen but first for Jones.

Helping Team BC earn silver was special for Jones, and seeing her progression to such a high level was a proud moment for her coach.

“I’ve been coaching Sam for ten years now so that’s really great to see. It’s big seeing someone you’ve coached since they were six years old achieve a big goal like that.”

First the first time in her career Vanden-Elsen has qualified for the Canadian Championships.

The event takes place from May 26-31 in Richmond.

There are things I could have done better at Westerns,” Vanden-Elsen said. “But mostly I’m looking forward to improving my performances at Nationals.”

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