Tessa Bell and Bellaku Caleb represented the Nanaimo Gymnastics School at BC Winter Games trials. Caleb will be going to the Games in March and Bell is up for a wildcard berth.  (Nanaimo Gymnastics School)

By Dan Marshall

On the Mat

2023 brings high expectations for Nanaimo Gymnastics School athletes

Jan 29, 2023 | 6:53 AM

NANAIMO — The top athletes at the Nanaimo Gymnastics school are moving into the competition phase of their calendar.

A large contingent will be heading to the Christy Fraser Memorial Invitational Feb. 2-5 in Langley.

It’s the first major event this year which will pave the way for a busy month of March.

“March is our big competition month,” said coach Tracy Welbourn. “That’s when the trials for our other big events happen and then there’s Western Canadian’s in April and Nationals in May.”

Back in December Nanaimo Gymnastics hosted the BC Winter Games trials.

roster shakeup

Nanaimo Clippers lose two major players to Major Junior ranks

1h ago

armed robbery

Knife-wielding man robs south Nanaimo liquor store

9h ago

Shorthanded

Clippers fall short hosting Bulldogs

16h ago

Two of their own athletes performed very well in those trials.

Bellaku Caleb, a Level 8 student, finished seventh on vault, fifth on bars, fourth on beam, silver on floor and bronze all around.

The results ensure she will be going to the BC Winter Games in Vernon in March.

Tessa Bell is also a Level 8 and she finished 4th on vault, earned gold on bars, sixth on beam and floor and fourth all around.

Bell is currently an alternate for the Games but may still qualify in a wildcard spot.

16-year-old Mylah Vanden-Elsen is an athlete to watch in 2023.

She’s competing as a Level 10 this year, the highest discipline level possible.

It’s the first time coaches Welbourn and Louise Demers have coached an athlete at that level all the way up at the Nanaimo School.

“Her goals this year are to make Westerns and then also make Team BC for Nationals,” Welbourn said. “She did attend Nationals for the first timer last year as a Level 9 but it would be exciting for her to attend as a Level 10.”

In 2022 at Nationals Vanden-Elsen placed second on vault.

According to Welbourn she’s been working to make improvements at her best event.

“She’s going to add a full twist to what she did last year to make it even harder”

Overall most of the recreational programs are full at the Nanaimo Gymnastics School and there are about 70 competitive athletes.

Welbourn said the large numbers make for a hectic schedule for herself, Louise Demers and the other coaches.

“It’s a lot of routines, a lot of work and a lot of events as well. Often we’ll end up with multiple events on the same weekend so it’s very busy.”

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW