Four of the five athletes from VIP Gymsports in Nanaimo came back from BC provincials with gold medals in trampoline and tumbling events. (Graham Dodd Airtime Photography)

By Dan Marshall

Balancing Act

Local trampoline and gymnastics athletes show well on provincial stage

Apr 17, 2022 | 6:07 AM

NANAIMO — Local gymnasts and trampolinists have raised the bar after a strong showing at BC provincials.

Several athletes from VIP Gymsports in Nanaimo had first place finishes.

Coach Megan Conway said it was the first in person provincials since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“We had twelve athletes attending, five for trampoline and seven for women’s gymnastics. For many of them it was their first ever provincial championship period.”

There were four first place finishes among the five athletes who competed at the Trampoline and Tumbling Provincial Championships in Surrey.

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Adin Brenner took first in Level 5 tumbling, with Brooklyn Stobbe getting gold in Level 4 tumbling.

In senior women’s Taylor Pillinger was the best in the province.

Owen Harbo won the Level 6 mini double trampoline event, while Maddie Slater finished in the top four in her categories.

At the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics provincials Abi Harris had the most impressive performance.

She was is the provincial champion for Level 6 after finishing first all around as well as on beam and floor. Harris also earned fourth on vault and seventh on bars.

Suna Nadya, Skyler Chalker, Teegan Oxbury, Abby Doyle, Keauni Barbour and Hailey Doberstein also posted top ten results earlier this month.

Western Canadian, national and world events are approaching quickly and for elite athletes like Adin Brenner it means training is extremely important.

“We have nationals coming up at the end of July and I’ll be aiming for the World Games in Bulgaria this year.”

Brenner competes in tumbling and mini double trampoline and feels his best opportunity to make get to the worlds is in double mini.

Taylor Pillinger has her sights set on upcoming nationals for tumbling.

She competes at a women’s senior level and she plans to use the next couple of months wisely to prepare.

“We have a few months to learn new skills and get more high difficulty routines ready. Consistency is very important but so is giving your body a break, you don’t won’t to burn yourself out.”

Brenner and Pillinger aren’t the only athletes with aspirations at the national level.

Conway said several of her trampoline competitors could land on the podium in 2022.

“Brooklyn Stobbe will be going to the Western Canada Cup and Owen Harbo has already been to nationals last year.”

The Nanaimo Gymnastics School also sent a contingent to provincials.

NGS earned bronze in the Level 7 and Level 9 team competitions and Mylah Vanden-Elsen and Samantha Jones earned a berth in the Western Canadian Championships.

Vanden-Elsen is also going to the Canadian Championships at the end of May.

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