Chenard tops charts at gymnastics provincials

By Sean Rooney on April 19, 2018.

Medicine Hat News

With 96 competitors in the Level 6 girls division at provincials, any number of tiny factors could’ve sent a contender spilling out of contention.

One step the wrong way on floor. One missed element on bars. One loss of balance on the beam.

Salta’s Olivia Chenard pretty much experienced none of those this past weekend in Red Deer, and as a result she came out on top.

The nine-year-old from Medicine Hat scored 37.725 points in claiming the all-around title. The gap to second spot was less than a half-point, and even teammate Kristen Friesen’s 37.108 was only good for seventh amid a packed leaderboard.

Chenard won gold with a massive 9.800 score on floor, was third on bars and was consistent enough on vault and beam to wind up atop the podium.

Friesen was second on floor with a 9.783 and seventh on beam —hardly anything to scoff at given the huge number of competitors.

Fellow Salta athlete Ria Thacker, 12, finished 36th overall in Level 6, although she was 12th in her 2006-born age group. Coach Rebecca Schmal said Thacker had come back from an ankle injury, making her results even more impressive. Her 9.350 score on floor was a personal best.

Speaking of age groups, Chenard and Friesen’s scores look even better when matched against their age-related peers. Friesen in particular — she was third in the all-around for her age group.

Salta heads to the Mountain Magic Invitational in Okotoks next weekend to get a head start on next season.

SAS

Earlier this month, Salta’s Achievement Squad group wrapped up their season in Olds, with 12 athletes combining for 45 medals in a variety of events.

Top medallists were Maliyah Weber, who won her Level 4 all-around title with three event wins; Allyson Bonneville, whose five gold medals included the Level 2 all-around; and Sophia Anderson, who had four second-place results and took silver for the Level 1 all-around.

Others winning at least one medal included Sophie Lagace, Tia Malcom, Emily Robinson, Madellyn Samuelson, Aurora Janes, Tessa Steinkey, Lilah Pratt and Peyton Hoesing.

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