Fresh off a good showing at the Canadian championships in trampoline gymnastics, two members of Nanaimo Gymnastics School are prepping to head overseas for a competition in November.
Blake Mould, who took gold on trampoline (Level 6) at the championships in Oshawa, Ont., and Adin Brenner, bronze in team tumbling (Level 5) will be in Sofia, Bulgaria for the World Age Group competition between Nov. 16-19.
“It’s exciting to have both the boys qualify in double-mini (trampoline) to the world age group competition and Blake’s in the mix for trampoline … It’s just really exciting that we’re from a small club and we’re able to produce athletes of this calibre,” said Megan Conway, Nanaimo Gymnastics School coach. “They’re one of only three selected for that event in their age category, all three being from B.C., so B.C.’s showing strong results, especially on double mini.”
Brenner, who dealt with a torn quad at the nationals, said he will be preparing for Bulgaria.
“The training is, I wouldn’t say intensified, but you have to be able to do all your passes by the time you get there,” said Brenner. “You won’t have the biggest success there if you get there and your passes aren’t ready. Jet lag might take place and different time zone and everything it might have a little bit of a toll.”
Mould said he is tempering his expectations.
“It’s a big category for my age group,” said Mould. “There’s a lot of people and a lot of really good athletes. I’ll try my best.”
Cassidy Bodnar and Sierra Schuler were also part of the Oshawa contingent, with Schuler contributing to the Team B.C. silver in the team double-mini competition. She scored the highest of any girl in the finals and said it was memorable.
“Oshawa was really fun,” said Schuler. “It was my first nationals and it was a great experience because the whole team was always there cheering on everyone else. It was just really fun.”