Team Canada returned from the Pan American Acrobatic Championships in Monterrey Mexico this week with some overweight luggage from the sheer haul of medals they took home – and we couldn’t be more proud!
By way of background, this was only the 2nd time Canada has sent a nationally selected team to the Pan Am Acro Championships. Although Canada did very well at the 2017 competition helping to put Canadian acro on the map, this year’s competition really cemented our status as a nation with extremely high caliber athletes across the FIG acro levels.
Team Canada was comprised of 11 partnerships (8 from OGC) and we are pleased to report that 18 medals were earned in total – 15 of them from OGC athletes! Here are the results:
11-16 Trio – Joelle, Ally, and Karyzza
This dynamic trio put in some serious hard work in the lead up to Pan Am and it certainly paid off! They qualified for finals in both dynamic and balance and executed both routines flawlessly. They had a 4th place finish in dynamic amongst some stiff competition and soared to new heights winning the silver medal in balance with an impressive score of 26.950 – just 0.250 away from 1st place!
11-16 Trio – Avery, Charlotte, and Juliana
This trio stepped onto the floor with such fierceness that you would be hard pressed to believe that they had not competed for nearly a full year due to injuries. In their return to the competition floor, they gave stunning performances in both dynamic and balance with great execution and a natural flair for dance. They qualified for finals in balance after achieving a tie for 1st place in the qualifier and obtained an impressive score of 26.400 in balance finals landing them a 4th place finish in an extremely tight race.
11-16 Women’s Pair – Faith and Olivia
This pair has also had to overcome some significant obstacles to get to where they are today and they are a true inspiration and testament to what hard work can accomplish. This was only their second time competing together but they stepped onto the competition floor with such grace and professionalism that you would think that they had been doing this together for years. After qualifying for finals in both balance and dynamic, they achieved a 4th place finish in dynamic and brought home a silver medal for Canada with their balance routine.
12-18 Women’s Trio – Olivia, Sydney, and Marie-Ève
This trio never fails to impress and the 2019 Pan Am Championships were no exception. They performed all 3 routines beautifully and accomplished the rare feat of making it look effortless. They qualified for finals in both dynamic and balance and made us all proud to be Canadian bringing home not 1, not 2, but 3 silver medals for their balance, dynamic, and overall score!
12-18 Women’s Trio – Lola, Teeba, and Katelynn
This 12-18 trio showcased extraordinary strength, flexibility, and by the looks of some of their skills, bravery! They wowed the spectators and judges with their routines and qualified for finals in both the dynamic and balance categories. This was the last competition these talented athletes will compete together as a trio so it was particularly fitting for them to end on such a high note – bringing home the bronze medal for Canada with their balance routine!
12-18 Men’s Pair – Kristian and Max
Our men’s pair is always a crowd favourite with their upbeat routines that include unique choreography and seemingly death-defying skills. At smaller competitions, there are not ordinarily many competitors in the men’s categories but this in no way means that they don’t come to compete. This talented pair performed their routines extraordinarily well and with such strength and determination that the 3 gold medals they earned for their balance, dynamic, and overall score were well-deserved.
12-18 Mixed Pair – Mila and Theo
This golden pair has been making waves in the acro community ever since they started competing together and they only keep getting better. With flawless and moving performances that showcase extremely difficult skills including a double layout and one armed needle, we are proud to say that Mila and Theo won 3 gold medals for Canada. They achieved impressive scores including a 27.650 for their gorgeous combined routine and a 26.950 for their dynamic.
13-19 Women’s Trio – Madaline, Ashlee, and Cassandra
Our highest level trio has had a tough year as they were temporarily sidelined while they overcame some serious injuries but you would never know it in watching them compete this past weekend. Their strength and determination shone through and they made us all beyond proud when they won 3 silver medals for Canada in balance, dynamic, and overall score!
Rounding out the Canadian medal tally, Team Canada athletes from Capital City Gymnastics Centre brought home the following:
11-16 WP – Olivia and Emily – 1st dynamic
11-16 WP – Olivia and Emily – 3rd in balance
11-16 WG – Janiya, Tatum, and Keira – 3rd in dynamic
Congratulations to all the athletes, their coaches and choreographers! Next up, worlds 2020!
📸 cred: Shots 4 Sports (where indicated) and to all the proud acro parents!
Author: Oakville Gym