Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Canadian Championships Men’s Finals

“I’m very impressed with the level of gymnastics that happened at the junior and senior level this week,” said Tony Smith, National Team Director Men’s Artistic Gymnastics. “We are significantly ahead of where we were at the beginning of last cycle. There are lots of reasons to be optimistic …”

Champions crowned on the final day of the Canadian Championships in Artistic Gymnastics

Sr Floor Champions – Scott Morgan BC & Aaron Mah BC 13.850

Sr Pommel Champion – Thierry Pellerin QC 14.700

Sr Rings Champion – Scott Morgan BC 14.350

Sr Vault Champion – Zachary Clay BC 14.150

Sr P Bars Champion – Jackson Payne AB 14.000

Sr H Bar Champion – Jackson Payne AB 14.000

full Senior MAG Finals results

Laval Excellence teammates William Émard and Félix Dolci are two of the best Junior gymnasts in the world.

Finals are often a letdown. Not this year. I felt Finals were better than prelims for a majority of competitors.

CDN Championships HP Novice results

  1. Rachael Riley ON 111.286
  2. Sophia King AB 110.035
  3. Kyra Cato AB 109.253
  4. Jovie Richardson ON 108.985
  5. Jenna Sartoretto ON 107.568
  6. Emmanuelle Lalonde QC 107.385

full results 

Canadian superstar Ana Padurariu

The biggest highlight of Canadian Nationals 2017 is Junior National Champion Ana Padurariu. One of the best Juniors in the world right now.

1 Ana Padurariu 55.267 Gemini
2 Emma Spence 51.201 Dynamo
3 Quinn Skrupa 50.484 Brandon Eagles
4 Elizabeth Holmstrom 50.234 Capital City Gym Club
5 Imogen Paterson 49.734 Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics
6 Zoé Allaire-Bourgie 49.500 Gymnix

full results

Ana’s 55.267 was high score of the meet. With a fall on Beam.

Her weakest apparatus is Vault yet she landed quite a credible Yurchenko 1 1/2 in Finals. One of her best vaults yet.

Alexandra Leask – Canadian Junior Qualifications Photo Gallery

Ellie Black is Canadian Champion

1. Ellie Black 54.318
2. Rose-Kaying Woo 54.051
3. Jade Chrobok 53.100
4. Isabela Onyshko 52.918
5. Sophie Marois 51.468
6. Shallon Olsen 51.167
full results

“My goal today was just to compete, stay healthy and have some fun out there,” Black said in a release following the award ceremony.

“It’s nice to be back with the girls again and to build some excitement in the building. I’ve enjoyed the whole experience and I’m so happy to be healthy and back competing.” …

CBC

Photo by Alexandra Leask

Ellie had a fall on Bars and reduced difficulty overall from Rio. So a 54.318 puts her in good shape for the build up to Worlds. One highlight is her choreography on Floor. Easily her best ever in my opinion.

 

related – Lauren Hopkins’ Finals Live Blog

Canadian Champ Zachary Clay

1. Zachary Clay BC 81.750
2. Jackson Payne AB 79.400
3. Sam Zakutney ON 78.900
4. René Cournoyer QC 77.800
5. Aaron Mah BC 77.350
full results

“This is the best feeling ever, no words can describe how I feel right now,” Clay said in a release. “I wasn’t expecting to come first, I was just aiming for the podium but everything just came together today. I was in the zone and focused on what I had to do to win and am happy with the results.”

CBC

Clay was 1st on Pommels with 5.80 / 14.650.

For Worlds Canada will most likely name one or two AA gymnasts as well as the top contenders to qualify for an apparatus final.

Chinese gymnast Xuon (James) Luo representing B.C. was first on Rings 6.10 / 14.500.

Olympian Scott Morgan, back from injury, was 4th on Floor, 2nd on Vault.

Kevin Lytwyn, back from surgery, won H Bar with 5.90 / 13.850. He’s training a much bigger routine, however.

All in all it was a thrilling competition with 42 seniors. I have to say it was more entertaining than the FIG women’s meet running concurrently. 🙂

Of the many NCAA gymnasts, past and present, the guy who hit best was Iowa’s Cory Paterson.