Jenn Schwandt used a variety of adjectives to describe Alia Wilson, the gymnast she coaches at the Prince George Gymnastics Club.
Flawless. Phenomenal. Fantastic.
Wilson, 11, catapulted to an all-around bronze medal at the Western Canadian Artistic Gymnastics Championships last weekend in Saskatoon.
Competing in provincial level 4, Wilson nailed her routines on the balance beam and bars to win individual gold and then grabbed a bronze medal on the floor to finish third overall.
"She was very confident," said Schwandt. "On the beam she hit a beautiful back-tuck, she hit everything. She did fanstastic. She was flawless with her bar and beam routines. She even performed better than she did at provincials. I'm absolutely thrilled."
Wilson was the only gymnast from Prince George who competed at Westerns, qualifying at the B.C. championships in March in Kamloops where she landed the bronze medal in the all-around competition.
It was her best-ever performance at Westerns, having competed at the pre-novice level in 2012 and 2013.
Wilson, a Grade 6 elementary student at Immaculate Conception school, said she spent her time between provincials and westerns, "making my routines better and I wanted to be tight in everything, in my landings and tumbling routines."
On the bar at Westerns, "I didn't slip and I hit and stuck my landing. On the beam, my skills were very good and I was confident going in."
The meet was live-streamed and Wilson's Prince George teammates watched her every move back at her home club.
"I think it does inspire the rest of her teammates for them to be able to see it," said Schwandt. "When she got back today [Monday] she received big hugs from everyone."
Wilson is among a local contingent of local gymnasts who're competing at their home Prince George Invitational Meet this weekend, May 3-4.
More than 160 athletes from Fort St. John, Quesnel, Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat, and Prince George will be at the club on the exhibition grounds from Saturday morning to Sunday evening.
"All of our kids are competing," said PGGC head coach Jodie Hinks. "It's a great chance for them to show their routines in front of family and friends and they'll be on their own equipment at the club."
"I'm excited about competing at home again," added Wilson. "I hope to stick all of my routines then too."
The meet gets underway Saturday at 9 a.m. with the largest provincial Level 1 group. Provincial levels 3, 4, and 5 are on the mats in the afternoon, followed by provincial level 2 in the evening that wraps up at 8 p.m.
Sunday at 9 a.m., the little development group take to the floor, followed by the boys and men's competition. The meet concludes with with interclub recreational/performance levels.
Hinks is relying on a core group of volunteers, numbering around 75, which include meet co-ordinator Karla Gallop, parents and board members to pull off another successful meet.
"Karla has done such a fantastic job and we have the same people year after year who definitely make it happen," said Hinks, adding the coaching staff and gymnasts volunteer too.
The club is currently at capacity boasting more than 1,000 members. A wait list has existed for the last few years.
Admission for the Prince George Invitational Meet is $5/person and $10/family which is good for the entire weekend.
