The Airdrie Edge Gymnastic Club hosted the Elite Canada Trampoline competition April 4 to 6 at Genesis Place.
Local athletes Bianca Pye, Chelsie Boychuk, Mark Armstrong, Caitlin Brown, Hailey Macaig, Brody Atkin and Dana Jelinski all participated in the double-mini trampoline, trampoline and tumbling events alongside three Olympians during the competition.
Rosie MacLennan, who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; Jason Burnett, who took home a silver medal in Beijing and three-time medallist Karen Cockburn all competed in the event.
“In a simple sense, (the athletes) take away a picture of greatness,” said Airdrie Edge Coach Jamie Atkin about competing with Olympians. “We have some of the best athletes in the country in some of our events. I will have athletes that will have identified with an athlete like Karen (Cockburn) and truly believe they can do that someday.”
This is the third time the club has hosted this calibre event, which counts towards national scoring for selection to the Canadian Olympic teams. Atkin says the event went off without a hitch.
“It went really good. It’s a well-oiled machine, and the interaction with Genesis Place is easy,” said Atkin.
“We had compliments upon compliments. People are frankly jealous of the quality of the facility. We had a packed crowd on the big days, which was really nice. People from other provinces struggle to get people other than parents to these events.”
One of Atkin’s notable athletes this weekend was Boychuk, who fell off the trampoline during her preliminary routine, but the quick actions of a coach allowed her to move on uninjured and perform a personal best on the double-mini trampoline.
“She qualified for nationals on double-mini,” said Atkin. “She nailed her routines. She is pretty pumped for that.”
One local athlete who wasn’t competing, Jenelle Desmarais-Moen, made a save during the women’s trampoline preliminaries, injuring herself, but allowing the athlete to move on in the competition.
“Even Jenelle saved someones bacon,” said Atkin. “She put herself in harms way to help out, she hurt her knee a bit but that’s what we do. I hate that she got hurt doing it, but I love that there was no doubt in her mind to do it.”
Edge athletes will also compete in the Canadian Championship in Regina in May, and the Canada Cup in Langley this July.
