2011 Canada Cup Tumbling

Congratulations to the OGC National level tumblers who competed at the 2011 Canada Cup in Airdrie, Alberta during the last week of July. The OGC had a total of 9 national tumblers competing in 4 different categories. Top placing went to Michael Chaves in the Youth Men's tumbling division where he captured the gold. Michael also won the Canadian National Championships in May and is hoping to make the move to Senior in 2012. Luke Mackinnon moved up to the Youth Men's tumbling division and was able to capture the bronze medal behind British Columbia's Kyle Carrahger.

In the Novice Men's 15 and over category Jack McGarr captured a solid 2nd place after landing four smooth tumbling passes in a row. Steven Tucker made the jump to the national level from Provincial A stream and earned a birth in the final round. Steven landed in 5th place. Erik Polasek also moved up to the Novice Men's 15 and over category but with a hand touch on his double back tuck in prelims wasn't able to capture a space in the finals and placed 6th overall.

In the Novice Women's tumbling, 11-14 years age division, Savannah Wepf, the 2011 Canadian National Championships gold medalist, had to settle for bronze behind teammate Kezia Allen, 2nd place, and a tumbler from the USA who captured the gold medal. Though suffering some fears surrounding performing her double pike in competition for the first time, Kezia managed to pull it around to her feet to capture the top Canadian finish in this category and achieve a personal best Finals round score. New comer Stephanie Milligan was able to make her way into the final round of competition and with clean passes found herself in 4th place at her first national level competition.

In the Senior Men's category Jonathan Meehan dropped back to fourth spot after placing second at his two previous national events. Despite Jonathan's fourth place finish he captured his personal best score in the preliminary round which helped him retain his 2nd place rank on the Canadian team. Jonathan is set to participate in the World Championships in November but still has a World Cup in Germany and at National Team selection camp to attend prior to being placed definitively on the World's team. Good luck to Jonathan over the next few months as he prepares for World Championships.

The OGC not only had the largest contingent of tumblers at the 2011 Canada Cup they also captured more medals than any other club and had the most athletes attain the Canadian standard to attend the World Age Group Championships (the worlds for tumblers 18 and under) which will take place the week after the World Championships in Birmingham, England. Savannah Wepf, Kezia Allen, Luke Mackinnon and Michael Chaves all attained the high Canadian standard score which permits them to be considered for the Canadian Age Group Team. Good luck to these four tumblers as they prepare for their international competition as well.

The OGC Tumblers took some time to visit Banff and make friends with international athletes who were attending the Canada Cup. 8 countries participated in the 2011 Trampoline & Tumbling Canada Cup making this competition a truly international experience for the athletes.

Way to go OGC!