Provincial team spots up for grabs

Academy hosts Prince Edward Classic event

The Island Gymnastics Academy (IGA) will host more than 400 of the region’s top gymnasts beginning today at the three-day Prince Edward Classic.

The competition will take place at the Delta Prince Edward. Athletes from all across Atlantic Canada will compete to qualify for a spot on their provincial teams.

Gymnasts, who qualify at this competition, have the opportunity to compete later in the season at regional and national championships. The academy has hosted this competition annually for the last 20 years.

“This competition is a major invitational competition for our region and an important qualifier for the provincial teams,” said meet director Sharon Gareau.

This event is open to the public, providing Island gymnasts the opportunity to showcase their talents for a hometown crowd. Saturday’s evening session, which begins at 4:30 p.m., will feature national and international level athletes.

Here are a few of the Island athletes competing:

Karisa Quinn is a 2015 Canada Games team member and twotime P.E.I. gymnast of the year from IGA.

Ashley MacDougall, from the Summerside Saultos, was second all-around at a meet last weekend in novice 8.

Alex Mann is a two-time Canada Games team member and national medallist from IGA.

Ryan McKenna was part of the 2015 Canada Games team from IGA.

Ian McKenna is a first-year national level competitor from IGA.

Matt Gallant, also from IGA, was the national open pommels champion in 2016 and a two-time Canada Games team member.

Kenzie Myers is a first year at national level from Victory Gymnastics.

Ellie Black, a two-time Olympian and 2015 Pan Am Games champion from the Halifax Alta Gymnastics, will be competing.