The Jasper Gymnastics Club came home with a handful of medals and ribbons after a competition in St. Albert on January 16 and 17.

The club took 13 girls who all performed well, including some who had never competed before and some club veterans.

“There were five of them (who had never competed), they ranged from seven to nine. So they are still young, but they had a very good first experience. A little bit nervous at the beginning, but once the competition started going they caught the hang of it,” said Jasper Gymnastics coach Nadia Wassef.

One first-time competitor, nine-year-old Olivia Hardy, enjoyed making it on the podium after her first competition.

“My whole family was there, two of my Grandma’s and one of my Grandpa’s,” Hardy said. “I went to the podium and got ribbons and it was exciting!”

For Hardy, the whole road trip was fun, as she drove to St. Albert with her family, and got to compete in her favourite event, on the floor dancing, for which she placed third.

It was also a little extra special, as Hardy turned 10 a few days later.

Wassef said it was also good motivation for the girls for everyone to win at least a medal or a ribbon – finishing first, second or third in at least one event.

Top competitors from the club also included; Madelaine Britt who came second on the vault, sixth on bars, first on beam and first on the floor to take an all around second place finish.

Tannis Potter who came fourth on the vault, first on bars, fourth on beam and fourth on the floor for an all around second place finish.

Casey Salanski finished fifth on the vault, eighth on bars, sixth on beam and fourth on the floor to finish third all around.

Katy Quackenbush finished first on vault, seventh on bars, fifth on beam and second on the floor for a fourth all around finish.