Four gymnasts representing Port Elgin’s Swing, Spring and Flip Club will be heading to the Provincial Championships in Windsor from April 5 to 8. From left, Taryn Strutt, Carsyn Cassidy, Alyssa Moorehead, Aliyah Petronski, and Coach Patty Bowman.

Hub Staff

Four hardworking athletes will be representing Port Elgin’s Spring, Swing and Flip Club (SSFC) at the upcoming Provincial Championships held in Windsor April 5 to 8 with Carsyn Cassidy, 18; and Alyssa Moorehead, 14, competing in level 7 and Aliyah Petronski, 13; and Taryn Strutt, 15, taking on the level 6 competition.

To qualify for Provincials the gymnasts attended four qualifiers beginning in November 2017. Their top two scores were ranked among all other competitors in Ontario to determine the top 32 of each age group.

Owner of SSFC John Craig said beyond the qualifiers the four made it because of “hard work and determination of both the athletes and coach Patty Bowman.” Craig added, “They push through and continue to work when they have a bad day and enjoy the good days.”

Gymnast Alyssa Moorehead of Port Elgin is going into the Provincials ranked 5th in Ontario with Craig commenting that Cassidy, Petronski and Strutt could break into the top 20 of Ontario if they hit their routines.

Petronski of Port Elgin in recent competition received a 9.9 on her Floor routine to Bishop Briggs “River.” Petronski said that she's been pretty consistent this year and is hoping for a similar result. The 13 year old said that her favourite tumbling pass is a back-handspring back-tuck, and that floor is her favourite because “dancing” and he fact that she gets to use her power through tumbling.

It will be Carsyn Cassidy’s third time attending Provincials, something for which she is excited. “I’ve had a lot of stuff happen this year because I sprained both my ankles in November, so I haven't done that much training, so it’s really nice to make it,” she said.

The four gymnasts who show great poise as they prepare to compete in levels 6 and 7 at the Provincial Championships April 5 to 8.

On the left, Aliyah Petronski, 13 of Port Elgin, had a personal best 9.9 on a floor routine during a previous competition this season. On the right, Alyssa Moorehead, 14 of Port Elgin, is going into the Provincial Competition ranked 5th in Ontario.

Carsyn Cassidy, 18 of Port Elgin, is making a comeback after recovering from two ankle injuries.

Taryn Strutt, 15 of Paisley, said her favourite gymnastics exercise is the beam and recently scored a 9.5.

On the left, Carsyn Cassidy performs a back layout. On the right, Aliyah Petronski’s power allows her to excel in the sport.