A Cochrane tween has hauled home some major hardware after competing at gymnastics provincials last weekend in Fort McMurray.
“It was really, really good – and really nerve-wracking and exciting,” said 12-year-old Juliana McPike of her competition performance. “(I was thinking), ‘Just show it off to the judges and try to do my best.”
McPike participated in the floor, uneven bars, beam and vault events in the Junior Olympic Level 6 2004 group at the Alberta Gymnastics Federation’s Artistic Provincial Championship. More than 500 athletes from around the province took part in the athletic weekend event.
The St. Timothy’s High School student placed second overall in her category, including a first place finish in bars with a score of 9.175. She also tied for bronze on the beam with a score of 9.450.
“I’m really proud of myself,” said McPike, who started training at three years old in Cochrane and now is a member of the Stampede City Gymnastics Club in Calgary.
McPike said the competitive season is now over, but she will continue to work throughout the summer to constantly improve.
“We never really stop,” she said. “We keep training and doing our skills.”
