(Submitted photo/ Cory Jones)

By Nigel Maxwell

Local achievements

Young gymnast named top Saskatchewan athlete

Nov 5, 2019 | 10:01 AM

Whether it’s flying off the vault or landing a back hand spring off the balance beam, Prince Albert’s Charley Jones has been turning heads for years, and now she can add one more achievement to her trophy case.

The 13-year-old has most recently been named Gym Sask’s top female athlete in the category of junior olympics, levels six to seven. Jones, who is a multi-time provincial champion, is also very modest and confessed to paNOW she was surprised to receive the award.

“It’s good to know all my hard work paid off,” she said.

The award was presented to Jones last weekend at Gym Sask’s annual gala in Saskatoon. She had previously also won Athlete of the Year in the category of junior olympics levels three to five. She admitted she just loves the feeling she gets when she competes.

“It’s nervous and excited but I love it,” she said

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Coach Mike Amouri has been working with Jones for about four years. He described her as an established provincial athlete and one of his best performers.

“She’s a very consistent, very calm, composed competitor and that helps her achieve these results,” he explained.

When asked about her future plans, Jones said she would like to earn a scholarship and go to the world championhips. She also plans to compete at an event in Las Vegas in January. Amouri said he has seen a lot of growth in Jones since she decided six years ago to start competing.

“When Charley started with us in [the competitive class] at seven years old, I think she could do a cart wheel maybe and now she is a multi-time provincial champion,” he said proudly.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell