The five young gymnasts, and one alternate, celebrate being selected to Team Lakeland. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Gymnastics

Prince Albert gymnasts land spots at Sask. Winter Games

Dec 17, 2021 | 4:00 PM

The Lakeland team, at the Sask. Winter games in February, is guaranteed to have a lot more spring in its step with the inclusion of five young gymnasts from the Prince Albert Aerials club.

The participating athletes in the artistic event are Lucy Jones (12), Edye Bendzsak (11), Chloe Court (11), Ember Dorward (11) and Dylan Bannerman-Murphy (12).Their coach Serra Gillis, a top competitive athlete in her own right, told paNOW the girls represent her first competitive group since starting coaching, and explained she has formed a special bond with each of them.

“Coming from being in a gymnast in that position, to being able to put other gymnasts in that position, it’s just really nice to get to see them with a big smile on their faces,” she said.

Coach Serra Gillis shares a hug with the young athletes. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The games are scheduled to take place Feb. 20th to 26th in Regina, with the gymnastics portion running the first three days. Gillis acknowledged she gets nervous too watching the girls compete, but added her job is to help re-assure them.

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“It’s always a win whether it goes good or bad because with them they are young, everything is a good experience, and a new experience,” she said. “They do get hard on themselves but right now everything is a learning experience.”

Many of these athletes have been in gymnastics for over six years already, and when speaking briefly with paNOW could barely contain their excitement about the opportunity to compete in Regina.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell