Local tumbler brings home silver medal from international meet
Samantha McParland with her coaches, Dave Harris (L), and Josh Tessier at the Indo - Pacific Championships in Kelowna, British Columbia. Photo by Tammie McParland.
Samantha McParland with her coaches, Dave Harris (L), and Josh Tessier at the Indo - Pacific Championships in Kelowna, British Columbia. Photo by Tammie McParland. ____________________________________________________________
Two North Bay Apollo Power Tumblers have just returned from a week in Kelowna, British Columbia, where they competed for Canada in the Indo-Pacific Trampoline and Tumbling Championships. Samantha McParland, 14, brought home a silver medal for her efforts.
McParland, and Josh Tessier, 17, represented Canada in this international event, part of a numbered Canadian contingent.
Other athletes attending this competition were from Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Argentina. Competition was held in the trampoline, double mini-tramp, and tumbling disciplines.
The sunny and hot Okanagan Valley saw the athletes arrive on Sunday, July 11, then two days training were followed by the Senior Team competition, where the national team members from each country competed. This was followed by the age group competitions, where McParland and Tessier competed.
In the 13/14 Age Group, Samantha completed 2 8-skill passes in the preliminaries to finish in sixth place.
She went onto the Finals for the event, and showed excellent form and execution in her only allowed pass of 6 whips (backspings without hands), and full twist, to jump 4 spots and finish second, in the silver medal position, behind fellow Canadian, Jordon Sugrim from Burlington.
Later in the week, in the Men’s 17+ tumbling, Tessier had an impressive first pass with an endskill of a double layout, which put him 6th of 17 athletes. A misstep on his second pass cost him a place in the Finals. Both McParland and Tessier were both very happy to have represented Canada in this prestigious event.
The Indos, which is a biannual competition, will be held in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2006. McParland plans on being part of the Canadian contingent again.
“We had a great time out West”, said McParland.
“Next time I think that they will be even more athletes from our gym, and that will make it even better!”
“Our program is growing and improving so much at Apollo”, stated Tammie McParland, Samantha’s proud mom, and incoming President of the club, who attended the weeklong event with her daughter.
“These athletes are breaking ground internationally and this is a testament to the dedication of the staff and quality of our programs.”
Tessier, who also assisted Apollo Head and National Tumbling coach, Dave Harris, in coaching McParland at the meet, thinks that this competition is the first of many.
“I currently coach a number of Provincial level athletes, who, with some hard work, may be able to have some of the same opportunities Sam and I have had," Harris said.
"The National Trampoline and Tumbling Championships will be held in Vancouver next year, the Eastern Canadian Championships will be held in Halifax, and the World Championships in Trampoline and Tumbling will be held in Amsterdam. It’s very possible that someone from Apollo will attend some, if not all of these.”
McParland was very happy, of course, to see her daughter do so well and knows these experiences have many benefits.
“The opportunity to meet kids from other countries is one I know Samantha, Josh and been myself won’t soon forget. We have a Canadian flag that has been signed by athletes from all the countries at the competition, which will hang at the club as a constant reminder of the excellent time and good friends met. The club is looking forward to sending more athletes to such meets.”
Harris, as well, points out that this is only the beginning.
“We have one of the best quality programs in Ontario and National judges are taking notice. Josh has lead the way and his National experiences are being passed onto our future athletes. He will be working with me to further develop the talent we see.”
As for Samantha, she will soon start back at training after a summer break.
“It’s going to be a lot of work to get some of the new skills I will need for the next year – but the chance to attend awesome meets like the Indos are worth it!”
