The Tri-Cities' excellence in gymnastics shone through when Gymnastics BC honoured the province's top athletes, coaches and volunteers at its annual awards banquet last weekend.
Coaches Svetlana Lashina and Vladimir Latin at Omega Gymnastics in Coquitlam received the Gladys Hartley Provincial Stream Coaches of the Year award.
"I can't even come up with the words to describe what they do because they play such an integral part in the girls' lives," said club manager Chelsea Juckes. "The girls spend pretty much all their time outside of school hours here at the gym so they play a huge role in how the girls grow up."
She said while those involved with the club are well aware of the contributions of Latin and Lashina, it's rewarding to see their efforts recognized by people outside of the club.
Lashina and Latin were not the only club members to receive awards. Ilka Juk of Vancouver was named provincial stream athlete of the year while Shallon Olsen of Surrey was awarded outstanding female athlete of the year.
"They're constantly just going, going, going. You never see them just sitting around in the gym," said Juckes.
Tamara O'Brien of Coquitlam and Kyle Carragher of Port Coquitlam were named the outstanding male and female Trampoline Gymnastics Athletes of the Year.
It is O'Brien's passion for the sport that sets her apart, according to Barb Fraser, who coaches both athletes at TAG Sports Centre in Port Coquitlam.
"Right from the beginning she was a dedicated artistic gymnast, training over 20 hours a week," said Fraser.
She said Carragher has amazing competition control.
"It wasn't always there, he learned that attribute," said Fraser. "His dedication in training and his ability to perform in competition and not get stressed out in competition is definitely an asset."
Fraser and her daughter Krystal were also singled out for their work, being named National Level Trampoline Gymnastics Coaches of the Year.
"They're always there for the kids," said Leonna Wojcik, club registrar at TAG. "Barb's like their second mom because they're always here. She takes care of these kids and treats them like her own. The kids just love Barb and Krystal. They all love to be here, this is their home."
Coquitlam's Vivien Symington of Club Aviva was awarded a member of distinction honour for her work in using gymnastics to help children with special needs.
Gymnastics BC notes that Symington is the leader in B.C. in using gymnastics for special needs children. Her Empowering Steps Movement Therapy Program serves about 100 children annually, both with autism and other types of motor impairments. Preliminary research suggests that the program produces highly significant improvements in many key areas for children with disabilities.
"Vivien is doing outstanding work. We're very pleased she has been given this honour," said Nancy Beyer, women's artistic head coach at Club Aviva. "She is a wonderful person to work with. She dedicates all of her life to the club and all the kids around here. She's a very remarkable woman."
Port Coquitlam's Haley deJong, who competes with Flicka Gymnastics out of North Vancouver, won the Sandra Hartley National Stream Athlete of the Year award.
