A handful of local gymnasts are headed to a compete against other Western Canada athletes in coming weeks.
Among them, is Edison Camargo, Monique Wiebe, Jaxon McLean.
The three all train with Tamarack Gymnastics in Mitchell, and set the bar high in the 2025 Manitoba TG Provincial Championships.
"I ended up making Team Manitoba," says 15-year-old Camargo. "I get to go against all of western Canada."
Tamarack Gymnastics head coach, Amanda Pierson, says of 12 people on Team Manitoba, nine are from her club.
She chalks the successes up to the gym's culture.
"I think that we've created a place that the kids really enjoy coming to you. They feel safe. It's more about our community than our sport, I'd say at some point. So it's their happy place—they can come in, and be happy, and work, and have fun, and be successful all at the same time," she says.
Camargo competed in the trampoline and double mini events. He says, not only was this his first year competing, but also his first year in a formal gymnastics setting.
"I've always liked just doing flips," he says. "I was never able to do tricks though until gymnastics."
"I love the feeling of being in the air and being able to do multiple things in a row. Just connecting skills," he says.
Jaxon McLean, another one of the competition's victors, says he competed in trampoline, double mini, as well as tumbling.
He says he's been doing gymnastics for three years, and competing for two, training three days a week.
"I like that I can do a bunch of flips in a row. On my trampoline at home, I can only do so little," he says.
McLean's preferred stunt is a double tuck.
Monique Wiebe also participated in all three events in the provincial competition.
"It feels pretty good after working a bunch then actually getting in," she says, noting she has been competing in the sport for three to four years.
She says she loves the people she trains with, noting, "It just makes it a lot better with a good surrounding of people."
The athletes' competitive coach, Paris Gagnon says it's exciting watching her crew move into Westerns.
Given it was her first time coaching, and that some of the competitors were her team mats at one time, she was a little nervous.
Overall though, she thinks its gone well.
"I just enjoy seeing the excitement from my athletes when they get a new skill and all of that," Gagnon says.
Pierson says she is very proud of Gagnon and the team.
"I just love watching them grow as humans. Watching their friendships develop, and when they become young adults, and seeing them come and give back to the sport always makes me really proud," she says.
"I know that they we've got a good bond... They're like my family. I don't have family in Manitoba, so they're my family."
She says three Tamarack gymnasts are also headed to nationals in Calgary.
Written with files from Carly Koop