Artistic Gymnastic Team Named for Canada Games
Fourteen gymnasts will represent Nova Scotia at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon from Feb. 23 to March 10.
The final men's artistic gymnastic team, selected in November, is as follows:
- Evan Cruz, Halifax
- Ian Downie, Brookside
- Grant Hawkins, Fall River
- Liam Hawkins, Fall River
- Devin Mitchell, Dartmouth
- Daryoush (Alex) Sehatzadeh, Dartmouth
- Greg Turney, Hammonds Plains
The team is coached by 2004 Olympian, and senior national team member, David Kikuchi of Fall River. Vaughn Arthur of Halifax is the team manager.
The men's team has attended a number of training camps, including a week session in December, led by former Olympian Ken Ikeda from B.C.
"We are hoping for some really good performances," said Kikuchi. "Three members of our team have been to the Canada Games before, so we hope their experience will inspire the entire team to achieve its best."
Both the men's and women's teams will travel to P.E.I. this weekend for a competition.
The final women's artistic gymnastic team, selected after a two-day competition in November, is as follows:
- Jennifer Boone, Hammonds Plains
- Lindy Harrington, Fall River
- Alexa Jollimore, Waverley
- Kirsten Melnyk, Stillwater Lake
- Paulina Miller, Halifax
- Alison Sanford, Sackville
- Erica Saulnier, Cole Harbour
Women's team coach Susie Gallagher of Halifax will accompany the gymnasts, along with team manager Patti Healey of Lower Sackville.
"Our team has grown a lot in the past few months from competitions and training," said Gallagher. "In fact, just before the Games, we're taking the team to a competition in Florida, which will help them get more experience."
Team Nova Scotia 2007 has 290 members -- 213 athletes, 36 coaches, 23 managers, three artists and 15 mission staff. See the team's website at ns.canadagames.ca for the latest information on Team Nova Scotia.
The Canada Games is the country's largest amateur multi-sport event. More than 3,600 athletes, coaches and managers will gather in Whitehorse to compete for 1,122 medals in 22 sports.