Soaring to new heights
Adrielle Bertrand and Gavin Dodd of the Kamloops Gymnastics Trampoline Centre were looking dapper at the Vancouver Hilton Metrotown, where they recently received a pair of Gymnastics BC’s highest honours.
“It was a very busy awards ceremony — probably the biggest one I’ve ever gone to,” said Gavin, an eight-year-old Juniper Ridge elementary student.
“It was fancy, so we dressed up.”
Gavin was named the provincial male athlete of the year in trampoline and Adrielle earned the same award on the women’s side.
The younger of the two gymnasts accepted his award in a checkered shirt with a tie, while Adrielle, 16, donned dress pants and a blouse.
When KTW caught up with the provincial award winners, they were back in gym attire, doing what they do 11 hours a week — practising at the Tournament Capital Centre.
“This motivates me a lot because I really wanted to make Team B.C., and I told myself that at the beginning of the year, and now I did,” Adrielle said.
“Now, I want to be a national athlete, go to nationals and make Team Canada. I know I can do that.”
Gail Salmon is the KGTC’s trampoline coach and she said the sky is the limit for the dynamic duo.
“Gavin is the youngest kid to ever make Team B.C. and to ever win male athlete of the year and [Adrielle] has only been in the sport for two years,” she said.
“It’s been a process. It takes time to get your kids to that level.”
Gavin, who enjoyed the spread at Hotel Vancouver, aside from the vegetable tray, had an exceptional 2012 season.
He won the B.C. all-around title in both trampoline and tumbling. At the Western Canada Cup (WCC), Gavin won four individual medals — gold in men’s D tumbling, gold in synchronized trampoline, silver on individual trampoline and bronze on double-mini trampoline.
Adrielle’s accomplishments were equally impressive.
The Sa-Hali secondary student won the provincial all-around title and earned gold in tumbling and silver in synchronized trampoline at the WCC.
To win the Gymnastics B.C. awards, both finished with the most points after three trial competitions and the provincial championships.
Gavin enjoyed a night’s stay at the Hilton before journeying back to Kamloops, despite the lack of an indoor pool.
With the night of grandeur now fading away in his rearview mirror, he is anxious to expand on his skill-set and stride toward his next goal.
“I want to be on Team Canada,” Gavin said.
Salmon plans to do her part in pushing her athletes toward their dreams.
“Next year, we could have five to seven national athletes and it all stems from the beginning and working on the basics,” she said.
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