ESTEVAN - The Estevan Gymnastics Club's first awards night was not only a chance to recognize outstanding athletes but also salute a family for their sizable contributions.
The club recently handed out awards to athletes in five different categories. For best attendance, Bryar Stubel won in Group A, Haylie Petterson was recognized for Group B/D, and Brynlee Raynard and Ella Petterson won for Group C.
Winners of the most improved award were Violet Garrioch (Group A), Makayla Robblee (Group B/D), and Ella Petterson (Group C).
Most sportsmanlike awards went to Tayzley Stubel-Devries (Group A), Sawyer Zahn (Group B/D), and Brynley Rosengren (Group C).
The awards for highest overall competitive score went to Bryar Stubel (Group A), Aubrey Barker (Group B/D) and Bergen Kersey (Group C).
Most artistic awards were presented to Frankie Laich (Group A), Kaelynn Freitag (Group B/D) and Bria Stepp (Group C).
A couple of achievement awards were also presented. One went to Claire Assoumbang who was their highest-scoring and placing athlete at the Saskatchewan provincial championships this year.
The other was for Lila Hale, who was the first club member to qualify for and attend Western Canadian Championships, held in Langley, B.C., earlier this year.
During the season, the club's members attended four invitational meets and had 10 athletes qualify for provincials. The athletes persevered through injuries to enjoy success.
"We had an awesome showing at competitions, coming home with 12 gold medals, 17 silver, 11 bronze, one all-around champion, and many ribbons," said Rebecca Fedyk, who coaches the club alongside Mary Stuble.
The club also saluted Josh and Kirstin Biggs for their contributions to gymnastics in the community, naming them the first-ever honourary members. The recognition is for someone who made significant contributions but is no longer with the organization. A plaque on their wall at the facility on Seventh Street will salute the Biggs.
"Our first-ever recipients of our award have gone above and beyond for not only our program but so many other programs and initiatives in our community," Fedyk said.
When the club started looking for a new place to call its forever home a few years ago, renting was looking to be their only option, as getting a loan from the bank was seemingly impossible for a non-profit organization without having a large down payment. Without being asked, Fedyk and Stubel said the Biggs family jumped on the opportunity to help them out, loaning them the money they needed for the down payment for their current home on Seventh Street.
"Without their trust and confidence in our program, we would never have become the club we are today," Fedyk said.
