Mar 18:16 by Rivers Banner

RIVERS

BANNER March 18, 2016

ersary v i n Celebrating our 107th An

Volume 108, Issue 35

Gazette-Reporter Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 106 years

89¢ + tax

Taylor a top contender By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

en-year-old Taylor Bridgeman of Rivers first heard about gymnastics through a friend and based on that peer review, she expressed an interest to try. Parents Marty and Kat Bridgeman agreed and she began Just for Fun in September 2011 at the age of six. The following year she had already moved to the regional stream as a beginner gymnast. Year three (September 2013) she was part of Manitoba’s regional team, which is by invitation only and is based on meeting compulsory skills. At the April 2014 provincial championship (part of year three) she was first all-around gymnast. Athletes compete in four events and points from each of these — beam, uneven bars, floor and vault — are totalled for the allaround score. Each event has a maximum of 10 points or a total all-around score of 40. Two years ago she was first in beam, floor and vault, and eighth in bars. Last year she was first in vault and bars, second in floor and third in beam, which gave her an allaround score of 34.3 points and her second consecutive first-place all-around athlete win at provincial championships. At that time, she was still on the regional team but she had progressed from the intermediate level to advanced. Last September (year four) she made the provincial team, junior Olympics Level 4/5, and has competed at many events. In December she was in Fargo, N.D. where she placed fifth out of 51 competitors. In February she travelled to Orlando, Fla. and was seventh among 16 peers in Level 4; her all-around score was 34.75. On March 5 she was in Minot and was first of 42 athletes with an all-around score of 36.95. Her competition may end in Brandon, April 8-10 at the Manitoba open. Taylor obviously possesses the necessary skills to learn quickly and to improve her techniques, having bounced and tumbled her way to these beautiful scores. Yet at the time of this writing (March 14), it was still unknown if her level will be competing in provincials this year. The Rivers Elementary School student habitually competes in the 10-12 years age group but at only 67 pounds and 53.5 inches tall, she is considered smaller than her opponents. What she may lack in size she makes up for in enthusiasm. A member of Brandon Eagles Gymnastics Club, she practises there three times a week for three hours each session and as space and time allow, she also tries to perfect her routines at home. If you happen to see Taylor, wish her much success for the upcoming Manitoba Open; there is no doubt she’ll come back home to Rivers with more wins to her name.

Photo submitted

Taylor Bridgeman practises the wolf jump, a move done during a beam routine.

GOOD FRIDAY EARLY DEADLINE ALL ads and copy must be received by 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 22 for the March 25 issue. Thanks for your co-operation!

Timely reminders By Bruce Klassen Chief Rivers Police Service would like to remind motorists that because the weather has become more spring-like, there will be more pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Please keep an eye out for walkers and kids on bicycles. While Rivers & Area Game & Fish Association had a successful ice fishing derby on March 12, they should count themselves blessed because on March 9, the province was urging fishermen to remove ice shacks from lakes and rivers in southern Manitoba. Their press release, now dated 10 days ago, says, “Warm temperatures are causing ice conditions across much of Manitoba to deteriorate faster than normal this spring. A milder-than-usual winter meant ice did not reach its usual thickness in many areas. Everyone venturing onto the ice should exercise caution and good judgment. March 31 is normally the last day for removal of ice shacks in the south, but fishers are asked to have shacks south of Riding Mountain National Park, as well as those on Lake of the Prairies, Dauphin Lake, Moose Lake and Buffalo Bay in the Lake of the Woods, off the ice by March 15.”