Canadian Championships 2013

Ellie Black and Hugh Smith Take Gold at Canadian Championships

Ellie Black and Hugh Smith Take Gold at Canadian Championships

May 24, 2013 by Jennifer Teitell
Ellie Black and Hugh Smith Take Gold at Canadian Championships

(MARK BLINCH / Reuters)
New faces and veterans battle at the 2013 Canadian in Ottawa this week. Ellie Black of Halifax ALTA, NS, won the senior all-around title with a score of 54.550. Black also won beam with a 14.1 and floor with a 14.050. Black was a member of the 2012 Olympic team that placed fifth overall. 

Natalie Vaculik of Gamini, ON, took second in the all-around with a score of 53.325. Megan Chant of World Class, ON, placed third in the all-around with a score of 53.075. Chant is a first year senior elite coached by Christina Bontas, Romanian World and Olympic Medalist. Victoria-Kayen Wood of Gym-Richelieu, QC, took fourth overall with a 53.050. Olympian and Canadian star, Victoria Moors, withdrew from the all-around competition due to illness but is expected to compete in the event finals. 

In the men’s competition Hugh Smith won the all-around with a score of 81.600. Robert Watson of Richmond, B.C. finished just behind Watson with a score of 81.450. 



Below is the Full Press Release from Canada Gymnastics:
Halifax gymnasts Hugh Smith and Ellie Black (Alta Gymnastics) struck double gold at the Canadian championships on Thursday winning the men’s and women’s senior all around around titles.

For Smith, the victory came 15 years after winning his only other national all around title as a youngster in the Tyro class while Black’s first all around gold at the Canadian championship capped a storybook year for the 17-year-old gymnast.

Black, who first gained national attention as a surprise addition to Canada’s Olympic team last summer, topped the field with a total score of 54.550 points.

Black placed first on beam and floor, third on uneven bars and 15th on vault, normally her strongest event.

Natalie Vaculik of Oshawa, (Gemini) the younger sister of 2012 Olympic team member, Kristina, placed second all around with a score of 53.325 and Maegan Chant of Waterdown, Ont., (World Class Gymnastics) was third at 53.075.

“It’s just great to come out here and finish off like this after such an amazing year,” said Black. “Being on the Olympic team and having that experience has brought me so much more confidence and given me more of a leadership role.”

In the men’s all around Smith took the title with 81.600 points, edging runner-up Robert Watson of Richmond, B.C. (Richmond Gymnastics) with a score of 81.450.

Rene Cournoyer of Repentigny, Que., (Gymnika) placed third with 79.900 points.

“I enjoy every moment of competition,” said Smith. “I’ve been working really hard and I just wanted to come in on day one and hit my routines and make some finals”

Smith and Black will both be going for more medals in the event finals on Saturday.

In the women’s junior all around, Shallon Olsen of Vancouver (Omega) won her second straight Canadian title, placing first on floor and vault and 8th on both uneven bars and beam for a score of 55.475 points.

Aleeza Yu of Richmond Hill, Ont., (Gemini) placed second with 54.900 points and Brianna Clark of Montreal (Gymnix) was third at 54.625.

Competition continues at the Canadian championships through Saturday.


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