Local gymnast makes Team Ontario in trampoline

Sophie participated in artistic gymnastics for about 11.5 years and switched to trampoline last year. She competed in two provincial qualifiers, finishing with a silver medal and a bronze medal in the first one and two silver medals in the second qualifier.

Asked what she enjoys most about trampoline, Sophie said “it’s just everything.” She wanted to find a new way to advance in gymnastics and transferred her skills to the trampoline.

Sophie is working hard to obtain additional skills on the trampoline but is looking forward to her next meet May 11-15 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. After the Eastern Canada Gymnastics Championships, Sophie will compete in the provincial championships in June.

When she learned she had made Team Ontario, Sophie said she was excited as she didn’t expect to earn a spot on the team.

By Ron Giofu

A local gymnast has taken her skills to the trampoline and her efforts are being recognized.

Sophie French, a 13-year-old Amherstburg resident, has moved from doing artistic gymnastics to the trampoline and has qualified for Team Ontario. She trains out of Rose City Gymnastics in Windsor and competes in trampoline and double mini-trampoline.

“She’s number two in the province for her level at all ages,” commented her mother Kelly. “She’s made Team Ontario in just six months of doing it.”

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“She almost jumped out of her skin when she made it,” said Kelly.

Sophie spends about seven to nine hours per week training and hopes to make the national team one day. She expressed thanks to her coaches Rob Laudenbach and Tricia Wysynski-Albanese. Sophie was also thankful to Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), who helped her throughout her entire gymnastics career thanks to funding from the Pathway to Potential (P2P) program.