Taylor a top contender

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Published on Monday, March 21, 2016

By Sheila Runions

Banner Staff

Ten-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 all-around 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 all-around 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.