Athletes from across the country gathered in Prince Edward Island to participate in the Canada Winter Games from February 18th to March 5th. One of those athletes was Martensville’s own 17-year-old Avery Tillmanns, who was representing Team Saskatchewan for Artistic Gymnastics.
Tillmanns has been involved in gymnastics for the past ten years and began her gymnastics journey after her parents registered her in the sport at a young age. “I continued to fall in love with gymnastics over the years. I have met my best friends through this sport and I love the thrill of competition and hitting those new skills,” Tillmanns said.
As one of six athletes to be chosen to represent Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games, Tillmanns was honoured to be chosen.
“Making the Canada Games Team was amazing. I remember watching the older gymnasts who I look up to at the last Canada Games and it is just amazing that I had the opportunity to do what those girls did,” Tillmanns stated.
Tillmanns is no stranger to large scale competitions, as she has previously competed in Westerns, Nationals and Gymnix; however, she noted that this was the largest competition she had been invited to compete in and was the first multi-sport competition she had participated in. “I loved being a part of a team bigger than just gymnastics. It was so much fun cheering and watching other sports from my province.”
During her time at the Winter Games, Tillmanns explained that much of their time during the day was spent training and competing; however, they had opportunities to socialize with athletes from other sports and provinces throughout the evening, with much of their downtime spent at the entertainment building.
Prior to competing, Tillmanns was injured in training; however, despite this, still managed to push through and compete, participating in the Artistic-Uneven Bars Female event on Friday, February 24 and earning a 7th place spot, and in the Team Saskatchewan events, which took place on Tuesday, February 21st, earning a 5th place finish.
“I definitely could have had a better all-around competition, but I was able to make bar finals and that was honestly so incredible to know that I was part of the top group of girls in the country on that event. It was such an unreal event to be a part of,” Tillmanns explained.
