Fairbairn to nationals

Times Reporter   

 

Strathmore gymnast Montana Fairbairn earned her spot for nationals back in February, after qualifying for Elite Canada and earning high performance status. 

However, she has now earned a spot to represent Team Alberta at the event, following a top six finish at provincials in Lethbridge on April 11.

Fairbairn will travel to Ottawa from May 27-June 1, to participate in vault, bars, beam, and floor in the national novice age group of 11 to 12-year-olds.

Forty young gymnasts in Fairbairn’s category traveled to Gatineau, Que. for the Elite Canada qualifying. Three other Albertans were awarded high performance status, but Montana was the only one from her club, Stampede City Gymnastics in Calgary. Had she not performed as well as she did in Lethbridge, she would still have qualified individually to go to nationals, but not for Team Alberta.

“The clubs go to certain qualifying meets. You have to get a certain all around score; lots of kids can qualify for Elite Canada if they get that score,” Montana’s mother Jaime said. “You’re a club because you train together but you don’t qualify as a team. Team Alberta just takes the top out of Alberta.”

This will be Fairbairn’s first time at nationals, though she has had high finishes at provincials and western finals previously. 

“I like gymnastics because I learn new skills, compete, and travel around the world,” Fairbairn said, a gymnast veteran of seven years. Floor is her favourite and best event “because I like to dance,” she said.

Fairbairn has gone as far as Oklahoma to perform, but wants to go further, possibly for a scholarship or even for the Olympics.

“I want to do this for ever. And ever,” she said.