Regardless of the venue, LVX Gymnastics representatives are finding a way to shine.

Taking part in competitions in Orangeville (before Christmas) and Bracebridge / Muskoka (more recently), the Sudbury crew that formerly operated at the Jungle Gym and have now made their way to Kelly Lake Road placed no less than six separate gymnasts atop the podium in their respective categories.

Kicking off the season on the right foot were the trio of April Stachon (Xcel - Silver - age 14), Adriana Oliver (Xcel - Silver - Age 11 - Group A) and Fernanda Girelli de San (Xcel - Silver - Age 11 - Group B), all of whom finished first overall in their category - and all of whom were competing at a Silver Xcel event for the very first time.

With an overall score of 38, Girelli de San topped all competitors with the high score of the day.

Meanwhile, last month in Bracebridge, it was time for Leah Jarvi (Xcel - Silver - age 13 - Group A), Ava Zanini (Xcel - Silver - age 13 - Group B) and Hillary McIsaac (Xcel - Bronze - age 12 ) to strut their stuff, once again topping the podium.

At the same event, Level 8 provincial competitor Lea Berardi received a "10 SV" (10 Start Value) for the very first time, earning gold on the bars in the process.

While some gymnasts certainly strive to compete at the all-Ontario championships in the spring, many others are thrilled with the advent of the Xcel stream, a bridge to the elite, if you will, but with plenty of perks that the athletes seem to enjoy.

"It's much more open and creative," explained Leah Jarvi, a grade 7 student at Ecole St-Paul in Lively. "You get to make your own routines, you pick your own music on the floor, it's more inclusive if you can't do certain skills - and it's less intense."

And still, for as much as her floor routine and personalized music selection carries a clear attraction to the youngster who started in gymnastics at the age of four, it's not where her heart truly lies.

"The vault has always been my favourite; it's so much fun," said Jarvi. "Every year, I try and switch up my vaults a little bit. Right now, I am doing a half on and last year, I was doing a front handspring."

"I never find it boring."

Sliding into second place on her list of preferred apparatus is the floor, where she moves seamlessly across generations in finding the perfect mix of song and sport, with her floor routine performed to the music of ABBA.

"My parents kind of introduced the music to me and I've always loved the movie, Mamma Mia," stated Jarvi. "This is kind of a mash-up of ABBA songs."

The decision could not have been better as the local gymnast posted a best ever score on the floor (9.65), sticking her tumbling line to the delight of athlete, coach and parents alike.

To boot, Jarvi could not have picked a better setting to really hit the mark - at least not in her mind.

"I like the gym in Bracebridge," she said. "It's great for the parents because there are bleachers on the main level and then upstairs, there's a track all-around" - apparently the ideal venue to film one's pride and joy in action.

The LVX Gymnastics crew are back in action on the week of March break, attending the Woodbridge Gymnastics Invitational Qualifier 2025 from March 13th to the 16th.