Milan Knight has flipped her way into new friendships.
The Level 5 Open competitive gymnast decided to split her time between the Prince George Gymnastics Club and the high school gymnastics team this season.
"I thought this would be a good way to meet new people and to interact with everyone," said the Grade 10 student at Kelly Road secondary.
Knight and 19 of her high school teammates are preparing to attend the 2012 provincial championship at Moscrop Secondary in Burnaby from March 8 to 10.
"I'd just like to go and have a good time, hopefully I'll place," said Knight about her aspirations for her first trip to the high school championship.
The P.G. high school gymnastics team comprises of Kelly Road, D.P. Todd, Duchess Park, College Heights and Prince George secondary students competing as a team.
"It's good to compete with everyone else," said Knight. "You have a lot of support from your teammates and they're always there to cheer you on and you cheer them on. It's a good experience."
The 15 year old is among the majority on the gymnastics team representing Prince George as there are only four students who will compete in Burnaby who took part in the 2011 provincial championship.
The four veterans, all PGSS students, are: Sabrina Bergeron, Kalena McCarville, Jessica Peterson and Ben Garcia.
Though Garcia is the lone boy on the team his passion for gymnastics started young due to his mom Carol coaching the sport and sister Storm competing.
"I've been around it my whole life so I know how to do it," said Garcia. "It's different then all other sports. It's harder. It's more challenging."
The Grade 9 student said he plans to continue to compete on the high school team until he graduates.
Other members of the provincial team include: Kaitlyn Bergeron, PGSS; Kim Denman, PGSS; Miranda Doerksen, PGSS; Jas Meredith, PGSS; Becky Parlee, PGSS; Lexi Pelletier-Ballum, PGSS; Molly Yeomans, PGSS; Sheanna Williams, PGSS; Wakisha Williams, PGSS; Monica Brownski, KRSS; Jerrica Steel, D.P. Todd; Bella Stokes, DPSS; Kim Marsh, CHSS; Lina Goto, CHSS; and Lindsay Vanmook, KRSS.
Garcia said his advice to his Prince George teammates on curbing nerves at the provincial championship was simple.
"Just have fun and enjoy it," he said. "It's a blast."
