Canadian women win team silver at Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships

RICHMOND, B.C. -- Ellie Black of Halifax led Canada to the silver medal in the women’s team competition and added bronze in the senior individual all around on the first day of competition Wednesday at the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships.

Black topped the field of 28 competitors on beam and was steady on the other three to finish with a total score of 55.400 points in the all around.

Elizabeth Price of the United States took the gold with 59.900 points and teammate Kyla Ross, the all around world silver medallist in 2013, earned the silver with a score of 58.700.

Black, the reigning Canadian all around champion, was all smiles after the award ceremonies at the 15-country event.

“It was really exciting, we were coming in to compete in the team event primarily and to come third in the all around at such a big competition was amazing,” said Black.

In the team competition, a combined event for juniors and seniors, U.S. gymnasts won all four events and romped to the gold with a score of 237 points.

The Canadian team was second with 222.700 points, edging China for silver by less than a point.

Other members of the Canadian team were seniors Aleeza Yu of Stouffville, Ont., and Maegan Chant of Waterdown, Ont., and juniors Rose-Kaying Woo of La Prairie, Que., Megan Roberts of Toronto and Shallon Olsen of Vancouver.

Yu, a first year senior, also finished fifth in the all around in another strong individual effort for the Canadian team.

“It was definitely nerve wracking looking at all the other girls but competing as a team really helped me focus more. I knew that they had my back and everything was going to be good.”

In the junior individual all around Woo was the top Canadian in 6th place.

The competition continues Thursday with rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and men’s artistic gymnastics.