…Maritime Intercollegiate Champions.
Gymnastics enjoyed several seasons of tremendous popularity and success at Acadia during the late sixties and early seventies.
Warren Roy first brought distinction in this sport to Acadia by winning a gold medal on the trampoline at the Canadian University Olympics held in Calgary in ’67. In ’71, the first intercollegiate gymnastics dual meet in the Maritimes was held between Acadia and U. N. B. with the latter victorious. Starring for the Richard Danielson and Takanobu Kikuchi-coached Acadia squad were Larry Mark, Kim Barrowman and Bob Jackson. At the intercollegiate meet that spring Wendy MacLeod of nearby Canning established herself as first among the Atlantic female gymnasts. She, Janice Hebb and Larry Mark were subsequently selected to represent the Atlantic Conference at the Nationals.
The ’71- ‘72 season was to be a banner one for Acadia gymnasts as both the men and women captured Conference titles.
In the women’s division, Janice Hebb and Wendy MacLeod were joined by Pam Gilverson, another top- notch gymnast from Ontario.
At the Acadia Invitational Meet, Larry Mark was the all-round male leader, with strong performances from teammates Mike Sprague, John Stager, Cliff Sears, Alex Roberts, and Herb Crokan, allowing for a hometown victory. MacLeod, Gilverson, and Hebb placed 1-2-3 in the women’s clear-cut victory over UNB.
In subsequent triumphs over their male counterparts from UNB and the University of Moncton, Mark and Stager were the luminaries. In a conquest of UNB Janice Hebb was the overall leader, with MacLeod and Gilverson in close pursuit.
At the Maritime Intercollegiate championship held at Acadia, the host teams, coached by Richard Danielson and Takanobu Kikuchi, were the victors. The women’s team posted an easy 76-20 victory over UNB, while the men managed a narrow 103.85 to 100.95 win over the same university. Wendy MacLeod placed first overall, with Janice Hebb and Pam Gilverson in second and third positions respectively. Larry Mark, in the men’s division, place third individually.
Other team members included Susan Hewey, Kim Barrowman, and Larry Staples. All team members qualified for the CIAU Championship held in Edmonton, but were unable to attend.
What an honour it is to welcome back to Acadia for induction to its Sports Hall of Fame, members of the ’71-’72 Gymnastics team, Maritime Intercollegiate champions.
