Lexi Giesbrecht is the top ranked Canadian Junior Women’s trampolinist and the top ranked Senior Ladies Double Mini trampolinist.
“When I was little, I started out in artistic gymnastics and then, as I got older, I wasn't as interested in that anymore,” explains Lexi. “My sister did trampoline and it looked really fun and when I started flipping through the air it was exactly what I wanted to do so I kept on doing that.”
Lexi says achieving trampoline success at a high level requires discipline.
“It takes a lot of control and focus,” says Lexi. “I mean as much as it looks a little crazy at times you have to be so, so precise and on top of your game all the time.”
“The biggest thing is taking the right amount of time, to not be in a rush” says Lexi’s coach Brett MacAuley. “The youngest age at the Olympics is 18, that’s the youngest you can go, and the average age for girls is in the low 20's.”
Lexi, who recently turned 17, has high praise for her coach.
“Brett's been the most supportive coach I could possibly have,” says Lexi. “I mean every little thing he's there for me and he's done a great job of helping me plan out the future and make the right decisions.”
Lexi's next big competition is the Canada Cup scheduled for mid July at the Genesis Centre in Airdrie.
“It’s kinda like another Nationals. The whole country's there and it’s the last trials for world championships and world age group so it’s a big one for the national team,” says Lexi. “Lots of pressure but it’ll be really fun.”
There is another event which Lexi would love to compete at, the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“That would be pretty amazing. We'll just keep training hard and see what happens.”
Lexi Giesbrecht is the CTV Athlete of the Week sponsored by Big Chief Beef Jerky.
With files from Lisa Bowes
