Trampolinist receives Quest for Gold funds

The GymZone Sudbury Laurels trampolinist Kyle Lapierre has been approved to receive Quest for Gold funding.

Lapierre is completing his rehabilitation from an injury dating back to April of 2013.

"I have to meet certain milestones in my training in order to secure the funding," said the soon-to-be 18 year old student at Collège Notre-Dame.

Still, Lapierre is thrilled with the opportunities created through this federal government program.

"It is fairly expensive when you get to the higher levels of the sport," he said. "The funding for athletes is to help them out with training and specific expenses. This funding does help open up more doors for the athletes."

Lapierre first appeared on the radar of Gymnastics Ontario back in the spring of 2012, earning gold in his first appearance at nationals, capturing top spot in the Novice Men's 15+ division.

Making the jump to the junior ranks the following year, Lapierre had continued his impressive progress through three qualifying meets before suffering torn cartilage in his hip in April of 2013, just prior to nationals.

Thankfully for him, the Quest for Gold wheels were already in motion. His placings and scores throughout the year had already caught the eye of provincial officials, who put forth his name later in 2013.

With his surgery completed in December, Lapierre is now only weeks away from resuming his training at an elite level.

"Flipping is step one in the comeback," Lapierre stated. "By the end of July or August, I want to be almost where I was before.

“At the end of this season, I would like to be doing senior-level routines, at least to have most of the skills in different combinations."