OTTAWA, Ontario – Incoming Maryland gymnastics freshman Kirsten Peterman was one of 11 gymnasts to earn an invitation to the Gymnastics Canada Rio Selection Camp later this month, as announced Tuesday.
 
“We are so proud of Kirsten for her selection to the Olympic trials,” head coach Brett Nelligan said. “She has worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to represent her country, and she has the full support of Terp Nation as she chases her dream.”
 
Peterman earned a spot in the camp after putting up a strong showing at the 2016 Canadian Championships last month, posting five top-10 finishes at the championships. On the first day of competition, the Cambridge, Ontario, native earned ninth on vault, eighth on uneven bars and eighth in the all-around. On the second day of competition, she finished eighth on vault and ninth in the all-around.
 
“There were a lot of excellent performances at the Canadian Championships in Edmonton, which made the job of selecting these athletes much easier for our working group,” said Dave Brubaker, national team director for women's artistic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada. “The pool of athletes to choose from for our Olympic team is deeper than it has ever been, and I'm confident that we will be sending an exceptionally strong team to Rio.”
 
A member of the Canadian senior national team since 2014, Peterman competed in the 2016 Pacific Rum Championships in April, where Canada placed second. She placed second in the all-around.
 
Five athletes will be chosen to represent Canada in Rio. The Rio Selection Camp for Gymnastics Canada will take place June 27 and 29 in Gatineau, Quebec, ahead of August's Summer Olympics. The Canadian Olympic team will be announced on June 30.