Gisborne gymnasts take place on NZ podium

PODIUM PLACES: Keely Phillips (left) and Lucy Mossman were second and third respectively on floor in Step 9 competition at the New Zealand National GymSports Championships at the Trusts Arena in Henderson, Auckland. Phillips was also fourth on uneven bars and beam, and was third overall in Step 9, while Mossman was second on vault and sixth overall. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

SIX Gisborne gymnasts competed in the New Zealand National GymSports Championships at the Trusts Arena in Henderson, Auckland.

Artistic gymnastics, power tumbling, aerobics, rhythmic gymnastics and trampolining were all represented.

Over 930 athletes, 250 officials, 80 volunteers and 16 provinces took part.

Gisborne belongs to the Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay region. For the regional team, the top four gymnasts in each division are chosen, from Step 5 to Step 10 for girls and from Level 4 to Level 10 for boys. The gymnasts are selected by qualification scores. The top three scores are averaged, taking into account the improvement in scores during the season.

The Gisborne gymnasts in the HBPB team for the nationals were: Amy Baldacchino, Step 6; Amber Kingsbeer, Step 7; Hannah Scholefield, Step 8; Lucy Mossman, Step 9; Keely Phillips, Step 9; and Baylee Crago, Level 7.

Baylee Crago placed ninth overall and was sixth on the rings.

In Step 9, Lucy Mossman placed sixth overall and repeated her success from 2014 to win the silver medal on vault. On floor, she won a bronze medal.

Keely Phillips was third overall in Step 9, and won silver on floor and placed fourth on uneven bars and beam.

Gisborne Gymnastics Club head coach Nicola Ludwig said she was particularly proud of the club gymnasts’ floor results, “when two Gisborne gymnasts stood up on the podium visible to the whole New Zealand gymnastics community”.

She thanked the gymnasts for their drive and mental strength to perform to their best.