Success at first nationals

SIX OF THE BEST: Gisborne trampolinists came back from the nationals with six medals. Back: Finn Vette, Breanna Low, Lucy Mossman, Leah Scholefield. FRONT: Jacob Scholefield, James van Aswegen.

JAMES van Aswegen collected three medals — gold, silver and bronze — at the New Zealand trampolining championships in Auckland.

“James won gold in the 10-years-and-under synchronised, along with Jacob Scholefield,” Eastland Port Gisborne Trampoline Club coach Doug Callahan said.

“James was runner-up in the double mini and third on tramp. It was the first nationals for both of the boys and they can be well pleased with their performances.

“James has been putting the work into training and he’s got the rewards — three trips to the podium.”

Callahan said Leah Scholefield, “another good trainer”, won gold in the 11-12yrs tramp.

“Leah was way ahead of her rivals in a large group that had 40 competitors,” Callahan said.

“The next step for Leah is to move up to sub junior international next year. If she does well at that level she stands a good chance of competing in the Indo Pacifics in Napier next year.”

Scholefield continued her good form with a silver medal in the sub junior international double mini. Leah and Finn Vette also collected trophies for winning the 11-12yrs girls’ and boys’ double mini.

“There’s a huge difference in sub junior international tramp and double mini. The double mini has two skills whereas tramp has 10 but I’m confident that Leah will be up to the challenge next year.

“Second in double mini sub junior is a good result. Leah (12) was competing against girls up to 14 years of age.”

Vette and Kaiya Huta, who are competing in the world champs in Odense, Denmark, in December, were also in action in Auckland.

Vette comes secondEleven-year-old Vette took on the country’s best in the sub junior double mini (11-14yrs) and was second.

“Finn’s on track for a good performance at the worlds,” Callahan said. “We’ve stepped up his training to another level and he’s doing all his passes with a higher degree of difficulty.

“He’s doing double doubles — a double back somersault to start then a double/front with a half-twist to dismount. If he produces that form at the worlds he’s got a good chance of making the finals, where only eight trampolinists go through. If he makes the final then it’s all about performing again on the day.”

Huta did not medal in Auckland but Callahan was not unduly concerned.

“We entered Kaiya, who is 13, in the sub junior international tramp up to 15 years and upped his voluntary to 11.3, which he achieved in the first round.

“In the final we took out a skill to get more height and form, and he blew it. But I’d rather he blew it at the nationals than next year at the worlds. It’s a long way to go to blow it. We’ve got seven weeks to keep working and I’m confident Kaiya will do well over there.”

Brea Low returned from Auckland with two bronze medals.

“Brea and Lucy Mossman were third in the 17-years-and-over synchro and Brea picked up another bronze in the junior international tramp,” Callahan said.

“The nationals are getting harder each year so 10 medals and two trophies was a good haul. It was also good reward for the Lion Foundation, who gave us a grant to help us get to Auckland. They’ve been good to us over the years.”