Aerobics: Northlanders shine at nationals

The Northland squad that performed well at the New Zealand National Aerobics Championships. Photo/Supplied

Northlanders picked up plenty of top three placings at the New Zealand National Aerobics Championships.

Taking a squad of 31, Northland gained six wins, six second placings and four thirds in the top competition.

In the Aeroschools Level 3 division, which is for ages 12-14, Demi Crabb picked up the gold in a tight competition. Her 16.78 was just over half a point ahead of sixth-placed Danielle Kalkhoven.

Piper West also picked up a victory in the Aeroschools Level 4 competition, scoring a 16.98 as she proved too good for her opponents.

Northland claimed the top two spots in Aeroschools Level 5 with Emma Lambert taking the title and Leah McRae not too far off her in second place.

Aeroschools Level 5 was where Northland made their most significant mark as they had four athletes inside the top six.

Brooke Foster nabbed the title while Brianna Kessell (third), Willow Clarke (fourth) and Aimee Allardyce (sixth) also had great showings.

The pairing of Kessell and Lambert proved another winner for the highly successful Northland squad as they clinched the Level 5 Pairs title.

The Aerodance squad of Danielle Lowe, Kalkhoven, Foster, McRae and Emily Hewitt all teamed up in an impressive performance to take out her division with a score of 15.05.

When Northland athletes teamed up, their skill level continued to shine through.

Lowe and Makayla Randall pipped teammates Asha-Rose Horan and Rosie Hewitt for second in the Level 3 Pairs while West and Carla Meyer were third in the Level 4 division.

The Level 5 Trio of McRae, Allardyce and Foster were pipped at the post as they managed second in their division while another group of three, Jane Heapy, Jaimee Mason and Ruby Reed, were second in the ADP 4 Trio division.

Northland's support and team spirit was strong at the event. The team won the fun "Team Throw Down" challenge at the end of the championships.