Gymnastics: Whangarei secure clutch of medals at Nationals

Whangarei representatives at the Gymnastics National Championships. From left to right, Back Row: Sophia Cosson and Kayla MacKenzie. Middle row: Zoe Espie, Emma Vervis, Pippa Benton and Michelle Crawford. Front row: Liam Townsend, Ryan Townsend and Brendan Marais. Photo / Tania Whyte

The Gymnastics National Championships provided an opportunity for young gymnasts to strut their stuff on the national stage, and the Whangarei squad proved their mettle.

Whangarei Academy of Gymnastics sent down their team and came back with a duo of first place finishes, a silver and a trio of bronzes.

Kyla MacKenzie took out gold in the Step Eight Over Division's floor category after a very impressive showing.

Zoe Espie also was successful in that division. After gaining bronze medals in both the beam and bar competitions, Espie held strong to finish a creditable fourth overall.

Meanwhile Pippa Benton gave a strong performance in the Step Nine Under Division.

She finished third in the bar competition and went two better in the next, taking out the beam category. Like Espie, Benton ended fourth overall in a tough division.

Both Benton and Espie also were awarded proficiency pins for gaining high scores.

The other medal result for Whangarei Academy of Gymnastics was through Brendon Marais.

Marias had a great showing in the Level Four Mens artistic vault, finishing second. He also placed ninth in the pommel.

Other results saw Tiana Tawha finish sixth overall in the trampoline and Ryan Townsend with a fourth in the Level Six Mens vault and sixth in the pommel.

Full Results:
Trampoline: 6) Tiana Tawha
Level 4 Mens Artistic Vault: 2) Brendan Marais
Level 4 Mens Pommel: 9) Brendan Marais
Level 6 Mens Vault: 4) Ryan Townsend
Level 6 Mens Pommel: 6) Ryan Townsend
Womens Artistic
Step 8 Over Division
Overall: 4) Zoe Espie
Beam: 3) Zoe Espie
Bar: 3) Zoe Espie
Floor: 1) Kyla MacKenzie
Step 9 Under Division
Overall: 4) Pippa Benton
Bar: 3) Pippa Benton
Beam: 1) Pippa Benton
Proficiency Pins: Zoe Espie and Pippa Benton