Gymnastics: Locals wow in Kaitaia mid-year competition

Zamara Marshall performing on the floor and beam respectively at Kaitaia Gymnastics Club's mid-year competition last month.

Gymnasts from as far afield as Mahurangi Gym Club came north to showcase some great skills at the Kaitaia Gymnastic Club's annual mid-year competition last month.

A report from the event on Saturday, June 30, noted the day turned out to be almost as cold as last year, with frost on the grass as the first club members arrived.

"Fortunately the start time was scheduled later in the morning, which gave the sun a chance to get up and begin warming the air, while some delicious soup brewing upstairs at the canteen was there to warm up anyone feeling the cold."

Paige Marshall.

Standout performances by gymnasts from the host club were as follows.

Step 4 girls: Paige Logan 2nd on Vault with 12.85, 3rd on beam, 1st on floor and 2nd overall — silver medal; Zamara Marshall 1st on vault with 13.90, 5th on bar and 5th overall; Jessica McCarthny 3rd on vault 12.70; Vivienne Cosner 4th on beam with 11.85, 3rd on floor and 6th overall.

Level 1 boys: Ryan Johnson 3rd floor, 5th rings, 1st on vault 11.90 (gold ribbon performance), 6th parallel bar and 6th overall; Cash Stacey 3rd on horizontal bar; Liam Jones 6th pommel, 3rd vault, and 4th parallel bars.

Organisers thanked all the coaches, judges and everyone else who helped make this competition a real success.

The local gymnasts are currently working towards the upcoming Northland champs in Whangarei, as well as the Kaitaia junior girls competition in September.