Boys off to state gymnastics

Fifteen boys from a local gymnastics club, who competed in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics at State Trials on June 29. all qualified and will all be heading to State championships this weekend at the State Sport Centre in Homebush.

Some highlights of the event for Carmel & Co were:

Level 1 Juniors: Cooper Harris - first on rings and vault, third on pommel to finish third overall, Harley Narbeth - third on rings and high bar, Tyson Duff - third on vault, Nat Marland - fourth on vault, Nathan Sopher - fifth on vault.

Level 2 Juniors : Kaydin Harrison - first on rings and third on floor, P-bars, high bar to finish third overall, Harry Smith - third on floor.

Level 2 Seniors: Michael O’Loughlin - third on pommel, Harrison Wills - fifth on vault.

Level 3 Juniors: Phoenix Stamp - first on pommel and second on P-bars to finnish second overall, Ryan McAllister - first on rings, second on vault, third on P-bars and high bar, Ryan Difazio - third on floor.

Level 4 Juniors: William Bradley - second on floor, rings, vault, P-bars and third on pommel to finish second overall.

Level 5 Juniors: Robert Fassone - third on all apparatus for third overall.

Level 5 Seniors: Joshua Iacovelli - first on all apparatus for first overall.

MAG Coach Tricia O’Connell says she’s very happy with the boys results. “It’s great to see more and more of our boys heading off to State Championships each year. For some, it was the first competition they have ever been in,” she said.

Women’s Artistic Gymnastics State Trials held on the third of August also produced some great results for the Shellharbour based Club with 8 level 1 - three gymnasts were selected to represent the South Coast at State Championships in Sydney in September.

The results from those girls were: Georgia Lee - Level 1A Jnr - fifth overall, Brittany Shaw -Level 1A Jnr - seventh overall, Shayla Szakacs - Level 1A Jnr - eighth overall, Emma Lancaster - Level 1B Snr fourth overall, Ashley Cavanagh - Level 3B Jnr - first overall, Chelsea Hawkins - Level 3B Jnr - third overall, Brooke Connolly - Level 3A - first overall, Jessica Hinds - Level 3B Snr - fourth overall.

Head Coach Carmel Blades says it’s very competitive for WAG Levels 1 -3.

“In these levels, the girls are usually up against a huge field of competitors and finishing in the top eight to represent the South Coast is no easy task,” Mrs Blades said.