Carmel’s girls cheering after titles

NSW Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships for Level 1 to 3 (A and B) were held at Sydney Olympic Park on September 2.

Shellharbour-based Club Carmel & Co Gymnastics sent a strong contingent of gymnasts in the 1A, 2B and 3A divisions.

In level 1A Junior, Kayleigh Falconer and Ashley Cavanagh did exceptionally well, finishing eighth and 13th overall respectively in a field of 58 competitors.

Kayleigh took second place on vault and a fifth on bars while teammate Ashley placed consistently on all apparatus.

In the flagship division of the event, level 3A, Carmel & Co Teammates Gabby Hussey, Emerald Paterson and Brooke Connolly filled 3 of the 4 places on the South Coast team.

Gabby Hussey finished third overall with a first on bar, second on beam and a third on floor.

Emerald Paterson came fifth overall with a second on Beam and sixth-placed finishes on bar and floor.

Rounding out the trio was the youngest member of the team, Brooke Connolly, who finished fourth overall.

"It's a great result for the girls. This was Brooke's first major competition in this highly-competitive division," coach Carmel Blades said.

"At the other end, it was Emerald's and Gabby's last before stepping up to 6 International next year. It's great to see them finish on a good note."

Carmel & Co's cheer squads also did well at the recent State Championships.

The Opals came third overall in the Level 2 senior division by coming third in the Pom Drill (dance component) and third in Cheer (stunts and tumbling component). The Junior squad, the Sharks, also did well with a fourth in cheer and fifth in Pom.