GYMNASTICS

GISBORNE gymnasts Harry Pittar and Baylee Crago finished first and second in Level 6 at the Midlands junior and senior championships in Hamilton.

Harry won gold overall and placed first on high bar, rings, pommel horse and floor at the showcase of New Zealand gymnastics.

Baylee was second on floor and high bar and third on pommel and vault.

Gisborne Gymnastics Club coach Nicola Ludwig said the competition brought together everyone from the five-year-old starter to the international men completing difficult moves such as the iron cross on the rings and ginger saltos on high bar.

“There are not very many opportunities to compete together with the stars of gymnastics,” she said.

“It made the event very special.”

Hamish Bullock, in the Level 4 boys, was in great form and placed second overall behind Robert Hartmann from Auckland.

“These two were way ahead of their rivals but both made little mistakes that need to be improved on before the national championships in Blenheim in October,” Ludwig said.

“Hamish won the vault, and was second on pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar.”

Gisborne’s top performer in Step 7 girls on day one of the competition was Lucy Mossman.

“She placed fourth overall and qualified for the nationals,” Ludwig said.

“All our senior gymnasts have qualified for the nationals and have 10 weeks to build up and improve their routines.”

Step 7 gymnast Emily McAneney won silver on vault on day two of the competition and Keely Phillips, was sixth overall. Jamie Gedye was third overall in Step 6 girls and was second on vault and uneven bars.

Hannah Scholefield was fourth overall and was second on beam in Step 6.

In Step 5, Amber Kingsbeer won the bronze medal in the all-round competition.

“She also won the uneven bars and floor,” Ludwig said.

“Her goal for this weekend’s competition in Hastings is it to improve on her beam routine.”