Young gymnasts prove prowess

More than 90 female gymnasts from all over the region competed at the Northland Gymnastics Championships in Whangarei.
One of the organisers, Vicki McDonald of the Whangarei Academy of Gymnastics (WAGS), said the competitors in the lower levels in particular stood out at Saturday's competition.
"I think there is some depth, particularly at the lower levels, so that's looking really good for the future," she said.
The nine-year-old age group had particularly caught the coaches' eye, with Whangarei's Phillipa Barton in second and Zoe Espie in third, edged out by the more experienced Jessie Tunnicliffe of Kerikeri for the overall prize in their level.
"It was a very close competition in the level 3B category  - one of the tightest of the day," she said.
All of the top competitors are trying to qualify for nationals later in the year at Mystery Creek in Hamilton.
Kerikeri's Bridie Ansell is the only girl to have qualified at this stage. However, there are high hopes for several other gymnasts - WAGS' Hannah Russell missed out on qualifying by just 0.25 of a point on Saturday.
Many of the competitors will be competing in Auckland on August 21, to further their chances of qualifying.
The boys Northland Championships were held last weekend with Jamie Barr-Mitcalfe and Jonathon Boyd qualifying in level seven,  meaning Whangarei could have a strong boys team at nationals.