Teens balance results and study

REGIONAL REPS: Several members of the Kaitaia Gymnastics Club represented Northland at the national gymnastics championships.

Three Kaitaia teenagers found themselves competing against the best gymsports competitors from all over New Zealand for medals and trophies at the national gymnastic championships which were held at the Trusts Arena in Henderson during the last week of the recent school holidays.

The competition took place over four days with one day extra set aside for a general apparatus practice, with titles contested in various classes including artistic gymnastics, aerobics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling.

Kaitaia Gymnastics Club spokesperson Maureen Perry was there to support the young athletes and said there was plenty to see and be impressed by.

"A great atmosphere was prevalent and a feast for the eyes, especially with the high-level gymnasts, some of whom had returned from the world championships in China especially to compete.

"It was also great for our local gymnasts to be able to rub shoulders with some of the best gymnasts and coaches from throughout New Zealand including David Phillips - a past Commonwealth Games medallist - who coaches David Bishop, a bronze medal winner at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."

The Kaitaia gymnasts competing in the Artistic Gymnasts competitions were Morgan Dolfing in Level 4, Andrew Van der Linden in Level 5 and Jacinta Van der Linden in Step 5.

The trio and their coaches were very pleased with their respective performances with several PBs (personal best scores) recorded.

Results were Morgan: floor 10.15 points (15th, and a PB), pommel horse 9.5 (PB), vault 9.95 (PB), parallel bars 10.15 (17th) to finish 30th overall in Level 4 with a personal best overall score.

Andrew's results were, 1st day: floor 9.15 PB, pommel 10.5 (11th), P-rings 10.75 (17th, PB), parallel bars 9.65 (16th) high bar 10.35 (14th, PB), to finish 17th overall; 2nd day, All Around competition: pommel 10.6 (12th, PB), rings 10.7 (16th), vault 10.9 (8th, PB), parallel bars 10.05 (13th, PB), high bar 10.4 (PB) for a very respectable 16th place finish overall.

Jacinta scored in the vault 13.35 (21st, PB), uneven bars 12.65 and beam 11.55, to finish 28th overall.

Congratulations and thanks also went to the coaches for volunteering their time and effort to help achieve these results, noted Perry in conclusion.

"For the rest of the year, these gymnasts will continue a tight balancing act of fitting in learning new skills whilst studying for exams at college."