Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club news

STAFF REPORTER

ELEVEN members of the Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club recently travelled through to Port Elizabeth to compete in the Anderson's Inter-Club Competition.

HUMAN ART: The members of the Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club who competed at the Inter-Club Competition in Port Elizabeth earlier this month Picture: PENNY MADDOCKS

The Graaff-Reinet Gymnastics Club also participated, as well as Crusaders from Uitenhage and the Anderson's Gymnasts themselves.

Head coach Carol-Ann Stiekema said the artistic (bar, vault, floor and beam) competition proved to be daunting for some, but hard work in training sessions was well rewarded, as was evidenced by the scores obtained on the day.

"Once again we saw courage in gymnasts who persisted through tough challenges, said Stiekema, who believes all her members came out wiser and stronger at the end of the day.

"It was beautiful to watch the gymnasts supporting each other, laughing and enjoying themselves, yet focusing on their apparatus when required to do so,” she said.

As a motivator, her gymnasts receive a chocolate for every 8 score achieved at competitions for artistic events.

"They are doing so well we are going to need a sponsor for the chocolates!”

Artistic Gymnastics Results (Bar, Beam, Floor, Vault):

Lauren Maddocks (7yrs/u): Placed 4^th on Vault, 5^th on Bars, with much improved score of 8, and placed 5^th overall with 8.325 average.

Jessica Harty (7yrs/u): (First official competition), placed 5^th on Beam with a great score of 8.3, placed 5^th on Floor with 8.05, 6^th overall with 8.275 average

Kym Anderson (8 yrs): Placed 1^st on Vault, Floor and Beam – and 3^rd on Bars, placed 1^st overall with an average of 9.30!

Kim Waters (8 yrs): (First competition of the season), placed 1^st on Bars, 2^nd on Beam and 3^rd on Floor and Vault, Placed 3^rd overall with a 9.138 average!

Danielle Steyn (10/u): (first competition of the season), placed 1^st on Floor and Beam, 2^nd on Vault and 4^th on Bars, Placed 2^nd overall with an 8.963 average.

Romy Alexandre (8/u): (First competition of the season), placed 1^st on Vault and Floor and 2^nd on Bars and Beam, placed 2^nd overall with 7.89 average. Romy showed great courage as she hurt her leg in the warm-ups but conquered her pain and completed the entire competition.

Taryn Lee (10/u): Facing truly fierce competition in her age group, she placed 3^rd on Floor, 4^th on Beam and Vault, 4^th on Vault and 5^th overall with an average of 7.98.

Tessa Cockcroft (18/u): Although Tessa should have been on Level 3 this year, we bumped her up a level due to her natural athletic ability. Tessa Placed 1^st on Bars and 2^nd on Vault, Floor and Beam – very good results for her first competition of the season. Placed 2^nd overall with an average of 8.45.

Artistic Girls Level 5:

Kayla Stiekema (10/u): Placed 1^st on all four events and 1^st overall with an average of 8.93.

Taylor du Plessis (18/u): Taylor placed 1^st on all four events and 1^st overall with an average of 8.54.

Tumbling and Trampoline Results:

Mini Trampoline (MT):

Jessica Harty (7/u): Placed 6^th overall

Lauren Maddocks (7/u): Placed 5^th overall

Kym Anderson (9 yrs): Placed 3^rd overall

Kim Waters (9 yrs): Placed 2^nd overall

Danielle Steyn (11-12): Placed 2^nd overall

Jarryd Harty (9-10 boys): 1^st overall (total score: 10.60)

Romy Alexandre Level 2 (9-10): 6^th overall (total score: 10.60)

Taryn Lee Level 2 (9-10): 5^th overall (total score: 13.40)

Tessa Cockcroft Level 2 (13-14yrs): 2^nd overall (total score: 12.70)

Kayla Stiekema Level 4 (10/u): 1^st overall (total score: 15.70)

Taylor Stiekema Level 4 (15-16 yrs): 1^st overall (total score: 15.00)

Lauren Maddocks (7-8): 3^rd overall (score 5.90)

Tessa Cockckroft (13-14): 1^st overall (score: 18.40)

Level 2 (15 yrs and over): 1^st overall (score: 40.40)

Level 3 (10/u): 1^st overall (score: 45.80)

Tumbling:

Elementary 3 – standing hurdle and three continuous cartwheels

Lauren Maddocks E-3 (7/u): 2^nd overall (score: 42.20)

Jessica Harty E-3 (7/u): 4^th overall (score: 38.10)

Danielle Steyn E-3 (11-12): 1^st overall (score: 34.80)

Elementary 4 – Arab Spring, rebound half turn and three continuous cartwheels

Kim Waters E-4 (9 yrs): 5^th overall (score: 39.50)

Kym Anderson E-4 (9 yrs): 3^rd overall (score: 43.80)

Romy Alexandre E-4 (9 yrs): 1^st overall (score 46.50)

Taryn Lee E-4 (10 yrs): 3^rd overall (score: 40.20)

Tessa Cockcroft E-4 (13+ yrs): 1^st overall (score: 49.50)

Level 2 – Arab Spring, two flick-flacks, rebound half turn and one cartwheel

Kayla Stiekema (9-10 yrs): 1^st place (score: 47.00)

Level 4 – three flick-flacks and a back tuck somersault

This level is another first for the club

Taylor du Plessis (15+ yrs): 1^st place (score: 49.70)