CAC: Bermuda’s Gymnasts Make Finals
The two Bermudian gymnasts who represented the island in the 2010 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico made it to the all around finals where they both put on superb performances. Morgan Beckles and Rosie Finnigan, both students at Bermuda High School for Girls, finished their games with a standout performance in the all around finals. Morgan Beckles (pictured on left) once again nailed all four of her routines, and bettered her vaulting performance from the qualifying round, scoring a 12.300. Her next highest finish came on floor with a 9.750 and she finished 15th in the all around with a 39.250.
Rosie Finnigan also improved on her qualifying round scores and most notably on the floor exercise, where she turned in her highest score of 9.950. Rosie also successfully completed a new skill on the balance beam – a side somi, or front flip with a quarter turn – for the first time in this competition. Overall she finished just behind Morgan with a 36.200 for 16th place.
Coaches Duke Nelligan and Mandi Baughman were impressed both by the girls’ efforts and also by the standard of gymnastics in the CAC. “Several women competing in this event have been to the Olympic Games, World Championships, or competed at the collegiate level. Morgan and Rosie have several years ahead of them to match their skill level. But they rose to the challenge and qualified to the all-around final, a huge accomplishment! They have made their coaches and their country very proud,” says Coach Baughman.
This competition was a substantial stepping stone in the young gymnasts’ careers and they were both grateful for the experience. Head coach Duke Nelligan knows how important these international competitions are to Bermuda Gymnastics. “The future of our program depends on our athletes seeing what is going on around the world. Gymnastics is very popular in the CAC and it is growing! We have to grow with it. The best way to do that is to start attending international training camps and competitions on a regular basis. Especially for this year before Island Games, we need our young team to get out there and compete!”
The team will return to Bermuda on August 2nd and begin preparations for the year ahead.
