Local Gymnasts Win Medals in Baltimore
Seven members of the Bermuda National Gymnastics Team traveled to Baltimore, Maryland this past weekend where they kicked off their competitive season.
This was the group’s second trip to the “Christmas on the Chesapeake” gymnastics invitational and almost all of the girls improved on their performances from last year. Head Coach Duke Nelligan was pleased with the team’s performance. “I am really looking forward to see how much this team can achieve as the year progresses. We may have had mistakes here and there this weekend, but you expect that in your first competition of the year. The girls are trying out new skills and getting used to those competition jitters. Overall I am very proud of how all the gymnasts performed and particularly how they represented Bermuda with their good sportsmanship”.
In the level 9 division, Tabytha Hofheins (13, Warwick Academy) and Morgan Beckles (15, BHS) competed for Bermuda. Hofheins debuted a new floor routine for her highest finish of the day: an 8.65 and 6th place on the event. Team Captain Beckles had her highest finish on vaulting, where she earned 2nd place with a 9.1. “This was an important meet for Morgan as several college coaches were in the stands looking for up and coming athletes. Her ultimate goal is to compete at the university level, so we need to get her out to competitions like this one and onto the recruiters’ radars”, says Nelligan.
Later, in the level 7 division, 5 gymnasts competed: Sydney Mason (12, BHS), Clara James (11, BHS), Danielle Wall (11, BHS), Sadia Wilson (10, BHS) and Zekiah Lewis (9, West Pembroke). In the 9+10 year old division, Wilson posted a 9.15 on vaulting and floor, for 2nd and 4th place respectively, while Lewis was Bermuda’s top all-around finisher, earning a 5th place medal with a 33.45. In the 11 year old group, Wall had her top finish on balance beam, with a beautiful routine for 9th place and an 8.7, while James had solid showings on vaulting and floor, for a 8.3 and 8.45. Mason competed in the 12+13 year old division and had Bermuda’s top bar score with an 8.35 for 4th place.
The Bermuda team proudly displayed their medals upon returning to the island. And beyond the awards, the girls also returned with a renewed desire to work hard and prepare for the next meet: The IGI Chicago Style Invitational held over the February 12th weekend. The team had to miss this invitational last year due to weather cancellations, so they are more than ready to compete in the windy city.
For more information on gymnastics in Bermuda or to sign up for the January term, visit Bermudagymnastics.com.
