STAFF REPORTER
THE Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club was extremely pleased with the results achieved by their gymnasts at EC Champs recently.
The Eastern Cape Gymnastics Championships which were held at the Uitenhage Indoor Sports Centre, served as the second EC Trials for SA Games 2012.
This is the first year that Level 1-3 artistic gymnasts have had two opportunities to qualify. In the past their "Nationals” were held earlier in the year, but in order to facilitate higher standards the SA Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) decided to move South Zone later in the year.
| TIME TO SHINE: The Sunshine Coast Gymnastics Club artistic team at EC Champs recently. From left (back row) are Taryn Lee, Taylor du PLessis, Romy Alexandre, (middle) Kym Anderson, Jessica Harty, Danielle Steyn, Angela Swartbooi and (front) Lara-Bella Schmidt and Lauren Maddocks Picture: JOY CRESENCIO |
Head coach Carol-Ann Stiekema said she was very proud of each and every achievement of all of her gymnasts.
”Everyone has been given a different gift by the Lord and it is up to us coaches to assist each gymnast to reach their full potential,” said Stiekema.
"This can only be achieved with a willing student. Some kids come to gym regularly but do not really apply themselves, while others apply themselves wholeheartedly at 90% of their training sessions,” she said.
"I get very excited when I see somebody persevering through their own particular challenges and being victorious in the end. The important thing to remember in gymnastics is that it takes a long time to build up the strength, flexibility and skills but it takes a mere two weeks of slack or no training to set one ‘months; back.”
Stiekema said 10 of their 12 artistic gymnasts competed against the best gymnasts from within the Eastern Cape. Judging was strict and a high standard of gymnastics prevailed.
In artistic gymnastics, age groups are determined by the age of gymnast on January 1 2012.
"A few of our gymnasts were given last minute anonymous sponsorships for which we are extremely grateful as nobody who really wanted to compete was ‘left out',” she said.
Results:
Artistic Gymnastics Team - (uneven bars, beam, floor and vault)
Level 1 (7/u):
Lara-Bella Schmidt 4th all around (9.4 average), 1st on floor
Jessica Harty 11th AA (8.65 average), 6th on Beam
Lauren Maddocks 13th AA (8.263 average), 6th on uneven bars
Level 1 (8 yrs):
Kym Anderson tied 6th AA (9.36 average), 1st on floor
Kim Waters tied 6th AA (9.36 average), 2nd on beam
Level 1 (10/u):
Danielle Steyn 6th AA (9.03 average), 3rd on beam
Level 2 8/u:
Romy Alexandre 3rd AA (8.488 average), 1st on floor
Level 2 8/u:
Romy Alexandre 8th AA (8.31 average), 5th on beam
Level 4 18/u:
Angela Swartbooi 2nd AA (8.56 average), 2nd on all apparatus
,Level 7 18/u:
Taylor du Plessis 1st all around (9.08 average), 1st on beam
Tumbling and Trampoline Team:
Due to the venue and differing dates, not all of the club's Tumbling and Trampoline Team members were able to compete at EC Champs.
Elementary Tumbling:
E3 7F: Lauren Maddocks 4th (total 45.80)
E4 9F: Kym Anderson 1st (total 48.80); Romy Alexandre 2nd (total 48.40)
E4 10F: Taryn Lee 3rd (total 43.50)
Levels Tumbling:
L2 10 yrs: Kayla Stiekema 1st (total 49.20)
L4 15/o F: Taylor du Plessis 1st (total 50.10).
Taylor currently performs the highest level of tumbling in the club, without the benefit of a proper tumbling track, said Stiekema.
Black Top Trampoline:
BT 7 F: Lauren Maddocks 5th (Total 8.70)
BT 9-10F:Taryn Lee 1st (Total 18.6); Romy Alexandre 2nd (total 14.80); Kym Anderson 6th (total 8.60).
Mini Trampoline:
MT 7 F: Lauren Maddocks 4th (total 5.20)
MT 9F: Kym Anderson 2nd (total 4.30)
EuroTrampoline (white top):
L2 15/o F: Taylor du Plessis 1st (total 32.90)
Double Mini Trampoline:
L2 9-10F: Taryn Lee 4th (total 81); Romy Alexandre 9th
L2 11-12M: Kwanele Dyonashe 3rd (total 80)
L2 13-14F: Angela Swartbooi 2nd (total 81.7)
L2 15+M: Freddie Luffun 1st (total 107)