Further honours for gymnasts (From Penarth Times)

Further honours for gymnasts

IF THE medals won by Penarth Gym Club members this year were of genuine gold, silver and bronze, the new gymnastic hall they plan to build would be already under construction.

The haul of the mainstream girls section was considerably increased a week ago at the South Wales Championships held at Ocean Way, Cardiff.

Much of the best of Welsh ladies gymnastic talent comes from this section of the Principality and so it was serious competition time for our local girls.

Holiday time prevented the club from fielding a team in the 14 plus Challenge Cup but in the Individual event St Cyres schoolgirl Jessica Thain's mature performance ensured that she took 2nd place on vault and 3rd on beam, floor and in the overall placing.

Joanne Price launched an incredible vault to be awarded the bronze.

In the 12/13 years contest Sophie Erickson's dedication to training paid off with the gold on bars and 3rd place on both beam and in the overall placing.

Rebecca Reid's highlight was her floor routine which gained her a closely fought 3rd place to match the bronze medals she took on bars and vault.

Ceri Huish and Shannon Haswell pulled out the stops to ensure that Penarth won the Champion team title and another four gold medals.

In the age Levels event Elinor Lewis demonstrated a newly acquired polished bar routine to take silver. She also won bronze on beam and in the overall placings.

Nine-year-old Rhiannon Morris showed her strength to take silver and a trophy in the overall contest to match the two on beam and floor but her high points were winning gold medals in bars and vault.

The youngest of the Penarth side was Findlay Haswell who, at eight years wowed all present. Despite a fall from beam her performance still earned her 2nd place.

She was declared champion overall and took three more golds on floor, vault and bars.

The confidence gained from this weekend will promote even more determination.