Broken Hill fielded an amazing 51 entrants in a hugely successful weekend in Adelaide at the 2023 South Australian Junior Country Championships this last weekend, with all the local gymnasts competing at different levels across all four apparatus in their age groups.
The action began on Saturday morning with 15 of the Silver City’s 22 level one and level two competitors appearing at their first competition. They worked hard and performed exceptionally well and received certificates and ribbons for their efforts.
Next up was the 19 strong local team competing at level three, across six different age groups.
“The jump from level two to level three is so significant and requires a lot more work to perfect the compulsory routines. Hours of preparation went into the children’s preparation, and they did not disappoint,” Coach Zoe Tonkin told the Truth.
The hours of preparation were well worth it as under-eight level three gymnast, Mille Delbridge, received a second place overall with an incredible score of 35.075 out of a possible 40.
Brooklyn Mannion also competed well with a total score of 33.825. Both received their level three upgrade badge.
Under-eight gymnast Freya Lloyde received her level three upgrade as well.
Also in level three action, Temperance Kershaw and Meila Belle placed fourth and sixth.
“It was these two young ladies first gymnastics competition so it’s just an amazing achievement,” Coach Tonkin said.
Sunday afternoon saw level four and level five gymnasts take to the mat and there were some huge results for our girls.
Level four under-11 competitor Molly Gibson was crowned Country Champion with an overall score of 35.825. She had a tremendous competition, finishing first on Vault with a score of 9.500, fifth on Uneven Bars scoring 8.375, fourth on Beam at 8.700 and second on Floor with 9.250.
The incredible results didn’t end there, with Christella Borlace receiving her level four upgrade and Stella Pedergnana, Maddison Haskard and Piper Wilson all securing top 10 finishes.
In the open level four competition, three of our girls competed, all for the very first time at this level. Claudia Shoobridge, Annie Burke, and Maddie Mullins all competed incredibly well, with Claudia finishing second on the Vault and upgrading her level as well.
At level five in the under-12 age group it was glory for the multi-talented Zahra Cawley as she became Country Champion in her first competition at level five with a total score of 33.700. The plaudits didn’t stop there as young Zahra also upgraded her level.
In the level five open age group, there were more successes as our four competitors all upgraded their levels.
Zahlia Delbridge had the highest overall finish with third, with Tamsyn Grillett, Zoe Carapellotti and Isabelle-Jayne Mullins all competing with the best as well.
“I am so proud of all of them,” coach Tonkin said.
“To overcome nerves and perform against other competitors, in front of a packed stadium and the judges watching every move, is just so impressive.”
The gymnasts have had the week off to rest and reflect on their achievements, and now the hard work begins in earnest to perfect their routines, with their eyes firmly fixed on the next competition for selected gymnasts, the South Australian State Championships, slated for September.
The club’s next competition is the Whyalla Invitational set for the October long weekend.
