Trampoline champs

Matthew Lee | 1st July 2009

THE Gympie Gymnastics Club has continued to show up its larger counterparts following the success of its members at the Interclub Trampoline Sports Competition.

Gympie Gymnastics Club members (L to R) Jared Braganza, Mikaela Cleary, Summer Cunningham, Mary-Helen Buchan, Elaine Nakon, Teneal Roache and Christopher Mooney.

Renee Pilcher

THE Gympie Gymnastics Club has continued to show up its larger counterparts following the success of a number of its members at the Interclub Trampoline Sports Competition at Redcliffe PCYC recently.

The competition was held over June 20 and 21, attracting participants from various clubs across Queensland, all aiming to return home with medals and ribbons.

And Gympie didn't disappoint, bringing home a swag of medals and ribbons that will keep the club filled with pride for months to come.

The events the Gympie gymnasts took part in covered a spectrum of abilities, ranging from Level 1 through 8, including age groups of Under 8 and above.

While a large number of the local contingent was experienced at competition, for a select few, it was their first time stepping up from training to compete.

In total, three apparatuses were contested, including individual trampoline, double mini trampoline and tumbling.

The skills required in each event were dependant on the level of the gymnast.

Level 1 gymnasts were required to complete two routines comprising five skills each, Level 2 completed two routines with eight skills each, and Levels 3-10 had two routines consisting of 10 skills each.

Of all the impressive results achieved, a handful really stood out.

For young gymnast Elaine Nakon, 10, the competition was her first since picking up the sport this year.

She finished with a 4th place in Level 1 double mini trampoline, which was a highlight.

“I was a little nervous but I settled down after a while, and the judges were nice,” she said.

Nerves were also a factor for Christopher Mooney, 10, who also calmed down to collect a best result of third in the Level 1 individual trampoline.

“I really wanted to do well - it's exciting,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jared Braganza, 14, achieved first place in Level 4 tumbling.

He was the only male competitor for his age group and level.

Braganza had to meet the requirements set out by the judges to be awarded his medal, and he did so with flying colours.

“I'm looking forward to my next competition at Bayside and I'm keen to see how I go,” he said.

Arguably one of the club's brightest future talents, Mikaela Cleary, returned home with a grin stretching from ear to ear with two first places and a third.

Cleary drew on every year of her five years' association with the sport to dominate in her events.

The first places were achieved in Level 4 Individual Trampoline and Level 5 tumbling. The third came in Level 4A double mini trampoline.

“It was very surprising to do that well,” Cleary admitted.

“I like tumbling because I think I am better at it.”

A summary of all the results achieved follows:

Mary-Helen Buchan (Level 1 Under 8)

Individual trampoline 18th, double mini trampoline 20th and tumbling 9th.

Dannika-lee Lyon (Level 1 Under 8)

Individual trampoline 12th, double mini trampoline 19th and tumbling 15th.

Elaine Nakon (Level 1)

Individual trampoline 11th, double mini trampoline 5th and tumbling 4th.

Christopher Mooney (Level 1)