Young gymnasts make the grade

Last month Swindon School of Gymnastics sent 15 girls to the County Grading in Trowbridge.

There were four categories of Grade 4, 3, 2 and Pre-Level and the girls had to perform set moves/routines and gain a minimum of 42 marks to pass the Grade.

If they got a total of 44 marks they were given a highly commended and if they gained more than an impressive total of 46 marks they were awarded a Distinction.

There were 19 entrants from 3 Clubs from for Grade 4 and all 10 of the Swindon gymnasts passed to the delight of coach Maddie Foster. However, more delight for the supporters as all children gained the highly commended announcement and an impressive 9 went of to achieve the Distinction status.

These 8/9 year olds didn’t look phased considering this was their first external competition outside of the Club.

Molly Smithson was 1^st on the Vault, Bella Giles and Daisy Law tied for best score on the Bars. Phoebe Knott was the best on the balance beam and Molly also took top spot for her clean floor sequence.

Molly was given the overall Grade 4 Gold medal, Bella Giles took the Silver and a clean sweep as Bronze was given to Daisy Law.

Next there were 9 entrants for Grade 2 and the same Trowbridge and Dorset opposition. Hettie Truman’s Bars and Vault was the best and Kira Waite was better on the Vault and Beam.

Both passed the Grades with ease and given a Distinction and took home the Silver and Bronze overall medals respectively making coach Helen David very proud.

Next up were Swindon’s Grade 3’s Alicia Warwick and birthday girl Manon Lauze. Both passing with ease and Alicia achieved a Distincton and was placed 3^rd overall and a bronze medal. Birthday girl Manon went off to her birthday party happy with her highly commended result.

Beth Colley closed the long day for the judges with the more complex moves in the Pre-Level Grade. She went clean and came 2^nd overall with her pass and grabbed the silver to the delight of her parents.