The 17-year-old Otago Girls' High School pupil picked up two silver medals at the gymsport nationals in Auckland last week and was also named in the New Zealand step 8, 9 and 10 team.
She was the only South Island gymnast named in the squad and will travel to Hawaii for the Aloha Gymfest and the Paradise Cup in January.
It was an exciting time for Close.
''I had a bit of a cry,'' she said.
''I was hoping to get some sort of medal and I exceeded my expectations.''
Close did well on all the apparatuses and won an overall silver as well as claiming a silver medal on the vault. She was also awarded proficiency.
Close will turn 18 while away in Hawaii and described the trip as a ''dream present''.
Otago step 6 gymnast Grace Brenssell also had a good tournament, nabbing a bronze medal on the vault.
Otago's rhythmic gymnastics grade 4 group of Anna Aitchison, Lucy Hayward, Florence Marshall and Ella-Rose Capil placed second overall.
Ava McFadgen was first in the level 8 ball and Ella Hjertquist (level 9) collected a big haul of medals.
She placed second in the hoop, rope and ribbon, first in clubs and second overall.
The Otago aerobics team performed well and many of the athletes returned home with individual and team medals.
