An Otago team representing eight separate clubs and the four major disciplines — artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, aerobics and trampoline — shone at the New Zealand championships in Auckland recently.
The 35 athletes and six coaches returned with a swag of medals.
The artistic gymnastics team (16 athletes) had one of its most successful tournaments, winning 16 medals and a national award.
Leading the way was Dunedin Gymnastics Academy star Molly Ballard, who was first in the all-around competition.
Ballard, the most senior competitive artistic gymnast south of Christchurch, was second on the beam and third on the floor.
She won a national award, the Rainbow Springs Trophy, for best results in senior steps/international levels.
Ballard was also awarded a proficiency pin, gained for reaching two full marks higher than the qualifying score for the national championships.
Another DGA athlete, Alex Livingstone, had success in the men’s level 8 artistic competition.
Livingstone won the floor and high bar, and was third on the rings.
As the top gymnasts in their respective levels, the Dunedin pair would have been selected to represent New Zealand overseas.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, this is not viable.
Livingstone represented New Zealand in Texas early last year.
Other DGA gymnasts to do well included William Cresswell (level 7, first in rings, third in vault), Preston Cruz Wheeler (level 4, second in all-around, first in parallel bars, first in rings, proficiency pin), Eden Brummit (level 4, first in vault, proficiency pin), Ella Rowe (step 7, proficiency pin), Zuzanna Kochan (step 6, proficiency pin), Cassie Horo (step 6, proficiency pin), Charlotte Watkins (step 5, first in bar, third in vault, proficiency pin), Aggie Austin (step 5, first in bar, proficiency pin), Charlotte Bloxham (step 5, third in bar, proficiency pin), Saki Ishikawa (step 5, proficiency pin) and Holly Weatherall (step 5, proficiency pin).
DGA representatives Hayley Storey, Krystal Cameron and Josh Plowman all received coach’s medals.
In aerobics, Brooke Davies starred for Otago by finishing first overall in the senior international grade with a proficiency pin.
Davies also won two major trophies, the cup for highest artistry and execution scores across all international and ADP athletes, and the aerobics athlete of the year competition trophy.
Emma McCaughan (ATP 5, second overall), Naima Woodrow (open level 4, proficiency pin) and Balclutha aerobic athletes Anna McCaughan, Emma McCaughan, Emma Green, Abby Green and Katy Gilder (aerodance 15-plus, second overall) also did well, while Otago was also awarded the best conducted province in aerobics for the second year.
In rhythmic gymnastics, Kate Coates was the star Otago performer, finishing first overall (first in hoop, third in ball, third in ribbon and proficiency pin) in level 9.
Luciana Blaga received a coaching medal.
Nicola Cox was Otago’s best in trampoline, finishing third overall in double mini trampoline in the 15-16 women’s grade.
