Harper-Rose Reid, who turns 13 today, has qualified for four codes at the five-day event in Auckland, which starts on Tuesday.
It will be the second year in a row the St Joseph’s year 8 pupil will compete in trampolining, synchronised trampolining, tumbling and double-mini trampolining at the nationals, after qualifying in the 13-14 years category at regional competitions.
After finishing seventh in her age group at last year’s nationals in Palmerston North, she is setting her sights higher.
"I’m hoping to do even better this year, hopefully placing top three in all the codes."
Harper-Rose started gymnastics when she was 4, but only took up trampolining at 11.
She trains with a trampolining squad under coach Emily Feit at Wanaka’s Aspiring Gymsports.
Her mum Steph Reid, who is the manager of the Otago team at this year’s nationals, said Queenstown did not have the facilities for Gymnastics NZ’s trampolining codes.
"We only manage to get her over to Wanaka for tramp and tumble training every six weeks, where she fits several hours of training into one session."
However, Harper-Rose is part of the development squad at Queenstown’s SITE Trampoline, and is a competitive artistic gymnast with the Queenstown Gymnastics Club in Frankton.
She typically spends about 13 hours a week training.
She said she loved the "adrenaline" of competition most of all.
"All the flips and tricks, the presentations and the strength you need to do it, it just keeps pushing me."
