Natimuk gymnasts reach state heights
A junior Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club competitor came away with a podium finish at a state championship event at the weekend.
Level-four gymnast Remi Bailey walked away with a bronze medal for his high bar performance at the Gymnastics Junior Victorian Championships at Geelong Arena.
He was also awarded fifth place for his floor routine, fifth on vault and finished the competition sixth overall from 40 boys.
Remi’s brother Eli also enjoyed success, collecting fourth and sixthplace ribbons, in high bar and vault respectively.
Head coach Lynette Morrow said the pair was among 10 of her young charges who qualified and competed at the event.
She said the experience, a first for half of the gymnasts, would provide each of the competitors with valuable lessons.
“We had four girls and six boys compete and for all of them it was a great experience,” she said.
“It was a tough competition and they’ll certainly come home having learned from it and use that experience next year.
“The standard of competition in the boys’ competition especially was higher than I have ever seen.
“The men’s competition has lifted to an entirely new level.”
Mrs Morrow said the club’s levelfour boys team of Ben Grey, Edward Jones, Orlan Hart and Eli and Remi finished in sixth place.
Level-three competitor Max Schultz took on his first state competition as an individual.
His best result was a 12th-place finish on rings.
“Our level-five entrant Tia Mcclure did extremely well in the women’s championship,” Mrs Morrow said.
“Her best placing was 10th on floor out of about 48 competitors.
“The level-four girls team came 15th overall and their best placing was ninth on bars.
“They did really well because their events are competed in teams of five, where the three best scores count.
“Because we only had three in our team, every score counted, they had nothing to play with.”
Mrs Morrow said all 10 competitors would now join the rest of the club in preparation for a Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club invitational competition on November 16 and 17.