Kelm wins silver at championships
Natimuk and District Gymnastic Club gymnast Kayla Kelm won a silver medal in her first state championship appearance at the weekend.
Kelm, competing in a levelseven under-14 age category, won silver on vault with a personal best score.
Kelm and team-mate Hailey Puls, who competed in a levelseven open division, qualified for the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Senior Victorian Championships in March.
Both girls competed at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
Natimuk head coach Lynette Morrow said the girls received personal best scores on several apparatus.
“Kayla and Hailey competed on floor, beam, uneven bars and vault and they both lifted for the occasion,” she said.
“This was their first time competing at state championships, which as you would expect, is for the best of the best at each level.
“The experience alone for the girls was fabulous and a silver medal for Kayla is a wonderful achievement.”
Success for Morrow
Meanwhile, former Natimuk club gymnast Ryan Morrow collected a swag of medals at South Australian state championships, also at the weekend.
Morrow has been training with the University of Adelaide Gymnastics Club since relocating to study last year.
Morrow placed on all apparatus, winning gold on vault and floor, silver on pommel and parallel bars, and collected bronze on rings and high bar.
His consistency across all apparatus won him individual overall runner-up honours.
Morrow won selection for a South Australian state team last month and will now focus on Australian Gymnastics Championships later this month.
A national level-eight gymnast, Morrow has been training with the South Australian state team regularly.
“Everything is gaining momentum with nationals just three weeks away,” he said.
“It’s coming up quickly. I can’t wait.”
The Australian Gymnastics Championships are at Hisense Arena, Melbourne, from May 21 to June 4.