Encouraging meet for young gymnasts
Bermuda’s gymnastics team returned to the Island yesterday after their second consecutive weekend of competition.Following success at the recent Manhattan Classic meet, Tabytha Hofheins (14, Warwick Academy), Danielle Wall (12, BHS) and Sydney Mason (13, BHS) joined team captain Morgan Beckles (16, BHS) at the IGI Chicago Style Classic last Saturday.The gymnasts faced an extremely high level of competition, as the IGI Classic is the largest gymnastics invitaitonal in the world, hosting more than 4000 top level athletes.Beckles managed two trips to the medal podium, placing 8th on floor with a 8.9 and 9th on beam with an 8.275.In the 14-15-year-old age group, Hofheins had her highest finish on bars with an 8.2, nailing her new routine for the second competition in a row.Mason and Wall competed in the under-13 age group and both had their highest scores on the floor exercise, with an 8.55 and a 7.6 respectively.Coach Mandi Baughman, who accompanied the team, said: “The Chicago meet is a prestigious event and one which we have been going to for several years.“It’s a great mid-season push for the girls who are reminded about how hard they need to work to compete on an international level.“The girls should be even more motivated to improve for our March 31 meet here in Bermuda.”