Bermuda’s gymnastics team had a weekend to remember at the Abie Grossfeld Invitational in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Eleven boys and four girls made the trek to the competition, with both sets of athletes winning various medals. The female quartet of Sydney Mason, Clara James, Danielle Wall, all of BHS, and Warwick Academy’s Anna Francoeur were in impressive form at the Level 9 USA Gymnastics competition.

The girls earned first place overall in the team event.

In the individual events, Mason, 15, claimed gold in her overall age group and was also first in the floor exercise.

James, 14, also struck gold on uneven bars, while capturing the bronze on balance beam. Wall, 14, won the balance beam title and bronze on floor exercise.

In the junior division, Anna Francoeur, 11, won the floor exercise on her way to finishing third in the all-around competition.

“This was a good chance for the girls to warm up for the exciting season ahead,” Duke Nelligan, Bermuda’s head coach, said. “The girls had errors here and there, but were attempting new skills that they are looking to master by upcoming meets.

“Clara and Danielle are preparing to travel to the first major international event of their careers, the Junior Pan American Championships, held in Brazil, from March 26 to 30.

“Their performances were encouraging heading into a busy year.”

Included in the largest male contingent to be sent overseas were senior members Max Blakeney, Somersfield Academy, Taj Lowery, of Warwick Academy, Niyan Outerbridge, who attends Harrington Sound Primary School and Jaden Malpas, of Saltus.

Making their debut in the international arena were juniors Jordan Trimarchi, of Saltus, Thomas Gesick, who attends Somersfield, Ty Dunlop, also of Somersfield, Warwick Academy’s Kai Lowery, Harrington Sound’s Nizeko Outerbridge and Cole Packwood, of Saltus.

In the level six intermediate age group, Blakeney earned third in the all-around as well as a second-place finish on the parallel bars. Lowery earned the silver medal on the floor exercise, while Outerbridge finished third in the junior division. He also garnered his top score on vault, which was good enough for the silver. The level six team placed second.

Gesick was the standout performer in the level five category, grabbing gold on the vault. Dunlop helped himself to the bronze in the floor exercise.

Trimarchi’s 10.3 rating on rings was sufficient to win the silver medal in the senior level four division, while Packwood brought home the gold on vault with a 9.2 rating. Outerbridge had his top showing on parallel bars, claiming third place.

“The little guys exceeded my expectations and the older boys all medalled,” Nelligan added. “We need to improve our focus, but all in all, it was a good first meet away from home.”

Bermuda’s entire senior team will travel to the Chicago Style Invitational on February 7 and the senior boys head to Maryland for an event in March.