Danielle Wall and Clara James, the Bermuda gymnasts, finished 35th and 39th at the Junior Pan American Championships in Aracaju, Brazil.

James and Wall, who are both 14 and attend Bermuda High School, were competing at their first international event, which acted as a qualifier for this year’s Youth Olympics in China.

Danielle finished the event with an overall score of 39.268 and James with 36.766.

Duke Nelligan, the Bermuda head coach, believed the championships had been an important learning curve for both teenagers.

“We knew going in that we had our work cut out for us,” Nelligan said. “Our vaulting shows that we’re leg strong while our new skills on beam show we’re willing to work the more difficult skills.

“The bars are a work in progress, but on floor, we shined. How they take this competitive experience and turn it into a learning experience will be determined upon our return to training.”

Bermuda were grouped with Peru, Chile and Bolivia.