With the end of the gymnastics season approaching the highlight of the year was the Northern Ireland General Gymnastics Championships. Lisnaskea Splitz Gymnastics Club had 13 gymnasts competing for the first time.
With the standard of gymnastics rising rapidly in the regional competitions that were held throughout the year competition for a top three placing was fierce.
In some competitions 0.4 of a mark was all that separated the first place competitors and those not being placed at all.
In the level 3 in age competition the only Splitz representative Cliodhna McElroy, provided a stiff challenge for the other clubs. After a well executed beam and floor routine Cliodhna was placed 3rd on both pieces. She then went on to take the Northern Irish title on vault.
Splitz gymnastics Club excelled once again in the level 3 out of age competition collecting nearly every medal possible. On floor Megan Murphy and Auveen Shannon were 3rd and Hannah Crozier placed first. On vault Auveen Shannon was 3rd, Niamh Lynch was 2nd and Lynn Malcomson was 1st.
On beam Lynn Malcomson was third, Niamh Lynch placed 2nd and Hannah Crozier was first. As the competitors top three scores were added together to make up the overall positions the Lisnaskea Splitz stole the show again. Niamh Lynch placed 3rd, Lynn Malcomson placed 2nd and Hannah Crozier was crowned the level 3 (out of age) Overall Northern Irish Champion for 2008.
The level 4 and 5 girls then carried on the success of the level 3 gymnasts. On the floor Ciara Shannon was placed 3rd in a tight competition in the Level 4 in age category. The level 4 out of age girls also gained medal positions with Niamh Clarke and Lindsey Phair coming joint second on vault. Lindsey then went on to pick up the 2nd place in the beam competition.
The coaches would like to extend their congratulations to all the girls that competed on Saturday and we hope to see them all in September ready for more hard work and hopefully much more success.
We would also like to give a word of thanks for the support that every gymnast's parents have given to the girls throughout the year. If anyone is interested in buying professional photographs of their child taken throughout the competition then please contact Trisha or Lydia for information.
