Gymnasts make the grade

Those who passed with highly commended included Olivia Lomax, who also came third on vault, Katie Hornby – first on vault, Tess Darkes-Collinge, Lillia Bradford, Lily Nixon – who also came third on beam, Isobel Brown, Lana Stacey, Mia Blythe, Lexi Hoggatt, Lola Dugdale – who also came second on range and conditioning, Jessica Park – who also came third on vault, and floor, and first on range and conditioning, placing fourth overall.

Those who passed with distinction included Lyra Stretch – who also came third on vault, fourth on bars, fifth on beam and ninth overall out of 33 other gymnasts.

Special mention to Jessica Park who placed fourth overall and went on to represent Lancashire at the regional team finals, which was held at Robin Park Sports Arena in Wigan.

Jessica competed brilliantly on all five pieces of apparatus, helping her team place third overall and also placing second individually overall.

Head coach Kimberley Sharples said: “The Grades are an annual competition which gives the girls chance to test the skills they are learning in line with the development plan for the sport. The girls did really well, some of who competed at this level for the first time.”

For those interested in giving gymnastics a try, visit the BEST Centre website on www.thebestcentre.com