Congratulations! to Emily Wharton, Ellie Richardson & Morgan Elliott-Money who competed at the South East Club Grade Championships held at the Guildford Spectrum on Sunday March 8th. The event provided a challenge to both the gymnasts, their coaches and the judges present as, this was the first time the new club grade system was being implemented. In order to pass each grade and, be eligible for selection to the Regional teams for the National Finals, gymnasts had the added pressure of having to score a minimum of 10.00 on the re-introduction of Range & Conditioning. Both Morgan & Emily competed in the new Grade 8 category; Morgan, despite a touch & go performance on R & C acquitted herself well via clean work on the other four which resulted in a solid pass, an overall position of 4th and selection to the SE Grade 8 team. Unfortunately for Emily, she started her competition with a failed connection on beam. This costly error meant she had to play catch-up via good routines on the remaining four apparatus. This she did via an excellent floor routine which, received a quesionably low score, a brilliant R & C set (best of the Entire competition @ 12.90 and, the Gold for this piece) and, solid performances on both Vault & Bars. Unfortunately for Em, not quite enough to break into the top four but still good enough for 5th overall and selection as travelling reserve to the SE Grade 8 team. Ellie didn't put a foot wrong within the Grade 7 section, easily winning the grade and, securing the Silver medal with 12.20 R & C, the # 1 berth on the SE Grade 7 team and, a place in our Hall of Fame - Well Done! All, three girls now go forward to compete at the National Club Grade Finals in Birmingham on April 25th & 26th.
