On Friday 13th March, 2 teams (an Under 13 Mixed and an Under 16 Mixed team) and 2 teachers headed up to Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke at 6:30am for a very busy day. This would be the first time St Edmund’s has qualified for 2 teams to be at Nationals.

 

Upon arrival it all happened very fast. The Under 16’s warmed up their individuals at 7:45am to perform at 8:45am. There was lots of anticipation as St Edmunds were to open the competition with their floor routines. They performed incredibly well and did so with huge smiles on their faces. They then moved over to vault where some outstanding vaults were performed and deservedly awarded some impressive scores. For them it’s back to warm up for their trio whilst the under 13’s anxiously waited for their time to perform. 

 

At 10:00am the Under 13’s took to the stage for their individuals and they too lived up to the prestige of performing at Nationals. They performed some very good routines and performed some amazing vaults which were credited with some very marvellous results. Then they too headed back to warm up for their trio whilst the Under 16’s performed once again. 

 

For the Under 16’s their trio is their best routine, something they are very proud of. They once again opened the routines for this part of the competition and definitely set a benchmark with their incredible timing and choreography. They could do no more. 

 

Then the Under 13’s went and performed one of the best trio’s they’ve ever performed and their many hours of practice and commitment clearly paid off. They performed a solid routine that was well timed and together they pulled off a successful routine. They could do no more. 

 

Finally it was time for the awards; firstly the awards for the Under 13 Mixed team, who were in a tough category with many of the schools full of club gymnasts from outside school. They narrowly missed out on a team medal. Their regional partner for the West Midlands failed to show up and therefore they lost their chances to medal as a part of the West Midlands. Either way a huge congratulations to the team, you should be proud of yourselves and you made the school very proud. Congratulations Karyce Johnson, Ellie Marandola, Pax Katanga and Ewan Cox. 

 

Meanwhile the Under 16’s Mixed team thought their chances of medalling were slim, in a category of advanced gymnasts most of whom attend a club regularly, their expectations weren’t high. Despite this, something incredible happened as they were crowned National Champions! Having Arden as part of their regional team, who placed second overall, ensured the team also took away the regional champion title too. A massive congratulations to this team, you too should be very proud of yourselves and you made the school very proud. Congratulations Lysia Bayley, Brientony Jeyarajan, Amelia Beet and Rachel Clifton. 

 

Finally a huge thank you to Mrs Cartlidge and Mrs Swindels for the time and effort you give up for the difficulty of organising, the hours of rehearsal and the days of competitions. The teams could definitely not achieve this without either of you. So, a massive thank you from all the gymnasts.