thebahamasweekly.com - Bahamian Gymnasts Clinch 5th Place In Individual Categories At Florida Meet

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Bahamian Gymnasts Clinch 5th Place In Individual Categories At Florida Meet
By Arthia Nixon
Nov 10, 2009 - 5:01:44 PM

Coach Dianna Whylly (back) with Nassau ‘Nastics gymnasts who recently participated in the Fright Night invitational in Coral Gables, Florida. Not pictured, Coach Lavette Saunders.

Coral Springs, Florida - Six Bahamian gymnasts brought home a trophy after making their mark at the recent Fright Night invitational meet in Coral Springs, Florida. Members of the all female team are all trained at Nassau ‘Nastics, the nation’s oldest gymnastics club. While the team did not win the overall title, as the smallest contingent at the meet, they still fared well with two team members landing in the top five for their categories.

“They all tried their best and they did fairly well,” said Coach Diana Whylly who, along with Coach Lavette Saunders, prepared the team. “We don’t have the facilities that they have in the United States to practice with nor do we have multiple clubs to compete against. So when you consider those factors, the team did well. However, we got to see areas on which we can improve and we plan to work on those areas so that our next meet is more successful.”

Nassau ‘Nastic’s Savannah Brady does a split leap during her floor routine. Brady, the youngest member of the team, placed 5th in her level out of about 20 other competitors in this event.

Savannah Brady, the youngest member of the team, beat out nearly 20 other participants to capture fifth place on her favorite event, the floor routine with a score of 9.050. She placed 11^th on vault with 9.225 and 15^th in both bars and beam. Overall, she placed 11^th in her category with 34.175 points. Also scoring an individual fifth place title was Kristy Daniels with a 9.275 on the vault. Placing 16^th overall with 33.525 points, Daniels scored 7.9 on the bars, 7.7 on beam and 8.650 on the floor.

Both Angel and Peyton Willie placed 18^th in their levels. Angel scored 8.8 on vault, 7.725 on bars, 6.150 on beam and 7.650 on floor for an overall score of 30.325. Meanwhile, Peyton scores were 8.650 on vault, 7.450 on bars, 6.950 on beam and 8.125 on the floor to a total of 31.175 points.

Kristy Daniels of Nassau ‘Nastics delivers a hand stand in her floor routine. Daniels placed 5th on her vault at the Fright Night invitational in Florida.

Angelique Strachan placed 12^th overall in her division with total score o 32.175. She scored an 8.550 on vault, 8.4 on bars, 7.625 on beam and 7.6 on her floor routine. Rounding on the team with a score of 31.700 overall was Athalia Swann who placed 16^th after scoring a 9.0 on vault, 7.150 on bars, 7.800 on beam and 7.750 on floor.

Coach Dianna Whylly (back) with Nassau ‘Nastics gymnasts who recently participated in the Fright Night invitational in Coral Gables, Florida. Not pictured, Coach Lavette Saunders.

“This is only the first meet for some of the team members so it gave them a chance to see what they are competing against,” noted Head Coach of Nassau ‘Nastics, Trevor Ramsey. “What is good about the team is that they are eager and willing to learn new things and they all understand that they have to put their best forward. The main reason we seek to provide them with opportunities to compete abroad is for exposure. There are so many doors that can be opened with successful gymnastics when you think about scholarships and more. So, now that they are back and we have seen their potential, we are going to work and take them to the next level.”