Sleaford Elite Gymnastics Club rack up the regional medals

Trampoline Level 1 9-10 years women's team bronze medallists Rachel Shields, Lexie Blankley, Natalie Tarapata and Lucy Lloyd. EMN-170314-091036002

A total of 16 young athletes competed for the town club and bagged a host of medals as well as five regional titles to add to their growing collection.

In the women’s individual trampoline Level One Freya Wakelen-Ball finished in 31st place, Hazel Francis in 26th, Elizabeth Walford 21st, Natalie Tarapata 20th and Lexie Blankley 16th. There were top 10 finishes for Lucy Lloyd (ninth), Rachel Shields (sixth) and Skye King (fourth).

Ashleigh Coates, in her first time competing at Level Two, achieved 11th place and Naomi Ashby, likewise competing at Level Three for the first time, was placed 14th.

William Alvey School pupil Rachel Shields was regional Level 1 DMT champion EMN-170314-091007002

In men’s individual trampoline Level One, Max Turner placed seventh at his first regional event, Callum Elkington was fifth and Leo Bovington and Oliver Tucker got on to the medal podium with a bronze and silver respectively.

Oliver only narrowly missed out on qualifying to represent the region at the nationals.

In the team competition – the Level One over 13s team of Esmie Newton, Freya Wakelen-Ball and Hazel Francis placed a respectable sixth, and there was more medal glory with a bronze for the Level One 9-10 years team of Rachel Shields, Lucy Lloyd, Lexie Blankley and Natalie Tarapata.

The medal haul continued in the double mini-trampoline (DMT). In the 11-12 years men’s Level 1 competition, Leo Bovington was fourth, while Oliver Tucker won bronze for his solid routines.

Ashleigh Coates finished fourth in the women’s 13s and over Level One event, while Lewis Bovington, despite injury, and Naomi Ashby claimed gold and the Level Four title.

The boys’ team of Logan Somers, Oliver Tucker and Leo Bovington also claimed gold and another regional title.

And Logan Somers and Rachel Shields became regional Level One DMT champions and qualified to represent the East Midlands at the DMT Nationals at Birmingham Arena.

Head coach Patsy Shields said: “We are immensely proud of all our team who performed at their best against stiff competition.

“We are so excited for Rachel and Logan who will represent the East Midlands and compete nationally in DMT in the summer.

“Our focus now is on preparing them for the big national stage and preparing our team for the new season. We have had a fantastically successful year, beyond our expectations, but we are hungry to improve on that next season.”

* For more information about the club, call (01529) 968080, email [email protected] or follow them on Facebook.