Strong performances for Nassau 'Nastics at Gasparilla

Fri, Mar 14th 2014, 04:34 PM

The 2014 Gasparilla Classic Gymnastics Invitational in St. Petersburg, Florida turned out to be an awesome experience for the team of coaches, gymnasts and parents of Nassau 'Nastics. Accompanied by Head Coach Trevor Ramsey, the team consisted of five coaches, 14 competing gymnasts and a highly supportive group of parents. Nassau 'Nastics has been attending the Gasparilla Classic Invitational for over a decade. This meet falls in the peak of the club's competition season so the gymnasts were all in top shape and ready to compete. According to reports, they all did a wonderful job and made their coaches, parents and country very proud with their impressive showcase of talent.
Anne-Marie Oriakhi made one of the most impressive improvements at the classic, on her bar routine. In past meets, she had struggled with the uneven bars, as many gymnasts do simply because this event requires very good upper body strength. After competing at the Atlantis Crown in December and receiving a 7.90 on the uneven bars, Oriakhi scored a most impressive 8.75 at the Gasparilla Classic. When asked how she was able to perform so well on this event, her weakest, Oriakhi responded: "I just followed the advice of my coaches."
Her mother Maria Oriakhi was overwhelmed at Anne-Marie's performance and had this to say: "I have always believed Anne-Marie was able to do well. She is constantly trying. The hard work and dedication that she and her coaches place into this sport continues to pay off."
Anne-Marie Oriakhi also scored a 9.025 on the balance beam and a 9.00 on the floor routine.
Zerline Johnson also impressed the crowd and her teammates with her season's best score of 9.50 on the floor routine, one of the highest scores ever for a Bahamian at an international competition, which earned her first place in this event. She also received a score of 9.10 on her vault and was awarded third place in that event. This is a great improvement from her 8.90 vault score at the Atlantis Crown invitational in December.
Nassau 'Nastics Level Three gymnasts also did a tremendous job by bringing home a fourth place team trophy from the Gasparilla. The team consisted of gymnasts Amee Wallace, Anne-Marie Oriakhi, Jayna Wells and Ebony Hanna. In order to place for the team awards, the top three scores of a team consisting of three or more athletes in the same level are added up. This accumulative score is used to determine the team's placement.
Rashad Cunningham, the only male gymnast on the Nassau 'Nastics team of 14, participated in the men's competition at the Gasparilla. Although his performances on the floor and vault events were very strong and impressive, it was very difficult to attain a good placement at the meet because he only competed in two of the six events in the men's competition. Coach Trevor Ramsey laments that this is due to the fact that the development of men's gymnastics here in The Bahamas has been a much greater challenge than he had expected.
"Although the club has had a thriving boys' program in the past it has been unsuccessful in maintaining this program long term," he said. Cunningham placed eighth overall in his category and was awarded an All-Around medal.
The next international gymnastics meet the club will prepare for is the Cat's Beach Blast in Jupiter, Florida.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads