Isle of Wight gymnasts picked for Hampshire training squad

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Over two days of competition, eight Island gymnasts competed, seven of them qualified for the Southern Regional Finals and the Hampshire Squad Training for Gymnastics set up. 

The seven Legacy Elite girls who have joined the Hants training group. (Image: Shannon Betts)

On the opening day, Lucy Collins, performing in the Copper age group, 14 and over, came first — ahead of 45 competitors — after she excelled on the vault, beam and floor disciplines, with second place on the bars.

Performing together in the Copper group for gymnasts aged 11, were Skye Couse and Megan Marshall.

Skye came second overall and won in her age group, with notable performances on the beam (second), vault and bars (third), while Megan Marshall came fifth overall, with first on the beam and second in the vault.

Legacy Elite gymnasts, from left: Indie Orchard, Isabelle Berners, Beaudi Mcdonald and Ellora Jones. (Image: Shannon Betts)

All three earned their places in the regional squad.

"An absolutely fantastic day and well deserved results for the three of them," Shannon adds.

History was made again on Day 2 when Zinc age group gymnasts Indie Orchard, Ellora Jones, Isabelle Berners and Beaudi Mcdonald joined them in the county squad and in making it through to the Southern Regional Finals.

Legacy Elite gymnasts, from left: Megan Marshall, Lucy Collins and Skye Couse. (Image: Shannon Betts)

Ellora, aged ten, came first on the bars, second on the beam and floor, and came first overall in her age group and was second overall from more than 60 entrants.

Indie, a year younger, came a creditable third in the bars, beam and floor, finishing third in her age category, and sixth overall. 

Beaudi Mcdonald, in the 11 years and over group, came second in the vault, bars and beam, but won the floor discipline to win overall in her age category, coming third overall.

Legacy Elite gymnasts Elsie Macfarlane, left, and Indie Orchard. (Image: Shannon Betts)

Competing against her was team-mate Isabelle, in the same group. She won in the vault, bars and beam and came second in the floor, to finish second in her age group, and fourth overall. 

This was the first time ever gymnasts from the Island had been selected and invited to join the county squad. 

"A huge achievement for these girls. They've made history," said their coach, Shannon Betts, of the Legacy Elite Gymnastics Academy.

Despite "huge improvement" in her scores on all apparatus, Elsie Mcfarlane (Zinc, eight years) suffered with her beam routine.

"All eight girls performed absolutely beautifully. We couldn't have asked for more," said Shannon.