10:20am Thursday 20th November 2008
SWINDON gymnasts April Coombs and Tayshan Dowe kept up Esprit’s winning streak in high-level competition, winning an array of medals at the National Grades finals.
Coombs, aged 15, continued her improvement this year, competing against gymnasts from all over the country in the grade nine finals.
Producing some of her best-ever routines she took first place in both the hoop and ribbon sections.
She backed this up with an impressive silver in rope and fourth in ball to secure the overall silver medal, just behind Louisa Poulis, from the Elena club.
Ten-year-old Dowe was taking part in her first-ever finals, but emulated clubmate Coombs’ success by winning silver with her hoop and an impressive gold in the rope discipline.
That ensured her the overall silver medal, only a small margin behind Emma Griffin, from Canterbury.
Both girls are members of the Stratton-based gymnastics club Esprit and Coombs also recently qualified as a gymnastic coach.
Head of coaching at Esprit, Deb Hows, said, “Both April and Tayshan fully deserve this success.
“Potentially, Tayshan has a bright future ahead of her as a gymnast, while April continues to shine in competition and is turning out to be a valuable member of the coaching team here at Esprit.’’ Youngster Caitlin Hewlett participated at Grade Four and performed exceptionally well herself, with an impressive 10th overall.
For further information about the club contact chairman Mark Hows on 07710 439434.
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