Gymnasts from all over Queensland travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Queensland Senior State Championships. The event was held at the Chandler Stadium where gymnasts chased state titles and selection to the Australian Championships to be held in Melbourne during May.
The Cooroy Gymnastics Club sent a team of four gymnasts, one level 7 and three level 8 competitors. The boys, who train between 18 and 20 hours per week, balance school and their love of the sport, are pushing themselves for selection to the National Championships.
Flynn McKeown represented Cooroy in the level 7 division in his first senior state competition. Despite his lack of senior competition experience, Flynn did well finishing 10th in the all around competition. In the second day of competition, whilst not finishing on the podium he was able to place sixth on both floor and parallel bars.
The level 8 gymnasts pushed themselves, adding a high degree of difficulty to their routines to gain maximum returns from the judges. Walking a fine line between higher rewards for difficulty and losing marks for errors, the boys posted some great scores. Despite some falls, especially on the technical pommel horse, Cooroy was able to finish first and third on the first day in the prestigious all-around competition.
Day two saw more great results for the boys with two more state titles on apparatus and three other podium finishes in the finals.
Both Dean and Finlay have been selected to travel to Melbourne to represent Queensland at the Australian Championships in three weeks’ time. Both gymnasts will be working with coach Jeff to try and improve their routines and fitness.
Results:
Finlay Jones 1st All Around, 1st Rings, 1st Parallel Bars, 2nd Floor, 2nd Vault
Dean Chandler 3rd All Around
Lyam Chandler 3rd Floor
