Ashburton teen Finleigh Glanville is the New Zealand age group women’s trampoline champion following competition success this month.
She won the 15-16 years women’s trampoline at the 2024 XP National Gymnastics Championships in Palmerston North over October 7 to 12.
Heach coach Nicci Glanville said as a first time athlete in the grade, Finleigh bounced strong, beating her best competition flight score time (the time spent in the air) with 13.84 seconds, and placed third in the qualifying round.
‘‘Enjoying competing with her friends, Finleigh relaxed and gave an amazing performance in the final round,’’ Glanville said.
‘‘Earning herself the title of national champion for 15-16 years women’s trampoline. A fantastic achievement.’’
Finleigh also competed in three other events during the week-long championships, winning silver in the 17+ women’s synchronised trampoline (alongside teammate Nicola McLauchlan of Christchurch) and debuting in the junior international double mini trampoline (placing fourth) and 15-16 years women’s tumbling (seventh).
Coach Glanville said Finleigh was one of an eight-strong team from Dynamic Gymnastics to attend the annual event.
Other athletes included Jack Stanley and Samantha Wood, and five who made their first appearance at national level. They were Laura Stanley, Addison Judd, Eden Brake, Natalie McGregor and Emma Molloy.
‘‘At national competition our governing body set proficiency scores for each level – reaching or surpassing these scores earns the athlete a proficiency pin and also earns their coach a prestigious medal for having an athlete compete at such a high standard at nationals,’’ Glanville said.
‘‘Five out of our eight achieved these pins – Emma Molloy, Samantha Wood, Jack Stanley, Laura Stanley and Finleigh Glanville.’’
Glanville said there were many firsts for the club’s athletes who were representing Canterbury. Among them Samantha Wood who placed third in the 11-12 years women’s double mini trampoline and fifth in the 11-12 years women’s synchronised trampoline (with Chloe Bishop of Taranaki) (5th) and 11-12 women’s trampoline.
‘‘Samantha did extremely well obtaining 5th place in the the qualifying rounds (of the 11-12 years women’s trampoline event) ensuring her a place in the finals. In the final round she held herself strong and maintained the 5th overall placing.
‘‘On a roll Samantha earned herself another place in the finals by reaching 5th in the qualifying rounds (for double mini trampoline). Pulling out the stops in finals she advanced her score and grabbed herself a bronze medal finishing 3rd overall.’’
Glanville said she was proud of the whole team, which not only qualified but attended the week long nationals in Palmerston North.
‘‘Every single one of them did their best and deserved to be there. All coming home with medals, ribbons, personal bests, new friends, memories and much much more,’’ she said.
Other results saw Laura Stanley 13-14 years women’s trampoline (placed 10th) and 13-14yrs women’s double mini trampoline (7th).
Addison Judd 15-16 years women’s trampoline (13th) and 15-16 years women’s double mini trampoline (9th).
Laura and Addison teamed up in the 15-16 years women’s synchronised trampoline (5th).
Jack Stanley 13-14 years men’s synchronised trampoline (with Nathan Hewitt of Northland) (5th) and 11-12 years men’s double mini trampoline (7th).
‘‘Jack had an amazing start to double mini trampoline going into finals in first position,’’ Glanville said.
‘‘Unfortunately the landing did not go quite to plan on his last pass placing him 7th overall
– he also brought home a broken arm and a smile.’’
Eden Brake & Natalie McGregor 11-12 years women’s synchronised trampoline (4th), 11-12 women’s trampoline and 11-12 years women’s double mini trampoline.
Emma Molloy 10 & under women’s synchronised trampoline (with Bella Norrie of Canterbury) (5th), 10 & under women’s trampoline (12th), 10 & under women’s double mini trampoline (10th).
