Women’s Artistic | Seven NDP and Compulsory Grades Medals
Scottish women’s artistic gymnasts returned from the NDP and Compulsory Levels British Finals with a total of seven medals, including an historic team medal and an individual all-around gold.
A total of 32 gymnasts representing 13 clubs made their way to Stoke on Trent to compete at the NDP grades four to one and compulsory level two and three British finals from 20 to 21 May.
It was a strong competition for East Kilbride’s Kira Sharp who picked up the top title at NDP1 in the all-around thanks to a total score of 48.200. She competed well across the apparatus and shared gold with West Midlands gymnast, Sarah Fraser on floor.
Kira’s performance along with those of Chloe Marwick, Cara McLeary, Isla Carse and Sommer Dean helped the NDP1 Scottish regional team win an overall team silver medal.
In the youngest age group, gymnasts at NDP4 performed well in a closely fought category, with Savannah Barker (East Kilbride) joining four other gymnasts in the silver medal position for vault.
There was further vault medal with gold for Largs gymnast Olivia Pollock in the NDP3 competition, beating Grace Killick from the East region by 0.100. Scottish gymnasts finished in fifth place in the team competition.
At NDP2, the competition was tight on beam, with all top 15 scores being within 1.000 difference. Balwearie’s Layla Steel shared silver with Sophie Dilley from the South East region with a score of 12.000.
In a change to the competition structure back in 2020, the compulsory level one route to qualification at British Championships has changed. Instead, gymnasts aiming to compete at the British Championships follow a pathway by competing at both voluntary and compulsory level two, where they compete for their club, and not as part of a regional team. This is in line with the route for aspire and junor level gymnasts in 2023.
The top Scottish performers at this level were Sophie Campbell from City of Aberdeen who placed 17th in the all-around, and Indira Williams from West Lothian who finished behind Sophie in the all-around and narrowly missed out on a top three finish on the uneven bars, finishing in fourth place, 0.050 marks behind third. Congratualtions to all gymnasts who passed thier compulsory level.
At compulsory level three, the team of Olivia Murphy, Rosie McNamara, Izzy Mackie and Aela Simpson won bronze – a first for women’s artistic gymnasts competing for the region at this level. There was further success with first place for Rosie from City of Edinburgh on vault and for Izzy from Garioch on uneven bars.
Congratulations to the gymnasts selected to represent the Scottish region, and we wish them all the best as they progress through the grades and compulsory levels pathway. You can find full results from the competition on the British Gymnastics website.
> Women’s Artistic National Compulsory Levels and NDP Grades Finals
Image Credit: East Kilbride Gymnastics Club