Wilson and Talbot have NY state of mind

Chantae Wilson and Tomei Talbot were the standout performers in the Bermuda Gymnastics Team at the 2013 Manhattan Classic Gymnastics Meet.

It was Bermuda’s third time at the competition,  which hosts hundreds of gymnasts who compete simultaneously in four gyms at Manhattan’s Pier 94.  At Saturday’s USAIGC Bronze level session, the team finished second out of four teams with a score of 102.52, just 0.95 off first.

In the youngest age division, Wilson revelled on the big stage, earning first place all-around (35.55) as well as on vault (9.0), beam (9.0), and floor (9.35). Jezhari Talbot was not far behind her in third with a 33.15 all-around, and Yvé Smith finished fourth (32.125). 

Logan Watson-Brown won the bar title in this age group (8.325), putting Bermuda on top of the podium in each event and the all-around. 

T’aja Williams had her highest finish on beam (fourth with an 8.1), Emily Gentile earned fifth on floor with an 8.65, Brianna Ray garnered a fifth place on bars with a 7.85, and Sanaa Burgess earned a bronze on the floor exercise with an 8.75.

In the next age division, Attiyah Morris was Bermuda’s highest all-around finisher with a 31.875 to claim ninth. 

Holly Wakely was just behind her in 11th (31.050), while Sasha Crumley’s top finish came on bars with an 8.0 for the bronze. Daria Symonds finished 10th on floor with an 8.4.

Also on Saturday, Bermuda’s Amy Gentile competed in the Copper level meet, earning ninth place on both bars and floor with an 8.4 on each and 11th in the all-around.

Bermuda showed no let-up on the Sunday with the Silver level team finishing third out of eight teams with a 106.15, once again less than a point off first place. 

The team’s top score came from Talbot, who won gold on bars (9.175), beam (8.95) and the all-around (35.45). 

Also in Talbot’s age group was Ava Marshall, who had her highest score on floor with an 8.675 (8th), and Kinae Dowling, whose top performance came on vaulting (8.2 for 14th). 

In the younger age division, Gianna Webbe’s third place on bars (8.925) helped her to Bermuda’s top all-around score with a 34.95 (fourth). Not far behind was Anah Lightbourne (seventh, 34.45) who earned fourth place on floor with a 9.05. Kanzi Emery tied with Webbe for the bronze on bars and also earned thirde on vaulting with a 8.85. 

Trinity Wilson’s top score came on beam (seventh, 8.575), while Maya Malpas finished eighth on floor with an 8.525. 

Rounding off the group was Diamond Dill, who placed eighth on vaulting with an 8.7.

Finally, Bermuda had one gymnast enter the Platinum division (the second highest level in USAIGC). Tabytha Hofheins had her strongest showings on vaulting (8.6) and floor (8.55) and finished with a 32.00 all-around.

The Bronze and the Silver squads were awarded the Manhattan Classic “Spirit of the Sport” Award for best sportsmanship, team spirit, and passion for the sport.

The gymnasts will now turn their attention to preparing for June’s USAIGC International Championship, in Palm Springs, California.

The senior squad — Tabytha Hofheins, Gabby Vincent, Sydney Mason, Zantae Dill, Danielle Wall, Clara James, Sadia Wilson, Samantha Soares, Anna Francoeur — heads to the IGI Chicago Style Invitational this weekend for what is regarded as the largest gymnastics competition in the world.