Talbot leads the way in Manhattan

Jezhari Talbot struck gold in New York with four victories in the standout performance for the Bermuda Gymnastics team at the 2014 Manhattan Classic.

Nineteen gymnasts from the island travelled to the Big Apple, with the majority competing in the USAIGC Copper, Bronze, and Silver levels, while Tabytha Hofheins took part in the USAG Level 9 session.

The Bronze level proved the most fruitful for Bermuda’s girls, coming second overall with Talbot claiming golds on vault, bars, beam and the all-around. The Bronze team also won the Spirit of the Sport Award.

There were also gold medals for Copper gymnasts Annabelle Miller (beam) and Kayode George (vault, beam).

Coach Mandi Baughman said in a press release: “The gymnasts should be very pleased with their accomplishments this weekend. The coaches are always impressed by our gymnasts’ competitive spirit and sportsmanship, and this meet was no exception. 

“We look forward to the Manhattan Classic as a key part of our schedule, as it gives us a chance to see many of the teams we will compete with at USAIGC World Championships in June. Overall, all of the girls showed improvement from the November meet in Bermuda, and Jezhari Talbot in particular had a standout result for the team.

“For Tabytha in the advanced Level 9 session, she was up against some of the best gymnasts in the U.S. and had an impressive second-place finish on vault. This was a stepping stone for her as she looks to compete in a college programme.”

Meanwhile, the BGA senior team will see action in two weeks at the IGI Chicago Style Invitational, which is touted as the “largest gymnastics meet in the world”. The BGA boys team will then return to competition on March 1 at the Mid Atlantic Invitational at the University of Maryland.

Full results

USAIGC Copper level

Overall: 3^rd place team 106.3

7-8 yrs

Annabelle Miller 1^st beam, 6^th all around 34.2

Laura Hupman 2^nd beam, 7^th all around 33.95

9-10 yrs

Rhianna Evelyn 4^th beam, 6^th all around 34.875

Daria Symonds 3^rd vault, 7^th all around 34.825

Mya Furbert-Jacobs 5^th vault1, 15^th all around 32.925

11-12yrs

Kayode George 1^st vault, 1^st beam, 2^nd all around 35.325

Bronze Level Meet

2^nd place team: 106.35

8-9 years

Jezhari Talbot: 1^st place vault, bars, beam, 2^nd place floor, 1^st place all-around 36.375

Yve Smith: 2^nd place bars, 3^rd place all around 34.55

Sanaa Burgess: 3^rd place vault, 4^th place all around 33.45

10- 11 years

Jasmine Simons: 3^rd place vault and bars, 4^th place all around 34.775

Logan Watson-Brown: 3^rd place beam, 6^th place all around 33.775

Holly Wakely: 8^th place beam, 7^th place all around 33.25

Brianna Ray: 6^th place vault, 8^th place all around 33.15

USAG Level 9 Meet 

Tabytha Hofheins: 2^nd place vault, 8^th place all around 32.4

Silver Meet

5^th place team: 102.075

11-12 years

Anah Lightbourne: 7^th place beam, 6^th place all around 35050

Kanzi Emery: 4^th place vault, 8^th place all around 34.775

Sasha Crumley: 26^th place bars, 29^th place all around 30.675

13-14 years

Kinae Dowling: 10^th floor, 12^th place all around 32.25

Maya Malpas was meant to compete in silver but was unfortunately out with the flu.