The Jamaica School of Gymnastics (JSG) won the top prize at the Yamilet Pena Classic held in the Dominican Republic from August 13-14.
The Jamaican gymnasts surpassed the hosts to produce the highest All-Around score of the competition. More than 300 gymnasts from 19 clubs from more than 14 countries including Mexico, Aruba, Panama and the United States.
Two clubs from Jamaica participated in the tournament.
The Jamaica School of Gymnastics produced 29 gymnasts who competed at the Recreational level, USAG Compulsory 1 to 4, as well as USAG Advance Level 6-8. The other club, Westmoreland Gymnastics, was represented by five gymnasts who competed in USAG Recreational, Levels 1 and 2.
JSG’s Level Four team of Leah-Paige Phillips, Alayna Wilson and Jade-Ann James topped their category while the Level Six team of Jurn’e Davis, Kamaria Smith, Janay Howel and Jesanique Scott finished third.
The Level Seven team of Leanna Blake, Arianna Richardson, Savanna Adams, Danique Meek and Sukhuri-Shay Smith finished first while the Level Eight team of Zuri-Matandara-Clarke, Mariah Gordon, Elyssa Alexander and Natashley Prehay was third .
Not to be outdone, Westmoreland Gymnastics gymnast Lowaynia Myers was third on Vault (9.85) and fifth in the All Around with a score of 37.7 at the Recreational Level.
Meanwhile, also at the recreational level, JSG’s Kalyssa Campbell was second on Floor with a 9.4 and eighth in the All Around with a score of 37.0; Lenessa Whyte was fourth on Vault with 9.8 and 10th in All Around with a score of 37.0
At Level 3, Elissa Ennis was fifth on vault with a score of 9.25 and sixth in the All Around with a score of 34.1.
In Level 4, Leah-Paige Phillips was first on Bars with a 9.6 and fourth in the All Around with a score of 35.65.
In Level 6, Kamaria Smith was second on Bars with a 9.25 and sixth in All Around with a score of 35.7 and Jesanique Scott was third on Bars and seventh in All Around with a score of 35.7.
In the Level 7 12-year-old age group, Leanna Blake was first on Barre with a 9.6 and first in All Around.
In the 9-11 age group, Danique Meek was first on Floor (9.1) and first on Beam (8.4). She also topped the All Around with a score of 35.9.
And at Level 8, Zuri Matandara-Clarke was first on Beam and Bars with 9.1 and 9.35, respectively, and second in All Around with a score of 35.35.
President of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association, Nicole Grant, believes the gymnasts’ performances demonstrate the continued growth of the sport locally.
“The Jamaica School of Gymnastics has been in transition since 2019 when we first built a state-of-the-art gymnasium that serves the gymnastics community well,” said Grant.
“The club has grown and used most of the time during the Covid-19 pandemic to train our coaches to be more vigilant when it comes to the technique and physical and mental preparation of the gymnasts.
“As a level 7 and 8 coach alongside coaches Nadeen Whyte (Recreational, 4 and 6) and Kerieon Grant (1-3) at the JSG club, we are delighted that all the girls came out and did their best . knowing they were competing internationally for the first time in two years as a club.
“They were up against more experienced competitors and that made them very nervous, but they came out and gave it their all and for that, we’re super proud of them.”
Grant said club managers Nadeen Whyte and Kerieon Grant have put a new and technical program in place for the girls and it showed in their execution. They also put in a lot of work to make this tour a success, she said.
“We have to thank the parents who helped fund this competition as without their contribution it would not be possible,” said Grant. “Shantel Jackson-Blake and Christina Francis, who manages the team, have done an amazing job and we can’t thank them enough.
“We are also grateful to the parents who contribute and financially help fund others and ensure they do what they can to help whether they are on tour or at home.”
She was also proud of the performance of the gymnasts from Westmoreland Gymnastics.
“Westmoreland Gymnastics is our sister club and we would really like to congratulate coach Natanja Morris for the hard work she has done in preparing 5 girls who have done very well,” said the JGA president.
The team is expected to arrive in Jamaica late Monday afternoon.
