Eight gymnasts from the newly Introduced Pre-Competitive level representing six different prep and primary schools were named to the first Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA) All-Stars School Team at their annual awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) offices at 9 Cunningham Avenue recently.

Lutanya Shelton and Jahna- Allis McKelia of Vaz Prep, Tasha Woolock and Jordanne Dyke of St Richards Primary, Cameron Nunes of Phoenix Academy, Aiyana Davis of Half Way Tree Primary, Maceala Gordon of New Providence and Annalessa Chung of Petersfield Primary were the lucky eight. The team also includes 29 gymnasts from JAGA Level Three making it 37 members.

In the All-Around Championships for the Kinder section, St Hugh’s Kinder finished first with 94.3 points, while St Richards Infant and Pre-School were second with 87.35 points and Emmanuel Christian Academy third with 87.25 points.

Petersfield Primary of Westmoreland were crowned Primary Champions with 88.15 points, while Mona Primary was second with 87.7 and Mount Airy Primary third with 87.05.

In the Prep Schools section, Emmanuel Christian Academy were first with 88.77 points. St Hugh’s Prep were second with 88.25 points and Mavisville Prep third with 86.95.

There were individual awards for the top scorers in four different categories: Kindergarten – Sukhuri-Shay Smith of St Richards Infant 29.85: Prep – Abigail Brown of Emanuel Christian Academy 29.7: Primary – Elizabeth Escoffery of Petersfield Primary with 29.3 and Maurice Perriere of Nishida’s Kingston on 29.65.

In Level One Kinder, Silverstone Basic were first with 86.1 points, edging Stratton Early Childhood, who was a half point behind with 86.05 points, while Hagley Park Kinder followed closely behind for third with 85.55.

Level Two Kinder was also a very close contest as Emanuel Christian Academy kinder (86.55), who won just ahead of St. Richards Infant (85.9) and St Hugh’s Kinder (84.8).

Level One Prep saw Our Lady of the Angel finish first with 83, nosing out Harrison Prep into second with 82.3 and Phoenix Academy third with 81.55.

For Level Two Prep, it was Mavisville Prep with 86.95 points in first, St Theresa Prep with 85.95 in second and Negril Academy with 85.75 in third.

At Level Three, Emmanuel Christian Academy was first with 88.77 point in a close race with St Hugh’s Prep, who were second with 88.2, while Reach Academy was third with 85.2.

For the primary schools at Level One, Mona Heights Primary (79.8) a hair ahead of St Richards Primary, who were second with 79.0 and George Headley Primary third with 76.7.

At Level Two, Petersfield Primary with 87.95 points, just got the better of Mona Heights Primary (87.5) with Mount Airy Primary third with 86.4.

The consistent Mona Heights Primary were first at Level Three with 81.05 points. Half Way Tree Primary were second with 79.5 and St Richards Primary third with 78.4.

Three special athletes from three different categories were specially awarded for their performances at the championship with the “Never Give Up Award”. In Kinder, it was Lori-Antoniel Hyman from Smurfs Early Childhood, For Primary, the awardee was Handelee Martin from St Richards Primary and for the Prep category, it was Ziya Seabourne of Phoenix Academy.

The other novelty award was for the “Most Spirited School”. That to Bethel Basic (Kinder), Petersfield Primary (Primary) and Junior World (Prep).

President of Jamaica Gymnastics Nicole Grant-Brown is certain that the experienced gained by the youngsters, who participated in the National Championships, will prove beneficial to the programme in the coming months.

“This is the first time we are naming an All-Stars School Team, this will definitely motivate our kids who will show how our gymnastics match up with the rest of the Caribbean as they compete in St Vincent & the Grenadines.

“Our Junior Development Team will be travelling next year and it is very important for them because we have a national programme where our juniors will transition into the junior elite and from the junior elite into the senior,” she said.

One of the main benefits of the championships is to identify from early, athletes who will be able to go on to represent Jamaica at major championships over the next couple of years.

“We are looking for a team for the next four years for the Junior Pan Am Championships which is the qualifier for the Youth Olympics. Next year we will be having our juniors at the Junior World Championships and in 2020 the Junior Commonwealth Championships,” said Grant-Brown.

Perhaps the best take-away from the tournament for the psresident was the massive growth of the sport over the past year and she promised that her organisation would make the necessary adjustments to facilitate further growth.

“The numbers have grown exponentially. Last year we had about 270 children, this year we had over 680. It shows that the sport is growing and that we as an association have to grow with the sport,” Grant-Brown ended.