Spirit gymnasts display the banner which was presented to the host gym. Pictured front row (from left to right): Grace Wilson, Isabella Martinez, Rachel Radnich. Back row (L to R) Morgan Christman (former team member) Megan Thompson, Victoria Cosenza, Samantha Hatfield.

_______

Six local members of Spirit Gymnastics in North Wales made a little bit of history when they traveled down to Trinidad and Tobago.

The gymnasts were the first Americans to participate at a competition in the Caribbean nation, representing Spirit at the Tots and Tumblers Gymnastics Club's 14th Annual Invitational "We Be Flippin" in Port of Spain March 12-13.

Spirit coaches Gene Speer, Reggie Speer and Erin Tomes began the trip by joining Tots and Tumblers owner Annette Telfer for a radio interview on i95.5 FM in Port of Spain. They discusses the current and future states of gymnastics in T&T along with talking about the Sprit program itself.

A private open workout was held for Spirit gymnastics on March 12 in the open-air Woodbrook Youth Center. That night, the opening ceremonies of the meet were held, with the start of competition for levels 6-10.

At the conclusion of the meet and awards, Gene and Reggie Speer presented Telfer and the host team with a banner signed by all the Spirit coach and gymnasts. Spirit team members also present each of the Trinidadian gymnasts with a pin.

The three Level 4 Spirit gymnasts competed on March 13.

Along with short trips to Port of Spain on their own, the Spirit gymnasts and families attended a private beach party given by the host gym that was only accessible by boat the afternoon of March14.

The following are the local results from the Tots and Tumblers 14th Annual Invitational.
Level 8
Victoria Cosenza (Age 14, Lansdale) second-bars (7.2), second-beam (8.15), second-floor (8.8), third-all-around (32.45).
Samantha Hatfield (Age 13, North Wales) vault-third (8.5), bars-third (7).
Level 7
Megan Thompson (Age 12, Blue Bell) vault-first (9.45), bars-third (8.6), beam-second (8.5), floor-third (8.3), all-around-third (34.75).
Level 4
Grace Wilson (Age 9, North Wales) second-bars (9.2)
Rachel Radnich (Age 9, Ambler) bars-third (9.0), floor-second (8.8), all-around-third (35.525).
Isabella Martinez (Age 10, North Wales) first-bean (9.0).

Spirit coach Erin Tomes discusses a skill correction with Grace Wilson during the open workout on Friday.

Spirit team member Victoria Cosenza signs the program for a member of the host team.

Spirit coaches Gene Speer (far right) and Reggie Speer (left) present the Spirit banner to Annette Telfer of Tots and Tumblers Gymnastics Club after awards on Friday night.

Spirit gymnasts after the opening ceremonies. Pictured (from left to right): Isabella Martinez, Rachel Radnich, Grace Wilson, Megan Thompson, Morgan Christman (former team member), Samantha Hatfield, Victoria Cosenza.