Esprit girls are Welsh wonders

9th December 2008

Esprit girls shine in Wales as Laura makes it FOUR in a row!

It was another exceptional performance from the gymnasts of Stratton based club Esprit recently, at the annual Welsh National Championships. The competition is open to gymnasts from throughout the UK but also includes a closed competition to find the Welsh National Champions.

Ten girls from Esprit’s Rhythmic Gymnastics section attended the Championships and returned triumphant with 16 medals between them.

Jade Faulkner, one of Esprit’s current Great Britain team members, took Bronze in Rope Silver in Ball and Ribbon and a well-deserved Gold in Hoop. She was joined on the podium by teammate Micia Falaki who won a very creditable Bronze in Hoop and Hannah Curtis who performed well to achieve two Silvers with her Ball and Rope.

Youngsters Ellie Morse, Gabriela Carruso and Freya Wilcock all had exceptional competitions with Freya winning Bronze in Hoop and Gabriela Bronze in Rope and Silver in Hoop.

It was then honours even for club-mates Alicia Veveris and Maya Lucas in the under 12 section, Alica winning Silver in Ball and Maya achieving the same in Rope and a third in Ball.

In the team event Esprit again produced the goods with Jade Faulkner, Laura Halford and Gabriela Caruso teaming up to win the overall team Gold.

It was then down to the Welsh Championships and Esprit’s Laura Halford desperate to keep up her winning tradition, by adding a fourth title in as many years to her growing collection.

Laura a fierce competitor, didn’t let herself down, winning three individual Gold medals in Ball, Rope and then Clubs, to win the overall Welsh National Espoir title.
Laura has now won the Welsh title at every age group, an amazing achievement ranking alongside her two British titles and many other medal winning performances.

But she cannot rest on her laurels, as she moves into the fiercely competitive Junior section against some very able and experienced gymnasts, after this years British Championships.

With the 2010 Commonwealth games only a short time away, it is a distinct possibility both girls could compete, as team-mates and rivals, Jade competing for England and Laura Wales.

An exciting 2009 awaits.