Top South Coast gymnastics club Carmel and Co soared to gold and other medal-winning performances at the recent 2014 Aussie Gold International Cheer and Dance Championships on the Gold Coast.
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The competition at the Gold Coast Convention Centre featured more than 1000 competitors from Australia and international teams from Thailand and New Zealand, with Shellharbour-based Carmel and Co excelling across a range of events and levels.
In the spectacular cheer category, which involves "flyers" being tossed into the air and caught by their "bases", Carmel's Infinity squad won the level 3 senior cheer division, while Diamonds won gold in level 3 open cheer.
The level 1 junior cheer squad, the Dolphins, were an impressive third in the most hotly contested division featuring 18 other outstanding team.
In the cheer solos section, which involves one cheerleader performing a variety of forwards, backwards and static tumbling routines, Miranda Blades won gold in junior solo, Gabby Hussey was second in senior division, and Miki McDonnell third in opens.
The Partner Stunt event featured a base and one flyer only, with Chloe Temminck and Kaydin Harrison placing second in level 2 Junior, Robert Fassone and Kaitlin Lloyd winning level 2 senior and Miranda Blades and Zac Paplauskas also top of the podium in level 3 junior.
The Group Stunt involved a small group of one flyer teamed with several bases, with Carmel's Chicapow squad an excellent second in level 2, and Tornadoes second in level 3.
Finally, in the Dance Doubles section, Jaelen Harrison and Brooke Grootemaat also finished a commendable second.
"It was a huge event, and we're thrilled with the results," said coach Carmel Blades.
"We've always been a strong tumbling club with a lot of gymnasts switching to cheer, but our stunt work has really improved."
Following the championships, the Carmel and Co squads attended a clinic with coaching staff from some of United States' top cheer programs, including the University of Hawaii.
Everyone had a blast, Blades said.