Ryedale Flame gymnast Toni Ledden finished an outstanding fourth in the national level two tumbling finals last Saturday in Stoke-on-Trent.

She was the first gymnast from the club to ever reach a national individual final and she almost walked off with a medal.

Competing in the 15 and over category, 14-year-old Toni earned the third highest score with 78.45 marks but missed out on a bronze because two girls tied for first on 79.2 marks. Third place scored 78.9 marks.

The event was part of the Sports Acrobatic British Finals - the largest ever in Great Britain - with over 650 gymnasts competing in front of 2000 spectators.

Toni, who comes from Scarborough but trains in Pickering at the Northern Ryedale Leisure Centre, said: "My aim was to finish overall in the top five. I achieved that and more. It was a great experience and I loved every moment."

The final contained the 13 regional gold medal winners, many of whom were older than Toni.

The St Augustine's School pupil ensured she qualified for the third and final tumble run by finishing sixth in her first run and second in her second run. This put her fourth overall.

She finished second in her final run to give her an overall finishing position of fourth.

Coach Kevin Dekeyser said: "She did extremely well and was very close to winning the championships, with only .75 marks separating her from gold after the three tumble runs.

"The event gave her the exposure only a few gymnasts will encounter and she came away from the championships having gained experience which will benefit her in the future."

Toni is now concentrating on training for events in the USA during July and more national events at the end of the year.Ryedale Flame gymnast Toni Ledden finished an outstanding fourth in the national level two tumbling finals last Saturday in Stoke-on-Trent.

She was the first gymnast from the club to ever reach a national individual final and she almost walked off with a medal.

Competing in the 15 and over category, 14-year-old Toni earned the third highest score with 78.45 marks but missed out on a bronze because two girls tied for first on 79.2 marks. Third place scored 78.9 marks.

The event was part of the Sports Acrobatic British Finals - the largest ever in Great Britain - with over 650 gymnasts competing in front of 2000 spectators.

Toni, who comes from Scarborough but trains in Pickering at the Northern Ryedale Leisure Centre, said: "My aim was to finish overall in the top five. I achieved that and more. It was a great experience and I loved every moment."

The final contained the 13 regional gold medal winners, many of whom were older than Toni.

The St Augustine's School pupil ensured she qualified for the third and final tumble run by finishing sixth in her first run and second in her second run. This put her fourth overall.

She finished second in her final run to give her an overall finishing position of fourth.

Coach Kevin Dekeyser said: "She did extremely well and was very close to winning the championships, with only .75 marks separating her from gold after the three tumble runs.

"The event gave her the exposure only a few gymnasts will encounter and she came away from the championships having gained experience which will benefit her in the future."

Toni is now concentrating on training for events in the USA during July and more national events at the end of the year.

Updated: 09:42 Thursday, March 28, 2002