Stawell Gymnastics Club member Bec Hinchliffe celebrates after achieving level ten status, the third Stawell gymnast to reach the highest level.
STAWELL - Bec Hinchliffe has capped off a stellar year, becoming just the third Stawell Gymnastics Club member to reach level ten status.
Level 10 is the highest level in the gymnastics program and Bec follows in the footsteps of members Bella Scott and Lauren Knights in reaching the milestone.
She received her certificate at a competition held at Natimuk.
"I was feeling pretty confident, everyone was saying 'you'll get it', but I wasn't completely sure," Bec said.
Bec managed to impress the judges and passed her level comfortably, saying she could have fallen over three times and still would have achieved her level.
The 16 year old from Ararat credited her teammates and coaches in playing a vital role towards her success.
"Having support from teammates and different coaches throughout the year, who have different ways of helping to understand different techniques (helps)," she said.
It has been a big year for Bec, who recently qualified for a place in the level nine division Victorian state finals this year.
She also finished first in level nine at meetings in Mount Gambier and Ararat before her progression to level 10.
Bec has been training six hours a week throughout the year, using all four apparatus - vault, bars, beams and floor.
She has learnt a lot, working with regular coaches Nicole Coates, Elissa Chalmers and Bella Scott as well as Sam Winch, who was a visiting coach throughout the year.
The floor has become a more difficult apparatus, with Bec needing to progress more with different skills in order to achieve higher skills.
Bec is now looking to turn her attention to coaching.
"I think I will (coach this year). I won't have to worry so much about passing my level, so I can spend more time on doing a coaches course like Bella," she said.
Bec has previously done a bit of coaching when she was at the Ararat Gymnastics Club but has not completed a proper coaches course, while teammate Bella Scott has.
Other Stawell members have successfully represented the club in various meetings in Victoria and South Australia.
Kylan Fitzpatrick passed level three in Mount Gambier and Harley Healy came second overall in level one.
Adele Brand finished first overall in level four, Dani Hinchliffe first in level eight and Bella Scott finished on top in level 10.
Many gymnasts competed well at a friendly meeting held at Ararat recently.
Tia Dunn received second overall for pre-level one and the club's level one team of Dakota Healy, Makala Bassett, Ashley Bassett, Natalie Wemyss and Charlotte Cashman finished third overall.
Daneika Clayton, Kira Dunn and Tara Corcoran received an overall second in level 2, while in level four Adele Brand, Eliza Marrow and Melita Squire also finished second.
Brand was a stand out again, taking first overall in the individual section.
Bridget Russell returned a second overall for level seven, Dani Hinchliffe and Emersyn Kennedy finished first and third in level eight respectively while Bella Scott claimed overall honours in level 10.
Stawell Gymnastics Club is now on a break until February.