gymnastics competition held in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The largest local contingent of gymnasts ever to take part in a single overseas event placed highly in both the level eight and preparatory optional categories.

Among the level eight group, the Bermuda team placed 14th out of 31 clubs, with Katy Wright leading the way, placing fifth and totalling 34.35 points in the Over-15 age group, which took in four disciplines -- vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

Wright was first in the bars with a score of 8.65, second in the beam (8.95), ninth in the vault (8.05) and 11th in floor exercise (8.70).

Other solid performances came in the 13 age group where Laura Murphy was seventh after registering a total of 34.15, while Nicola White was 23rd (31.85) and Nikia Manders 26th (31.40).

Coach Eddie Murphy said he was pleased with the performances put on by the team, which had many taking part in such a large competition for the first time.

"The competition was of a very high standard in level eight and there were 170 competitors, more than any of the girls had encountered before,'' said Murphy. "It's one of the larger competitions on the east coast so it was quite a big jump and to finish 14th out of 31, we were very pleased.'' Meanwhile, in the preparatory optional category young Sasha Christensen, competing among the eight-nine-year-old age group earned third place with a solid showing in all four disciplines, managing a 32.35 score.

Her highest placing was second in the vault, and she followed that with placings of eighth, fourth and third in the bars, beam and floor exercise respectively.

Team-mate Megan Aguiar followed her in fourth with 32.15 that included a second (bars), two thirds (beam and floor exercise) and a 10th (vault).

Other notable showings were turned in by Christina White, sixth in the 10-11 age group and Leila Wadson, 10th in the 12-14 age group.

"Again there were some very good scores and solid all round performances,'' said Murphy, who added that the floor exercises in particular were well performed. "Overall it was a very good experience for the girls and they got a treat on Saturday night when they got to watch the advanced and elite section of the meet.'' In addition 10 team members -- Wright, Murphy, Nicola White, Manders, Wadson, Christina White, Christensen, Aguiar and Darby -- achieved scores that qualified them for a regional competition sanctioned by the United States Association of Independent Clubs to be held in North Carolina in May.