BERMUDA'S gymnasts returned triumphant from New York at the weekend clutching medals and qualification spots for the Nationals in Florida next month.

Platinum level gymnast Morgan Beckles placed first in all the events and in the all-around while Riann Ming, competing in the the premier level, also took firsts in all four events and in the all-around.

In the silver level, all four of the Bermuda entrees scored higher than the 32.5 all-around needed to qualify for Nationals.

Rosie Finnigan qualified with a 36.75, Tabytha Hofheins with a 36.65, Morgan Cleave with a 36.625, and Corey Ford with a 33.45. In addition to their all around medals, Cleave took first on beam, fifth on bars and seventh on floor.

Hofheins grabbed the silver on beam, placed fifth on vault, and sixth on bars and floor exercise. Finnigan placed second on vault, sixth on floor, and fourth on bars in the New York State meet.

These six gymnasts will be joined by Kaisey Griffith and Hannah King to compete in the USAIGC (United States of America Independent Gymnastics Clubs) national meet to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The competition spreads over a week and Bermuda's girls will be competing June 27-30.

The Nationals are the pinnacle competition for the USAIGC programme and will include gymnasts from the United States and South Africa.

Coach Michelle Strenk said the girls had one of the best-ever trips for the team which is used to picking up medals on its travels.

"Morgan Cleave and Tabytha Hofheins took first and second on beam with a 9.5 and a 9.4. That's amazing.

"That's so close to the perfect 10! They were like robots up there with not even a wiggle on that four-inch balance beam!

"We have high hopes for the Nationals both in the team awards and individually.

"The kids are peaking now ¿ they are really on top of their game which is great with the nationals just seven weeks away."

Last year at the same venue Bermuda's oldest girls won while the silver level gymnasts did well individually but not as a team.

She is aiming for a silver level team award this time around.

"I think they can pull it together as a team this time and place. It's a good pressure situation for them too."

However the Nationals could well be the final outing for Bermuda this year although the Island Games are looming.

Last time around the gymnasts, who have been Bermuda's most consistent medalists previously, were not allowed in the main competition.

But they are back in for the summer 2009 event in Aaland.

"I feel we can help so much," said Strenk of Bermuda's national effort to move up the medals ranking.