Ashcroft continues to improve

Stella Ashcroft continued her improvement to finish 13^th in the all-around individual finals in the Commonwealth Games gymnastics competition today.

Ashcroft, still only 15, turned in scores of 12.95 on the vault, 9.9 on the uneven bars, 11.70 on the beam and 11.50 on the floor for a total of 46.05.

Her coach Terry Walker said Ashcroft handled the pressure of a final and the big crowd well and acquitted herself with distinction.

“She has really enjoyed this whole experience – being in the village, being part of a big team, competing at a Commonwealth Games… It’s been eye-opening for her, but she has handled it all,” he said. "She qualified for the final 14th and finished 13th, so that's a good achievement."

Canadian Elisabeth Black won the women’s all-around with a total of 54.20.

In the morning session, New Zealander Ethan Dick, in his first competition as a senior athlete, finished 11^th of 18 finalists in the men’s all-around individual finals, an improvement on his position entering the final.

Dick scored 13.600 in the floor exercises, 12.85 on the pommel horse, 12.70 on the rings, 13.90 on the vault, 12.50 on the uneven bars and 12.40 on the horizontal bar for a total of 77.95.

The other New Zealander in the final, Misha Koudinov, finished 15^th. He scored 12.20 on the pommel horse, 12.85 on the rings, 13.00 on the vault, 11.95 on the uneven bars and 11.60 on the horizontal bar for a total of 75.20.

The competition was won by Englishman Nile Wilson with 84.95.