Rhythmic gymnast finishes eighth

Stella Ebert, only 15, finished eighth in the individual section of the rhythmic gymnastics competition today.

The Westlake Girls student, in her first senior competition, said she loved the opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games.

She scored 10.40 with the hoop, 7.40 with the ball, 9.30 with the batons and 7.55 with the ribbon for a total of 34.65.

“I was pleased with my hoop. I was a bit shaky because it was my first routine, but there were no drops for me, which was really good,” she said. “With the ball I was a little bit shaky and there were a few drops. And with the ribbon and batons I just tried my best to express myself.”

Ebert said she was surprised by how many New Zealanders there were in the crowd, and even saw her mother up on the big screen at one point.