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Morgan Beckles, 18, will graduate from BHS in just a few weeks. Along with completing the IB program at BHS, Beckles has been the team captain of the Bermuda National Gymnastics Team for three years. She is one of Bermuda’s most accomplished gymnasts, participating in CAC Games in 2010 and winning three Gold Medals at the NatWest Island Games in 2011. Her hard work helped earn her the Outstanding Teen Service Award for Sports in 2013.
Under head coach Duke Nelligan (who took over the BGA program in 2009 after 30 years at the University of Maryland), Beckles started her senior year looking forward to leading the team at July’s NatWest Island Games right here in Bermuda. Unfortunately, a wrist injury and subsequent surgery to repair the complete TFC cartilage tear has left her sidelined until September.
Despite the setback in the gym, Beckles forged ahead with her plans to compete in NCAA gymnastics. She was accepted to SUNY Cortland, Rutgers, Ithaca, and Maryland, all of which have competitive gymnastics programs. After much deliberation, Morgan is excited to join the SUNY Cortland team in the fall to train under Coach Gary Babjack. Not only will she be a valuable asset to Cortland’s squad, but she hopes to lead Bermuda’s National Team at the Commonwealth Games next summer.
Beckles will be sorely missed in the gym but her coaches are pleased that she will continue gymnastics at a high level. “Beckles is a very special athlete from a supportive family that helped teach her the importance of hard work and tenacity. One of my favorite qualities that Beckles has is that she loves competition and takes representing Bermuda very seriously. At the CAC Games, she hit all 8 routines over two days of competition. That is almost unheard of for a young competitor and it is going to make her a great college gymnast. All of the coaches and families who have known her in our program are so excited to follow her career and of course welcome her back to compete for Bermuda”, says Coach Nelligan.
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