A TEAM of talented trampolinists from Haslingden High School have bounced into the national final for the second year in succession.
Two of the four members of the Year 7 and 8 novice team – Josh Lowthion and Harry Sneddon – also got through to the National Schools’ Trampoline Competition last year.
Will Harding, 13, and 11-year-old Max Harwood-Lomax joined them this year and, at the North Zonal round in Belfast, the team was second, securing a place in the finals on March 2.
Josh, 13, was competing in the individual competition too and his score landed him in third place, which means he will also compete as an individual in the national finals in Staffordshire.
The team trains at school every Thursday and Friday; Josh and Will go to Fearns Trampoline Club and Max is joining them, while Harry and Will are also members of Bury Trampoline Club.
Josh said: “My voluntary routine scored the best – 26.55, but when it came to my set routine I made a mistake. I was supposed to do a half-twist and I did a forward somersault and so went over my tariff and was deducted one point off the judges’ scores.
“Had that not happened, I would have been first because I would have had the highest total. I know I need to do the routine right next time.”
Will said he enjoyed the experience, but admitted it was very tiring, especially as rough weather conditions meant the return ferry took six hours instead of three. They arrived back in Haslingden around 1am on Monday and had school that day.
Harry said: “We got into the nationals last year and we came fourth so we are hoping to do even better.”
Max said: “I only started trampolining when I came to Haslingden High in September and when I was asked to trial for the team I didn’t think I would get through so I was delighted to get the email saying I had a place.
“I am a bit nervous about going to the nationals but it is fun, isn’t it?”
Also competing for the school were Year 10 boys Ben Wilson, James Peacock and Jack Waters, but this year, although they were reigning national champions, they were the youngest competitors in the U19s class.
Their routines netted them third place, just missing out on a chance at the nationals.
A further U14 girls’ intermediate team of Emily Mead, Sally Hassett, Hannah Wilson and Katie Tipping also represented the school but didn’t make it through to the finals.