TALENTED trampolinist Katie Knowles will be representing Haslingden High School at the National Trampoline Finals in Northampton.
The Year 9 student, was one of 12 female students from three teams representing Years 7/8, Year 9 and Year 10 at Haslingden that won places at the Northern Zonal final in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Although the teams narrowly missed out on the final, Katie, 14, earned her place after posting the fifth best individual score.
She will now compete with the best from the UK in the final at Benham Arena in Northampton on March 18.
She said: “I did two routines, a set which everyone has to do, and a vol [voluntary]. I began my vol with a straight back at the beginning and so that gained me an extra point off every judge right at the start.
“I was really happy with how the rest of my routine went; it was the best I had done so far.”
Katie has been a member of Fearns Trampoline Club for about five years and as well as practising her routines at the movement hall, she is also an assistant coach and helps the club’s younger members to improve their skills.
She said: “I like learning tricks and it is fun to do somersaults; there is a lot of adrenaline and I feel like I am flying.
“I am very confident when I am going backwards and although I fall often, I am used to it now.”
Katie practises every Wednesday and Thursday and said the sport had kept her fit as well as boosted her confidence.
She added: “I am hopeful that I will be able to get placed in the final. I think I should do well as I was fifth in the regional and in the zonal competitions as an individual.”