On Sunday the 19th of January, six Richard Taunton students travelled to the Rebound Centre in Gillingham to compete in the Southern Zonal Trampoline Semifinals. The competition includes competitors from the whole of the southern counties, including London.
Improving on their December performance, the girls team – comprising of Lucy Mansbridge (Bitterne Park School), Sophie Greenough (Redbridge Community School), Tia Pritchard (Redbridge Community School), and Aimee Tucker (Applemore School) – somersaulted into the top spot, placing 1st in the team competition with a record score.
Honourable mention goes to Henry Baynes (St George Catholic College), an elite national competitor, who unfortunately crashed out attempting a highly complicated and technically difficult routine. The previous day Henry had earned two gold medals at a National Development Competition.
Lucy Mansbridge secured 2nd place in the novice category of the individual competition. Mason Jackson (Regents Park Community College) also delivered a standout performance, subsequently earning himself 1st place in the novice category of the individual competition.
Of the students’ trampolining triumphs, Sport teacher Steph Allen said:
“It was an excellent day! After all the success of the team last year, it’s good to see the team stepping up again. Big well done to Mason who achieved 1st place in a competition which was a jump up from the previous competition he took part in.”
Now, training continues as the trampolinists refine their tucks and pikes ready to compete in the National Trampoline Finals which are being held at Places Leisure in Eastleigh on the 14th of March.
Howard Tear, the college’s international trampolining coach, said:
“The team performed beyond their wildest dreams. Team gold is now definitely on! If they get a similar score to their qualifying round that will be enough to win it.”