This year saw a change in the format of BUCS trampoline championship. Previously, regional qualifications were followed by a national final, but this year it became a part of the BUCS Gatorade Nationals in Sheffield, and was the biggest yet with over 500 competitors taking part in the qualifications on day 1.
Arriving at the venue, the hall was full of gymnasts warming up as well as many people spectating. Compared to other competitions the atmosphere seemed a lot more tense with all important BUCS points up for grabs.
Day 1 was the qualifications, which saw the top 20% from each category progressing through to the finals.
There were 5 different levels for difficulty of routines, which included the lowest which had no somersaults to the top level which includes double somersaults.
Over the 5 categories, York had 12 people competing. The successes of the day were in BUCS 3, where 5 participants qualified for the finals on day 2.
Peter Hick and Jonathan Ward qualified in 3rd and 10th respectively in the men’s competition, and Catherine Peake, Sarah Elliot and Katie Birmingham qualified in 1st, 9th and 14th respectively in the women’s category. Unfortunately Sarah Elliot was unable to compete in the finals on day two due to coaching commitments.
Day 2 saw the qualifiers compete in the finals. After a good warm up, the men’s competition was first to get under way. Ward finished 10th with a score of 44.00 and Hick finishing in 6th with 47.60.
The women’s event followed, with Katie Birmingham finishing 15th with a score of 45.20 The best performance of the day came from Catherine Peake, whose score of 51.60 was enough to finish 1st in level 3.
The weekend saw a strong performance from the club adding to the success that was seen in Varsity last week. With 2 more competitions this term, the club hopes to build on this success.