BUSA Regionals 2006

Results

After a huddled 6.30am rendez-vous outside the Leys school (what are we, rowers?) a group of 8 intrepid bouncers made the trek to the University Of Surrey for the 2006 BUSA southern regional qualifiers. Two others, Alex and Zoe, were far more sensible, going home the day before and meeting us there on the day. The top 10 from each category would qualify for the National Finals, to be held at Lancaster University in March.

With 94 competitors, the Novice Ladies category ran throughout the day on two of the trampolines. Becky was first to bounce, but a mix up about whether she should start resulted in the judges missing her set; it was really good, too! Unluckily, Becky didn't complete her second attempt at the set, giving her a much lower score than the first one would have deserved. Nevertheless, her vol routine was excellent (better than some of the final top 10), giving her a respectable 45th overall. Amy was next up, completing a solid set and an even better vol to achieve 26th overall, a great result considering the size of the category! After a bit of a break for lunch, Ellen finished a solid set routine, but unfortunately didn't land her final tuck front of her vol; identical scores for both set and vol gave her 64th place overall. Janet was the last to bounce in this category, gaining the best mark of our competitors for a strong set routine. Again, unfortunately, a fall at the end of her vol meant she dropped down to 52nd place, just missing out on a top half finish.

Meanwhile, on the other two trampolines, CUTC had four competitors in the Advanced Ladies category. A very competitive field of 31 meant qualification would be tough, especially when some of the bouncers were obviously capable of elite standard routines (as evidenced by their vols!). Charlotte and Katherine were in the first group to bounce. Katherine's set placed her 15th leading into the vols, a place she managed to maintain with a tricky tariff 4.0 routine. Charlotte completed two consistent routines, gaining 24th place overall. Suzy and Zoe were next up in the second group. Zoe still hadn't turned up by this point (!), but an unfortunate accident on one of the trampolines meant a delay long enough for her to arrive just in time for her set warm ups. This didn't faze her, though, as she completed a solid set followed by a difficult vol, securing 21st overall. Suzy had some trouble on her set routine, and couldn't quite make up the ground on her vol, giving her a final placing of 30th.

After the Advanced Ladies it was time for the Advanced Men, a group of only 13. Alex acquitted himself superbly in his set routine, lying in fourth place going into the vols. With several competitors attempting much more difficult tariffs in their vols, Alex had to stay on the trampoline to ensure a top 10 finish. Following the form of his set, a solid vol handed Alex joint 6th place, making him the first CUTC competitor to qualify for the finals, with extra congratulations due for two completed routines! With the Novice Ladies finally over, followed by an entertaining Novice Men category, it was Joe's turn in the Intermediate Men. With 22 competitors, this category was more popular than usual, but with around 10 of them failing to complete both routines it was up to Joe to try and stay on the trampoline. In 5th place after his set, he managed to recover a slightly wayward vol routine to stay in the top 10, getting 6th place overall.

After receiving certificates (and helping clear up) it was time to start the long journey home. Thanks to Alex, Becky and Suzy for driving the rest of us there and back!

CUTC will be represented by Alex (Advanced), Joe (Intermediate), Kate, Lee and Nuala (all Elite) at the National Finals in Lancaster on 12th March, 2006.