Luke proves that second is best with national title win

Mar 28 2007 by James Maloney, Birkenhead News

FOR a second successive year, Luke Strong has bounced his way to a national trampoline title.

The 13-year-old student from Park High School Specialist Sports College, Birkenhead, who won the under-13 category in Sunderland, has had something of a meteoric rise in a sport that he was only introduced to in March 2005.

As well as two national championships, he can boast two North West titles and the Merseyside under-15 crown.

Sports development officer Ian Gauntlett said: "Luke started at Grade 4 and progressed to Grade 1 (highest) in just six months.

"He was also selected for the North West squad to compete in a Great Britain v Portugal international, but unfortunately was unable to travel.”

The Tranmere star is coached by Lilian Lanceley and Andrew Wild at Park High School and Propulsion Trampoline Club, respectively.

Gauntlett added: "Recently, he has been doing well in Great Britain trials to compete in world competitions, and last week he won a double mini world trial and a grade 1 competition by five marks – a huge margin of victory."