By The Canadian Press

Reigning Olympic champion Rosie MacLennan clinches berth in 2016 Rio Games

Mar 21, 2016 | 1:39 AM

KAMLOOPS — Reigning women’s Olympic trampoline champion Rosie MacLennan earned her place in the 2016 Rio Games with a convincing victory on Sunday at the Canada Cup.

MacLennan, from Toronto, placed first in the women’s senior event with a two-day total score of 152.500 points, followed by three-time Olympic medal winner Karen Cockburn of Toronto, (148.185) and Samantha Sendel of Aurora, Ont., (147.420).

“Things went a little bit better in the final today than in the prelims but there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” said MacLennan.

“My height was a little lower than what I ultimately want it to be but consistency and stability were my main priorities.”

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MacLennan, who earned one spot in Rio for Canada in women’s trampoline with her fourth-place finish last fall at the 2015 world championships, clinched the Olympic spot for herself after building up an insurmountable points lead after three of four selection events for Canadian team members, including the Canada Cup.

Nine-time Canadian men’s champion Jason Burnett’s hopes of competing at his third straight Olympic Games got a big boost after winning the men’s Canada Cup title with a dominant performance.

Burnett, who competes next month at a last-chance Olympic qualification meet to win a spot for Canada in men’s trampoline, cruised to the gold medal with 161.020 points — more than 10 points ahead of runner-up Nathan Shuh of Toronto with 149.670. Curtis Gereinn of Kelowna, B.C., placed third at 148.175.

“I was feeling much more comfortable and confident in my final routine today,” said Burnett.

“I still struggled with the last three skills but the majority of the routine was clean and a little bit higher than in the prelims.”

If the 2008 Olympic silver-medal winner earns the berth for Canada he will be awarded the spot at the Rio Games based on his performance at three selection events held so far for Canadian team members.

The Canadian Press