The tears, the triumphs - State and on to regionals

[Livinatthegym]

The day started with tears -- mine. It was dd1's last meet and could easily have dd2's. I told them each my favorite gym memory and completely lost it. I never cry, so both girls looked at me in stunned silence.

Dd1 was very happy with her meet. She's state vault champion. Funny, because it's probably one of her worst events. I almost laughed out loud when I heard the family behind me say, "If you want to see how a vault should be done, you should watch that real tiny girl from X gym." She baubled on bars, an event where she routinely scores 9.5. This time she finished at 9.375. She finished 4th AA.

Dd2 was not a happy camper. There's big drop in the number of girls competing between level 5 and 6. The next big drop comes between levels 7 and 8. And, in a small state like ours, that means the age groups cover quite a range. So, dd1, who is almost 15, who saw puberty come and go a couple years ago and definitely has a woman's body, finds herself in a group with pre-pubescent 12 year olds. Her lines will never be as straight. To top it off, our flight was our gym and Chow's. Yes, folks, Shawn Johnson's gym.

Now, we all love Mr. Chow. He's a very nice man and a gentle coach. We've been competing with his gym for 5 years, and I've never seen him say a harsh word to any of his athletes. However, his goal is producing elite and Olympic athletes. His teams are small because he's very discriminating in selecting gymnasts, even for his compulsary teams. He looks at parent height/build, age of the child (his oldest level 8 is 12), in addition to the things you'd normally look for in a gymnast. We hear rumors about daily weigh-ins, etc, but probably not all are true. Anyway, the result is that his gals are pretty close to unbeatable. You might outscore one on a single event, but they pretty much sweep the all-arounds.

So, our girls are competing in a rotation with girls who score 9.5-9.8 on most events, and 3 of them are in dd1's age group. She didn't get skunked (one medal), but for the first time since level 5, when she was competing with a broken hand, she didn't place AA. Fortunately, she did get picked up for regionals, and there, at least, the "Senior B" group is all her age. As she says, "Good, I shouldn't be the only one with boobs and a butt."

Our biggest disappointment, however, is that dd1's teammate did not make regionals. Like dd1, she is done this year. The two of them had been together since level 4, and I would have loved to see them finish out their careers together at regionals.

[gymmomntc2e6]

Quote:
. As she says, "Good, I shouldn't be the only one with boobs and a butt."

It appears that your dd has a good head on her shoulders and a good sense of humor.

I may have missed this before, and I am sorry if you have to repeat yourself - but, why is she leaving gymnastics?

[Livinatthegym]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gymmomntc2e6 I may have missed this before, and I am sorry if you have to repeat yourself - but, why is she leaving gymnastics?

There are so many reasons. Dd1's in high school, and being a gymnast means
1. She can't try out for the musical or track because of conflicts with practice during meet season.
2. She can't try out for madrigal because of conflicts with practice right before meet season.
3. She can be in marching band in the fall, but she gets in trouble for missing so many practices for games and competition.
4. If her friends go to Sonic for 1/2 price drinks after school, once in a while, she'd like to go along.
(You probably see the pattern, here. She wants to have a more normal high school life.)
5. Her knees hurt, pretty much all the time. A grown up body lands harder.
6. Hardly anyone is left. Our level 10s are in high school, but after this season, the other kids are younger. She likes them, but there is something to be said for same-age peers.

We're not really sure why dd2 wants to be done. She doesn't have fears, mental blocks, or injuries. She's had a great year. She loves the sport. Best we can figure is that she set a goal fo herself (to win an all-around competition), and she met her goal. However, we've always said that the decision to stay or go was hers, and its ok to just want to be done.

Seriously, I think I'm the one who's not going to know what to do with myself. At state, I was talking to a mom whose daughter "retired" a couple of months ago due to injury. She told me that one night, she'd had dinner, run through homework and housework, and announced the family should be getting to bed. It was 8:30. She was just wasn't used to all the time she had with no gym!

[Megley]

Congrats to both your dds on a good meet. It must be incredibly tough to be in that age group with girls from Shawn Johnson's gym. She did a fantastic job qualifying to regionals. It must be tough for you facing a future without gymnastics! I can't imagine it and we have only been involved for a year or two. Is it for sure that DD2 will quit or is she just on the fence about it? Best of luck to DD1 at Regionals and to DD2 in deciding what to do.

Meg

[bogwoppit]

Congratulations of the DD's hard work.

I imagine this will be a year of huge changes for your family, I hope I am as graceful and pragmatic when our turn comes!

[melmonette]

Congratulations on DD1's becoming the vault champion That is great and making regionals You must be so proud of her. Does her high school have a gymnastics team??? Maybe she can do that...

You know what I wouldn't even know what to do with myself either without gymnastics. I love watching my girls and I can't imagine being without taking them to gymnastics either.
Big hugs to you I know it is going to be quite an adjustment that you all will go through.
I hope your dd2 sticks it out even if she didn't have the best meet.
I am sorry your dd1's friend and teammate did not qualify It must break her heart for her friend and then their family as well.
Wow... it must be wild to compete against Chow's gym. I am sure they are amazing to watch though at meets.

[Livinatthegym]

Well, where's my head? Dd1 is my level 8, dd2 is my level 7. Yes, I mix up my own kids. Call 'em by the wrong names sometimes, too.

Bog, I sound a lot more graceful here than I do in real life. I'm planning to get over my grief by spending the money I would have used in tuition next year on a trip to Disneyworld. Can't be sad if you're heading for the Mouse House.

Melmonette, nope, no hs gymnastics in Iowa. Haven't had it since the 80s. And, yes, it's wild to see the Chow's girls (especially when they're not in your age group). The nice thing about our gym rotating with them was I got to see all their routines.

[kristilyn73]

Living at the gym...My DD Is on spring break right now and I dont know what to do with myself in the evenings! It is most certainly a lifestyle change.

What an amazing way to end your DD"s careers.. I get teary eyed just thinking of it.

We have competed against a couple other very good teams from IA. Triad is impressive too.

My Husband is from Iowa and keeps talking about moving back! But in his small town there is not a gym. We would have to Drive to Des Moines or Omaha!

[gym law mom]

I'm impressed with both your girls and I love dd1's take on her body changing!!! Both kids sound like they are mature beyond their years and have really thought the whole gym thing through. As much as parents want to still be a part of it, if your child's heart isn't there anymore, then they have the right to say "its over." I want to congratulate you and letting them follow their dreams.

I'm sure you and your dds will still be welcome as "club cheerleaders" at meets next season. Always a nice way to stay connected. Speaking of staying connected----keep dropping in here.

Oh yes---big congrats on dd1 going to regionals. So sorry her gym "sister" didn't make it.

[maricarmunoz]

hi i'm from the philippines. I wonder if you could help me get a choreographer for my daughter for her floor routine? She is now in Chicago. thank you so much

maricar