This topic comes up every year, and I usually have a pretty zen attitude about it, but I think I've finally hit my limit and am ready to declare that the system is grossly unfair. I'm talking about how the age group system works for L9 and L10 nationals. We are in a competitive region, and it seems that every year my kid is also in a giant age group. As I see her age group with 31 (!!) kids in it, I have to say, it's just not right. I understand the reasoning and rationale, but after many years of this, I will say it's gotten old and makes me feel just sort of over the whole thing. I am not sure I can take another year of seeing kids who score 35s qualify, and others who score high 37s or even 38s stay home. It's a reminder that the system is set up for the regions, not for the gymnasts. Fortunately my kid is just focused on trying to be in the top 7, but I'm apparently less mature than she is and it makes me really angry and sad.