State qualification

[NGL780309]

How do you qualify for state in your state and level? It seems to vary from state to state. Why isn't it uniform for everyone competing JO for example or X-Cel since those are nationwide programs?

I think our state gets the bum deal compared to a lot of states I read about on here. It's not a particular score and it's not like you have several meets to try and get that score. There is one meet to qualify and you must place in the top however many places. For example one of DD's teammates scored a mid 36 as a first year 7 year old level 5 and that was not enough to qualify to state. In other age groups it was even higher. It's also an incredible amount of pressure because if you have an off day you are done regardless of how you did that season. A kid could score high 37's all season and have 2 falls or big mistakes and be done. I realize obviously that this is a sport, but it seems harsh for kids just beginning in the sport and especially compared to other states where you just have to get a 33AA or whatever. I guess it does makes it extra special to qualify here. I wish they'd set a score, even if it was getting a 36AA, and give the girls several meets to get that score. It wouldn't change the results at state, but give more girls an opportunity to get to compete at a state meet.

DD's teammate really felt like she was not a good gymnast because she didn't qualify. She has no clue that getting such a good score as a 1st year 7 year old is fantastic.

 

[bogwoppit]

In Quebec we have a funky qualification system too. We do not have a score either. The top 48 in each age/ category go to a sectional meet and from there the top 32 go to our states equivalent.

When my dd's competed their category had between 250 and 300 girls in it. So you can appreciate how many girls do not have a chance of qualifying. Many girls feel like they are no good. Sad really.

They also only do three meets a year, with their best two scores counting. Training for a whole year for three meets is pretty sad too.

 

[pinklemonadeliz]

Here are the qualifiers for Northern California:

http://norcal-gymnastics.org/norcal/QUALIFICATION%202011.pdf

It's kind of weird because level 4 has different qualifying scores depending upon which zone they are in (I have no clue why??).

 

[NGL780309]

In Quebec we have a funky qualification system too. We do not have a score either. The top 48 in each age/ category go to a sectional meet and from there the top 32 go to our states equivalent.

When my dd's competed their category had between 250 and 300 girls in it. So you can appreciate how many girls do not have a chance of qualifying. Many girls feel like they are no good. Sad really.

They also only do three meets a year, with their best two scores counting. Training for a whole year for three meets is pretty sad too.

So you get it Bog. Fortunately after level 7 here, it's just score a 34 AA at a qualifier to make state. I guess it's probably just the number of athletes we have in levels 4-7 compared to other states. I was just curious why it wasn't uniform from state to state.

 

[hawaii_gymnast]

Here it is only the top 12 in each age group and level for our equivalent to sates. It goes based on one meet, if you have a bad day then you don't get to go. I agree that it should be a score because in some age groups in specific levels there aren't very many so no matter how you do you get to go which isn't fair to girls in tougher age groups.

 

[gymgal]

with what you described, I would be frustrated too. Like you said, you could have an excellent gymnast who has a bad day at qualifiers and then not make it. We live in a state where you just need a minimum score to qualify and it is basically just a participatory meet because the qualifying scores are so low (31-32 depending on the level). Frankly, I wish these were higher, like in the the 34-35 range. It would be something to strive for and would truly recognize the girls who have made it. As it stands now - most get to go to state meet but only the top girls really get recognized with medals. If the score was higher, just qualifying would be a "medal of achievement" of sorts.

 

[cher062]

This is what is listed on the NH USAG board As I understand it each state can set its own qualifying scores. i remember a few years back the judges were so Hard judging only 8 girls in the whole state qualified for Sectionals. They actually had to lower the qualifying scores to I think it was a 29 just to get enough girls to qualify to have the meet.

AA Score Requirements

For sectional meets:
Levels 4 through 8 - 31.00

For state meets:
Levels 4 through 7 - 33.00
Level 8 -
32.50
Levels 9 and 10 - 32.00
Prep-Op - 32.00 or two meets

For regional meets:
Levels 9 and 10 - 34.00

Event Specialists for Levels 9 and 10:

• Declaration date is one month
  prior to the state meet with written notifications to the SACC
• Score
  required:
  a. 8.70
  twice at any meet to qualify to States
  b. 9.00 at the State meet to
  qualify to Regionals
• Entry fees are the same for all athletes

 

[NGL780309]

with what you described, I would be frustrated too. Like you said, you could have an excellent gymnast who has a bad day at qualifiers and then not make it. We live in a state where you just need a minimum score to qualify and it is basically just a participatory meet because the qualifying scores are so low (31-32 depending on the level). Frankly, I wish these were higher, like in the the 34-35 range. It would be something to strive for and would truly recognize the girls who have made it. As it stands now - most get to go to state meet but only the top girls really get recognized with medals. If the score was higher, just qualifying would be a "medal of achievement" of sorts.

It is true that just qualifying is a special achievement. More so than a situation where basically everyone qualifies. To even qualify to the meet to make state, girls had to score high 34's, 35. Again it's a placement, not a particular number. I was just curious about why it is a qualifying score in some states vs a placement in another. I understand that we are a huge and very competitive state so they must be selective.

 

[gymluvr33]

This is what is listed on the NH USAG board As I understand it each state can set its own qualifying scores. i remember a few years back the judges were so Hard judging only 8 girls in the whole state qualified for Sectionals. They actually had to lower the qualifying scores to I think it was a 29 just to get enough girls to qualify to have the meet.

AA Score Requirements

For sectional meets:
Levels 4 through 8 - 31.00

For state meets:
Levels 4 through 7 - 33.00
Level 8 -
32.50
Levels 9 and 10 - 32.00
Prep-Op - 32.00 or two meets

For regional meets:
Levels 9 and 10 - 34.00

Event Specialists for Levels 9 and 10:

• Declaration date is one month
  prior to the state meet with written notifications to the SACC
• Score
  required:
  a. 8.70
  twice at any meet to qualify to States
  b. 9.00 at the State meet to
  qualify to Regionals
• Entry fees are the same for all athletes

I live in NH, too, so I have the same requirements. I just thought it was interesting that they lowered the Level 8 States qualifying score from a 33.0 to a 32.5 to make it more on par with the rest of our region, so more girls would qualify to states and we would get more spots for regionals.

Back on topic - I would be so frustrated with what you described...I don't really have an answer, but that really stinks

 

[MaryA]

This is the first year that our state doesn't have Sectionals at all. Last year at level 5 DD had to get a 31 (I think) to qualify for sectionals and then a 33 at sectionals to qualify for States. Here are the new rules...

There will be no sectional competitions at any level. Qualifying scores to the State Championshipsat each level are as follows:
Level 4: 34.00AA
Level5: 34.00AA
Level6: 32.00AA
Level 7: 33.00AA
Level8: 32.00AA
Level9: 32.00AA
Level10: 32.00AA
PrepOptional: 33.00AA at all levels

If I am not mistaken, at the upper levels (8&9) the State qualifying score is actually lower than the mobility score, which strikes me as odd, but nobody asked me. I'm glad that it's not so hard to qualify for States here, especially at the compulsory levels. When they get to the upper levels, obviously the bar is much higher if they hope to go to regionals/nationals, but as it stands, States is a nice "you go girl!" at the end of the season, and many, if not all, teammates get to go together. Then again, I can definitely see that "making it to States" would be more meaningful in the states where it's harder to qualify.

 

[NGL780309]

I'm not really too frustrated by it, more just curious. My DD qualified in her level so it wasn't a problem, but reading here opened my eyes to how our state is different.

 

[AlexsGymmyMom]

We must have it pretty easy here. Last year the qualifying score was 31 for most levels and for X-Cel. They raised it this year to 32 AA. Also, any sanctioned USAG meet is considered a qualifier except for L3-4 and X-Cel. Those levels have specific qualifiers.

 

[gymgal]

Also, any sanctioned USAG meet is considered a qualifier except for L3-4 and X-Cel. Those levels have specific qualifiers.

I didn't realize xcel had specific qualifiers. I just assumed all were qualifying. Do u know what makes one a qualifying meet?

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[AlexsGymmyMom]

I didn't realize xcel had specific qualifiers. I just assumed all were qualifying. Do u know what makes one a qualifying meet?

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We didn't know it either at first. The HC/owner told us after the 1st meet that it was NOT a qualifier.(bummer since Alex would have qualified easily at that meet). The girls only had 1 qualifier meet (Judges Cup). I don't think any of the "invitationals" can be used as a qualifier. That judges cup was the MOST stessful meet ever! Especially since Alex had to score 8.975 on bars (last event) to qualify. She got a 9.050

 

[cher062]

I live in NH, too, so I have the same requirements. I just thought it was interesting that they lowered the Level 8 States qualifying score from a 33.0 to a 32.5 to make it more on par with the rest of our region, so more girls would qualify to states and we would get more spots for regionals.

Back on topic - I would be so frustrated with what you described...I don't really have an answer, but that really stinks

Actually I was happy as my DD was one of the girls that only qualified when the lowered the scores. I was frustraited at the sectionals as I knew she got ripped off in the scores. Coaches were upset too. I remember hearing one coach who protested one of the first rounds of scores for her gymnasts saying at the meet if they don't ease up no one will qualify for States. It was awful every deduction that could be taken was and at the max value so if it was up to .5 they took .5 So many girls who should have qualified went home sad. You knew it was bad when the top 3 girls in any event didn't qualify It never happened again thank god.

 

[wandrewsjr]

Pinklemonadeliz - Those different scores are the qualifying scores for zone championships(each zone gets to set their own). the qualifying score for state championships is the same for all level 4's, 34.0.

 

[gymluvr33]

Actually I was happy as my DD was one of the girls that only qualified when the lowered the scores. I was frustraited at the sectionals as I knew she got ripped off in the scores. Coaches were upset too. I remember hearing one coach who protested one of the first rounds of scores for her gymnasts saying at the meet if they don't ease up no one will qualify for States. It was awful every deduction that could be taken was and at the max value so if it was up to .5 they took .5 So many girls who should have qualified went home sad. You knew it was bad when the top 3 girls in any event didn't qualify It never happened again thank god.

Yes, that is ridiculous, but I think we may be talking about different things. The 33.0 to 32.5 change is new this year and was put in place over the summer, while I believe (though I could certainly be misunderstanding you ) that you are referring to a time in the past when not enough girls qualified to states so they lowered the score within the season. Does that make any sense?

 

[gymmomtoo]

Minnesota--Level 4 doesn't have a qualifying State meet. I don't even know if they have a state meet anymore (our gym doesn't go anyway--I know they had a meet and a qualifying score when Beth was that level, but it has changed). Levels 5 & 6 have three qualifying meets each--you have to get a qualifying score at one of those meets. Score is currently 32.0 AA, but it can change each year depending on how many girls are at each level.

Levels 7-10 can get their qualifying score at any sanctioned meet (in Minnesota or out). I THINK level 7 is 35.0, level 8 is 33, maybe??, and level 9-10 is 32.0 AA. Not sure if it's been set for this coming season yet.

I would guess different states do it differently due to the number of gymnasts at each level. If you set a score of 36 and 100s of girls in that level make it, it would be a HUGE meet. Some states have far fewer gymnasts so they can set an AA score and vary that to get a manageable number at the state meet. That's my guess anyway!

 

[gymgal]

If you set a score of 36 and 100s of girls in that level make it, it would be a HUGE meet. Some states have far fewer gymnasts so they can set an AA score and vary that to get a manageable number at the state meet. That's my guess anyway!

Good point. Big states like tx and ca must have a huge amount of girls attaining 34+ and probably even 36+. In nc, there obviously would be much less.


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[GymGirl's Mom]

In our state the qualifying score for L4 and L5 is 34- not sure about the rest of the levels but girls have all season to qualify