So this one deserved a post all its own. This was a big deal--the first time Z was going to Regionals and the first time that she could remember going on an airplane. Because the meet was the same weekend as her sister's Junior Prom, this was going to be a very fast trip.
Our flight left on Thursday, since Z was competing on Friday. I had arranged the flight so that she was on the same plane as three of her teammates and her coaches--with our seats together with the two coaches. Dad drove us to the airport, with her coach, and we met up with the rest of the girls. We had taken great care to make sure that our carryon was all airline friendly, nothing over 3 ounces, etc. One of her teammates and her sister weren't so smart--or I guess maybe they weren't smart to change from checking their luggage to carrying it on. All the full size Bath & Body Works stuff got tossed. :(
Once we landed in Arizona, we took a quick uber to the hotel and got everything unpacked. I had a client in town and met up with her for a short time. Z stayed with her coaches and then we all met up for dinner. We did not stay out too late, knowing that we were competing on Friday.
Friday we met for breakfast in the hotel. Then it was a matter of killing time since Z didn't compete until 4. I was able to get her to take a short nap, then lunch, shower and hair. We met the coaches downstairs and one of her coaches added the glitter to her hair and we were off!
Since this was Regionals for Level 6 and 7, we had a level 6 teammate competing at the same time (the reason both coaches came with us). But for Z, she was all alone with her coach. The rest of her teammates were competing on Saturday. I had hoped that some of them would have come to watch, but no one did.
Z started on bars. After States, I was a bit nervous. But she killed it, scoring a 9.375. There was even one person behind me who said that Z had a great save on her giants/handstands. Unfortunately, I hit the wrong button on my phone (had just gotten a new phone the day before we left) and didn't record the routine. Her dad won't let me live that down.
Beam was next. I thought her beam routine looked good--a few little wobbled, but not much. She scored an 8.800, which her coach said was in part due to the judges reducing her start value. They felt that she did not connect her back walk overs, but to me they were more fluid and together than any others.
Then came floor. And boy did it come! I was watching and recording and just loving her routine. She had her flashy smile and I almost cried watching her. I really wish that I had my phone recording when her score was posted because the hug between her and her coach was awesome. She scored a 9.700--and wound up being the Regional Floor Champ!
Finally, we had vault and she was one of the very last to compete. She scored a 9.400, which was good, but still 14th place. Ultimately, she wound up with 5th on bars and 8th on all around with a 37.275.
After getting awards, t-shirts and packing things up at the venue, we headed to Spaghetti Factory for dinner. It was nice being at dinner with just the coaches and we enjoyed discussing the meet and basking in her Regional win!
In order to make it back in time to help with her sister's prom, we were at the airport by 5:30 the next morning. Dad and sis picked us up at the airport and we headed back home (still a 2 1/2 hour drive).
Several hours later, after getting sissy off to the prom, I took Z to the mall where she cut her hair from her tush to above her shoulders--the goal is that it will grow by next season--and got her ears double-pierced. Two things she had been wanting to do since early in the season.
All in all, this was a very successful season!
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