Little Z had been practicing very hard--a minimum of 11.5 hours per week, plus typically another two during open gym on weekends. While she had learned the Level 3 routines at her old gym, she discovered that there were a lot of fine points that she did not know. Little things, but little things that could add up to big points or big deductions.
During the Spring season, we had gone to watch her old teammates compete at two meets. She had a chance to see what they were like and as such, she "kinda" knew what to expect. Having been a competitive gymnast as a kid, I "kinda" knew what to expect. But to be quite honest, being a gymnastics mom at a meet is MUCH different than being a competitor.
Our first competition was in September. It was at a fairly small gym about three hours away. It was also less than an hour away from my parents house, so they decided to make the trip to come watch. Luckily, little Z's competition time was in the afternoon, so we were able to drive down the morning of the meet, instead of spending the night somewhere first. Unfortunately, due to her big sister being a cheerleader and meets being on weekends, I was the only one able to go to the meet. For that reason, I was glad my parents would be there.
The morning of the meet, we got up, showered and got her hair partially prepped. The whole team wears their hair the same, so I was able to get the front part done, but another mom was going to help with the rest when we got to the gym. After driving, and little Z taking a short nap, we arrived. We went in to change into her leo and warm-ups, and then found the mom to help with hair. Luckily, she taught me tricks and I was able to do her hair alone for the rest of the season. :) Grandma and grandpa showed up, we visited a bit and then it was time to go in for warm-ups.
Gymnastics competitions are very interesting. There is first a general warm-up on the floor for about 20 minutes. Then the girls "march" in as a team, and then go off to their first event. At each event they are then given some additional warm-up time for that specific event. At this meet, there were five groups, which means there was a "bye" at one point where the girls did not have to compete and could relax. The parents, on the other hand, never relax--or at least I don't.
Little Z's first event was bars. This is an event that I've seen her do well on in practice. I've never seen her fall, but occasionally she will over-spin her stride circle. Her warm-up looked good and she seemed very relaxed. She was one of the last girls on her team to perform. When her score was posted, it was an 8.900. This was the highest of all the girls on her team (11). But not all of the girls were competing against her. They break the girls up based on age. Her team has a pretty wide age range, from 8 to 11. I was very excited for her.
I texted her dad, and posted on Facebook throughout the meet so that he would know what was happening.
After their bye, the team moved to beam. This is an event where little Z struggles. She is always nervous about falling on her half-turn at the end of the beam. I hoped that she was able to keep this out of her mind, but I was on pins and needles. Unfortunately, she did fall, but not on the turn. She fell after her handstand, but got back up and went at it. Her score was an 8.150, which considering the fall is almost a 1.000 deduction was good. Later we were told that she was also given a deduction for another element, and could have had a score as high as 9.600 if she hadn't had the fall and other deduction.
Floor was next, which has always been one of Z's strongest events in practice. She looked beautiful in my opinion and scored a 9.075. Her highest score yet. Finally, we ended with vault and she scored a 9.150. Her all-around score was a 35.275. I was beyond excited! At Level 3, the girls have to score a 34.500 for all-around in at least one meet to qualify for the State Championships. My girl qualified at her first competition!!!
Then came time for the awards. I knew she had done well, and was expecting that she would place in at least a couple of events. Z wound up with 2nd on vault, 1st on bars, 3rd on beam, 1st on floor and 1st all-around. I think the best thing for me was being able to see her face. While I knew she did well because I had been watching her scores, she had no idea. Each time they called her name, her smile got bigger and bigger. I don't think she ever thought that she was that good. I had a feeling that she was, but this confirmed it for me.
Checking into the hotel late that night with her medals clanking around her neck and her face beaming was the greatest feeling in the world. She even wore her medals to breakfast and on the way home. I loved being able to see her experience this for the first time.
And, her season was only beginning. . .
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