Real Gymnastics

It's meet season.

That means my stomach spends most weekends in knots and my heart beats double-time.  It means it's time to see what the last nine months of training have done for our gymnasts.

Last weekend was the first meet of the season.  It was a mixed bag for both of the girls.  Natalie (who is repeating the same level she competed last year--now called level 4) won vault and did great beam and bar routines.  Floor?  Well that's another issue that will need a blog post all of its own.

Alyssa has advanced to level nine.  She did well on vault and bars but had falls on beam and floor.

This weekend was our home meet, meaning our gym was the host, and it was held at Caleb's high school just down the street.  So close and convenient for us.

Earlier in the day, as I was working a session for another level, I ran into a coach that I know from another gym.  (When our gym is hosting the meet, team parents are required to help run the event.) This coach asked about Alyssa's progress and what level she was competing this year.  When she learned that she was a level 9, she said, "I think it's great that she has made it to 'real gymnastics.' Up until level 7, it's just pretend gymnastics, but level 9 and 10 are when you get to real gymnastics."

Her comment could sound a little off-putting.  I'd like to think she's been doing 'real' gymnastics all along, but I understand what she was saying.  Achieving level 9 is a big deal.  Not many make it this far.  The difficulty increases dramatically and the risk of falls and injuries are also greatly increased from here on out.  I really am proud of my girl and all she's had to do to arrive at this place.

Sami, Ali and Lys getting ready to do some real gymnastics.

So what does 'real' gymnastics look like?  Here is her bar routine:

That routine landed her in second place.

She also did a great floor routine:

She placed fourth all-around.

Congrats, Lys!  We think your 'real gymnastics' are amazing!