Our son came 20th in the region (5 states) for his age group. He jumped off the pommel. It was the last event and the choice to jump off instead of falling was in the last few seconds of the routine. That deduction dropped him from 10th to 20th. Oh well.
Now, the three of us are debating on strategy. I look at his photos on the P-bars which is not even his favorite event. And, I know from my experience training at Crossfit, he is at an advantage. An advantage that will not be a waste of time as an adult.
CROSSFIT TAUGHT US THE ADVANTAGE OF GYMNASTICS
When we are adults, we have to work so hard to try to attain the strength to weight ratio he has. Can I get a witness??
Not to mention his muscles hold memories mine or yours may never learn.
The three of us decided to keep going through the gymnastics levels. There’s been some meandering and missteps because as parents we didn’t know how to guide him.
OUR SON ASKED HOW COULD A LITTLE KID MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS?
Now we understand that we have 3 years to make the next chance for Nationals. He will be competing as a 16-year old when he qualifies for nationals because it goes by the age you are during the national meet. Even though he will be 15 most of the season.
It was good to reframe the experience through the lens of the bigger picture.
The 2018 season is officially put to rest. Great work! 20th in the region is a huge accomplishment!
The picture is my favorite. It’s the Akeela and the Bee moment. You remember, Dillon. the kid at national Bee, Akeela’s nemesis? He doesn’t want to win if she won’t compete and tells her to ignore his Dad. “What does he know? He’ll never be in a national spelling bee. “ That moment because as parents, we never held our 12 year old body up by our arms, parallel to the floor. And, yet we have the responsibility of deciding. Not easy.
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