Eleven days to the Level 5 Colorado State Gymnastics Championships..
I don't know how COUSAG determines what gym is granted hosting the State Championships but I have to say taking the largest teams and cramming them into the smallest gym wasn't the smartest idea in the world. Also placing a disclaimer on the information provided to deter people from coming to watch also isn't a good idea considering the expense involved in getting a kid to a State Championship - my extended family would love to see the result of all that hard work, but I've informed them that seating would be an issue.
TIGAR may not have the best view of the floor routines, but by God, they have enough room to handle spectators! As the Vice President of the TIGAR Booster Club, I can assure you that we would have been able to make the spectators feel welcome and comfortable. I truly hope that our gym decides to bid on a State Meet next year.
Today Emily is in the school spelling bee. She really hasn't had a lot of time to practice on her spelling words because she's been practicing for the State Meet - I hope she does well. She didn't practice last year either, but she made it past the 4th or 5th round! Hey, she made it - I'll be there at 1:30 to support her.
Emily seems to be improving her core strength, even though she's sore. She just might get her kip back by State. She actually got it back during her privates with Svetlana. Svetlana's a miracle worker and knows my whining child well. I pray Emily has improved her bar and vault scores. She's way too hard on herself and wants to win everything in sight, but hey, she's going to have to condition more to reach her goals. There's only one way to get good at gymnastics, and that's based on conditioning your body beyond just regular exercize. I asked her again this morning if she wanted to continue in competitive gymnastics after this State Meet. She told me she's going to the Olympics. Whether she gets there or not, I have no choice but to support her in this dream. Who knows? Out of all three of my girls, Emily's got the tenacity of a bulldog.
I just now found out the schedue for the State Level 5 meet,
TIGAR Gymnasts Who Will Compete in this Session:
· Audrey Brandt
· Violet Erling
· Dasha Romanov
· Jaylynn Haertel
· Kailee Jorgensen
· Kalise Newson
· Joslynn Pulido
· Emily Boyet
· Tess Ackerman
We've got a really big group here for the final session. We don't know what age levels they'll be in, but I believe that it will be broken down into 4 age categories.
The Level 6 girls go to State this weekend - good luck Megan Groel and the rest of the Level 6 TIGARS! Good luck to Lauren, Carly and Ilona at the TOPS camp this weekend and it's a shame that you all can't be at State this year - so make your mark at Karoly's while you're there. You're all winners!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
15 Days Until State Championships
Well, Emily has another tough private today. I know she's motivated, but she's really just frustrated. I can't say as I blame her - I should have stepped in mid season and said something - but I really don't know that much about this sport.
Emily is having trouble getting her kip back - and this is really not a good thing heading towards State. The root cause? My thought is she is not being properly conditioned to perform the bar and vault routines. Svetlana and I realized yesterday that Emily can no longer perform one decent press handstand. Could it be that Emily grew and lost her center of gravity? Sure, but had she been instructed to be more rigorous in her upper body strengthening, she would have easily overcome that growth spurt. Emily has lost alot of her upper body strength. Last night I put in a request to change her bar and vault coach for next season. I am not sure it can be accomplished, but I'll give it my best shot.
I truly believe this is the best program in the Denver area for Emily. I just hope my email of concerns to the gym owner last night is addressed. It's not just my daughter that's having issues - it's pretty much the entire team. This Level 5 team seems to be going backwards in their skill progression on Vault and Bars. They're progressing on Beam and Floor, but losing points on bars and vault. I reviewed last years' level 5 girls' State results and it's glaringly obvious at this point. Two different coaches. One for Beam and Floor, one for Bars and Vault. I trust that management will take a hard look at the issues I've mentioned in my last email and make changes.
Emily is having trouble getting her kip back - and this is really not a good thing heading towards State. The root cause? My thought is she is not being properly conditioned to perform the bar and vault routines. Svetlana and I realized yesterday that Emily can no longer perform one decent press handstand. Could it be that Emily grew and lost her center of gravity? Sure, but had she been instructed to be more rigorous in her upper body strengthening, she would have easily overcome that growth spurt. Emily has lost alot of her upper body strength. Last night I put in a request to change her bar and vault coach for next season. I am not sure it can be accomplished, but I'll give it my best shot.
I truly believe this is the best program in the Denver area for Emily. I just hope my email of concerns to the gym owner last night is addressed. It's not just my daughter that's having issues - it's pretty much the entire team. This Level 5 team seems to be going backwards in their skill progression on Vault and Bars. They're progressing on Beam and Floor, but losing points on bars and vault. I reviewed last years' level 5 girls' State results and it's glaringly obvious at this point. Two different coaches. One for Beam and Floor, one for Bars and Vault. I trust that management will take a hard look at the issues I've mentioned in my last email and make changes.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving Emmy Mae!
Thanksgiving 2011. I give thanks for all of my blessings today.
Emily has been taking a few private lessons with her coach Svetlana Stabourova. Emily would like to try to improve her Bars and Vault technique before the State Level 5 Championships in two weeks.
There was a coaching change at TIGAR mid-year. Her old bar and vault coach Yevgen, left TIGAR due to issues unrelated to gymnastics. Losing Yevgen was a shock to Emily's mindset. She really misses him. Mac Whitely started coaching the Level 5 girls in May and Emily has not been won over to Mac's coaching style and it shows in her vault and bar scores.
I sit back and wonder if I am doing the right thing by Emily every day that I take her to the gym. She loves gymnastics, she's got the perfectionist attitude. She wants to win. It's really all that's on her mind. I don't know much about this sport, but I do know what works for my child, and Svetlana knows how to get Emily past her difficulties where Mac doesn't seem to be having an impact. One of the parents at the gym, who has a daughter that's not doing very well this season, stated to me that "not one child from this gym will ever make it to the Olympics or use these skills anywhere else". I beg to differ. I refuse to believe that statement. I believe that there are at least 7 girls at this gym that have the drive and potential to get to the Elite level with the right coaching, as long as they don't mentally flame out or suffer a major injury.
I really feel that the discipline and drive to succeed instilled in this sport, can only benefit my child throughout her life. When I was young I showed horses. That was my passion as a kid. It was alot of work and dedication. It served me later in life and gave me the self-motivation and drive I needed to be able to survive this life on my own. I don't want my girls to have the mindset that their husbands will take care of them financially - life doesn't always work out like that and you have to survive somehow - will my girls have that ability?
I believe that all 7 of the girls mentioned before will be successful in their own right in whatever they choose to do because of the values of hard work instilled in them now, with gymnastics competition. If Emily wasn't doing well and her school work was suffering, I don't know if I would continue to support her in this sport - but this kid's test scores are 1% of the nation academically. I am not bragging but stating a fact that this one's a freaking genius when it comes to school and it's very time consuming for the teachers to keep her challenged. Gymnastics seems to only compliment Emily's day and make her much easier to deal with. When there's a break in her routine, she becomes a little tyrant. I am still working on that one, not sure how to temper that without breaking the spirit in the process.
As a parent, this isn't my first rodeo - but... I still question every decision that I make with Emily. I questioned every move I made with Annie and every move I made with Kathleen. Anne's 25 now, graduated from College and in a successful marketing career and engaged to be married next June. I want to believe that I instilled self-confidence in my girls by supporting them in their efforts.
With Annie's theatre and singing though, there was a point when I sat down and gave her a reality check. In our heart-to-heart I pointed out that less than 1 percent of the population would ever be famous for their acting or singing talent. I told her she needed skills to survive this life and that she should pursue a passion that would allow her success in this life, I was lucky. Annie is a pretty smart cookie and understood clearly what I was saying. She chose technical journalism. Annie is a fabulous writer. I am glad she chose that route. She also still pursues her passion, in community theatre, but it isn't a main source of income.
With Kathleen (19) I tried to instill the importance of her pursuing her own passion and not allowing others push her into a direction of their choosing. There's been alot of parental interference with Kathleen's dad. If I say white, he'll accuse me of saying black. It's been a difficult road with Kathleen due to parental polarization and alot of negative energy that I can finally put behind me since she's turned 19. Kathleen seems to be doing just fine now that she's her own person and can make alot of her own choices. Her dad still tries to control her, but she's 50% me too, so I have faith my headstrong nature resides in her. Kat's still a bit unsure of what she wants to pursue as a career. I will continue to support her emotionally as much as she will allow.
With Emily... well this is a difficult one. In my heart I want to believe that this child is the one in 1%. She's as smart as a whip, and determined to win it all. If anybody can do it, I truly believe that this one will never stop reaching for her goals. Emily is much more work emotionally than either Annie or Kathleen. She's a handful and a half. I never know if I am actually getting through to her. She's got both Kevin and my headstrongness. She's got her dad's charm and she has his same ability to get under your skin as he did. You'll either love her or she'll drive you nuts.
I just pray she stays healthy in mind and body and doesn't get beat down by what life can throw at you. I pray I can financially figure out how to get this kid to her goal as long as she's willing to continue the dedication of working at it every day. I pray that she performs well at the Level 5 Championships and I pray that I am making the right choices by this child. I pray that she goes into this State Meet with the confidence and ability to grab her brass ring. I am not willing to have a pessimistic attitude when it comes to Emily's future. I believe this child has what it takes in this sport. I will continue on this track with Emily and pray for her continued successes. Annie, Kathleen and Emily are my legacy upon this earth and they have always made me proud. I love my girls and thank God every day that he allowed me to guide these three beautiful young ladies through the first part of their life journey. I just hope they don't hold it against me when they pick my nursing home!
Emily has been taking a few private lessons with her coach Svetlana Stabourova. Emily would like to try to improve her Bars and Vault technique before the State Level 5 Championships in two weeks.
There was a coaching change at TIGAR mid-year. Her old bar and vault coach Yevgen, left TIGAR due to issues unrelated to gymnastics. Losing Yevgen was a shock to Emily's mindset. She really misses him. Mac Whitely started coaching the Level 5 girls in May and Emily has not been won over to Mac's coaching style and it shows in her vault and bar scores.
I sit back and wonder if I am doing the right thing by Emily every day that I take her to the gym. She loves gymnastics, she's got the perfectionist attitude. She wants to win. It's really all that's on her mind. I don't know much about this sport, but I do know what works for my child, and Svetlana knows how to get Emily past her difficulties where Mac doesn't seem to be having an impact. One of the parents at the gym, who has a daughter that's not doing very well this season, stated to me that "not one child from this gym will ever make it to the Olympics or use these skills anywhere else". I beg to differ. I refuse to believe that statement. I believe that there are at least 7 girls at this gym that have the drive and potential to get to the Elite level with the right coaching, as long as they don't mentally flame out or suffer a major injury.
I really feel that the discipline and drive to succeed instilled in this sport, can only benefit my child throughout her life. When I was young I showed horses. That was my passion as a kid. It was alot of work and dedication. It served me later in life and gave me the self-motivation and drive I needed to be able to survive this life on my own. I don't want my girls to have the mindset that their husbands will take care of them financially - life doesn't always work out like that and you have to survive somehow - will my girls have that ability?
I believe that all 7 of the girls mentioned before will be successful in their own right in whatever they choose to do because of the values of hard work instilled in them now, with gymnastics competition. If Emily wasn't doing well and her school work was suffering, I don't know if I would continue to support her in this sport - but this kid's test scores are 1% of the nation academically. I am not bragging but stating a fact that this one's a freaking genius when it comes to school and it's very time consuming for the teachers to keep her challenged. Gymnastics seems to only compliment Emily's day and make her much easier to deal with. When there's a break in her routine, she becomes a little tyrant. I am still working on that one, not sure how to temper that without breaking the spirit in the process.
As a parent, this isn't my first rodeo - but... I still question every decision that I make with Emily. I questioned every move I made with Annie and every move I made with Kathleen. Anne's 25 now, graduated from College and in a successful marketing career and engaged to be married next June. I want to believe that I instilled self-confidence in my girls by supporting them in their efforts.
With Annie's theatre and singing though, there was a point when I sat down and gave her a reality check. In our heart-to-heart I pointed out that less than 1 percent of the population would ever be famous for their acting or singing talent. I told her she needed skills to survive this life and that she should pursue a passion that would allow her success in this life, I was lucky. Annie is a pretty smart cookie and understood clearly what I was saying. She chose technical journalism. Annie is a fabulous writer. I am glad she chose that route. She also still pursues her passion, in community theatre, but it isn't a main source of income.
With Kathleen (19) I tried to instill the importance of her pursuing her own passion and not allowing others push her into a direction of their choosing. There's been alot of parental interference with Kathleen's dad. If I say white, he'll accuse me of saying black. It's been a difficult road with Kathleen due to parental polarization and alot of negative energy that I can finally put behind me since she's turned 19. Kathleen seems to be doing just fine now that she's her own person and can make alot of her own choices. Her dad still tries to control her, but she's 50% me too, so I have faith my headstrong nature resides in her. Kat's still a bit unsure of what she wants to pursue as a career. I will continue to support her emotionally as much as she will allow.
With Emily... well this is a difficult one. In my heart I want to believe that this child is the one in 1%. She's as smart as a whip, and determined to win it all. If anybody can do it, I truly believe that this one will never stop reaching for her goals. Emily is much more work emotionally than either Annie or Kathleen. She's a handful and a half. I never know if I am actually getting through to her. She's got both Kevin and my headstrongness. She's got her dad's charm and she has his same ability to get under your skin as he did. You'll either love her or she'll drive you nuts.
I just pray she stays healthy in mind and body and doesn't get beat down by what life can throw at you. I pray I can financially figure out how to get this kid to her goal as long as she's willing to continue the dedication of working at it every day. I pray that she performs well at the Level 5 Championships and I pray that I am making the right choices by this child. I pray that she goes into this State Meet with the confidence and ability to grab her brass ring. I am not willing to have a pessimistic attitude when it comes to Emily's future. I believe this child has what it takes in this sport. I will continue on this track with Emily and pray for her continued successes. Annie, Kathleen and Emily are my legacy upon this earth and they have always made me proud. I love my girls and thank God every day that he allowed me to guide these three beautiful young ladies through the first part of their life journey. I just hope they don't hold it against me when they pick my nursing home!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Xtreme Aerials, three weeks before Level 5 State Championships
Tonight we attended the Xtreme Aerials Fall Classic in Lafayette. Emily placed 6th all-around in her division which did not please her. She wants all 9's for Level 5. I've been told by other moms that she's doing really well, but she's not happy. She wants to be the best, and is not happy with her record in this Level 5 season. I think she's done really well - she doesn't. I'll be reporting in during State.
So here's Emily's scores since the start of this season, there's only one more event - that's the State Championships on December 10th-11th. They are scheduling the girls in different flights based on their highest meet all around score. Emily's highest all-around score for this season is 36.1 at the TIGAR Cartwheel Carnival.
9-18-11 Aerials Fall Festival, Colorado Springs.
Vault 8.45 (6th), Bars 8.05 (5th), Beam 8.95(2nd), Floor 9.0 (2nd) All Around (3rd) 34.45
10-01-11 TIGAR Cartwheel Carnival, Wheat Ridge
Vault 8.75 (7th), Bars 8.6 (8th), Beam 9.4 (1st), Floor 9.35 (1st) All Around (2nd) 36.1
10-15-11 JUDGE'S CUP (This was disastrous - Emily was coming back from a wrist sprain and basically only conditioned up to this point)
Vault 7.75 43rd), Bars 8.4 (27th), Beam 6.7 (she fell three times) (66th), Floor 8.875 (22nd) All Around 31.725 (57th) This meet was a reality check for Emily. She now realizes that she can't take 10 days off resting an injury and then jump into a meet head first with virtually no practice.
11-12-11 MILE-HI Salute, TIGAR, Wheat Ridge (this was supposed to have been a Savage Meet)
Vault 8.5 (5th), Bars 7.95 (?), Beam 9.15 (1st), Floor 9.4 (1st), All Around (2nd Place) 35.0
11-20-11 XAG Fall Classic, Lafayette
Vault 8.65 (13th), Bars 8.4 (2nd), Beam 9.425 (2nd), Floor 9.475 (1st), All Around (6th Place) 35.95
So here's Emily's scores since the start of this season, there's only one more event - that's the State Championships on December 10th-11th. They are scheduling the girls in different flights based on their highest meet all around score. Emily's highest all-around score for this season is 36.1 at the TIGAR Cartwheel Carnival.
9-18-11 Aerials Fall Festival, Colorado Springs.
Vault 8.45 (6th), Bars 8.05 (5th), Beam 8.95(2nd), Floor 9.0 (2nd) All Around (3rd) 34.45
10-01-11 TIGAR Cartwheel Carnival, Wheat Ridge
Vault 8.75 (7th), Bars 8.6 (8th), Beam 9.4 (1st), Floor 9.35 (1st) All Around (2nd) 36.1
10-15-11 JUDGE'S CUP (This was disastrous - Emily was coming back from a wrist sprain and basically only conditioned up to this point)
Vault 7.75 43rd), Bars 8.4 (27th), Beam 6.7 (she fell three times) (66th), Floor 8.875 (22nd) All Around 31.725 (57th) This meet was a reality check for Emily. She now realizes that she can't take 10 days off resting an injury and then jump into a meet head first with virtually no practice.
11-12-11 MILE-HI Salute, TIGAR, Wheat Ridge (this was supposed to have been a Savage Meet)
Vault 8.5 (5th), Bars 7.95 (?), Beam 9.15 (1st), Floor 9.4 (1st), All Around (2nd Place) 35.0
11-20-11 XAG Fall Classic, Lafayette
Vault 8.65 (13th), Bars 8.4 (2nd), Beam 9.425 (2nd), Floor 9.475 (1st), All Around (6th Place) 35.95
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)