It looks like Spring...

Although the head coach hasn't come right out and said it's absolute, what he has said indicates to me, that he's not really even considering having any of the level 4 girls compete this fall. Kaylie is, of course, quite disappointed. It's very difficult when you work this hard, and not to get the opportunity that you were hoping for. I know that when we went to the meet a couple of months ago, that it was difficult for Kaylie to watch the other girls competing, and not be able to do it herself. Now it will be doubly difficult.

I believe that the coaches are acting in the best interests of the girls--I think that the girls are actually at the point of knowing the routines--which was the original criteria for being allowed to compete. But, they don't quite have the finesse and mastery of the skills, that will earn them good marks. The coach mentioned to me, that he doesn't want them to have a bad first experience--i.e. receive poor marks, and feel bad about their abilities. Better to wait, and give them the chance to perform well. So I feel bad for Kaylie, but believe it is the correct call.



The good news for me, is that I now have more time to raise funds for the meets that she will eventually be attending. The spring meets for level 4 seem to be concentrated in February and March, so I can expect to have to come up with the fees starting in December/January. First it'll be the membership in USA Gymnastics and the team leo, then in January it'll be the actual meet fees, which are due 21 days before the meet. So for me, that is good. I find that my eBay sales are usually better in the fall months---summer is usually slow as people are away on vacation, and in the fall people are looking for gifts.