Jr USAG Level 5 Meet

Derek Simonds · 01-17-2010, 05:46 PM

First meet of the year. It ended up being a boys trip to Tallahassee. 4.5 hours up and 4.5 back in a torrential downpour. It was really cool for Jr and me to hang out in the car talking about all kinds of stuff and listening to music. Funny I hate driving for work but this was a lot of fun.

This was the first meet besides Gasparillo that the girls and boys teams were competing at the same time. We went 3 hours early so we could support the girls and one of the level 4 boys. I really think Jr enjoyed being there for all his team mates.

He was pretty nervous and I was absolutely more nervous then he was. Funny how I can be completely calm for one of my tournaments but am freaking out waiting for his to start.

He was very consistent with his scoring. 1 12, 1 14 and the rest all in the 13 range. He is learning a lot about how to score well. Several little things are making a big difference. The owner of the gym has taken over the boys team and is working with them on how to score well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK2VdnIc6c4

It was a blast and I am hoping that he continues for at least one more year.

sarena kopciel · 01-18-2010, 05:09 AM

WOW, I remember his 1st meet. He is really doing awesome. I enjoyed watching.

Garrett Smith · 01-18-2010, 05:51 AM

Very nice!

Taryn is doing her movement ("baby gymnastics") classes twice a week these days, she loves them.

She's 16 months now, at 18 months she'll be able to come to the classes at the gym where I go one night a week...we'll have to see how it all goes, her mom nearly went to college on a gymnastics scholarship, but chose dance instead...

Allen Yeh · 01-18-2010, 06:18 AM

Good job!

Derek Simonds · 01-18-2010, 06:29 AM

Thanks Sarena. Jr basically grew up in our gym. He started with mommy and me around 18 months and hasn't looked back since. The kids are out of school today and both of the kids wanted to go to gym camp so they will be there all day long. They are both total gym rats.

I picked them up from gym Friday night and got to watch the last part of Laney's class. She got moved up when she went back after her broken arm. She is now in the last advanced class which goes 3 days a week. Next step for her will be pre-comp. Coach Kevin had the girls line up and do front flips into the foam pit. Laney has never done a front flip before and she just went up there and did it. I was so proud of her. All she can talk about is wanting to compete.

Blair Lowe · 01-18-2010, 09:44 PM

Our first meet was yesterday as well and he was a 1st year L5. A few months ago, he was very worried and stressed that he wasn't ready for L5. He's the only L5 in our training group so he doesn't really what other boys are competing or training like as well. He also competed L4 very well except for FX so it's been a real ego buster in that L5 has been much harder.

He ended up doing ok with some mistakes on mushroom such as a fall which is unheard of, choppy floor and not hitting very well on rings either.

I was also told so long as they show a kipping action during the attempted kip, it's more worthwhile unless they were to fall off as there is a limit to how much they can deduct. We had planned doing a spotted kip but did this instead.

I brought my camera to take video as I was gonna ask a fellow coach to take footage but they thought it was a camera and not on video and I just didn't bother in the later events. Next time. I figured we'd have a better video up close than from the stands.