Gymnastics Meet #3

Our daughter's 3rd AAU gymnastics meet was held yesterday evening.  She decided to simplify her floor and beam routines to build confidence at this meet after being overwhelmed at the last meet when they first moved her up to Silver Category, Advanced level from the Silver Novice where she should be with this being only her 2nd year of gymnastics (last year she was in a beginner's class) whereas her competition at that level has had years of competition experience in addition to years of lessons before that.   Most girls start at Bronze - Novice.

She has struggled all year with a fear of the beam which resulted in severe falls during her last two meets with one fall during her dismount at the last meet having us jumping out of our seats and running in concern that she could be seriously injured.  Unlike at the other meets, beam was her first event yesterday.  So that first event would establish her confidence level for the rest of the meet.  She completed her routine slowly and carefully with a few wobbles but no falls and with great form on every element.  Her dismount was flawless this time.

I tried to take a picture of her score from the opposite side of the gym where we were seated.  I did not realize when I took the picture that my daughter was in the frame as I was focused on the scoreboard.  Even better, the photos captured her expression as she saw the score and immediately afterwards.  Due to the falls, her scores have always been in the 7's, so she was elated to score 8.95 and to take home a 3rd place medal in the beam!  I am so proud of her for facing her fear with courage and faith. Appropriately, her team's motto this year is "Faith, not Fear", and their team T-shirts highlight that motto.  Way to face your fears, little one!  He who is within you is greater than anything in this world!

She did not score as well as she had in the past on vault and bars, but we're still celebrating beam.  Her floor routine was one of her best ones yet, and I love to watch her fly clear across the mat during her tumbling runs.  She took home 2nd place in vault, 3rd place in beam, 4th place in floor, and 4th overall.  Considering how much tougher her competition is at the Advanced level, she should be very pleased with her progress.

3rd place beam

2nd place vault

4th place floor

4th place overall

Her team came in 3rd.