Competition #2: Phoenix

I'm writing this on the airplane back form Phoenix, looking out my window at the Grand Canyon. Can I just point out how cool it is? So anyway, I'm really supposed to be talking about my trip, which was also pretty darn cool.

We left for Phoenix on Friday after school, and unfortunately missed the team dinner. We stayed at the Arizona Grand Resort which is huge and was pretty eerie at night. We went to bed pretty much right away because we had to get up at 6:00 to get ready for my meet the next morning. In the morning, we did my hair, had some breakfast, and walked to the meet.


The competition was in a giant tent that was well set up and had nice equipment. We started on beam which is always nerve-wracking because your nervous so you shake but you just have to get over it. Well, that's what most people do anyway. But me? No, I fell. Twice!! It would have actually been a pretty good routine if I hadn't been sideways on my series and missed my foot on my sheep jump. (I hate blind landings.) My legs were straight and I didn't give up. Well, at least I got out my weird routine for the season! Floor went great. I hit a routine with a 9.2 and had fun. Then we did vault, which I am pretty consistent on, and got another 9.2. I had to skip bars again, which was very frustrating, because of my grips and confidence. Overall, I got second on vault and fourth on floor.

(Elise, Me, Taelor, Monkey (Morgan), Jamie)

Then came a surprise. I had apparently qualified for "finals."At first I was just confused and stubborn and really didn't want to do it, but then I found out there was a free leo involved and I brightened up! Let me explain these finals the best I can. Four gymnasts from each team qualify. Each person comepetes one event that counts towards the team score, and the teams are competing each other.

In between the regular meet and the finals, we all went swimming, then played Uno and Slamwhich, then ate lunch together. We also got our leos and scrunchies that we were supposed to wear for finals

Gymnasts were supposed to be at the tent at 7:15, and no know else was allowed in until 8:00. Did I mention there was a D.J.? He was pretty awesome. It was kind of like a pre-college meet. If any of you have every been to U of U college gymnastics meets, it was a lot like that. They introduced the team, called out each gymnasts, and they all ran in (minus the fireworks). Each gymnast did their routine one at a time, and I was competing vault for Black Diamond. They announced my name, gym, and level, and then I went.

Let me tell you, running full speed towards a stationary object has never looked so intimidating. My other teammates scored a 9.2, 8.7, and a 9.6 (yeah Moe!) on their events. The rest of the night was extremely fun.

Competing vault at the finals. See how every gymnast wore the same leo?

We went home mid morning the next day, and had a fairly boring plane ride home (but we did fly over the grand canyon). That was a really fun meet, and I hope we go again next year.

~Rose