Meet Eight: Regionals

The season has officially ended. This is always a bittersweet time for me. I love season, so I am always sad when it is over. But, now is when we get to start working on fun new skills!!!!

Regionals went well for everyone on my team! I was very proud of myself, especially considering I hadn’t competed for more than a month. For it being the first Regionals for everyone else, they did amazing! I was so proud of them and how we did as a team!

Me before the competition!
Photo Courtesy Of: Charity Christenson

Here is a quick run down of my scores: 

A 9.025 on vault, an 8.75 on bars, an 8.9 on beam, and an 8.85 on floor. But, with these scores come a few stupid mistakes. 

On beam, I almost fell on my full turn! A FULL TURN!!!!! A turn is the skill that I have been doing the longest, and it is the easiest of all my skills! They are the most pointless skills, too. Everyone underestimates how hard they are to do well because they are worried about their other skills. I was a victim to this at Regionals.

On floor, I stepped out of bounds on my double back. It was a really good pass, but I just underestimated the landing. This is a one to three tenth deduction, depending on how big my step out was.

Even so, I was really happy! I didn’t get any awards for anything, but I was okay with that. Also, I didn’t qualify for Westerns, but that just means more time to work on new skills! My teammate, Sam R, did get awards on beam and floor, third and ninth! This is great, especially since it was her first Regionals and since she wasn’t feeling well.

Phoenix was very hot and lots of fun! After Taelor’s meet on Friday, we went out to an early dinner at Mi Amigo’s, a Mexican Restaurant in the Arizona Center. 

Having fun at the Arizona Center!

Posing at the Arizona Center!

Then, while my parents went to dinner, Taelor, Alicia, and I went shopping at Urban Outfitters and Charming Charlie. Taelor, who is a big tomboy, put on a dress for the first time that I have ever seen!!!

Alicia, Taelor, and I trying on dresses at Charming Charlie!

Trying on tiaras at Charming Charlie. We were "Prom Queens!"

On Saturday, I watched Monkey and Alicia, and my parents and I went to the Arizona Science Center. There was so much interesting stuff there, and I had lots of fun! We saw a movie in the IMAX theater called To The Arctic. It was really eye opening, and I am glad I saw it. 

I am so glad that I was able to experience Regionals with all my wonderful teammates, and I am so glad I will always have all of these wonderful memories! 

Watch Out, Phoenix!

You never know what to expect in Park City, UT. This weekend, it was 60º and beautiful, and now there is six inches of snow on the ground. Earth cannot make up her mind about what season it is.

A winter wonderland in Park City on April 9th.

However, things are a bit more predictable where I am headed. On Thursday, I am off to Phoenix, Arizona, where it is always hot, Hot, HOT!

Yes, you guessed it. Regionals, which is this weekend, is in Phoenix! Along with leaving the crazy, unpredictable weather of Park City, I get to go compete in one of the biggest meets I can be in, along with all of my other wonderful teammates!

On Thursday, I will embark on a very busy mini vacation. Here is a sampling of my schedule:

But, before that, the basics. The meet is hosted by Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics. The meet itself will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center. 

Thursday night, there is a workout at the meet site. This is always nice to go to, because you get to try out the equipment that you will be competing on. Also, you get to watch some of the other girls who you are going to be competing against. However, since it is for Level 9 and 10 only, I will be all alone.

Friday is Taelor’s session. After this, my family is going to the Arizona Science Center. Also, Friday night we are likely having a team dinner somewhere in downtown Phoenix! Last year, when we had a meet in Phoenix, the team dinner was at Coach and Willies, and it may be there again this year! Wherever it is, I am looking forward to it!

My team eating at Coach and Willies in Phoenix last year.

Saturday, Monkey and Alicia compete. I am planning on going to watch both of them and hanging out with them between the sessions. Also, Saturday will be a day for me to rest and get my head in the game for my session.

My teammates and I hanging out between sessions at Regionals last year!

Bright and early on Sunday morning, I will be flipping around at the convention center! I will compete my hardest and try to qualify to one final meet. If you are in Level 9, you can qualify to Westerns from Regionals. To do this, you have to finish as one of the top people in your age group. I don’t know if I will be able to do this, but I will be okay with whatever happens.

Sadly, I am leaving before one of my teammates competes. Even though I won’t be there cheering for her, I will be sending her positive thoughts!

I am very excited for this one, last meet! One more chance to hang with my buds, one more chance to get out of Park City, and one more chance to show the world what kind of gymnastics I can do! Watch out, Phoenix, here I come!

Surprise!

It never ends well when a coach walks in and says, “Do you want the good news or the bad news?” Yesterday, my coach did just that. Naturally, we asked for the bad news first. Who wants to end with bad news?

Her response: “The bad news is that Heather is coming in at 2:30. The good news? I told you an hour before I was going to.” Heather is the judge who judges all of our intersquads. So, basically she was giving us an hour to prepare for an intersquad when we had barely even been working on routines!

It went well, especially considering the short notice. Everyone had a lot more confidence and was looking like they normally do. I think a lot of that has come from sport psych. We have worked a lot on not letting nerves get to us and staying calm, and I think this really helped us yesterday.

We “competed” on bars, beam, and floor, and there was only one fall overall! I hadn’t done many routines since recovering from my injuries, and I was really happy with how I did! This unpleasant surprise turned into a great confidence booster for everyone going into Regionals! 

I am one of two people on my team who has been to Regionals before, so I know how  different Regionals is compared to other meets. First of all, there are so many people! Everyone in level eight or higher who gets a 34.0 all around or higher at state competes. All of these gymnasts from California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah add up to make A LOT of people! 

About a quarter of the people in my session at Regionals two years ago.
Photo Courtesy Of: Mary Antinori

Also, everyone is competing by themselves. This isn’t that big of a deal for me, since I am the only level nine, but competing by yourself is a big deal. You don’t have people cheering for you, you don’t have people to cheer for, and it is just you and your coach. 

Me, all alone, at Regionals last year. I am in the black leotard with the blue embellishment, to the left of the two girls in green with sunbursts.
Photo Courtesy Of: Mary Antinori

However, I have made friends from different teams at past Regionals! Most of my friends go to GTC in Salt Lake. Lauren and Bronte have both become good friends of mine because of Regionals! 

Even though you make friends, it is a surprise when you first get to the meet and you don’t know anyone. This is something that I know my teammates will work through as they experience this for the first time.

Two former teammates and I experiencing Regionals for the first time, three years ago.
Photo Courtesy Of: Mary Antinori

Regionals is a great experience that I can’t wait for everyone on my team to have! I’m looking forward to some great team bonding time, seeing some friends, and a great competition! And, for all my teammates and everyone else competing at Regionals, GOOD LUCK!