This year Drew began competing in gymnastics. For someone who has been a life-time lover of the sport, like me, this has been a real thrill. Even little things like signing him up for his USGA number give me a thrill. (The $56 fee didn't even phase me. This might be a problem.)
He takes at the local rec center and often there are 2 coaches for 2 or 3 boys. They may not have the fanciest uniforms, and he is the only boy in level 4 on the team, but I feel like he is having a great experience, it is a great outlet for his energy, and he is happy which is the most important thing.
Bonus: he happens to be pretty talented.
I was out of town for his first meet, and that hurt. With 7 possible areas to place in, he did pretty well and came home with a bronze medal for the rings and a handful of ribbons ranging from 4th-8th place for the other events.
It was a thrill to go with Camden and Emmie to his next meet. Have I mentioned that I love gymnastics? Nevermind that each of the participants (probably 50-70 boys) did the exact same routine on each event and there was a lot of waiting. I ate it up. Watching Drew compete, waiting for his score to be posted, sizing up the competition, observing the coaches interact with the athletes....Loved. It.
I thought it was pretty great that Drew had a goal. He wanted his All-Around score to be above 55.0. In his first meet it was 51.6, and his second meet it was 53.6. Just think, if he had gone to another meet he probably would have made it!
The other teams had anywhere from 3-20 boys on them. He started out on the parallel bars and was the first to compete. I cringed when his elbows bent - so uncharacteristic of him - but he kept on going and I loved his sheepish grin when it was over.
Drew on the high bar.
Each meet does awards a little differently.
I learned that awards are broken down into divisions and age groups. When it was all said and done, he was rated against maybe only 4 or 5 other boys that were 9-10 years old in his division.
But he still did great! First place All-Around, with an additional 2 golds, 2 silvers, and a bronze.
He literally clanked as he walked around. I looked at him and thought he looked a bit like Michael Phelps will all of those medals around his neck.
As we headed out, Logan from his team was just arriving to compete. It was fun to see him, hear he and his mom congratulate Drew, and to wish him luck.
For participating he got a coupon for a Frosty, and as all-around champ he got a coupon for a combo meal, so we stopped by on our way home. I had planned to go through the drive-thru, but I realized that there was no one waiting for us at home, and we had no reason to rush, so we went inside and enjoyed a nice, unrushed meal together. Have we figured out how to slow down and enjoy life a little?!? Here's hoping.
I think these guys are glad they came along.
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