Meet Season, Round Two

I don't know what to expect this first meet. The girls seem prepared. They're looking the way they probably should have last year: all their skills, though a bit choppy around the edges. It's just a small meet in November and none of the big teams are here.

But you never know.

For once, all of our gymnasts have the same session, and between the 4's, 5's, and 6's, we've taken up just about a whole squad. The first event: beam. I like seeing the girls start on this event, but unfortunately that means they'll end on bars. Nothing like ending your meet with a 4.0.

Kathryn's first up on beam. She's calmed her tendency to flail every part of her body as she jumps, or kicks, or walks. At practice, her mind's everywhere. But now her eyes stay on the beam. She moves calmly. Nails her cartwheel. Dismounts.

9.3.

Brittany next: 9.2. Jamie: 9.0. Alejandra later, for the Level 4 contingent: 9.25.

Is this my team??

..

Bars, of course, reminds me that much remains to improve. Jamie pulls off the team's highest for the day, a 7.95, with a messy routine. Several girls miss their long hang kips. A few errant squat-ons. But only Kasey, with her lack of kips, falls into the 4.0 club this meet.

We're rising.