Like a real team or something

Whoa! I'm finally back.

Yesterday, I was in the midst of saying something to Jamie on beam. I have no idea what. But when I finished, she said suddenly, "We're doing really good this year."

This is true.

Last year, the gym had zero team trophies. So far this year, with the combined powers of Level 4, IGC Copper, and IGC Bronze, we have eight. Bronze keeps winning second or third as a team. Copper won their first meet and took second last time with just three competing. The Level 4's have become a force, led by Larissa, who never scores less than a 36 all-around unless she falls (twice). Last meet they all broke into the 36's.

I feel most responsible for Bronze. Not for their success this year so much as their failures in Level 5. I keep thinking about what could have been done differently to have prevented them from that disastrous first season. Maybe they'd still be in compulsories now, and doing well with them. The traditional route. I keep thinking that their parents are thinking the same.

But the girls seem to look back gleefully. "Those were like the dark ages," Kathryn says. "Look at us now!"

It's no lie that the collective interest level, motivation, and enthusiasm has spiked dramatically with the shift to IGC. Maybe that's the important part. Maybe it never would have happened had we stayed the main course.