High School Young On Varsity

My CP is the only freshman on the varsity/competition squad this year and it's definitely been an adjustment. At first I heard a couple parents questioning if a freshman deserved a spot on varsity but once she showed her skills, they quickly shut up (she's got her full on the dead floor). Because of All-Star, she's always been on teams with older kids but for some reason, high school just seemed harder to adjust to. There is a big age difference and honestly, we haven't let her do all of the social events that the team has done partly based on that. As the year has progressed, she has become more comfortable & made friends so she's getting to do more (also we've gotten to know more of the kids) of the social things. I guess it's just something that I would expect a parent to watch on a case-by-case basis. I think the age difference can make team bonding a bit more difficult.

I have 3middle school kids on my team. They are respectful to the older girls and keep to themselves. We don't cheer for sports. There is a separate cheer team for only juniors and seniors who cheer varsity sports and attend school events.

If a team has a common goal of being as competitive as possible, age shouldn't matter. My kids come to practices ready to work, not play around or socialize. We will probably not have any next year because I won't need more tops for a few years, but when I do, I won't be afraid to take young girls that deserve a spot.

coach.elle said:

I have 3middle school kids on my team. They are respectful to the older girls and keep to themselves. We don't cheer for sports. There is a separate cheer team for only juniors and seniors who cheer varsity sports and attend school events.

If a team has a common goal of being as competitive as possible, age shouldn't matter. My kids come to practices ready to work, not play around or socialize. We will probably not have any next year because I won't need more tops for a few years, but when I do, I won't be afraid to take young girls that deserve a spot.

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and this exactly is why I have an issue with MS girls participating on a Varsity squad, in addition to the age difference......The fact that you mentioned needing "tops" would indicate that the only reason that these girls make the squad is because they are smaller. This is a huge advantage when competing because you get to use smaller tops in comparison to other squard that you are competing against that use girls that are all the same age and fairly the same size......JMO

Tosh said:

and this exactly is why I have an issue with MS girls participating on a Varsity squad, in addition to the age difference......The fact that you mentioned needing "tops" would indicate that the only reason that these girls make the squad is because they are smaller. This is a huge advantage when competing because you get to use smaller tops in comparison to other squard that you are competing against that use girls that are all the same age and fairly the same size......JMO

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I had all 9-12 grade kids last year. I graduated most of my 'muscle' and now all my tops are bases, TINY bases. The only choice I had was to take up 3 8th graders for them to lift.

Also, smaller isn't always better. I have 1 bigger top who rocks it out. She's my best flier. I wish I had more big girls to lift big tops. They have way more body control. Sure, single bases are easier with small tops, but full arounds are hard with whoever you are lifting. In that case, it's better to have a top with some body control and a little more meat on her bones.

Personally I think middle schoolers on a Varsity High School team is ridiculous. Unless they are super good like we had one eighth grader on our team that was amazing and could tumble & stunt. But i think it is unfair to sit 6 or 7 senior like my coach did as she pulled up another eighth grader and a seventh grader who were nothing special just little tiny tots. My opinion but it is a high school team and as a top who was taken off the mat all season as a senior replaced by middle schoolers I think coaches need to realize how it will make there other athletes feel.

We pulled 2 girls from a middle school team up to compete for jv last season. they competed with their middle school and jv. Only did it because we lost 2 people close to comp. but they only could compete with us, no games.

Sophie said:

We pulled 2 girls from a middle school team up to compete for jv last season. they competed with their middle school and jv. Only did it because we lost 2 people close to comp. but they only could compete with us, no games.

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In our state if you are pulled up to jv or varsity you must be state classified as jv or varsity athlete and can no longer cheer at the lower level. The girls only get pulled up if they have tumbling skills necessary for that particular level. They are competing and need all the skills they can get for each team. If the older girls do not posess those skills then younger girls will be pulles up in order to stay competitive.

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