All-Star No Longer Excited For Anything But First Place

MomOf2ThatsMe said:

Let's use J2 as an example. You can have small J2, large J2, and then multiple splits within the size divisions due to the number of teams competing. Do you think it would be better if in the case of splits, they were called the division winner, and the all around junior 2 called the national champion?

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Yes. From how pageant placements are on toddlers and tiaras (not sure how accurate the show portrays it/if that's how it really works) but at the nationals they showed in Texas the division winners were just that - division winners. And the grand supreme that pulled out of their division was the national champion. This would eliminate 4-5 junior 2 "national champions."


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MomOf2ThatsMe said:

Let's use J2 as an example. You can have small J2, large J2, and then multiple splits within the size divisions due to the number of teams competing. Do you think it would be better if in the case of splits, they were called the division winner, and the all around junior 2 called the national champion?

Click to expand...

I'm not sure. Ideally I would have only one split in each division - small and large teams. No small gym, no A, B, C, etc. If that isn't an option and they have to be split, then I would just leave at as is because it seems like this would upset more people (the division winners would want to be national champions also).

I don't know what the divisions are like in America, but over here especially in the university/open divisions we're often against between 20-30 other teams. Some competitions announce all the places no matter how large or small the division, with each place getting a small trophy and 1st-3rd getting larger ones, and some competitions only announce the top percentage. My team generally does not place at those types of competitions.

This year my stunt group came 6th out of 23 and we were literally sobbing with joy, we weren't expecting to place and I have honestly never been so happy in my life! We saw the quality of the other teams and completely wrote ourselves off from placing, but even if we hadn't we knew we'd hit a perfect routine and had had an amazing time. Placing and getting a trophy was just an incredible addition to an already amazing experience.

I always feel proud of myself and proud of my team no matter what place we come, coming together on the mat and hitting a perfect routine will always be my favourite part of cheerleading.

Learning how to win with grace and lose with grace is a skill that doesn't happen by accident. It has to be taught, on purpose, on more than one occasion. The behavior and actions that "should" and "should not" happen must be defined in detail, out-loud, for everyone involved. Ideally, gym owners or program directors are facilitating this as part of their standard brand protection. Ideally, coaches actually spend time teaching this in the same way they teach physical skills, including role-play and discussions as appropriate. Ideally, parents are also included in that discussion. Ideally, the discussion is repeated as a normal part of gym conversation throughout the season so that it becomes part of who the gym is.

It's all important. The outward reaction to any situation, good or bad, is a reflection of the team, the program, and the industry.