All-Star Summit Reflections And Recommendations

Welcome to our Cheerleading Community

Members see FEWER ads... join today!

I like the idea of a seniors only competition, but the way the ages overlap, a 10 year old would be able to go to the Summit, but a 13 year old on a junior team would not.
It's the same way with worlds...a 12 year old could go but a 13 or even 14 year old on a junior team can't. No way around that problem


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
A few things:

1. I enjoyed the Summit very much. It was an incredible event and an incredible weekend. I have not heard one negative thing from the families that attended from our gym. In fact they are ready to go back again next year. For my gym attending the Summit was amazing and something we will work towards in the future. However, that isn't going to stop us from trying to push our R5 to become a true 5 and make it to Worlds in the future.

2. The athletes we took to the Summit still have hopes and dreams of making it to the Worlds stage one day. The Summit didn't change the hopes and dreams of those athletes; in fact I think it made them stronger.

3. Crossovers are legal, bottom line, and really just makes me step my game up. So game on.

4. Moving the Summit to a different venue or different state might be nice, but it will still be inconvenient and expensive for some gyms. It will only benefit those gyms that are close.

5. I am disappointed in those of you who feel this competition shouldn't continue or you dislike the fact that these athletes are getting an opportunity to compete at an event and venue like* Worlds. We are all in this sport together and we should be supportive of all athletes, levels, ages, gyms, competition companies, etc. It truly saddens my heart to hear that you don't think Suzy Q who is 17 on S1, who started cheering last year and worked every day to get her BWO, doesn't deserve this experience. As a coach, I can say that Suzy Q deserves that experience just as much as the girl with the double full on the Worlds team at ABC All Stars. In fact, it is my goal to take a level 1 team to the Summit next year. * I emphasize the word like because my Summit athletes were very aware that they were competing at the Summit, not Worlds, yes it was similar and in the same venue, but it was a very different competition. AND I would hate for any of them to come on here and read what some of you have said about this competition that meant the WORLD to them.

6. WWOS is just a Venue and it holds many, many, many cheer competitions throughout the season. The Olympics was held at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe in 1960. Does that mean I shouldn't be allowed to ski there or compete in a skiing competition there because I am not an Olympian? That just sounds absurd.

7. We met some of the most wonderful athletes, parents, and coaches from across the country. The energy and excitement was everywhere and everyone was so happy to be there. Everyone was pleasant, respectful and overall just happy, even in the rain. It was truly a wonderful experience. Watching all the finalists stand up to applaud the champion at each Summit reveal was just awesome. It brought tears to my eyes. Those are the reasons I coach.

I can’t wait to see what happens next season (or I guess I should say this season) with bids, teams, levels, etc. I know attending this competition lit a fire with our coaching staff, athletes who attended, athletes who didn’t, and our families. I see big things in the future of my gym, the Summit, and Worlds. Kudos to all teams who received a bid (accepted or declined, won at a competition or handed down.) Kudos to the teams who attended and left everything they had on that way too cool black mat. Kudos to the teams that made finals, placed top 3, or who won the rings. And finally a HUGE kudos to Varsity for putting on an amazing, memorable, well run, exciting, event.


I guess this turned into more than a “few” things. Thanks for reading =)
 
I totally agree, especially with number 5. How rude of people to imply that lower level athletes shouldn't have these sort of experiences. My cp and I were on a bus on the way to a park last week with a woman with several cps from a higher level team. I don't know the level because when my daughter replied to their question about her team/level, the mother told her that was "adorable" and they whispered and giggled the rest of the ride, so we had no chance to ask. How cruel to act as if she hadn't worked hard to get there, simply because she had not yet achieved their skills.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
5. I am disappointed in those of you who feel this competition shouldn't continue or you dislike the fact that these athletes are getting an opportunity to compete at an event and venue like* Worlds. We are all in this sport together and we should be supportive of all athletes, levels, ages, gyms, competition companies, etc. It truly saddens my heart to hear that you don't think Suzy Q who is 17 on S1, who started cheering last year and worked every day to get her BWO, doesn't deserve this experience. As a coach, I can say that Suzy Q deserves that experience just as much as the girl with the double full on the Worlds team at ABC All Stars. In fact, it is my goal to take a level 1 team to the Summit next year. * I emphasize the word like because my Summit athletes were very aware that they were competing at the Summit, not Worlds, yes it was similar and in the same venue, but it was a very different competition. AND I would hate for any of them to come on here and read what some of you have said about this competition that meant the WORLD to them.

All of your points were exceptional but, cp and I want to thank you personally for #5. Cp went through chemo twice and was not able to participate in a team sport until age 14. She began on a Sr. Level 1 team with barely a BWO last year and feels blessed her Sr. Level 2 team came home with Summit rings this year. She finds it absurd that anyone would believe this competition would diminish someone's drive to improve their skills or that anyone would confuse The Summit with Worlds. While on Sr. Level 1, cp's team often practiced on the floor next to Orange (Stingrays) and she wants to assure everyone that is concerned, they were all well aware of the difference;) . I certainly understand school and financial concerns with any competition but, to want to cap the quality or level content of a invitation only National because it might take away from Worlds? Nonsense.
 
I personally feel like the Summit should be a senior event only, kind of like worlds. I have cheered since I was five and have been out of allstar cheerleading for 3 years now (though I do cheer in college). Even though I did cheer for 13 years, I was never able to reach the level five tumbling skills due to injury's and mental blocks. I do understand where people are coming from saying that they want younger kids to strive to become level five athletes (I mean realistically thats everyones goal) but if you are on a senior level team and non level five, realistically many won't move up to level five. I do think it is a good opportunity for the older girls though, who know they won't be on a level five, to go to an event like this. I know I wish I would have had the opportunity.
 
I personally feel like the Summit should be a senior event only, kind of like worlds. I have cheered since I was five and have been out of allstar cheerleading for 3 years now (though I do cheer in college). Even though I did cheer for 13 years, I was never able to reach the level five tumbling skills due to injury's and mental blocks. I do understand where people are coming from saying that they want younger kids to strive to become level five athletes (I mean realistically thats everyones goal) but if you are on a senior level team and non level five, realistically many won't move up to level five. I do think it is a good opportunity for the older girls though, who know they won't be on a level five, to go to an event like this. I know I wish I would have had the opportunity.

I really like this. :) I think more gyms would participate on at-large bids and also, it makes it still prestigious.

I know someone will say "so a 10 year old on a senior team gets to go but on a youth team doesn't"... that's up to your gym and how they place team members. Nothing else you can really say, if it's not fair, then go back to age restrictions 13-18 only on senior teams, 10-14 on junior, 6-10 on youth, etc... but then that would hurt a lot of smaller gyms and also a lot of gyms worlds talent pull... so there is no great option :)

BUT after my rant, I 150% agree it would be nice to see summit a senior team privilege!
 
I agree with King. Worlds has marked the end of the season for so long, it was weird having another competition after. But I've only heard great things about this comp. Well run and worlds-like.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
There is a junior olympics and a junior worlds. No one wins a gold at the junior olympics and says, "Hey, I'm just as good as the sr olympians. I'll stop now because I've got an olympic gold medal." No, they continue on trying to win that coveted sr olympic or worlds medal. It is ridiculous to think that The Summit will take away from the Worlds experience. I do agree that Worlds should be the last competition of the season.
 
I agree with King. Worlds has marked the end of the season for so long, it was weird having another competition after. But I've only heard great things about this comp. Well run and worlds-like.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
For many smaller gyms, US Finals was the last comp of the season - and on the east coast, that was always held after Worlds (same weekend as the Summit this year).
 
HONESTLY loved loved loved this competition! Very well prepared probably better then worlds and I have competed at both! Amazing experience glad I got to go and win the first ever summit!


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android || Upgrade Your Account!
 
Back