All-Star Junior Level 5...what's Happened?

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Changing the age would probably kill off every small gym that's in a Worlds division. If everyone was the same size as CEA, Cheer Athletics, Cali, and Stingrays, then yes, go for it. But if a smaller gym is putting together a competitive level 5 time, chances are there will be some younger (12-13 year olds) that are true level 5 athletes that need a level appropriate team.

Then this turns into a worlds D1 and D2 argument... what qualifies, maybe gyms with x or less members and max minimum age of 13 at a small gym are D2. Unfortunatley, cheerleading is out there to try and make everyone happy... I love cheerleading more then the next person, but at the end of the day, you can't please everyone.. so smaller gyms may need to market differently.. I dunno.. I love Y5 and J5 teams, they are my fave by far to watch!
 
unpopular opinion but I think Y5s and J5s are better than Worlds teams on the whole. I try to convince my own kid of that every time. She doesn't buy it. Nor do the people who think if your team is "senior" that automatically means better.

Think about it, a team of 10 year olds throwing the same skills as a team of 18 year olds.

Which is more impressive? To me its the 7 year old peanut on Y5 with a arabian through to whip double (not that they can throw that pass, but I know some of them HAVE it....I've seen them).

I would gladly put up Rays Green, Junior Elite, Junior Mafia (RIP), ECE's J5 against basically any at large bid to Worlds. And I bet they'd beat the vast majority of the field. It's why I was always an advocate for trimming down the senior at large bids and bringing Juniors back. However, that would present an interesting crossover issue because I'm sure quite a few J5s are also on World's teams.

Le sigh.

I am stoked that Juniors are getting a little attention at the Champions League. Will be interested to see what's that's about .
 
unpopular opinion but I think Y5s and J5s are better than Worlds teams on the whole. I try to convince my own kid of that every time. She doesn't buy it. Nor do the people who think if your team is "senior" that automatically means better.

Think about it, a team of 10 year olds throwing the same skills as a team of 18 year olds.

Which is more impressive? To me its the 7 year old peanut on Y5 with a arabian through to whip double (not that they can throw that pass, but I know some of them HAVE it....I've seen them).

I would gladly put up Rays Green, Junior Elite, Junior Mafia (RIP), ECE's J5 against basically any at large bid to Worlds. And I bet they'd beat the vast majority of the field. It's why I was always an advocate for trimming down the senior at large bids and bringing Juniors back. However, that would present an interesting crossover issue because I'm sure quite a few J5s are also on World's teams.

Le sigh.

I am stoked that Juniors are getting a little attention at the Champions League. Will be interested to see what's that's about .
Junior Mafia and CEA SJX (I think that's their name), probably could have beaten a majority of the small coed teams at Worlds. I'd love to see some junior teams go up against some senior ones and it'll be interesting to see how they incorporate them into the Champions League!
 
unpopular opinion but I think Y5s and J5s are better than Worlds teams on the whole. I try to convince my own kid of that every time. She doesn't buy it. Nor do the people who think if your team is "senior" that automatically means better.

Think about it, a team of 10 year olds throwing the same skills as a team of 18 year olds.

Which is more impressive? To me its the 7 year old peanut on Y5 with a arabian through to whip double (not that they can throw that pass, but I know some of them HAVE it....I've seen them).

I would gladly put up Rays Green, Junior Elite, Junior Mafia (RIP), ECE's J5 against basically any at large bid to Worlds. And I bet they'd beat the vast majority of the field. It's why I was always an advocate for trimming down the senior at large bids and bringing Juniors back. However, that would present an interesting crossover issue because I'm sure quite a few J5s are also on World's teams.

Le sigh.

I am stoked that Juniors are getting a little attention at the Champions League. Will be interested to see what's that's about .

Agree with your entire post! Remember these days:

Now, I'm not saying Juniors should be at Worlds, but I do think it is an important division that has lost its fan base!
 
They should have "wildcard" bids that are handed out to Jr5 teams during the season. If a team competes and outscores a senior Worlds team they can be offered a special bid that takes them to Orlando and they compete in whatever senior division is comparable to what they have (small senior or small senior coed for example). That would be exciting...
 
Changing the age would probably kill off every small gym that's in a Worlds division. If everyone was the same size as CEA, Cheer Athletics, Cali, and Stingrays, then yes, go for it. But if a smaller gym is putting together a competitive level 5 time, chances are there will be some younger (12-13 year olds) that are true level 5 athletes that need a level appropriate team.

Any ideas on how to serve both purposes?
 
My youngest was on the last Jr Worlds Champion team....GO MD TWISTERS SUPERCELLS!!!! I know she would NEVER trade those memories and experiences. They really enriched her as an athlete, from preparation to performance. She did move to WORLDS half year teams when she was 12 & 13 (although she's not a tiny flyer now) and those were wonderful experiences. This past season (14 yrs old) was her first full year Sr team. I KNOW her prior expiences at Worlds AND COACHING really prepared her to do her best. I'm am so very proud of her. Unfortunately, she is out due to injury (Back)...still trying to get used to that :(. I honestly I feel that that Jr division in 2007-2010 was a breeding ground for amazing athletes! She knows what it is to be a WORLD CHAMPION and she wants another ring!!!!!! Enjoy this:

 
I wish I could find the video of Green Bay Elite Lime at Worlds 2010. Its not in the Wiki and missing from Youtube. One of the best junior routines...going in they weren't even on the radar and they left with bronze...
And people can take this however but I think Junior 5 keeps some of these kids grounded. I noticed a rise in the amount of 12 year old "cheerlebrities" around the same time Juniors went out of style and these kids started getting used to pitch in the air.
I think the experience is something they should have...so we need a comp for them or let them back into Worlds in a limited capacity.
 
Ironically, all these girls come together and share their wealth of experience. My older daugher rooms with many Shooting Stars and has come to call them her best friends because they are TERPS!
 
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