Same goes with UCA High School nationals... Making it pass prelims / semi's to the final day makes that trip soooo worthwhile. And when you have sit and watch finals from the seats, knowing you didn't make it puts a flame under the kids tails to work harder and get better.
I agree100%. It really is embarrassing to call yourself a national champ along with 2500 other teams. Coming from a VERY small gym owner... we have 60 team members on 3 teams. Our kids think they are big stuff when they get a National Championship banner from the local competition that they beat...