BOYS’ & XCEL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEK — This is a very busy week in the gym as we have three events going on this weekend—the Boys’ State Championships, Xcel State Championships and the compulsory-level meet at GymTastics. This is the first of two weeks of Championship Weeks as the Level 6-10 Girls have their state meet next weekend.

For those of you competing in any of the three state meets or GymTastics (which is pretty much everyone in the gym), attending practices is an absolute must, especially for those gymnasts competing at state or in a new level for the first time (which is, again, most everyone in the gym). Our teams and gymnasts stand a chance to do very well, including winning state titles and qualifying for regionals. You don’t want to have your child regret a missed practice that would have made him or her just that much more ready and that much more successful. There will be no make ups for missed practices in these two weeks as it takes away from those gymnasts who are at their proper practice time.

STATE MEET WEEK HOMEWORK — While we have not assigned homework during the optional, boys’ and Xcel season, we are doing that for the week of state. Boys and Xcel, we apologize for not giving you a lot of notice.

We would like all gymnasts competing at State to write a positive note to the members of his or her team.  This note can include a little drawing, poem, book mark, or small inexpensive gift that offers encouragement to each teammate.  All Boys’, Girls’ Level 6, Girls’ Level 8 and Xcel Silver and Xcel Gold gymnasts are expected to participate. Please click here for the assignment.

Boys’ and Xcel, this homework is due tomorrow (March 18) at the team dinner. Please be sure that you bring the notes to practice tomorrow!!!  Girls’ Level 6 & 8, yours is due Thursday, March 26.

Girls’ compulsory level gymnasts, please feel free to pick a gymnast or two that will be competing at state and do the assignment for them as well (all of the Level 8s did the assignment for the compulsories for their state meet).

Additionally, a blog post went out yesterday featuring the Championship Game Plan.  This is a fantastic way to get mentally prepared for State.  Please be certain that your gymnast has printed it out and started working on it, especially if your gymnast is competing this weekend!  Click here for a printable copy of the Championship Game Plan.

COME SUPPORT YOUR TEAMMATES — We have a handful of individuals competing by themselves this weekend at state. It would be great if teammates came in support of those gymnasts. Boys State is at Waukesha North High School and Xcel State is at Salto (the Poplar Dr. location). Please feel free to make posters/banners to cheer the gymnasts on!  Parents, please wear purple in support of Wildcard.  The following are the report times for all of our gymnasts this weekend:

Friday, March 20
8:45 a.m. — Katherine (Xcel Gold at Salto)
12:45 p.m. — Aliyah R., Kelsey, Jenna (Xcel Gold at Salto)
4:45 p.m. — Alivia, Anna (Xcel Gold at Salto)

Saturday, March 21
8:15 a.m. — Max, West, Charlie, Jack, Dylan (Boys’ Level 4 at Waukesha North)
11:40 a.m. — Christen, Stephanie (Xcel Gold at Salto)

Sunday, March 22
7:45 a.m. — Amari (Xcel Silver at Salto)
7:45 a.m. —  Jillian, Kassidy, Payton, Grace, Lily D., Serenity, Alanna, Keegan, Mahogany (Girls’ Level 2 at GymTastics)
8:45 a.m. — Reed (Boys’ Level 8 at Waukesha North)
10 a.m. — Kayla, Siena, Olivia, Caelyr, Jordyn H., Aniya H., Jennifer, Lilly Jo., Claire, Emma, Kaylie, Ashley M., Korynne, Maggie, Ruth, Rhianna, Jordan S., Kayleeanna, Taylor, Bella W. (Girls’ Level 3 at GymTastics)
10:45 a.m. — McKayla (Xcel Silver at Salto)
12:15 p.m. — Angela, Vanesa, Ayanna, Mariyah, Sarah, Taylor, Kamryn, Maeggan, Madeline, Emily G., Nadia, Ella, Aaliyah K. (Girls’ Level 4, 5, 6 at GymTastics)
1:40 p.m. — Daisy, Marcela (Xcel Silver at Salto)

LEVEL 2 NOTE FOR GYMTASTICS — The gymnasts this week at GymTastics will actually be ranked. At the two previous meets, gymnasts were just awarded a participation medal, as is the practice in a Wisconsin USAG-sanctioned Level 2 meet. These next two meets are sanctioned by AAU. The rules of the AAU allow for Level 2 gymnasts to be ranked (in other words, gymnasts will finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. and receive medals accordingly).

PRACTICE CHANGES THIS WEEK & NEXT WEEK — We also have a little bit of practice changes for this week with so much going on. Please note the changes:

Wednesday, March 18: Boys’ Practice 4:30-7:45 p.m., Xcel Practice 5-7:45 p.m., Xcel and Boys’ Team Dinner at 7:45 p.m. (please bring a change of clothes to wear for the dinner).

Thursday, March 19: Added Boys’ Practice 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 21: No Boys’ or Xcel Gold Practice (Xcel Silver will practice); As of now TOPs is on as scheduled

Monday, March 23: No TOPs

Thursday, March 26: Level 6-8 will end at 7:30 p.m. order to attend the team dinner at Corner Bakery (details to follow)

Friday, March 27: Only those competing at the State meet on Sunday, March 29, should attend practice from 4:30-8:30 p.m. so we may give the most attention to those gymnasts. Level 4s and Level 5/6s should not attend that night as they are not competing. (Friday Night Open Gym will be held, so Level 4s and Level 5/6s, feel free to come to that.)

Saturday, March 28: No TOPs

TEAM BONDING EVENT — One of the Level 6 parents is organizing a team bonding event. The Dirty Dog Color/Mud Run is being held on July 18 in Oconomowoc and he is organizing a group to participate in this family-style event.

Visit this link: http://www.silvercirclesportsevents.com/dirty-dog-mud-run to register.

He has set Wildcard Gymnastics up in the 12:10 p.m. wave.

This is a blurb from the organizers:

The 5K course is filled with obstacles, mud & COLOR.  It is challenging enough to be difficult at times but doable at all times.  Hey if you want to take a break, then do it.  Want to take an extra minute to play in the mud or COLOR zone with your team or an extra belly flop then do it.   We don’t mind.  No fire, electrical shocks and it surely won’t be the toughest day of your life.  

If you have any questions, please contact David Holzer at rugby_53216@yahoo.com as he has set the group wave up and knows more of the details.

SUCCESS WALL ADDITIONS — We had our final regular-season meet of the season in Waukegan, Ill., at the LGA Lucky Invitational. The Success Wall is almost full. Here are the additions from the Lucky Invitational:

Girls’ Level 6
Sofia B. — 9.050 on vault, 9.150 on beam
Delaney H. — 9.250 on vault, 9.250 on bars, 9.400 on beam, 9.250 on floor
Lilly Ja. — 9.000 on beam
Aaliyah K. — 9.025 on vault, 9.000 on beam
Jordan M. — 9.000 on beam
Camille P. — 9.400 on beam
Eden R. — 9.100 on vault, 9.100 on beam, 9.000 on floor
Norah T. — 9.050 on vault

Girls’ Level 8
Bella G. — 9.100 on floor

Girls’ Xcel Gold
Christen B. — 9.400 on vault (1st)
Aliyah R. — 9.275 on floor (1st)
Jenna W. — 9.000 on beam