As we approach competition season, I wanted to send out my own little list of tips, tricks, and updates.

HAIR

We are getting close to competition season! As we get close to “meet hair” days, I highly recommend practicing a couple styles (Pinterest has some great ideas and You Tube – search gymnastics hair) to make sure it stays put and test out whether your products will snap your hair bands, etc. (I learned the hard way with a particular brand combo of hairspray and rubber bands one year). I also highly recommend doing your gymnast’s hair while it is wet and using hair wax and/or gel to help with stray hairs. Avoid using bobby pins or alligator clips. Spider web hair styles are nice or tight braids. Ponytails should be high ponytails, not low ones at the nape of the neck. All gymnasts should have their hair pulled out of their faces and wear a bow or ribbon (or two) of some sort in the gym colors. Below is a photo of the gym’s suggested bows for this competition season. To place an order, find Knot Just Bows on Facebook and message the owner, Meghan that you would like to order the Wildcard bows. You can let her know which one(s) you want and quantity. The cost is 2/$16 or 1/$9. I recommend purchasing at least 2 bows because they tend to disappear. Be sure to ask to have them made on a ponytail holder, NOT a clip (safety). PS- Amy reserves the right to “fix” hair – so please don’t be offended if it is not up to her standards (LOL).

LEOTARDS

As we begin to send competition and exhibition leos home (trying them on all gymnasts for fit so this may take until Friday), PLEASE take note that the sleeves on the competition leos are especially fragile. Most athletes will need help carefully getting them off so that the seams do not rip. Help your gymnast get into the leotard and do not pull from the shoulders and mesh; pull carefully at the sleeves to help. Also, please be sure to wash CAREFULLY. Use a delicates bag, wash on cold, gentle cycle. NO DRYER! LAY FLAT TO DRY! Personally, I tend to hand wash crotch and pits and avoid the machine as much as I can. Do not use any fabric softeners or additives – tends to fade the deeper colors. Damaged leotards will cost a lot to replace and may not be immediately available in your athlete’s size- BE CAREFUL! Current competition leotards may NOT be worn at practice. Exhibition (short sleeve) can be worn on Spirit days and Fridays – we still want to keep them nice for shows next summer.

MEETS

The most up to date meet schedule is below – there have been a few changes. We are registered for ALL of these meets. Remember, meet fees run on the 15th of the month and we WILL pull any gymnasts with outstanding balances from meets. Please make sure your account and credit card is up to date.

Sept. 14-15 Judge’s Meet (at Scamps in Kenosha)

Sept. 27-29 Infinite (Brown Deer)

Oct. 12-13 Gymfinity (Fitchburg)

Nov. 9-10 Precision (Oshkosh)

Nov. 16-17 Airforce (Green Bay)

Nov. 23-24 Scamps (Kenosha)

December 7-8 State* (M&M in New Berlin)

*State requirements – levels 2, 4 & 5 require 32.0; level 3 requires 33.0

*Level mobility (move up score) – 36.0 (but at Wildcard’s discretion)

If you KNOW you will be missing a meet, PLEASE let us know ASAP so we do not hold a spot in the meet that could go to another athlete. If there is an injury, in order to get any kind of possible refund from the host gym, they will require a doctor’s note.

Reminders-

DO NOT reach out the the gyms – as soon as they have the meet schedule they will send it to us and we will get it out to you. Usually this is 2-3 weeks prior to the meet weekend.

DO NOT go out on the meet floor for ANY reason. If there is an injury, WAIT for a coach to indicate that they need you. If you need to get your child’s attention, find Amy or Stephanie.

DO bring cash- many meets charge cash at the door, have concessions available, and offer shout outs (gifts with a message for your athlete- they read the message over the PA system during warm-ups).

DO wear your Wildcard Spirit Wear (see previous post and pro shop) and try to sit as a team and cheer for all Wildcard athletes in your session. Avoid negative comments about other teams/gymnasts.

DO remember to order your athlete a blanket for either yourself or athlete to us- gyms are sometimes chilly!

1-2-3 GO WILDCARD!!!!

-Kate

PS- Don’t forget to join the Wildcard Team Parents Facebook group!!!