Wildcard Gymnastics Team News

Meet Fees — The final installment of meet fees for girls’ Level 2-4 is due on Sept. 15. This will be automatically deducted from your card on file if you have not already made payment.

The first installment for all boys, girls’ Level 6-8 and all Xcel is due on Sept. 15. This will be automatically deducted from your card on file if you have not already made payment.

As a reminder, those fees are:

Those fees are:
Girls’ Level 2: $65 (last payment)
Girls’ Level 3: $145 (last payment)
Girls’ Level 4: $150 (last payment)
Girls’ Level 6: $195 (first of four payments)
Girls’ Level 8/9: $200 (first of four payment)
Boys’ Level 4: $160 (first of four payments)
Boys’ Level 5: $200 (first of four payments)
Boys’ Level 8: $200 (first of four payments)
Girls’ Xcel Silver: $140 (first of three payments)
Girls’ Xcel Gold: $140 (first of three payments)

Gold Bugs II and Fast Track, your first installment of three of meet fees will be due November 15. Those meet fees are $195 and will be paid in three installments of $65 each.

Optional Groups — The optional groups will maintain the same for one more week. The first week, there were just two practices and no Saturday. As a result, we will hold off changing the groups for at least one more week, so the group will get an adequate amount of practice time. So far, some of the groups have really worked well together, which is what we hoped for.

Exhibition Letoards — The replacement exhibition leotards are in. But, of course, GK made CM instead of AM leotards.  They are sending the AM asap so those are still not here yet. We have 30 days to collect all the first round of exhibition leotards to send back. Please bring in your leotard and exchange it for a new leotard (if you received it… there were a few who didn’t get one the first time around).  We will not give out the new ones without receiving the old exhibition in exchange.

Also, remember that this Friday (and Saturday) is the Friday (and Saturday) of a meet week. Typically, we’ve asked the gymnasts to wear purple on those Fridays (and Saturdays). This year, we are asking gymnasts to wear these new exhibition leotards. For those gymnasts who practice this Friday, just bring the first exhibition leotard to practice to exchange it for the replacement. Level 2s should try to bring it tonight (Thursday). For the Xcel group, we will exchange it for you on Wednesday of next week.

Fund-Raising — Be on the look out for fund-raising soon. We will again be doing pasta, coffee and cookies. Those of you who have been selling for years, please know that these perform well annually despite the fact that you’ve been selling to the same people for years. Again, the goal is to raise money for a foam pit. Unfortunately, the City of Brookfield decided to invest our dollars into road improvements without asking our opinion and the foam pit was put on hold this summer.

Remember, we have no booster club. We do not want to go to that model. We don’t think it works well for parents. We have recently seen what other booster clubs are charging for meet fees and those fees are triple what we charge for fewer meets in addition to having an annual fee and being charged if you don’t volunteer at events. All we ask of you is two fund-raisers, participation in the summertime shows and some help at our two meets.

Hawaii — The Hawaii trip is definitely on! We have met the minimum families to make the trip. If you are in any way interested, please pay the meet fee by Monday, Sept. 15. This fee is fully refundable up through the end of December, so if you are unable to go, we can certainly get you a refund. The meet fee is $100. You can confirm your spot with an e-mail and we will bill your card on file on Monday.  Remember, we are willing to chaperone some gymnasts if parents are not able to make the trip to Hawaii.  (This would make a fabulous graduation, birthday, Christmas gift!!! And the team bonding is amazing!)

Also those of you who have indicated you are going (Brown, Davis, Fowler, Krause, Literski, Robinson … please advise if we’ve missed anyone), let us know your travel plans. If individuals are interested in group travel, we can certainly explore that. We’re looking at a Jan. 15-Jan. 22 dates for travel. Regardless, let us know of your planned travel dates and we can try to work a group flight discount. Only 10 is needed to secure group travel.

Open Gym — The return of Friday and Saturday night open gym starts this weekend (8:30-10 p.m. Fridays, 7-9 p.m. Saturdays). Remember, if your child is competing in the morning on a Saturday, they shouldn’t stay for Friday open gym. Cost is $8 for team members and $2 for pizza and soda on Friday nights only.

Meet Schedules — Here is a reminder of the meet schedules for the teams who will be competing in the winter/spring months. There have been a few modifications as meets have moved dates or, in some cases, locations.

Boys
Oct. 16 — Sheboygan YMCA (Sheboygan, YMCA, serves as mock meet, Levels 4-5)
Dec. 13-14 — Judges Invitational (Racine, all levels)
Jan. 3-4 — Altius Invitational (Franklin, all levels)
Jan. 10-11 — M&M Challenge (Waukesha, all levels)
Jan. 30 — Snowflake Invitational (Sheboygan, YMCA, Level 4)
Feb. 7-8 — Wildcard Cruise Classic (Brookfield, all levels)
Feb. 21-22 — Hang 10.0 Invitational (Kenosha, all levels)
Mar. 6-8 — Salto National Invitational (West Allis, Levels 5, 8)
Mar. 21-22 — State Championships (Waukesha, all levels)
Apr. 21-22 — Region 4 Championships (Brookfield, Levels 5, 8)

Girls’ Level 2 (Gold Bugs & Fast Track)
Feb. 7-8 — Wildcard Cruise Classic (Brookfield, USAG)
Feb. 21-22 — Hang 10.0 Invitational (Kenosha, USAG)
Mar. 21-22 — GymTastics Invitational (Watertown, AAU)
Apr. 11 — Carousel Invitational (Plover, AAU)

Girls’ Level 6-10
Oct. 19 — Wild Wild West Classic (Brookfield, AAU, serves as mock meet, Levels 6-8/9)
Nov. 1-2 — M&M Halloween Luau (New Berlin, Levels 6-8/9)
Dec. 19-21 — Buffalo Grove Invitational (Schaumburg, Ill, Levels 6-8/9)
Jan. 10-11 — M&M Challenge (Waukesha, Levels 6-8/9)
Jan. 31-Feb. 1 — St. Valentine Invitational (Grayslake, Ill., Levels 6-8/9)
Feb. 7-8 — Wildcard Cruise Classic (Brookfield, Levels 6-8/9)
Feb. 21-22 — Hang 10.0 Invitational (Kenosha, Levels 6-8/9)
Mar. 14-15 — LGA Lucky Invitational (Waukegan, Ill., Levels 6, 8/9)
Mar. 28-29 — State Championships (Franklin, Levels 6, 8/9)

Girls’ Xcel
Oct. 18-19 — Wild Wild West Classic (Brookfield, AAU, serves as mock meet)
Jan. 24-25 — Altius Pink Meet (Franklin)
Feb. 7-8 — Wildcard Cruise Classic (Brookfield)
Feb. 21-22 — Hang 10.0 Invitational (Kenosha)
Mar. 14-15 — LGA Lucky Invitational (Waukegan, Ill.)
Mar. 21-22 — State Championships (New Berlin)

Girls’ Off Season Compulsories (Moving Up to Next Level)
Feb. 7-8 — Wildcard Cruise Classic (Brookfield, USAG, $65, Due Dec. 1)
Feb. 21-22 — Hang 10.0 Invitational (Kenosha, USAG, $75, Due Dec. 15)
Mar. 21-22 — GymTastics Invitational (Watertown, AAU, $40, Due. Feb. 1)
Apr. 11 — Carousel Invitational (Plover, AAU, $40, Due. Feb. 1, open to Level 6s as well)

Girls’ Level 3 — Due to the competition this weekend, the Girls’ Level 3 team will practice on Friday night (Sept. 12) from 4:30-7:30 p.m. instead of Saturday (Sept. 13). The Level 2s will remain on Saturday as our coaching staff will be reduced Saturday morning.

Swiss Cup 2014
Sept. 27-28, 2014
Swiss Turners
2214 S. 116th St., West Allis | MAP | 11.6 mi., 12 min.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27

GIRLS’ LEVEL 3s – Aniyah, Essence, Mariyah, Emma, Jordan S., Sarah
Arrive – 2 p.m.
Stretch – 2:15 p.m.
Meet Begins — 2:40 p.m.
Awards — 5:37 p.m.

GIRLS’ LEVEL 3s – Angela, Vanesa, Ayanna, Nora L., Kaylie, Rhianna, Taylor
Arrive – 5:45 p.m.
Stretch – 6 p.m.
Meet Begins — 6:25 p.m.
Awards — 9:22 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27

GIRLS’ LEVEL 4s – Chasity, Emily G., Nadia, Ella, Aaliyah, Ryann, Maeggan
Arrive – 7:45 a.m.
Stretch – 8 a.m.
Meet Begins — 8:30 a.m.
Awards — 12:21 p.m.

GIRLS’ LEVEL 4s – Madeline, BeckyDee, Kerigan, Norah T., Kamryn
Arrive – 12:25 p.m.
Stretch – 12:40 p.m.
Meet Begins — 1:05 p.m.
Awards — 4:45 p.m.

GIRLS’ LEVEL 5s – Ava C.
Arrive – 5 p.m.
Stretch – 5:15 p.m.
Meet Begins — 5:40 p.m.
Awards — 8:55 p.m.

COMPETING TEAMS – Infinite, GymHawks, LaFleur’s, Madtown Twisters, North Shore, Oshkosh, Salto, Scamps, Swiss Turners, Ultimate Fusion.

NOTES – For all information on the meet such as admission and parking information, click here.

There will be boys team practice tomorrow 9-11am. Then, they can take time to eat before TosaFest. 

Girls’ Competition Leos — The competition leotards for the girls’ competitive season have arrived. We will hand those out on Friday, prior to the team picture (it’s an incentive to come to the team picture). Gymnasts will wear these for the pre-season meet on Friday. Please make sure and take special care of these leotards. Hand wash only and hang to dry. These will need to last for two seasons.

If your child didn’t order the competition leotard (specifically for Fast Track and Xcel), they should wear the short sleeve exhibition leotard that we currently have. The replacements won’t arrive until next week.

We also have a handful of those exhibition leotards that have not been picked up. Please pick those up if you have not already.

Regional Training Camp — Region 4 Training camp will be held on Oct. 10-12 in Chanhassen, Minn. (a Minneapolis suburb), at Classic Gymnastics. This camp is open to all Level 7-up gymnasts based on a qualification system. Based on history and qualification standards, all of our Level 8-up gymnasts who choose to attend will get in the clinic. The clinic is staffed by coaches from around the region and college coaches. It’s a great opportunity to get hands on coaching from other coaches and to interact with gymnasts, other coaches and judges from across the region.

The cost for the clinic is $170, transportation and lodging are not included in that price. If there are enough gymnasts, we will rent a multi-passenger van and get multiple hotel rooms. Estimate $25 per night for lodging and between $40 and $60 for van rental and gas. Gymnasts will also need money for food during this clinic. It will be a great team-bonding exercise as well.

We will leave on Friday morning, Oct. 10. The first session is at 3:30 p.m. It will be done on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Saturday will be an all-day session. We will return home after that. Please respond by Sept. 15 if you wish to have your child attend this camp. We highly recommend it and hope that the majority of the the Level 8s attend.

Monday, Sept. 8 Practice — To accommodate our monthly staff meeting, the Monday, Sept. 8 practice will conclude at 7:30 p.m. Those in the optional Silver and Teal groups should come at 4:30 p.m. to get a full practice in.

Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14 Practice — Due to the competition on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14, we are making an adjustment to the practice schedule that weekend. This may change depending on coach availability, but the Level 3s who are competing that weekend should come on Friday, Sept. 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Those who are competing Level 2, including the Level 3/2s, should come to the regular practice on Saturday, but practice will be shortened from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Xcel and boys will practice as scheduled.

Purple Optional Group Clarification — The Purple optional practice time starts at 4:30 p.m. One thing we neglected to mention was that the gymnasts may be done with practice at 7:30 p.m. if homework dictates. Otherwise, they should stay until 8:30 p.m.

AAU Age Group Nationals Hotel — The AAU Nationals meet this year is set for Las Vegas, Nev., June 10-14, 2015, at the Riviera Hotel and Casino Convention Center. Hotel reservations can now be made, so if you are planning on attending this event, lock your hotel rates early while rooms are still available. Rates start at $49 at the Riviera. We recommend making reservations for the duration of the meet, then cancelling what you won’t use prior to the cancel deadline. Reservations for that meet may be made by clicking here.

Team Photo and Pre-Season Meet — Team, please remember that the all-team photo and pre-season meet will take place on Friday, Sept. 5. The photo will be at 4:30 p.m., so please be prompt. We hope to start warm ups for the pre-season meet at 5:30 p.m. and be done by 8:30 p.m. The team photo is for all levels including Gold Bugs II (those competing in February), Fast Track (those competing in February), Girls’ Level 2, Girls’ Level 3/2, Girls’ Level 3, Girls’ Level 3/4, Girls Level 4, Girls’ Optionals, Girls’ Xcel Silver, Girls’ Xcel Gold and all Boys’ Levels 4, 5 and 8. If you don’t know if your child is competing in February and she is in Gold Bugs II or Fast Track, assume they are and be part of the team photo.

Girls should be wearing the long-sleeve leotard (assuming it comes by Friday… more on that) or the exhibition leotard we currently have (assuming our replacements haven’t come). If the long-sleeve leotard hasn’t arrived, then everyone will wear the exhibition leotard. Boys should wear a black Wildcard gymnastics t-shirt and black shorts. We will have extra black t-shirts to borrow if need be. Coaches, we will try to provide you a t-shirt. You should wear black or khaki shorts, leggings or pants.

The pre-season meet is for any Level 2 that is competing in the fall season (Emily C., Neave, Olivia, Caelyr, Kendra, Jennifer, Lilly Jo., Claire, Emma M., Korynne, Maggie, Ruth, Sadie, Brooklyn), Level 3 (Aniyah, Angela, Essence, Vanesa, Ayanna, Emma L., Nora L., Mariyah, Kaylie, Rhianna, Jordan S., Sarah, Taylor), Level 4 (Madeline, Chasity, BeckyDee, Emily G., Nadia, Ella, Aliyah, Kerigan, Norah T., Ryann, Kamryn, Maeggan) and Level 5 (Ava C.). We hope to have awards started by 8 p.m. and the meet concluded by 8:30 p.m. We will have a brief Q&A for any of the Level 2 parents after the meet. We will have a parent meeting for all Gold Bugs II, Fast Track and Level 2 later in September.

Competition & Exhibition Leotards — The competition leotards have shipped from Australia, however they just shipped last week. We were told there was a near two-week delay in production due to equipment malfunctions after we were already told they shipped. As a result, we are expecting the leotards this week, assuming they clear customs in a timely fashion. If they don’t, we will wear the current exhibition leotards for the team photo and practice meet. If for some reason they don’t arrive in time for the first meet, we will wear the replacement exhibition leotards. They should have plenty of time to clear customs for the first meet, however.

The replacement exhibition leotards are in production and are scheduled to be shipped in about 10 days. We will need to collect all the exhibition leotards at that point.

Boys’ singlets are also in production and are scheduled to ship the first of October. Those should have been here by now, but we changed the order due to the low manufacturing quality. Also, boys, we will be sizing you for shorts and pants and warm-up jackets in the coming days once those arrive.

Please do not wear these leotards to regular practice. The only exception is the exhibition leotards on the Friday of a meet weekend.

Tosa Fest on Sept. 6, No Team Practice That Day Level 2-3 Girls — Remember, Tosa Fest is on Sept. 6 in the Tosa Villiage. The blog has information on that. As a result of that and the pre-season meet the prior night, we will not have team practice on Sept. 6. We expect everyone at Tosa Fest.

Xcel practice will be 9-11 a.m. to accommodate Tosa Fest.

Acro Class and Non-Competitive Tops — We are offering a new class, Acro Gymnastics for just $25 for the first session. This is a good mix of acrobatic and gymnastics skills and is a lot of fun. The class is Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. All the girls tried a little Acro this week, so they can tell you a bit about it. There are some competitive options, which we might explore later in the year. It’s great for those in non-competitive TOPs, which runs 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Non-competitive TOPs is $20 per month and is for any gymnast who isn’t ready for competitive TOPs or isn’t age appropriate. It’s good for strength, shaping and flexibility for gymnastics purposes.

September Meet Fees — This is a reminder that for compulsory gymnasts, the final meet fees are due Sept. 15. For Xcel, Girls’ Level 6-9 and boys, the first installment of meet fees are due that date as well.

Those fees are:
Girls’ Level 2: $65
Girls’ Level 3: $145
Girls’ Level 4: $150
Girls’ Level 6: $195
Girls’ Level 8/9: $200
Boys’ Level 4: $160
Boys’ Level 5: $200
Boys’ Level 8: $200
Girls’ Xcel Silver: $140
Girls’ Xcel Gold: $140

More Aloha Gymfest Information — For those who are coming to Hawaii, the meet fee of $100 is due Sept. 15. At this point, we have two families committed and need three more. We have had lots of families indicate they are wishing to go, but we need the five to commit. If you aren’t ready to make the commitment, go ahead and pay the meet fee. Those are fully refundable up through December. Also, please remember it is probably going to be brutally cold here in Wisconsin in January so you are going to really REGRET not signing up for the meet! And we probably won’t be traveling in the 2015-16 season.

It’s a great USAG-sanctioned meet with teams from Japan, Australia and Canada.

We have a bit more information on the trip as well. The host hotel is the Ohana Waikiki West in Honolulu. The rate for that is $119/night plus taxes for two; $199 for 4. (The rate looks to be $139 on Expedia for the same dates). The hotel is two blocks from Waikiki beach.

That rate includes:
-Wireless Internet
-In-room safe
-In room coffee and tea
-Daily newspapers at the reception desk
-OHANA nylon drawstring bag with Hotel logo – 1 free per room -Passes for the Waikiki Trolley Pink Line to Ala Moana Shopping Center

We apologize for the inconvenience, but there will be no boys practice tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26th. Candace is willing to come in on Thursday (430-730) to make up the practice if several boys would be available to practice. Please email or text her if you would want to hold practice on Thursday instead. We will update the blog as soon as a decision is made regarding Thursday. Again, we apologize for the last minute changes. 

2014 Judges; Barnyard Bash
Sept. 13-14, 2014
Scamps Gymnastics
5711 77th St., Kenosha | MAP | 46.2 mi., 55 min.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13

GIRLS’ LEVEL 4s – Ella, Maeggan
Arrive – 7:45 a.m.
Stretch – 8 a.m.
Meet Begins — 8:15 a.m.
Awards — 9:55 a.m.

GIRLS’ LEVEL 4s – Kerigan, Kamryn, Madeline, Ryann, Aaliyah, Emily G.
Arrive – 10:30 a.m.
Stretch – 10:45 a.m.
Meet Begins — 11 a.m.
Awards — 1:05 p.m.

GIRLS’ LEVEL 4s – Chasity, Nadia, BeckyDee, Norah
Arrive – 1:30 p.m.
Stretch – 1:50 p.m.
Meet Begins — 2:05 p.m.
Awards — 4:05 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 14

GIRLS’ LEVEL 3s – Vanesa, Angela, Kaylie, Rhianna, Taylor, Ayanna
Arrive – 11 a.m.
Stretch – 11:20 a.m.
Meet Begins — 11:35 a.m.
Awards — 1:15 p.m.

GIRLS’ LEVEL 3s – Aniyah, Nora, Sarah, Essence, Jordan S., Emma L., Mariyah
Arrive – 4:30 p.m.
Stretch – 4:45 p.m.
Meet Begins — 5 p.m.
Awards — 7:05: p.m.

COMPETING TEAMS – Altius, Infinite, LaFleur’s, M&M, Madtown Twisters, North Shore, Oshkosh, Racine, Russell, Salto, Scamps, Swiss Turners, TNT,  Ultimate Fusion, WCGC, Wind Lake.

NOTE – The format of this meet is warm-up/compete. Gymnasts will warm-up one event, then compete that event, rather than warm-up all four events and compete all four events.