Second Avenue

Post BFW Sundays typically involves, a headache, depression, sleeping in, watching more basketball in quiet, and reintroducing myself to my couch. Not this year, after being dropped off by Donnie V after 2:00 AM, I took a shower and was was back awake in 5 hours to go to Mattie's gymnastics meet. I know 5 hours isn't a terrible nights sleep, but remember I have been punishing my body with booze, unhealthy food, and sleep deprivation for 3 days, (actually the whole week since Karen was out of town until Friday).

The morning did not start off too great. It was more like getting her ready for school than a meet. A lot of yelling and whining, followed by a late arrival. However, by the time we were in the Jeep Mattie was focused.

It ended up being her best meet to date. She began with an 8.1 on bars, and she got her front mill and nailed her dismount. Next, was the Balance Beam where she received an 8.4. Then came the floor routine which netted an 8.6. All of these scores could have been a little higher, I guess she just needs to work on her tightness, because the skills she has down without a problem. The final rotation was the dreaded Vault. We weren't too sure how this would go, she hadn't practiced all week. And, after Saturday's practice she stayed late. She got it during the practice, but by the time she got her private lesson she was exhausted. We also didn't see her warm-ups, so we really didn't know what would happen. She took off down the runway and hesitated just a little before the board, but she hit it and got over. You could see the confidence in her second attempt as there was no hesitating. She hit the board fast and hard and got over, "Hoping for a 9.0." She isn't quite there yet, she needs to get her legs tight and straight, (but, now that she knows she can do it, this should not be an issue). She did get a 8.45 for her highest vault score ever. Matter-of-fact most of these were personal bests.

Mattingly went on to win 2nd Place with her 33.55 All Around score. In listening to some of the other groupings I found out this was high enough to take 1st in one of the older flights. Looks like we are going to do one more meet. The choice is between a "Fun Meet" in Canton, or a Championship meet in Elyria. Here's the difference, the "Fun Meet" gives the kids a little bit higher scores, so if they had an 8.8-8.9 they would go ahead and give the 9.0 since it's for fun. At the Chalk Box the 9.0 club gets to spend a day at Waldameer Amusement Park, and Mattie has yet to cross that threshold. However, I couldn't be more proud, Mattingly chose to go to the Elyria meet because, "You don't really earn your scores at the Fun Meet." Imagine a 7 year old deciding this when most parents do everything they can to give their child an upper hand, ethical or not.

After the meet we had to hurry to Mattie's school for a basketball banquet, (hot dogs & lemonade), and awards ceremony. All of the players received a trophy this year. Last year just 3rd-6th got them, plus Matt's team for going undefeated. Mattie's coach, Steve Severino, deserves special recognition for going out on his own and purchasing Heralds drawstring bags and lanyards for his team.

****Photographer's Note Sorry about the photo quality. Not sure why but the lighting at the Chalk Box throws off my flash.