JOE’S NOTES
Dear Panther Family,
For all of you not present in Orlando this past weekend, you missed a GREAT show of heart and determination by Junior Black, Senior White, Senior Black and Senior Silver and you would have been very proud! These teams really matured at this event. The determination and spirit shown by these teams was nothing short of amazing as they were intense, motivated and having fun! Not one of our kids gave up an ANYTHING! We had kids that were up all night sick but gave 100% on the floor. We had kids injured that gave 100% on the floor. We had kids scared to death but gave 100% on the floor. I saw outstanding coaching by the staff this weekend. Again, very motivated, encouraging and having fun with the kids! The motto for the weekend was to go “full throttle” and that’s exactly what they did!
The weather was great, the venue was Disney and the divisions were stacked as UCA usually is. I was proud when we took 4 out of 4 titles last year but I can tell you that I was equally proud this year! The great thing about UCA is that we see teams from around the country that we usually only see at this competition. Though our favorite “fish” decided to come this year, it only added to the depth and toughness of the division, made us work harder and we had fun anyway!
The team moms and booster board did their usual awesome job and George was his usual hard working self. I guarantee you that he walked AT LEAST 50 miles! I would like to give a particular shout-out to Sherry. As good as this competition is the bureaucracy of the registration process would bring most people to their knees. That coupled with the hotel accommodations and transportation issues, all arranged by her was absolutely outstanding. She put together as seamless an event as I think is possible given the number of people involved and all the moving parts…THANKS SHERRY for the outstanding effort!!!
Junior Black… NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! I think that we would all agree that it’s been a reasonably tough year but what I saw from you girls on Saturday and Sunday was just amazing. You came together as a team and as teammates! You didn’t have the distractions of Dallas interfering with your mission to compete at the top of your game. You finally FULLY focused and were just amazing to watch. You were very good on Saturday but then just DOMINATED the division on Sunday! No one quit, no one gave up and I saw 100% effort from 100% of the team! Congratulations and wear those jackets PROUDLY!
Senior White…2nd PLACE IN THE NATION!!!! You guys have certainly come a LONG WAY this year! You have gone (in the words of some people) from “embarrassing” to AMAZING! It really started at “Battle” and just got better in Dallas and better yet at UCA. I don’t know if you really understand just how close you were to winning this thing! There were mistakes but NOT because of lack of effort! I have not seen 100% of you work as hard at that routine as I did this weekend! You were GREAT, you were AMAZING, you were FUN TO WATCH and I am extremely PROUD OF YOU!!!
Senior Black…3rd PLACE IN THE NATION!!! You did not successfully defend but you DID NOT LOSE! I know that all of you remember the difference in “defeat and “loosing” from Dallas. When you give your all that is all you can give and that is what I saw this weekend…no one quit, no one gave up and you just had that magic that you have. The competition was tough but you did NOT back away from it. I saw MAXIMUM effort from 100% of you! There was so much love for one another on this team and that is a leadership example for our entire gym! Thank you for being SENIOR BLACK!!!!
Senior Silver…3rd PLACE IN THE NATION!!! You guys are a different team since Dallas. You have been so focused and have worked so hard on the upgrades to the routine and it showed this weekend! I don’t know if you realize just how good you have become. To be able to make a change to the opening stunt sequence on Sunday morning and hit it on Sunday afternoon in front of the TV cameras and packed house in a MAJOR COMPETITION is just amazing! Not only that but you moved up to the top 3…wow! I just can’t tell you how proud I am of you ladies. It wasn’t perfect but it wasn’t because you were not giving it EVERYTHING in your bodies. You attacked the routine and definitely went “full throttle”! The dance was the best performance that I have seen from ANY team in ANY competition all year! You represented our gym at this highest level VERY WELL and I am so grateful and PROUD of you!!
We have just 2 weeks left in this season as we head to our “Grand Finale” at US Spirit! Everyone needs to stay focused and work hard as we are defending many titles at this competition! We have an outstanding reputation there and many people like to watch the Panther teams so DON’T MISS PRACTICE!!!
Just a reminder that the banquet is Friday April 13th and TRYOUTS begin April 14th! The new information package will be available by this Sunday.
Great job to all and I’ll see you in the gym.
Go Panthers!
Joe
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