Riley's Single Rope Freestlye Routine

More videos coming soon

There is so much video to post of all of the gals. I am working daily to process the video (something manufacturers fail to mention when they make using a Flip (or in my case Sony Bloggie) camera. I am still so excited though by everything we saw I am committed to keeping it up until we have a complete picture of just how well things went - ribbon or not.

Wrap up for Nationals 2010

Where's Laura when I need her to help with this blogging .... I lost the last one so here it goes again.

I am so proud of all our Jumpers. They did so well. We were so close in some events...11th's and 12th's! We focused a lot on freestyle's and it paid off. We took confidenece in our speed abilities, and did put as much practice into that. We came up a little short in those events that we normally do well in.

I am already thinking of next year. I heard of a quote that I like. The gest of it says that the perfect practice is what is important, not just a practice. We can participate in other activities but when it is time to jump we put our heart into that.

Proforme Airborne wants to hold a fun tournament in the FAll. Regionals in the Spring, and I hope we all make it to Seattle in May. Then of course back to Galvestion in June 2011.

I am glad there is a bit of time before we have to fly again. There was 12 of us who had a heck of a time getting home. We thought all was fine Monday when they were going to hold our connection in St Pual, but then when the plane made a fast descent because the cabin pressure was not working we headed back to Houston. To make it short.. Dawn and her group, Josh and Mayah are getting home today...two days late. Luckily Shea and Beth arrived in Missoula yesterday at 11 followed by Erin, Riley, and I at 6:30. Jim arrived in Bozeman at midnight to get the car.

I miss Nationals and our friends/ competitiors. Jumpers are such a wonderful group of people.
It is a great environment to be in. I hope all of you enjoyed your experiences!

This has been the best Nationals ever due to this great team! Our guys ROCK! We are going to take a short break this summer and come back with more experience and confidence to give it another try for 2011. WE will post more videos soon so keep on blogging! Coach

Gilia and Kayla's Pairs Routine

Thank goodness we have more than one camera on these girls or I would have missed this routine. I was serving as the 'team hair braider'! We do not know results yet for where they placed but will edit post as soon as we find out. Most likely this will be Sunday afternoon.

Erin, Riley, Gilia, and Kayla

The girls looked great out on the floor had a good routine and were rewarded with a 9th place ribbon.

The Little Guys

Tony is forever calling this team 'the little guys' but they had one BIG performance yesterday! These girls did the best they have ever done together and were thrilled. We found out this morning that they missed the ribbons by 2 spots and came in a very respectable 12th place (out of 33 teams). Not too bad for their first National competition.

Priceless

The best way to sum up the day....priceless. It is pairs, double-dutch single and double-dutch pairs day. The day when you lay your ego aside and work to the benefit of the team. If you ask the girls they might tell you that they prefer single rope freestyle. They are on their own, make up their own routines, and live and die but their performance. I found it interesting though despite their preference for being alone that today was probably (in this mom's opinion) our best day. The girls came together at the right time, peaked on the right day, and the look in their eyes when they were done, knowing they each nailed it was priceless. Lots and lots of vidoe to share today so the rest of the posts will be video only. It was a great day all around - the SUPER SKIPPERS ROCK!

This is the four person team doing their routine. They placed 8th WAY TO GO!!!!

Coaches Report

Finally the coach has been shown how to get on this blog. I have been so proud of these girls. They have handled themselves well through the ups and downs. They have worked hard for so many months getting stronger and increasing their skills. Jump Rope requires strength, endurance, coordination, cooperation, and communication to become a well rounded team, and this is just what these girls have accomplished.

I hope all of you enjoy our videos since you cannot be here. Thank Laura for getting this up and running. Coach Bev

The cat is out of the bag!

Okay, my cover is blown! As you will see below I am NOT computer or video saavy. My apologies to all of Tavins follwers and take a Dramamine as you watch her routine - sideways :(

Nerves of Steel

No one likes to be towards the end of the heats but not Tavin. She looked the most relaxed as she headed out to the floor. The smile was killer - she has a face the judges love! She did a great job as you can see.

Jalyssa Jumps Her Heart Out!

Just competing on the National floor who give me a serious case of the nerves and Jalyssa handled it like a pro! Although she did not place she was thrilled with her performance, knows what she can improve and tells us she already has a solid start on next year's routine!

Single Rope Freestyle - judges ready - jumpers ready

Is it really Friday? That's what I hear but for me it feels like early in the week (maybe Tuesday) as day 2 of competition kicked off bright and early at 8 am. First thing was the test of endurance in three minute speed. Maya, Erin, and Riley qualified to jump while the other girls cheered like crazy for them.

Then on to the freestyle competition where Erin, Riley, Tavin and Jalyssa took to the floor. The arena floor has a nice horseshoe set-up for easy viewing of all competitors but for the sake of the parents who could not come down I sat closest to your competing child for the best taping. It was a long day of waiting for the girls - especially Tavin who did not jump until heat 40. I heard many of our gilrs comment on the routines they saw and taking mental notes of what they could add to future routines.

But the best part ---- dinner! Bet you thought I was going to say results didn't you? We ate as a team at the Rainforest Cafe although (and hears another thing I am thankful for) the girls all sat at one table and adults at another - love um dearly but it was nice to let them eat together and unwind how they wanted.

Before leaving for dinner we had the awards ceremony - today was a great day to be from Big Sky Country!

Female Single Rope Speed: Maya 4th place (13-14) and Erin a SILVER place(18-23)!

Triple Unders: Riley a GOLD medal (15-17)and Erin 5th place(18-23)!

Three minute speed: Riley 7th place (15-17)and Erin a SILVER medal(18-23)!

Single Rope Freestyle: Erin 4th place (18-23)

And the icing on the cake.....Erin will compete Sunday in Grand Nationals in Female Single Roper Speed, and Single Rope Freestyle while Riley will show off her triple jump prowess!

The Need for Speed

Whew, I was exhausted just watching the girls compete. They all did well even though each team did not place in the 1-10th spots (for those of you who do not follow jump rope participants get ribbons for 4-9th place and then medals for 1-3).

Once competition was completed awards were handed out for team events. They are keeping us in suspense for for individual results which will be announced during the Friday awards ceremony.

So many favorite parts of tonight and things I am thankful for: seeing the girls work as teams (no drama if you can believe it!), watching Olivia compete at her first Nationals (as well as the other first timers but this mom is partial!), the look of pure joy on Rileys face when she was the "last one jumping" during triple unders - and the sweaty hug immediately following the event, the Starbucks at Krogers grocery store right next door, the comfortable chairs in the arena, and the fact that my deodorant can keep up in this heat and humidity!

Okay.... enough suspense - results from Thursday team speed events:
Single Rope Speed Relay - 18 and over 10th place - Erin, Riley, Shea, Maya
Double Dutch Speed Relay - 18 and over 10th place- Erin, Riley, Gilia
And last but my no means least - Olivia, Tavin, Kylee and Jayllsa scored a personal best in double dutch pairs speed with a score of 210. They missed the ribbons but got a respectable 13th place and were thrilled!

Nationals Kick Off!

What a great experience being down here! I was so proud of the girls last night during the opening - watching them come in to the arena to compete. They represent us so well. It was a hot, muggy day in Galveston. Once the competition kicked off at 4pm the girls were on the go until about 9. Attached is the video footage of the opening.

hope we all do our best!

Wheels down - Galveston!

We made it to Galveston with groups arriving from our team late afternoon to early evening. It was kind of like the Amazing Race (with each 'team' having its own distinct set of roadblocks!). Luckily, Glynns, Jayllsa, Olivia, Tavin, and I were living right and other than a 4 hour delay in the Minneapolis airport (see photo in front of Snoopy) we made it unscathed. Once in Houston it is a 1-2 hour drive to Galveston depending on traffic. Our van driver was THE BOMB and got us here speedy fast! Once here we met up with Margie and Gilia, Dawn and her crew of Jordan, Kylee, and Maura.

Gilia was the lone team member to compete in the first ever Lone Star Classic tournament leading up to the national meet. She did GREAT getting (and I hope this is right) a sliver in her single rope freestyle routine and a bronze speed. We hope her luck rubs off on the rest of the team.

We ate dinner at the Mexican restaurant right across the street from the hotel.....the walls were decorated in a combo sea and Mexican Mariachi theme. The girls are shown in front of the turtle mariachi band. Although they did not play music last night we hear they are very good! Then it was on to the beach - also conveniently located right across the street. It was great to watch the girls unwind, hunt for shells and crabs and had have a good time together. We stayed until dark and then headed back to the rooms for bed.

This morning Coach Bev has the team up, organized and over at the practice gym. Here they are looking great right before starting their practice session. The speed events kick off this afternoon and 4pm CST. I believe you may be able to catch some of the action down her on Fox Sports Channel - check your local listings!

HELLO! SUPER SKIPPERS!!!!!!! I AM SO VERY EXCITED FOR NATIONALS AND FOR YOU GUYS TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO COMPETE AT THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT! I KNOW YOU ALL WILL DO GREAT! JUST FOCUS AND HAVE FUN! LOVE, RILEY AND SEE YA THERE!!!

EXCITED

Show in Charlo today, then pack, then off to Bozemon for the beginning of the journey!!! Yay!

You girls are looking great! This a Maura, Maya, Jordan and Shea during practice Monday.

These gals are awesome, take how hard you think this routine is and then multiply it by 100!

More video of the girls during their last practice. This is our youngest team composed of 10 and 11 year olds. This is their first trip to Nationals.

FINALLY! It took me all night to figure out how to post video to the blog and after watching it it is worth it! The girls have worked so hard to get this far. In this video Erin, Riley and Gilia perfect their routine.

Hey, I just wanted to wish all of you good luck at Nationals.

HOLA!!! ¿Que pasa? (Hi! Wuz happenin?)

ARE YOU READY?!!! Tomorrow's the big day that our family leaves to Bozeman to catch our Wednesday flight for the National Tournament in Galveston, TX. Whoo!!! Along with Maura, my sis and I are totally ready for the wonderful views on our plane, but we're a little upset about our 4 HOUR layover. We're excited for the competion and we'll try to update you daily with our activites. Thanks for supporting our team. Adios.

We are sooo excited!

I cannot believe we leave in just TWO SHORT DAYS! We are so very excited to participate in this experience, and we wish all the competing jumpers good luck while in Texas!

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." Harriet Tubman

Work hard and reach for the stars, gang!!!

wow this is cool thanks for setting this up for us Laura!