Home Meet 2014!

Just one quick reminder, we do not have practice this Tuesday and Wednesday (December 31, January 1).

Our home meet is going to be on February 1, 2014.  That's only a little over a month away!  The theme is the SuperBowl

Meet Director- Mariellen Voit, Jim Buisson
Scoring- Mark Fischer, Tricia Andersen
Awards- Hannah Chai
Concessions- Jane Boback, Rebecca Strong, Lora Alberto
Decorations- Jasmine Mitchell
Judges and Coaches Hospitality- Stephanie Haarlammert, Shelli Hoffmann
Non-food sales- Suzanne Engel, Debbie Janakiefksi
Treasurer- Carolyn Buisson

Make sure you are on the lookout for sign up genius for opportunities to volunteer/ donate items for the home meet.  Every family is required to help out during the home meet.  This includes setting up the gym Friday night after practice.  Contact Mariellen Voit if there is a conflict and you will not be able to be there either Friday or Saturday.  There was an e-mail sent out with more detailed information and more information will be coming in the coming weeks

January 18th from 10am-12: Home meet decorating party for gymnasts

January 18th from 10am-11am: All parent meeting.  One parent or family representative is asked to attend

January 31: Set up for home meet

February 1: Competition!

 

Nationals scores are out!

-Nationals scores have finally been posted!  Below is the link for all the details.  Keep in mind that our team only takes level 4's and up 

http://www.tampaymca.org/3cmby/files/ynat/2014_Y_Nationals_Rules__Policies.pdf

Level 4: 32.00 AA
Level 5: 31.00 AA
Level 6: 31.00 AA
Level 7: 31 AA
Excel Gold: 31AA
Excel Platinum: 31AA

-We will be taking team, level, and any remaining individual pictures on January 3rd.

-Keep in mind, there is NO PRACTICE this week (December 23-27) and December 31/January 1

Enjoy your break and see all of you in 2014!

Jasmine
 

We survived the snow!

Everyone who braved the winter roads to Miami Co yesterday made it safely! (Maybe a little late, but safe:)  The Monarchs had a very successful meet!

Level 3's took first place
Level 4's took third place
Level 5's took third place
Level 6's took first place
Level 7's took first place

Don't forget that we have another meet this weekend at Sidney Shelby, so all practices are mandatory.  Here's the schedule.  Check what time your daughter needs to be there:)

Saturday, Dec. 14 Session I: Level 4(Age 11 and up) and Level 5 – 62 gymnasts 
7:30am Gymnastics Center opens for stretching/bar sets 
8:20am Timed warm-ups 
8:45am Presentation of teams 
11:45am Awards 

Saturday, Dec.14 Session II: Level 6 and up and Excel- 63 gymnasts 
11:30am Report for stretching in Racquet court 3 in between the gyms 12:00pm Timed Warm-ups 
12:20pm Presentation of teams 
3:00pm Awards 

Saturday, Dec. 14 Session III: Level 3 (10 and under)- 54 gymnasts 
2:45pm Report for stretching in Racquet court 3 in between the gyms 
3:15pm Timed Warm-ups 
3:30pm Presentation of teams 
6:00pm Awards 

Saturday, Dec. 14 Session IV: Level 4 (Ages 10 and under) and Level 3 (Ages 11and over)- 58 gymnasts 
5:45pm Report for stretching in Racquet court 
6:15pm Timed Warm-ups 
6:30pm Presentation of teams 
8:30pm Awards

Just  another quick reminder, 
NO PRACTICE December 23-26 and December 31-January 1 

Good job Monarchs!
Jasmine 

It's December!

There's alot going on in December so make sure you keep up with all the latest information through the blog, website, and e-mail.  Please feel free to ask any of the coaches or board members if you have any questions!

Here's some important dates to remember:

• December 6: Scratches due through sign up genius for Sidney Shelby

• December 7: Miami County Meet (schedule below)

• December 14: Sidney Shelby

• December 23-26:  NO PRACTICE!  Merry Christmas!

• December 31: All uniform fees due in full.  Family accounts cannot be negative

• December 31/ January 1: NO PRACTICE!  Happy New Year!

For those of you who did not sign up for individual pictures the last two weekends, we will be taking them the same day as team and level pictures.  We are working on getting a date and will let you know once we have one.  I've started posting pictures on the shutterfly website and should have them all up by this Friday.

With the holidays coming up, please be sure to let Kristin know if your gymnast will be missing any practices.

Miami County Schedule

Session 1: Level 3 (62 gymnasts) Meet style- Capital Cup 
8:00 am Open stretch/bar sets 
8:15 am Coaches meeting 
8:30 am Warm-up first event 
8:45 am Presentation of teams 9:00 am Competition 
*Awards following in Multipurpose room 

Session 2: Level 4 & 5 (72 gymnasts) Meet style- Capital Cup 
11:30 am Open stretch/ bar sets 
12:00 pm Warm-up first event 
12:20 pm Presentation of teams 
12:30 pm Competition 
*Awards following in Multipurpose Room 

Session 3: Level 6-9/Excel (45 gymnasts) Meet style- Capital Cup 
3:00 pm Open stretch/Bar Sets 
3:30 pm Warm-up first event 
4:00 pm Presentation of teams 
4:15 pm Competition begins 
*Awards following in gym.

Thanks!
Jasmine

Extra Practices

With our next meet being the week we come back, we have provided each level a practice this weekend in order to better prepare them for the upcoming meet. Each practice is $5 per gymnast.

• Friday November 29th, 4-5:30- Level 4's only 

• Saturday November 30th, 7:45am-9:30am- Level 5,6,7, Excel only 

• Saturday November 30th, 12-2pm- Level 3's only  

Kristin also sent out a conditioning sheet. Since we are still off for an entire week, doing this will help keep them prepared for the meet:)

Jasmine

Happy Thanksgiving!- NO PRACTICE

Just a reminder, there is NO PRACTICE this week!  Enjoy your break!

We started taking individual pictures this weekend and so far it's been going smoothly.  Make sure if you haven't signed up for pictures yet, you pick a time slot in sign up genius.  We will be taking pictures Saturday from 12-4.  I will start posting pictures next weekend and will have them all up as soon as I can:) We are still working on a date for team/level pictures

Even though we have an entire week off practice, it is good idea for the girls to continue conditioning and doing basics at home since we have a meet the week we get back.  There is an open gym from 12-2 on 11/30 if they want some extra time to practice before the meet on 12/7.  Hope to see a lot of you there!

The level 6's and 7's had a competition this past weekend at Countryside and they all did really well.  Level 7's took first and level 6's took third.  Way to go Becca, Alyssa, Emily, Sarah, Ally, Emily, and Kamille!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Jasmine

Team Pictures

All of the girls have done really well at the first two meets of the season!  Hopefully the nerves have subsided and they are becoming more confident with their routines and skills.  Now that we have a little bit of a break before our next meet, we're back in the gym conditioning, working basics, and refining skills.

I'll have pictures posted from the meet later this week.  I've gotten a lot of requests for the password so here it is just in case you need it:)
https://powelcrosleyjrymcamonarchs.shutterfly.com/
Password: Monarchs (make sure the "M" is capital)

It's time for team pictures!  We are going to be doing them a little different this year than we have in the past though since there are so many girls on the team.  Tricia will be setting up 10 minute time slots on sign up genius.  Each gymnast needs to sign up for 1 slot and an additional 1 slot for sibling pictures.  Individual pictures are going to be this weekend (Saturday November 23 and Sunday November 24) from 12-5pm and next weekend (Saturday November 30) from 12-5pm.  We are still figuring out a time to do the team/level pictures and will send out that information as soon as we know:)

Thanks!
Jasmine

Darke County Meet-SUCCESS!

42 Monarchs went out today and did an awesome job at our first competition of the season!  It was a great start to the 2013-2014 season.  

It was a long day, but a huge success.  The girls went out and showed their new routines off!  In the two short weeks since the mock meet, there was a ton of improvement.  All of that hard work is paying off!  All of the coaches are really proud of how the girls performed today and they should be proud of themselves as well.  They rocked it!
 
On top of tons of personal accomplishments, we also took several team awards.  

• Level 3's took SECOND
• Level 6's took FIRST
• Level 7's took SECOND

With our first competition out of the way, it's time to start looking towards our next competition which is THIS FRIDAY/SATURDAY!  It's right back into the gym to continue working skills and routines so that we can go and rock it again at Kettering!  Keep up the hard work everyone!

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."

First Meet!!!

The girls have been working hard all summer and now our first meet is finally here!  I hope the girls are feeling confident about their routines and prepared for Saturday!  Unlike past years, Friday will not be a gimme day.  The girls have to show their skills the first two practices the week of a meet in order to compete (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday).  If they do not show their skills on their practice days before Friday, they will not compete that event.  Friday is going to be for cleaning up skills and relaxing before our first meet.  Even if girls show skills on Friday that they did not show earlier in the week, they will still not compete that event.  The final decision about what the girls are competing will be made on either Wednesday or Thursday (NOT Friday)  If the girls have any questions about what they are competing, have them talk to their coach:)

With our first meet so close, here are a few reminders for the meet:
1) Make sure your gymnast shows up ON TIME (or early!) for their session.  Leave a little early just in case:)  Have them get everything together the night before so they aren't running around looking for things in the morning.
See schedule below

2) Make sure they show up with their BLACK duffel bag.  They should have a water bottle, grips, floor music, a small, healthy snack, and one small good luck charm.  They might also want to keep some hairspray, bobby pins, hair ties, tape, or nail polish remover in there as well.

3)When they arrive at the meet they should be in their competition leo with their full warm-up on and meet hair (All hair must be pulled back with no whispies.  Use hairspray:)

4) Parents, it is usually helpful for you to keep your gymnasts coat and shoes with you since their meet bags are not very big.

5) Once it is time for your gymnast to warm-up, you are not allowed to talk to them again until after the entire session is over.  If you have to give them something (waterbottle, snack, ect.) get the attention of one of the coaches and they will give it to them although it is easiest if you they remember these things beforehand:)

*One way to help reduce first meet gitters is for the gymnasts to do mental sets.  It only takes a couple minutes, but makes a huge difference.  Do them before bed, on the way to school, on the way to the meet, or whenever else you can find time:)

Good luck everyone and HAVE FUN!  SUCCESS come on MONARCHS we're the BEST!  1,2,3... PC!  Can't wait to see everyone at the team dinner tomorrow night!

Below is the Darke County schedule in case you don't know when your gymnast needs to be there:

SESSION 1: Level 3’s (60 gymnasts) BE THERE BY 7:45AM FOR WARM-UP!
Modified Capitol Cup Bar Settings:8:00-8:15 AM
Coaches Meeting:8:10 AM
Warm Up first event:8:15 AM
March In: 8:50 AM (earlier if possible)
Awards immediately following in the Youth Gym

SESSION 2: Levels 4 & 5 (69 gymnasts) Modified Capitol Cup BE THERE BY 10:15AM FOR WARM-UP!
Bar Settings & Stretch (in racquetball room):10:30 AM
(Please be here for early stretch)
Timed Warm Ups: 11:00 AM (Approximately –earlier if possible)
March in: 11:45 AM (earlier if possible)
Awards Immediately Following Competition in the Youth Gym

SESSION 3: Levels 6 and up and Xcel (45 gymnasts) Modified Capitol Cup BE THERE BY 2:00PM FOR WARM-UP!
Bar Settings & Stretch (in racquetball room): 2:15 PM
Timed Warm Ups: 2:45 PM (Approximately –earlier if possible)
March in: 3:30 PM (earlier if possible)
Awards Immediately Following Competition in the Youth Gym

Jasmine

Mock Meet

Congratulations to the 2013-2014 Monarchs Team/Level Captains!

Team: Emily Engle and Sarah Voit
Level 6/7: Ally Boback
Level 5: Julia Deuitch
Level 4: Claire Fischer and Sophie Buisson
Level 3: Ava Karle and Megan Haarlammert

 All the gymnasts did an awesome job at the mock meet this past weekend! Obviously there are still some things that need work, but I think we're headed in the right direction:)

    It's going to be a crazy first meet due to the new routines and how many girls we have competing this year.  Hopefully the mock meet helped better prepare the girls (and parents!) for our first meet which is less than 2 weeks away!  

     As crazy as the first meet is going to be, we'll at least be marching in in our full uniforms because the warm-ups are finally here!  We're still waiting on the leos to come(fingers crossed) and then we'll sort and handout warm-ups, leos, and under garments all at the same time.
     
     A few things to keep in mind as our first meet approaches:

-each gymnast needs a small black duffle bag to keep all of their things in during the meet.  This does not have to be a Monarchs bag, but they do need to have one to keep grips, waterbottle, a small snack, a small good luck charm, and warm-ups in.
-gymnasts MUST be at all practices the week of a meet(next week) or they will not be allowed to compete

Be on the lookout for more detailed information about our first meet in the near future:)

With meet season approaching, the girls are going to be super busy between school, practice, and competitions. As always, make sure they are getting enough sleep and eating healthy:)  

Jasmine

Routines, routines, routines!

 Just a quick reminder to make sure you are checking the calendar on the website.  It is up to date and has all the dates you need to know!

Our mock meet is a week from Sunday!  I know the girls are getting really excited because this is what they've been working for all summer.  Routines still aren't where they should be, but we're getting there.  We're doing our best with the space and time we have.  The girls should already be aware, but if the coaches feel the girls aren't comfortable enough with their routines, they will scratch that event regardless of whether or not they have all their required skills.  We don't want to send anyone out there if they aren't ready.  If they want to be ready they have to practice at home.  We simply do not have enough time during practice to get the routines down really well.  

If you are unsure of how your gymnast is progressing feel free to talk to any of the coaches.  We are all more than willing to let you know how they are doing.  Same for the girls.  If they have any questions about how they are doing or if they are really frustrated with a certain skill, make sure they are talking to the coaches too!  The more the gymnasts communicate with the coaches, the more productive we can be:)

Today all the girls voted on team and level captains.  There are still some girls who need to vote, but we'll let everyone know the results before our first meet.

Make sure the girls are still properly fueling their bodies and getting enough sleep!  

Keep up the hard work!
-Jasmine

"There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

36 days and counting!

The blog is back up and running, so make sure to check it often for updates;)

Here are a few important dates to remember.  Write them on your calendar, put them in your phone, check your e-mail, visit the blog,check your family folder, go to the parent meetings and talk to your daughters!  Whatever it takes, so that you aren't surprised when something comes up :)

September 20: Fall Bulb Sale info distributed (Check your family folders!)

October 3: Parent Board Meeting
October 7/8: Fall Bulb order due (Don't be late!)
October 12/13: Spirit wear orders during practice
October 18:Let Kristin know if your daughter will NOT be competing on October 26th
October 26: Let Kristin know if your daughter will NOT be competing on November 1/2
October 26: First meet at Darke County!!!

November 1/2: Kettering meet
November 28/29: NO PRACTICE!

December 6: Let Kristin know if your daughter will NOT be competing on December 14th.
December 14th: Sidney Shelby meet
 
 The gym is super crazy right now!  We are still adjusting to having a team of over 50 girls this year.  It's the biggest our team has been which has been a scheduling challenge.  Bear with us as we try and figure out the best system for the girls ;)

To add to all the craziness, routines changed this year!  The dance in these routines is more difficult (or at least seems that way since we haven't had it engrained in our minds for the past 8 years!)  The coaches and girls have been working hard in and out of the gym to learn these routines.  Make sure the girls are still practicing at home!  It's super important if they want to be comfortable with their routines by the time our first meet rolls around on October 26th!
The optional girls have also been working really hard on their routines and they  are looking really good! 
Keep up the hard work everyone!

Only 36 days until our first meet!  That means its crunch time!  It is really important that the girls make it to as many practices as possible since we are so close to our first competition!  It's also important that they are eating healthy and getting enough sleep.  Seeing as they are athletes, this should be a priority!  Parents- make sure you are encouraging this!