Megan's Gymnastics Meets

Well, after years of practicing gymnastics, Megan is finally competing. 

This was a long time coming and something we had to really push for. Megan started gymnastics when she was 4. It was mostly a tumbling class, and then at 5, she started a gymnastics class at a church. After that year, we moved her to a gym, and she was so close to making their team when we moved to Texas. 

We took a few months off from gymnastics as we were getting settled, and then we put her in a gym that was close to our house, but after being there for 3 months, we moved because her coach was not a good fit, and Megan was miserable. She didn't love going and regressed. 

At that point, we moved her to a gym that we loved. After being on their show team for 2 years, she moved to their XCEL team, but the gym still didn't complete their lowest level XCEL team. Last Spring, I started realizing the difference between XCEL and JO levels, and had realized that we wanted to change to the JO route. I had asked that gym about JO before, and just trusted them that they were putting Megan on the right track.

Finally, I asked again about JO and they said I was more than welcome to call their JO coach and have her evaluated. And y'all, she didn't even have the skills for their level 3 team, which is one of the lowest levels to start competing. I was heartbroken. Megan had been working so hard and taking gymnastics for 6 years, and she wasn't even ready for the lowest level. What on earth had we been paying for and spending all that time on? At this point, she didn't even have a back handspring mastered, and that's one of the foundational skills. The JO coach suggested a few other gyms we could try, and we immediately called one and Megan was there the next day trying out for their level 3 team. 

It was the best move we could have made because she has thrived! She learned her back handspring after just a few weeks and progressed so much in the next few weeks. Over summer, she spent 20 hours a week in the gym, and during the school year goes 18 hours a week. 

In August, Megan had her very first competition. She did not compete for placement, but this was great experience for her.

Bars is one of her most favorite events! 

Followed by beam. 

We were so proud of her! 

DJ's aunt has recently moved to the Austin area, so she was able to come to the meet with us. 

And Adalyn too. 

I was just so proud to see her finally getting to compete in something she has worked so hard for and has wanted for so long. 

After her competition, we found a local pizza place and had dinner before our drive home. There was a fun bus out back :) Can you find Adalyn?

This past weekend, Megan had her 2nd meet in New Braunfels, about an hour and 15 minutes from our house. This time, she was competing for placement! 

Her entire team won 2nd place. 

And she brought home 4 medals!

Megan placed 3rd on beam, 4th on bars, and 6th on floor, and placed 5th overall. 

We are so, so proud of her! This weekend, she doesn't have a meet scheduled, but the next 3 weekends, she'll be competing again! You can follow along with her journey on her Instagram account.