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Tomorrow is Em's 9th birthday, and by happy (or not) coincidence her first real judged gymnastics competition. When asked what type of party she wanted her response was "I don't care about a party, I want my friends and our family to come see me compete."
So...everyone is coming to the meet, then afterwards we are going to her favorite restaurant for dinner. Sunday we're planning a more traditional cake and ice cream and open presents kind of party as well.
That was the plan and it was a good one until Tuesday night at gymnastics practice when she went to do a round off and her ankle turned and she collapsed on it. The coaches iced it right away but by the time we got home there was a spreading bruise and swelling. Definitely a sprain.
As of right now, she is still making it along, and still insists she is okay to compete Friday. I must admit, she's done better than I thought she would - she's walking on it without a limp and the swelling has gone down. But, I'm still worried she won't be able to compete on it. That will crush her, because having everyone see her compete was the only thing she wanted for her birthday.
So...just keep us in your thoughts? I know it's a trivial thing, there will be other meets, but it's not trivial to a nine year old. And I would be disappointed too, if I'd worked so hard for so long to get to something and was too hurt to participate. The birthday angle just makes it worse. Thanks, guys. I may not be online much the next couple of days, it's our host meet so I'll be busy not only watching her compete but volunteering to work other parts of the meet.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Of course it's not trivial to a nine year old. Prayers and good vibes are on their way. Good luck!
Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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aww, poor little thing! I'm sending all my happy thoughts to her - and I know whatever happens, she'll have an awesome birthday. Posts: 1006 | Registered: Jun 2006
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Oh my. Happy Birthday to Emily and I hope she's healthy enough to compete! Y'all will be in my thoughts.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Real quick, because it's late and I'm tired...she competed, and hurt the ankle again. So it wasn't the best of meets, but she did get through it and wound up with a 5th place on floor and a 7th place all around which is excellent for her first meet!
She was grinning from ear to ear because the podium goes to sixth place, so that fifth place meant she was on the podium and she was one happy girl. She won five medals all together. (but then, they give medals out all the way down to 12th place, so most girls get medals)
She got to eat at her favorite Mexican restaurant where they put the sombrero on her head and sang to her. She was so hungry she barely paused eating while they did it!
Anyway, I think she had a good birthday even though she was hurt. we have another meet next Friday so we'll keep an eye on the ankle again. Thanks for the good wishes, everyone!
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I do hope she takes care of that ankle. Sacrificing a potential career for a competition when you're nine just isn't worth it, nomatter how important it can seem at the time. Did the coach okay her to compete even though she was hurt?
Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Oh, of course, sm. And, we had a professional athletic trainer on staff who checked it out as well. All the swelling was gone before we let her compete, and she could bear weight on it. At the meet itself, it gave under her a bit when she did her dismount from the beam, so they iced and re-wrapped it. I've already checked it again this morning, and last night's swelling has already dissipated. She can walk on it fine without a limp this morning.
There's still some bruising, but I don't think it's fresh bruising, if you know what I mean. It's still purple in spots but I believe that's still bruising from the original injury on Tuesday night.
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Nine year olds recover so much quicker than us middle-agers, too! They are extremely resilient.
Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Congratulations to Emily! Let us know how she does in the meet this Friday. I hope that her ankle can heal completely by then so that it won't be bothering her too much.
Posts: 340 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Well, the regular gymnastics season (compulsories) is over. Her team finished 4th in the state. Not bad, out of 24 teams.
Personally, she finished as follows in her age group:
Vault - Tied for 16th Bars - 7th Beam - Tied for 9th Floor - 9th All Around - 12th
So, considering that hers was the largest age group at state competition, and it was her first year to compete, those placements aren't too bad.
But, we're not finished with competition. Because this group of level 3's are the best our gym has ever had (in 25 years of competing), they've decided to take them to Prep Op (Optionals) competition starting in February. This will be the first time our gym has ever taken level 3's to prep op.
To get ready, Emily is working on her back handspring for the floor and her cartwheel on the beam. Tonight she did both without a spotter. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:Vault - Tied for 16th Bars - 7th Beam - Tied for 9th Floor - 9th All Around - 12th
So, considering that hers was the largest age group at state competition, and it was her first year to compete, those placements aren't too bad.
Not bad? They're great! Swimming uses a similar meet -> states system to gymnastics if I recall correctly. Man I'd kill to get those placements at a state meet in swimming. Congrats Posts: 3295 | Registered: Jun 2004
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Was she wearing an ankle brace of any kind? Tape?
Once you sprain an ankle, it's really easy to twist it or sprain it again and again. Proper athletic ankle support is a must to prevent re-spraining and permanent injury.
My sister sprained her ankle many times in Jr. High and High School sports. These days, if she's not wearing ankle supports on both feet, it seems like she gets a sprain everytime she sneezes. So, tell your kiddo to take it easy.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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