Day By Day© by Chris Muir.

October 21, 2007

My Morning at a Cheerleading Competition

So the hubby and I spent the entire morning at the local cheerleading competition, watching our youngest compete with her team. This is her fourth year with the program. As a result, I've seen my fair share of competitions, including on the regional level, and so I jotted down a few notes to share with you all in case you don't have the opportunity to attend this kind of event:

*The team that practices year round with paid professional coaches usually wins. There's one town that really does this, and almost every competition they snag all the first place trophies. This year, however, only one of their teams placed in the morning session, and the team competing in my daughter's age group didn't even place. I was surprised but pleased...I consider them to be our arch rivals.

*If your kid's team experiences a major flub during the routine, you'd better hope your kid wasn't responsible...some teammates AND some parents can be very unforgiving.

*If it weren't for the wrinkles, baggy eyes and leathery skin, you couldn't tell some mothers from their teenage daughters. Ladies, PLEASE: dress according to your age. This doesn't mean you have to be a frump, but looking like you raid your kid's closet isn't exactly flattering either.

*Whoever creates music mixes for cheer routines should be shot. They're jarring, loud, and just obnoxious sounding.

*No matter how old people are, there are always a handful that can't follow directions. No clapping until the routine is done means just that! Sit on your hands if you can't control the urge to applaud in the middle.

*People are slobs. First of all, there wasn't supposed to be any food in the gymnasium. Second of all, if you can't follow that rule, at least pick up your coffee cups and potato chip bags. Sheesh!

*Sitting on hard, plastic bleachers with no back support for two and a half hours sucks! I should have a chiropracter on speed dial.

*The 50/50 raffle is a great way to pick up some cash. Today's winner walked away with well over $700!

*Finally, the team that comes back at the end of the competition to finish the routine that was interrupted by one of their teammates getting injured always gets the biggest round of applause. Kudos! (The announcer also told us that she will be okay; she is just being kept under observation at the hospital as a precaution.)