Gene & Vera (longtime friends from Memphis) got my tickets for me & I got to hang out with them for a few days to participate in USGA's Coaches Congress at the San Jose Convention Center & Olympic Trials at the SAP Center.
Ben & Dara joined us for dinner at Original Joe's, along with longtime family friend, Heather Tucker. Ben & Ryan recently celebrated birthdays but she did not like it when we sang to her!
Dara was able to distract her by sharing this amazing talent with us!
The next day, "Jeffrey" (whose real name is Terry) was able to get me into the Showcase with his AAI credentials. Jeffrey coached with us back in the day & I hadn't seen him in 26 years!
It was pretty exciting to walk into the SAP Center (more affectionately known as the "Shark Tank") & feel the energy of the evening! We sat in the nose bleed section, but Becca had great seats right behind the Raismans (Aly Raisman's parents)!
I was so bummed that cameras were not allowed into the arena, so these crummy cell phone pix is all I have...that's okay...I was able to truly enjoy all of the pageantry & routines!
Simone Biles is amazing! She's definitely in a class all her own...clearly a cut above the rest! No question that she's the best gymnast in the USA...
The gymnasts compete in every event the first night & then the top gymnasts on each event compete the second night. The selection process is not determined by this event alone. Many factors are taken into consideration to insure that the most qualified gymnasts will represent Team USA. The strongest All Around gymnasts make the team & the other team members are filled in according to their strongest events. Even though the final standings show Gabby Douglas in 7th place (not her best night), her international experience & previous performances have shown that she is deserving of a spot on the team. It always amazes me how tight the scoring is! There is basically only 4 points between 1st & 10th place, separated by only fractions of a point...except for Biles. That's a pretty big lead for this level of competition!
Ben met us for lunch on the last day & said goodbye to his "other mother" & we enjoyed the final event & team selection...
On the way out, we ran into an old friend from BYU, Dawn Cattermole. Dawn & I attended many judging clinics together. She & her husband, Brad, coached BYU Gymnastics for almost 30 years & they own & operate All American Gymnastics in Lindon, UT.
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